BSc (Hons) - Learning Disabilities Nursing
You’re compassionate, patient and want to make a difference in the lives of others. Our learning disabilities nursing course is designed to give you the professional qualifications and skills to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and become a learning disabilities nurse.
This nursing degree will enable you to hit the ground running to work as a learning disabilities nurse in a variety of settings including community nursing teams, hospice care, specialist behaviour teams, children's wards and many more.
Course Overview
On the BSc Learning Disabilities Nursing degree, you will spend your time divided between theoretical learning and practical placements – working with highly experienced professionals and in direct contact with people with a learning disability. You will boost your skills and confidence, learning how to improve and maintain the physical and mental health of people with learning disabilities.
You will be allocated six placements over the course, plus an enrichment placement you will arrange yourself (potentially working abroad).
Our experienced academic staff will develop your independent thinking and problem-solving skills using clinical labs, mock hospital wards, lectures, guest speakers, workshops and 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 to become a learning disabilities nurse who works with people across the lifespan from new families, children and young people, to older adults who require support at various times throughout their lives.
- Have the opportunity to make a profound impact on someone's life. You will be able to provide nursing care and support to someone who needs it most.
- Experience something new every day, and have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. You can live your best life by helping others live theirs.
- Be able to work in a wide variety of settings following graduation. 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 are protected and that discrimination does not occur.
What our students say
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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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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.
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Cherish was described by judges as “an exceptional and inspirational nurse trailblazer” who “emanates a modern-day Mary Seacole in every sense of the word”. Cherish has now graduated and secured a nursing role at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary Emergency Department.
Cherish Otoo, Nursing Graduate
Cherish won ‘Most Inspirational Student of the Year’ and the ‘Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion’ at the 2022 Student Nursing Times Awards.
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Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
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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.
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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.
