Nursing (Learning Disabilities)

Could you support people living with a learning disability? Have you got what it takes to be an advocate and meet their needs? Training as a learning disability nurse, you’ll learn to work with people with a diverse range of health conditions.

Our PGDip Nursing (Learning Disabilities) meets the high demand for nurses who can work with complex morbidities across the lifespan within different settings. It enables qualified adult, children’s and mental health nurses, who have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, to undertake an additional professional role in learning disability nursing.

Drawing on your experience, you’ll apply nursing principles, qualities and knowledge to explore care for adults and children with learning disabilities. Then you’ll put everything into practice on supervised work placements and discover how to help people live as independently as possible.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed the skills to plan, coordinate and deliver care. And you’ll be able to register as a qualified learning disabilities nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

What you'll study

This programme adheres closely to the six core values of the NHS. These values, enshrined within the NHS Constitution, have been developed by patients, the public and staff to inspire passion in the NHS, guide it in the 21st century, and provide common ground for cooperation in achieving shared aspirations.

In this PGDip Nursing (Learning Disabilities) you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to align with the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency.

Develop all the skills needed for a second field of nursing, while consolidating your existing knowledge and skills. There’s a big focus on leadership and management, and you’ll get an in-depth understanding of medication, pharmacology, consent, safeguarding and law, providing a smooth transition to professional practice in your chosen additional field.

How you'll study

Seminars, lectures, work-based learning, tutorials and technology enhanced learning will be used to deliver this programme. While the majority of classes will take place at Edge Hill University, some learning may involve studying at sites other than Ormskirk in which case you will be responsible for travel and parking costs.

You will develop confidence in learning disability nursing through a combination of simulated education and extensive time in practice undertaken in hospitals and community settings within the NHS, local authorities, and independent and voluntary organisations. Practice settings will be drawn from our network of more than 600 placement locations across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire. You will be supported by a practice placement assessor and supervisor.

Placements will include weekend, early morning, evening and night work to ensure access to a full range of practice experiences across 24-hour care. You will be responsible for travel and parking costs while on placement. There is also an opportunity to undertake a practice learning experience outside the region, within the United Kingdom or internationally.