Totally Different

This book provides an historical overview of intellectual disability nursing and examines the role of registered nurses who provide health care for people with intellectual disability. Significant changes have occured in the disability sector since this (2001) research was conducted within a large organisation that provided care to people with intellectual disability. In line with the world-wide trend, the organisation was in the process of moving clients from an institution to community houses. The nursing was different and questions like "what is going on here?" prompted this research. Nursing appeared to be impacted by the culture of the organisation. Therefore that influence was a part of the research question. This book should interest health professionals and students as literature on the nurse''s role in intellectual disability care is scarce. This ethnography is the first of its kind and using much rich data the author demonstrates that intellectual disability nursing is totally different.