Nurses’ perceptions of personal attributes required when working with people with a learning disability and an offending background: a qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To identify and discuss the personal attributes required by learning disability nurses to work effectively with people with an offending background in secure and community settings. Background: This paper was part of a larger research investigation into the nursing competencies required to work with people with an offending background. There are few existing studies examining the personal attributes necessary for working with this group. Design: A qualitative study addressing the perceptions of nurses around the personal attributes required to work with people with learning disabilities and an offending background. Methods: A semi-structured interview schedule was devised and constructed, and thirty-nine individual interviews subsequently undertaken with learning disability nurses working in high, medium, low secure and community settings. Data were collected over 1-year in 2010/11 and analysed using a structured thematic analysis supported by the software package MAXqda. Findings: The thematic analysis produced three categories of personal attributes, named as looking deeper, achieving balance and connecting, each of which contained a further three sub-categories. Conclusion: Nursing of those with a learning disability and an offending background continues to develop. The interplay between personal history, additional background factors, nurses’ personal attributes and learning disability is critical for effective relationship building.