Abstract
BackgroundCaring for intellectually disabled people can be demanding for student nurses who are novices in the nursing profession. To ensure that quality nursing care is provided, student nurses should have an understanding of and a positive attitude towards intellectually disabled people. Nursing intellectually disabled people can be a challenge for the student nurses. Therefore, student nurses need to be able to deal with challenges of caring for intellectually disabled people.ObjectiveThis article aims to explore and describe experiences of student nurses caring for intellectually disabled people in a public psychiatric institution.Design and methodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Data were collected through individual in-depth phenomenological interviews, naïve sketches and field notes. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the collected data. Results were contextualised within the literature and measures to ensure trustworthiness were adhered to. Ethical principals were also applied throughout the research process.ResultsFive themes emerged from the data. Student nurses experienced a profoundly unsettling impact on their whole being when caring for intellectually disabled people; they developed a sense of compassion and a new way of looking at life, and experienced a need for certain physical, mental and spiritual needs to be met.ConclusionFrom the results, it is evident that student nurses were challenged in caring for intellectually disabled people. However, they developed a sense of awareness that intellectually disabled people have a need to be cared for like any other person.
Highlights
Most institutionalised people’s intellectual disabilities are severe and profound, and characterised by physical disabilities, aggression, low frustration tolerance and self-injurious behaviours (Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz 2015:1135)
Caring for intellectually disabled people can be demanding for student nurses who are novices in the profession
Student nurses experienced that caring for intellectually disabled people had unintended consequences on their body, mind and spirit
Summary
Most institutionalised people’s intellectual disabilities are severe and profound, and characterised by physical disabilities, aggression, low frustration tolerance and self-injurious behaviours (Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz 2015:1135) These challenging behaviours may directly affect the mental health of those who care for them. Caring for intellectually disabled people can be demanding for student nurses who are novices in the profession. Disabled people require a caring relationship that enables an enhanced awareness of life and health experiences. This relationship facilitates health and healing processes as it involves trustworthiness and the genuine needs of patients. Caring for intellectually disabled people can be demanding for student nurses who are novices in the nursing profession. Student nurses need to be able to deal with challenges of caring for intellectually disabled people
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
