Intellectual disability nursing in Ireland: identifying its development and future

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Intellectual Disability Care
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• The nursing profession for individuals with intellectual disabilities has faced scrutiny.
• Its origins as a distinct profession in Ireland date back to 1959.
• Educational and service provision philosophies have undergone substantial changes.

Observation:

• Changes in nursing have been influenced by national and international reports.
• Societal attitudes towards intellectual disability have also shifted.
• These transformations have resulted in the current four-year undergraduate nursing program in Ireland.

Findings:

• Intellectual disability nursing education in Ireland is now a comprehensive four-year undergraduate program.
• The discipline is unique to Ireland and the United Kingdom.
• There is an ongoing need for intellectual disability nurses to establish a distinct professional identity.

Implications:

• Intellectual disability nurses must adapt to evolving service demands.
• Defining a unique professional identity is crucial for the future of the discipline.
• This article provides a historical perspective and future outlook for intellectual disability nursing in Ireland.