BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at Dundalk Institute of Technology

Over the duration of this four-year Honours Degree course, students will develop the professional knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to meet the specific needs of persons with intellectual disabilities. Student’s theoretical knowledge and practical skills will be developed through, the use of innovative and traditional teaching and learning approaches in modern teaching spaces and simulated learning environments.

Course Description

Intellectual Disability Nursing is ideally placed to facilitate the needs of people with an intellectual disability in a variety of settings in partnership with the person and their family/ carers. They may require support of their well-being by improving or maintaining their physical and mental health.

In addition, Intellectual Disability Nurses can promote social inclusion by reducing barriers and supporting the person to live their lives as fully and independently as possible while respecting their rights and dignity. Over the course of this four-year course, students will develop the professional knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to meet the specific needs of persons with intellectual disabilities.

Student’s theoretical knowledge and practical skills will be developed through, the use of innovative and traditional teaching and learning approaches in modern teaching spaces and simulated learning environments.

Registered Nurses Intellectual Disability work in partnership with the person and their family carers, to provide specialist healthcare in a diversity of roles and settings across the life span, as people with intellectual disabilities often have a wide range of complex physical and mental health needs. Their main aim is to provide person centred care and support the well-being and social inclusion of people with an intellectual disability by improving or maintaining their physical and mental health; by reducing barriers; and supporting the person to live their lives as fully and independently as possible, while respecting their rights and dignity. Nursing support is provided in residential community settings, family homes, workplaces and schools.

Career Options

• Apply to practice as a Registered Intellectual Disability Nurse in Ireland and throughout the UK and EU.
• Graduates can apply for positions at Staff Nurse grade in the Irish healthcare sector