Our People in Intellectual Disability Nursing

5 Minutes with Pauline Carolan, Clinical Placement Co-Ordinator

How does your day start?

My day begins by checking my emails and messages. I usually have my student visits planned from Monday, so I would know which clinical placements I will be visiting each day, but this is always open to change as differing needs arise throughout the week.  Flexibility and adaptability are core skills in this job. I liaise with my colleagues and share information and discuss any outstanding issues that have arisen.

I review the students’ learning outcomes and plan which domains within the national competency assessment documentation that we will be discussing during my visit and reflect on the learning experiences from the previous week.

Tell us about the team you work with.

I work with the Saint John of God Northeast Community Services in clinical partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology.

I work with three other Clinical Placement Co ordinator’ s and we are supported by a Nursing Practice Development Co ordinator. We support students on clinical placement in Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan in a wide variety of settings to ensure that the clinical placement meets the requirements of the educational programme and that the student nurses achieve the learning outcomes of each clinical placement.

I work in close partnership with the academic staff and the allocations team in DKIT and HSE. I sit on numerous groups such as the ID Educational Committee, National ID CPC Group and Professional Standards Partnership Committee.

I engage in practice development and I am a BLS instructor and complete peer to peer audits to ensure quality of practice. I support registered staff with preceptorship training.

What does your typical working day involve? 

I am a registered nurse in intellectual disability and within my role as Clinical Placement Co-Ordinator I guide and support nursing students and registered nursing staff to complete the NMBI national competency assessment documentation and I oversee the assessment process. I encourage and support student nurses to engage in reflective practice to enhance their clinical learning experiences. I also support student nurses to complete their clinical skills workbook.

I participate in developing learning outcomes with clinical staff and complete 5 yearly NMBI clinical learning environment audits with clinical staff and facilitate NMBI 5 yearly site inspections.

What motivates you in your work?

I have always had an interest in supporting student nurses on clinical placement and had been a preceptor for many years for student nurses prior to commencing this role.  I enjoy meeting the students from 1^st year and seeing them progress throughout the 4 years of the BSc. Hons Degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing. I have the opportunity to meet and interact with residents/ service users and clinical staff in a wide variety of clinical placements.

 What do you enjoy most about your role?

I find the role of the CPC very fulfilling as I have the privilege of supporting the training and education of our future RNID`s who deliver a pivotal role in supporting people with an intellectual disability with person centred care throughout their lifespan.

 What advice would you give someone considering a career in Intellectual Disability Nursing?

The role of the Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability is a specialist role supporting people with an intellectual disability throughout all stages of their life. A Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability has the opportunity to develop their career pathway in a wide variety of settings.  Supporting people with an intellectual disability is a very rewarding profession.