This document sets out the Clinical Career Pathway for Registered Nurses Learning Disabilities (RNLDs) working across a range of clinical settings throughout Northern Ireland.
The RNLD Clinical Career Pathway has been developed in response to recommendations outlined in Equity of Access and Outcome: The Future Role of RNLDs in Supporting People with Learning Disabilities to Achieve the Best Health Possible (DoH, 2024). It represents the first field-specific nursing career pathway developed in Northern Ireland and provides a clear framework to support career development, progression and retention within the RNLD workforce.
This pathway focuses specifically on clinical practice roles for RNLDs. Work is currently underway to develop the Operational Management and Education and Research pathways, which will further strengthen career opportunities for RNLDs across a wide range of professional roles and settings. The pathway will be refreshed in due course to incorporate these additional career pathways and ensure it remains current and relevant.
While this version focuses primarily on the registered nursing workforce at Career Framework Levels 5-9, the development of core role frameworks for Levels 2-4 is underway. The pathway will be reviewed and updated as these frameworks are finalised and implemented.
Job descriptions associated with the RNLD Career Pathway will align with regionally agreed job descriptions as they become available.
Career Pathway for Registered Nurse Learning Disabilities