Intellectual Disability Nursing: An Oral History Project

This unique monograph, based on empirical research, explores the careers of 31 intellectual disability nurses from England and the Republic of Ireland with at least 30 years of experience. It seeks to understand their motives for long service to nursing practice, as few such nurses have experience of the intellectual disability hospitals of the 19th and 20th Centuries. The oral histories are digitally recorded and form a unique collection in the Royal College of Nursing's archives. They articulate enormous health and social care change witnessed over three decades, but above all else, they give voice to commitment, dedication, and kindness to a vulnerable and often marginalised people.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 232 pages
\n Publication date: 21 September 2020
\n Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
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This remarkable monograph, grounded in empirical research, employs the oral history approach to delve into the captivating careers of 31 intellectual disability nurses hailing from England and the Republic of Ireland. Each of these remarkable individuals boasts a minimum of 30 years of invaluable experience in the field. Our primary objective was to unravel the motivations that drove these dedicated professionals to dedicate their lives to nursing practice.

Several of our interviewees had the privilege of working in the intellectual disability hospitals of the 19th and 20th centuries. Unfortunately, these institutions have since closed down, giving way to smaller living configurations. As a result, there are now very few nurses with firsthand experience of these historic facilities. Hence, the importance of preserving their stories, which were meticulously recorded and now reside in the prestigious archives of the Royal College of Nursing. When these oral histories are synthesized with the prevailing discourse of intellectual disability nursing from literature and research, they provide a valuable perspective on the contemporary challenges faced by these nurses in both jurisdictions.

These nurses' narratives, when combined with the broader context of intellectual disability nursing, shed light on the immense health and social care transformations witnessed over three decades or more. However, above all else, their stories reverberate with a profound sense of justice, a commitment to doing the right thing, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.

Interestingly, many of our interviewees expressed an early inclination towards working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Their journeys in the field have been marked by unwavering dedication and compassion, often at the expense of feeling undervalued. Through their narratives, they articulate the profound impact they have had on the lives of those they have served, highlighting the untold stories of resilience, determination, and unwavering kindness that often go unnoticed.

In conclusion, this monograph serves as a testament to the extraordinary contributions of intellectual disability nurses. Through their oral histories, we gain a deeper understanding of their motivations, experiences, and the unwavering commitment they have to improving the lives of those they serve. Their narratives not only shed light on the historical context of intellectual disability nursing but also provide a valuable lens through which to examine the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing this critical healthcare sector.

\n Weight: 256g\n
Dimension: 198 x 146 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781839821554\n \n