Learning Disability Practice

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Nursing student Emma Garner was inspired to pursue a career in nursing by the death of her son Thomas (pictured) in April 2018. She is appealing to the Nursing and Midwifery Council to introduce a compassionate leave allowance

Nursing student appeals to NMC for compassionate leave allowance

Emma Garner missed placement shifts to be with her ill son

Nursing and Midwifery Council fitness to practise panel upheld a number of allegations against ward manager

Ward manager struck off after ‘witch’ jibe and conduct and competence issues

Band 7 nurse humiliated colleagues, used foul language and made clinical errors

Nurses who are actively planning to leave the NHS cite feeling undervalued (70%), under too much pressure (62%) and feeling exhausted (60%) as being the main reasons why. Picture shows a nurse in uniform leaving her shift with her bag on her shoulder and

Thinking of leaving the NHS – what you and your manager should do first

RCN survey reveals 45% of nursing staff are considering leaving the NHS

Free
Nurses at Nursing Live, which returns on 23-24 October 2024

Nursing Live free event: what’s in it for your nursing branch?

Nursing Live on 23-24 October can help nurses and students in all specialties

Free
Tissue viability nurse consultant Julie Tyrer reminds us what the letters in PURPOSE T stand for and why this is important for nursing practice.

Pressure ulcers: tips for avoiding preventable harm

Tissue viability nurse consultant Julie Tyrer talks about risk assessment tools

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has opted to announce pay awards to NHS staff as early as possible, after years of delays

NHS pay: delays to salary uplifts to end

Wes Streeting promises timely pay decision, but RCN wary of ‘language of austerity’

Evidence and Practice

Effects of learning disability and autism training on healthcare professionals’ perspectives and practice: a scoping review

Effects of learning disability and autism training on healthcare professionals

Knowledge, confidence and screening behaviours are all potential benefits

Promoting transformational leadership in learning disability nursing

Promoting transformational leadership in learning disability nursing

How nurses can apply this to their practice and stimulate colleagues to aim for improved...

Dementia in people with learning disabilities

Your quick-read article summary

Supporting autistic refugees in the UK using the HOPE(S) model

Supporting autistic refugees in the UK using the HOPE(S) model

Focusing on the harmful effects of solitary confinement on autistic refugees

Oral health

Your quick-read article summary

Developing a practice template for communicating with families of people with learning disabilities

A practice template for communicating with families of people with learning disabilities

Developing practice templates can help outline care standards and develop a rapport with...

Features

A smiling woman appears deep in thought as she looks at her reflection in a mirror

How I used reflective practice to improve care for people with learning disabilities

Nurses share how they have used reflection to change and improve everyday practice

 Nurse behind seated patient stoops slightly and has her hands on his shoulders to express warmth and reassurance. Touch is a powerful way to show compassion in nursing

Using touch to show compassion: tailoring non-verbal communication to the individual

Judging when it’s appropriate to touch a patient or relative – and when it’s not

Illustration featuring five different NHS uniform tunic colours, from left to right: indigo, green, sea blue, navy blue and light blue

Uniform approach: what we like about our standardised scrubs

Nurses from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the pros of their nations’ uniforms

Illustration shows healthcare staff around a table formed from a clock face to suggest a team approach to rostering

Rostering: could more control over your shift timings transform your work-life balance?

Team-based rostering pilots point to improved staff retention and greater collaboration

Community nurse arrives at man’s front door. The two greet each other, suggesting a they share a warm bond

Bonding with long-term patients: promoting continuity of care within healthy boundaries

Tips on fostering ongoing therapeutic relationships while avoiding undue attachment

A dynamic illustration of a strand of DNA looking like a blue spiralling ladder with a section highlighted in pink

Rare neurodevelopmental disorders: what you need to know

Getting to know the characteristics of rare disorders can improve patient care

Opinion

Free
Lord Darzi’s investigation of the state of the NHS in England highlights the decline in numbers of learning disability nurses and health inequalities

Darzi report shows services for people with learning disabilities ‘falling far short’

Investigation highlights decline in learning disability nurse numbers and health inequalities

A nurse holds up her hands showing she wants something to stop. Nurses have a duty of care to patients but also need to consider their own safety

When should nursing staff refuse to treat a patient?

Our panel discusses duty and safety when it comes to racist or violent patients

Mpox: nursing care and treatment, recognising signs and reducing risk

Mpox: should UK be worried and are nursing staff at increased risk?

How to spot signs, identify risk factors and understand the treatment options

Students

 Nursing student makes notes in a library in preparation for submitting a written assignment

Assignment deadline: how to give yourself the best chance of handing in on time

Practical tips for keeping to the essay deadline, even if you’re busy or stressed

Individual learning styles: what suits you best? An illustration of a woman using a laptop sitting on top of a lightbulb that is springing out of an open book, illustrations indicating four different learning styles surround her 

Are you a visual or aural learner? How to make the most of your learning style

Find out how identifying your style can help you be a more effective learner

Student acting as nurse in charge in a social care setting: image shows a student in scrubs standing in front of a group of nursing home residents

Nurse in charge for the day – what I learned on my social care placement

A taste of nurse leadership and a chance to learn outside of a ward setting

Careers

Day shift roles for nurses: an illustration of a nurse with thought bubbles above her head as she considers different daytime nursing roles, such as GP nurse, community nurse, teaching and day surgery

Day shift only roles – what are my options if I want to ditch nights?

What to consider if you are looking for greater flexibility and work-life balance

Nurse consultants have a high level of expertise in their area of care; a nurse consultant talks to a patient, explaining something with a smile while showing them a diagram   

Nurse consultant: what does it take to reach this high-level role?

How to plan ahead to gain the skills and experience required

Clinical nurse educators support all health and social care staff. A student watches as a nurse explains something while pointing to a computer screen

Clinical nurse educator: skills, experience and the pay for the role

We look at how CNEs help develop the workforce by sharing their expertise

Jobs