Nurses working in intellectual disability-specific settings talk about the uniqueness of their role: A qualitative study

J Adv Nurs. 2019 Apr;75(4):812-822. doi: 10.1111/jan.13898. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Abstract

Aims: To explore the perceptions of Australian nurses working in disability-specific settings and/or roles, about: (a) nursing people with intellectual and developmental disability living in Sydney; and (b) the utility and applicability of professional practice standards designed specifically for intellectual and developmental disability nursing.

Design: A qualitative research design was used to guide the study and our analysis utilized the constant comparative approach to thematic data analyses.

Methods: Individual in-person interviews were conducted with 18 nurses working in intellectual and developmental disability-specific settings and/or roles across the state of New South Wales between July - December, 2017. Participants described what it is that sets intellectual and developmental disability nursing apart from other nursing specialties, and the rewards and challenges of their role. Questions were also asked about professional practice standards in general and more specifically intellectual and developmental disability professional practice standards. Data were analysed thematically.

Findings: Three themes reflected intellectual and developmental disability nurses' perceptions: (a) a unique investment in the nurse/patient dyad; (b) a bridge between disparate systems; and (c) an ambiguous future. Nurses reported variable understanding of professional practice standards designed for intellectual and developmental disability nursing, but also a belief in their importance.

Conclusion: The intellectual and developmental disability nurses' experience of care accounts for the specific needs of patients with intellectual and developmental disability and suggests the importance of professional practice standards which acknowledge the changing landscape of care in Australia prompted by the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

目的: 探讨澳大利亚护士对以下问题的看法:(a)悉尼的智力和发展残疾护理人员;(b)专为智力和发展残疾护理设计的专业实践标准的实用性和适用性。 设计: 采用了定性研究设计指导研究,分析采用了主题数据分析的持续比较方法。 方法: 与18名护士个人面谈,他们在2017年7月至12月间工作于新南威尔士州的智力和发育残疾特定环境和/或发挥此类智能。参与者描述了使智力和发展残疾护理与其他护理专业的区别,以及他们工作的回报和挑战。还询问了一般专业实践标准,具体而言,即智力和发展残疾专业实践标准。数据按主题进行了分析。 研究结果: 产生了三个智力和发展残疾看法的主题: (a)对护士/病人的独特投入;(b)不同系统之间的联系;和(c)不确定的未来。护士反应,他们对专为智力和发展残疾护理设计的专业实践标准有不同的理解,但也相信这些标准的重要性。 结论: 智力残疾和发展残疾护士的护理经验考虑到了智力残疾和发育残疾患者的特殊需求,并表明专业实践标准的重要性,该标准反应了澳大利亚因国家残疾保险计划的实施引起的护理格局变化。.

Keywords: intellectual disability; nurse; nursing; nursing practice; nursing standards.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Comprehension
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / nursing*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New South Wales
  • Nurse's Role / psychology*
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Perception
  • Professional Practice