Our People in Intellectual Disability Nursing

5 Minutes with Linda McCourt, Clinical Nurse Specialist

 

How does your day start?

My day starts with a review of the overnight report and emails. This will inform my priorities for the day, in terms of residents that will need urgent review or staff teams that will need support. My diary is always full so I will proceed with resident reviews and health promotion programmes. Other days I might be facilitating a Health Promotion Clinic, delivering training or auditing. Every day is different, and I am lucky that my job affords me 1:1 resident contact every day.

Tell us about the team you work with.?

I work as part of the nursing practice development department and liaise closely with my other Clinical Nurse Specialist colleagues. We are often supporting the same resident through a particular period of their life, I find this level of collaboration extremely beneficial for the resident. I am also part of each house team and attend team meetings on a regular basis, which allows me opportunities for education for staff and residents. I work closely with our own multidisciplinary team and the wider HSE multidisciplinary team.

What does your typical working day involve?

My day varies but almost always it involves resident reviews, education for staff teams and residents/day services. On a regular basis I will be organising our Epilepsy Outreach Service and linking with Beaumont Hospital and our local acute services. I facilitate a Health Promotion Clinic where residents attend, supported by staff to have a review of their overall health or specific areas of need. In agreement with the resident, we will implement plans of care, and individualised supports to ensure they have the best possible health outcomes. Easy read documentation will be developed to support each health need also tailored to meet individual needs.

If required I will also carry out wound reviews, continence assessments and assessments for beds and mattresses.

What motivates you in your work?

The Residents are my motivation! And being an important part of a wider group with a shared goal of ensuring the best possible life and health for everyone.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I enjoy the resident engagement, and staff interaction, making a difference in the lives of the people I support.

What advice would you give someone considering a career as an RNID

This is, and has been a very rewarding career, the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives has been a privilege. The RNID is a well-established and vital role within the nursing world. The RNID has scope and opportunity to venture into other areas of practice, like the prison service or working with the homeless community, there are many new and exciting opportunities are available to the RNID.