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Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing

Supporting people with an Intellectual Disability throughout their lifespan to experience full and inclusive lives in their community
DK872
279 Points

CAO Code

DK872

Start Date

September 2024

Course Capacity

26

Duration

4 Years

Work Placement

Yes

NFQ Level

8

Discipline Area

Nursing & Midwifery

Course Type

Undergraduate

Study Mode

Full-Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Overview

Over the duration of the course, students will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet the specific needs of people with an intellectual disability in a safe, competent, and compassionate manner. Student’s academic and clinical knowledge will be developed throughout this rewarding course using simulated learning environments and modern learning spaces.

Students gain their clinical experience in a diversity of placements, caring for people with an intellectual disability across their lifespan. Intellectual disability nursing placements account for approximately fifty percent of this course. Students will receive theoretical classes in nursing related subjects (Care of a person with an intellectual disability from childhood to old age). It also includes practical sessions in Clinical Skills Labs, in preparation for clinical placements

What makes this course different

DkIT

Employment Opportunities

100% of Intellectual Disability Nursing graduates are in employment after 6 months of graduating (DkIT/HEA Graduate Survey)

DkIT

Professional Accreditations

Graduates will be eligible for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Placements Each Year

Clinical practice placements in each year, 36 weeks placement in Year 3.

Understanding the Industry

The intellectual disability nurse practices in a diverse range of roles and settings across the lifespan with people with an intellectual disability. People with an intellectual disability often present with a wide range of additional and complex physical and mental health needs that can be compounded by communication difficulties. The Intellectual Disability nurse works in partnership with the person, their family and allied healthcare professionals, to provide specialist healthcare, and support that is socially inclusive. They support the person to live their lives as fully and independently as possible, while respecting their rights and dignity.

Career Opportunities

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

Future Careers:

  • Registered Intellectual Disability Nurse (RNID)
  • Clinical Career Pathway (Specialist and Advanced Practice)
  • Management Roles
  • Education
  • Research

In these areas:

  • Community living
  • Supported living
  • Respite services
  • Early intervention and child services
  • Primary care
  • Adult and child day services
  • Home-based care
  • Specialist schools

Course Delivery and Modules

  • Year 1

    • Safe Health Care Practice
    • Foundation Studies in Natural Sciences
    • Learning to Learn
    • Introduction to Intellectual Disability Studies
    • Learning for Professional Development
    • Clinical Placement Stage 1
    • Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intellectual Disability
    • Effective Communication with People with an Intellectual Disability
    • Fundamental Skills of Intellectual Disability Care
  • Year 2

    • Challenges to Health Throughout the Lifespan
    • Intellectual Disability in Adulthood
    • Fundamental Skills of Intellectual Disability Care
    • Psychosocial Aspects of Health
    • Intellectual Disability across the Child and Adolescent Lifespan
    • Clinical Placement Stage 2
    • Approaches in Supporting Positive Behaviour
    • The Research Process
    • Challenges to Health Throughout the Lifespan (Repeated)
    • Intellectual Disability in Adulthood (Repeated)
  • Year 3

    • Fundamental Skills of Intellectual Disability Care
    • Person-Centred Approaches
    • Positive Mental Health in Intellectual Disabilities
    • Quality, Risk, and Safety in Healthcare
    • Clinical Placement Stage 3
    • Health Promotion and Health Surveillance
    • Neurobiological Disorders
    • Evaluating Research
    • Ethical and Legal Practice in Intellectual Disability Nursing
  • Year 4

    • Older Adult and Palliative Care in Intellectual Disability
    • Professional Practice
    • Research Proposal
    • Clinical Placement Stage 4

Work Placement

Clinical placements occur in each year of the programme. In the final year, the student is an intern for 9 months and is employed and paid as part of the service. Each placement supports the student to develop their clinical competence to become a Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID).

Professional Accreditations

Graduates will be eligible for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

  • DKIT

Education Progression

Graduates are also qualified to apply for a range of postgraduate programmes in nursing such as the Postgraduate Cert/Diploma/ MSc in Specialist/Advanced Nursing.

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Entry Requirements

In addition to the standard entry requirements below, a Laboratory Science subject at Grade O6 or H7 is also required. Applicants from NI/UK require a GCSE pass in a Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or GCSE Grade CC in Double Award Science.


Please Note: Offers subject to successful Garda Clearance and Health Status Clearance from the Health Service Executive (North East) Occupational Health Unit. Students on the course are also subject to fitness-to-practice regulations.

Recent CAO Points

2023 CAO Round 1 Points

279

How To Apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

CAO Code: DK872
Apply on CAO

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

Closing Date: 6th June
Apply Now

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing please ask it below and we will get back to you.


Joe Treacy

Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years

Email: Joe.Treacy@dkit.ie

Dr Myles Hackett

Head of Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years

Email: myles.hackett@dkit.ie

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).