Dreaming of a new career? Each week, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it’s really like.
Today, the Money team chats to an NHS learning disability nurse – we agreed to make them anonymous so they could provide an unfiltered view of the job.
I worked with a man with a severe learning disability who was dying of cancer… He didn’t understand what this meant and just wanted to feel well and looked after. I worked with the oncologist, GP and local palliative care service to arrange a professionals meeting, advocating for the unique needs of this man.
We were able to arrange for him to be at his “best” health for one last holiday, before being supported into a planned palliative care community bed with staff he knew, where he was supported to die with dignity in minimal pain.
Without my support advocating on his behalf, he would have died in a hospital bed, without known staff, scared and alone, and would never have had the chance to have his last holiday. I will truly never forget him; it was humbling to be able to help in any way I could.
You start on £30,000… Entry-level nurses start at NHS pay band 5, which equates to £29,970 (rising to £36,483). Progression is, of course, possible through developing skills and expertise, with experienced senior nurses earning £50,000+.
The NHS pension is generous… Depending on salary, we can pay from 5-12% of our salary into pension, with the employer putting in 14.4% for all pensions. Pension and financial advice is also available to support retirement planning.
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This job is so varied… Learning disability nurses work with people who have a learning disability (and with their families and carers) to help them stay as healthy as possible throughout their lives. I could be supporting someone to understand and manage their diabetes or other complex health issues, helping someone to safely express their emotions or any distress, or supporting with future planning, which could be related to dementia, or their end-of-life wishes, and all this just in one day.
A wide range of clinical skills is also required – including those relating to epilepsy, complex physical health, mental health, autism, forensic risk, dementia, and positive approaches to behavioural support.
The NHS is really good with flexible working… There are so many different jobs… it can really work for different lifestyles. I work part-time currently (four days). On holidays, you start with 27 days, and after 10 years, you have 32 (plus bank holidays on top).
One person I worked with had been in a hospital environment for 20 years… She described herself during that time as a flower that hadn’t been watered. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is helping people to move back to their local area and live in community settings, ensuring the best support is available to maintain this. After successfully moving out of hospital, the woman later described herself as like a garden full of beautiful flowers in full bloom.
If I could change one thing, it would be for people to know who we are… Learning disability nurses have the same clinical skills as other branches of nursing registrants but it is a lesser-known specialism and few people understand what we do. This means that fewer people enrol to be a learning disabilities nurse, making vacancies harder to fill.
People with learning disabilities often have communication needs, anxieties, past negative experiences or other barriers to accepting help… As learning disability nurses, we pause, reflect and then try again using adapted and creative approaches to meet individuals’ specific needs.
Learning disability support does not get enough funding… this is a fundamental requirement if we are to support individuals to lead longer, happier and healthier lives.
Capacity is always an issue… with increased demand being placed on services. Similarly, challenges in social care provision often have an impact on people’s health and wellbeing, and, as a result, pressure on health services increases.
There is also often a reliance on families and care providers to implement recommendations that have been made, which can prove challenging, as is ensuring that appropriate levels of support are in place. There continues to be inequitable access to healthcare generally, which learning disability nurses are instrumental in challenging to improve health outcomes for those with a learning disability.
Laughter and smiles are more common than tears… when working with people who have a learning disability!
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One of my most memorable success stories… was supporting a young lady who needed eye surgery due to her failing eyesight. Initially, this lady declined surgery, but by using accessible information, she was able to understand why surgery was important and the impact that not having this could have on her quality of life.
We discussed her fears, undertook some desensitisation work, and I worked with the hospital teams to make sure that her fears were listened to, and that adjustments to her treatment plan were made too. The operation was a success, and the lady regained some of her sight.
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A common misconception… is that people who have a learning disability are not able to learn new skills and are not able to make their own choices. With the right support, individuals are more than able to achieve positive change and have their voice heard.
Want to take part in this feature? Email [email protected].
