Learning from the Past

Abstract

This article explores learning disability nursing by examining evidence for emotional labour from the past. As such it offers insights into both methodological and political issues connected to emotional labour in nursing and explores issues within learning disability nursing. In particular it addresses the development of learning disability nursing and the way in which its role within institutions was defined in terms of emotional labour. Specific material from textbooks, minutes of curricular development meetings and GNC inspectors' reports are examined. It is suggested that emotional labour provides a shared experience between different branches of nursing as well as different periods of time. Such shared experience is particularly helpful to learning disability nurses in their position on the margins of the nursing profession. It is further suggested that emotional labour as a concept could be used to help develop understanding of work with people with learning disabilities.