learning disabilities nursing or mental health? aaa

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ooooh i'm having a dillemma guys. I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time and now the time of university is approaching. But what degree to pick. I really don;t want to choose something and then discover i'm not the right kind of person for that career. I'm shy but getting better, very interested in human behaviour, have good communication and writing skills though am nottt good at maths. People say i'm gentle and caring and tolerant. I tend to gravitate towards people who are different or vulnerable like foreign people who struggle with english. I'm not sure what form of nursing i would do well in. Mental health and learning disabilities are the main two i am debating. Which do you think i would be more suited to? Also which has less biology and maths in it! Thankyou :lol2:

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Specializes in private-duty, hospital, LTC, clinic.

You have to meet the requirements of becoming a registered nurse, no matter what area that you get into. Good luck in whatever you do :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Depends where they live, if they are in the UK then mental health and learning disabilities are taught as a separate speciality

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any insight from mental health or learning disability nurses, if you enjoy it, what kinda person it takes, the amount of science involved etc would be great x

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hesitant, where are you? If you are in the UK then I will move this to a more appropriate forum

Majority of nurses that post in this forum are from the US and their training is general

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Ohh sorry my mistake, i'm in england, and thankyou :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the UK forum

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Specializes in Acute mental health/ Eating disorders.

First of all DON'T PANIC if you possess the qualities you have mentioned you will be great at the job and don't worry to much about the math you can improve, nursing is all about learning and improving your skills. I was originally in Adult Nursing but after having my mental health placement and realising I loved it I was able to transfer. Mental health nursing can cover learning disability, I had many a class learning about L.D. and had a placement in Brain injury which provided care for learning disability too. On my part I love mental health, it is exceptionally rewarding, the work is tough like all nursing is, and you often get people admitted who waste your time but for the individuals who are genuine it is amazing working with them you would never get bored in the job, every presentation is different. Why don't you see about speaking with different learning disability and mental health nurses to get a gist of the work and what you can expect. Hope all goes well

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Specializes in all general nursing/elder care.
:crying2: go for mental health nursing. LD is a dying trade most of the LD services in Norfolkhave been handed over to Social Care.
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Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi I'm just qualified as a psychiatric nurse in Ireland I can only talk for myself! Like you I didnt know what which discipline to enter into. I know that both psych and id nursing have the same amount of anatomy training and their are course in Britain when you qualify in one discipline and if you decide its not for you if you study for a year or 18months you may be dually qualified.

I loved every minute of my course and placements in psychiatry no day is ever the same and their are many areas that you can specialise in, so I wouldn't worry you will find your calling! and throughout the course you will develop and learn alot about yourself! best of luck what ever you decide.

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