Intellectual Disability Nursing: An Oral History Project

Bob Gates
University of West London, UK

Colin Griffiths
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Helen L. Atherton
University of Leeds, UK

Su McAnelly
Northumbria University, UK

Paul Keenan
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Sandra Fleming
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Carmel Doyle
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Michelle Cleary
Muiriosa Foundation, Ireland

Paul Sutton
University of West London, UK


Product Details
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9781839821554
Published:
Publisher:
Emerald Publishing Limited
Dimensions:
232 pages - 128 x 198mm
Series:
Emerald Points
List price £45.99 List price €51.99 List price $61.99
Categories:
This unique monograph, based on empirical research, used the oral history approach to explore the careers of 31 intellectual disability nurses from England and the Republic of Ireland; each with at least 30 years' experience.

We sought to understand motives for such long service to nursing practice. Some had worked in the intellectual disability hospitals of the 19th and 20th Centuries. In both jurisdictions these have almost closed and been replaced with smaller living configurations; subsequently few such nurses have experience of these institutions. This makes it important to hear their stories, which were digitally recorded; now forming a unique collection in the Royal College of Nursing's archives. These oral histories when synthesised with prevailing discourse of intellectual disability nursing from literature, and research put into perspective contemporary nursing workforce challenges faced by these nurses in both jurisdictions. Their stories are testament, amongst other things, to a strong 'sense of justice… doing the right thing and making a difference'. Some reported a 'very early interest in working with people with intellectual disabilities'. And at 'journey’s end' sadly, almost universally, they reported a sense of being 'undervalued'. Their narratives articulate enormous health and social care change witnessed over three decades or more. But above all else they give voice to commitment, dedication, and kindness to a vulnerable, and often marginalised people, those with intellectual disabilities, as such it gives voice to otherwise 'Untold Stories'.

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. Background literature and research
Chapter 3. Method and methodological Issues
Chapter 4. Findings
Chapter 5. Discussion
Chapter 6. Conclusions, limitations and observations

Bob Gates, Colin Griffiths, Helen L Atherton, Su McAnelly, Paul Keenan, Sandra Fleming, Carmel Doyle, Michelle Cleary and Paul Sutton are experts in the field of intellectual disability nursing based in England and the Republic of Ireland.

You might also be interested in..