BSc (Hons) - Learning Disabilities Nursing
If you feel passionate about empowering people to gain their best quality of life and feelings of fulfilment, then a career as a Learning Disability Nurse, may be for you. In supporting some of the most marginalised and discriminated against, individuals in society, Learning Disability Nursing aims to redress the power balance, enabling people to take control over their lives.
If you have already completed a FdSc Nursing Associate programme, you will be able to enter directly into the second year of this degree, enabling you to qualify as a learning disability nurse in just two years.
This programme will provide you with clinical experience in a rewarding, challenging and caring role and equip you with the skills you need to become a specialised registered nurse. Taught over both Carlisle Fusehill and the Lancaster Campus, you will work within the NMC professional values and gain skills in prioritising people, practising effectively and promoting professionalism. Studying with the University of Cumbria will give you the insight and skills to demonstrate critical thinking in relation to health facilitation, complex healthcare issues and the promotion of health and wellbeing of people with a learning disability.
Whilst gaining the skills needed to be a registered nurse, this course also focuses on the specialised and inclusive support required for Learning Disability Nursing. Opportunities are endless, you can work across the lifespan, specialise in areas such as behaviour support, health facilitation, children and young people, intensive support services, commissioning, mental health, forensic/secure settings, end of life care or acute hospital settings. … the list is long!
Most of our qualifying students, have multiple job offers upon finishing their studies. There is a real need for more Learning Disability Nurses in practice and there has never been a better time to train!
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Course Overview
With a 50:50 split between practice and theoretical study, this programme will allow you to work on placement alongside experienced and qualified nurses across the lifespan, in a variety of settings, with compassion, creativity and collaboration. Your problem solving skills and evidence based practice will enable you to have a positive impact on the wellbeing and health outcomes of those patients with a learning disability. The University of Cumbria offers many opportunities so that you can make the most of the placement experience and network with local services.
You will be allocated six placements over the course. For students who wish to undertake placements closer to home, if you study at the Lancaster campus you may have the opportunity to undertake placements with the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Lancashire and South Cumbria Foundation Trust, and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay. You will also have the opportunity to complete an enrichment placement that you will arrange yourself (potentially working abroad). Note – this is self-funded.
Our experienced academic staff will develop your independent thinking and problem-solving skills using clinical labs, simulated hospital wards, lectures, guest speakers, workshops and technical simulations. All of which will be supported by a wide variety of online learning opportunities. CPD and postgraduate courses after graduation will help you take the next step in your career.
On this course you will...
- Prepare you to work with people across the lifespan from new families, children and young people, to older adults who require support at various times throughout their lives.
- Provide nursing care and support to an individual and families and have a profound impact on their lives.
- Experience something new every day, and have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
- Work in a wide variety of settings. The opportunities are endless, allowing you to have a career where you are always motivated and inspired to go to work for another exciting and rewarding day.
- Learn to become an advocate for people with learning disabilities, you can make sure that a person's voice is heard, their human rights protected and that discrimination does not occur.
What our students say
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![Amy Cooper, Learning Disabilities Nursing]()
Once I had met the nursing tutors, I knew learning disability nursing was for me and it is the best decision I have ever made.
Amy Cooper, Learning Disabilities Nursing
Amy worked in a hospital as a clinical support worker and was inspired to apply to study learning disabilities nursing when a friend went to work at Cumbria and encouraged her to apply.
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![Sharon Blezard, Learning Disabilities Nursing]()
An opportunity came up to attend an open day that highlighted Learning Disability Nursing. It was an amazing experience, speaking to past students and service users, it felt like I belonged.
Sharon Blezard, Learning Disabilities Nursing
Sharon has wanted to be a nurse since leaving school, upon attending one of our open days and excelling in her interview she finally had the opportunity to study to become the nurse she'd always dreamed of.
Experience Cumbria
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.jpg "Learning disabilities nursing students getting ready for a simulation session")
.jpg "A nursing student in our simulation labs")
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Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
Find out more
Find out more about studying with us
Attend an Open Day at Cumbria
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.
