Forensic learning disability nursing: what's it really like?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-11-2014-0017 |
| Published date | 08 December 2014 |
| Date | 08 December 2014 |
| Pages | 167-177 |
| Author | Mark F Dalgarno,Sharon A Riordan |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour |
Forensic learning disability nursing: what’s
it really like?
Mark F. Dalgarno and Sharon A. Riordan
Mark F. Dalgarno is Specialist
Practitioner at the Staffordshire
& Stoke-on-Trent Partnership
Trust, Stafford, UK.
Dr Sharon A. Riordan is
Programme Lead at the
College of Medical and Dental
Sciences, School of Clinical
and Experimental Medicine,
University of Birmingham,
Birmingham, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the lived experiences of learning disability nurses working
within forensic services, and their views on their practice as a speciality.
Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative, semi-structured interview-based design was used and
participant’s voices were examined through interpretive phenomenological analysis.
Findings – Nurses explored a range of topics related to their practice and overall, five superordinate themes
were developed. Forensic nursing as being both the same and different to generic nursing, the journey,and
the emotional challenge of forensic nursing, the balancing act of everyday practice and the role of language
within forensic nursing practice.
Originality/value – Very little research has examined the views of learning disability nurses within the
forensic field. This study gives both a voice to these nurses and suggests areas of interest both for research
and for clinicians to consider in their practice.
Keywords Failure, Learning disability, IPA,Language, Nursing, Forensic roles
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
There exists little published research examining the experiences of learning disability nurses
within forensic settings. In a major review of nursing in the secure setting, the United Kingdom
Central Council for Nursing and Midwifery (1999) stated that there was:
[y] no adequate formulation about what needs to be special about forensic nursing (p. 31).
And commented on the role confusion that surrounds forensic nursing, and suggested that the
nursing voice within forensic settings struggled to be heard.
A literature search was made utilising electronic databases and a hand search of key
publications and conference proceedings related to the field. In total only 33 publications
relevant to learning disability nursing were found, and only eight of these had a forensic focus.
Literature review
McKeown (2009) identified the key skills used by learning disability nurses and the Royal
College of Nursing (2014) has produced a position statement detailing the role of the learning
disability nurse. This included; in depth assessment, improving health, enabling equality and
safeguarding (p. 3). Their only discussion of forensic roles was that:
Other developments will see learning disability nurses take on other roles, becoming custody nurse
practitioners or practitioners within forensic services (p. 4).
The Department of Health (2007) have also stated that the skills needed by learning disability
nurses, particularly within inpatient services are poorly defined and work is needed in this
area (p. 34).
The authors would like to thank the
Trust where this research took
place and the staff who gave
willingly of their time and honesty.
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-11-2014-0017 VOL. 5 NO. 4 2014, pp. 167-177, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
j
PAGE 167
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