Registered Nurses in Intellectual Disability (RNID) are at the forefront in promoting the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social care needs of people with an intellectual disability across all age groups.
A guiding philosophy of Intellectual Disability Nursing practice is person centred care and support with respect and consideration to equity and human rights at its core.
Work Environment
Intellectual Disability Nurses typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Intellectual Disability Nurse- from: Youtube Search
- Learning Disabilities Nurse - from: icould [UK] Video
The Work
As a registered nurse in intellectual disability, your care will be informed by a wide range of subjects including psychology, sociology, clinical nursing skills, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology which you will undertake throughout your training. A registered nurse in intellectual disability, provides holistic person centred care and support that respects the individuality of each person.
This is an important element of intellectual disability nursing and involves the registered nurse working with the person to explore and enable them to live a life of their choosing. A registered nurse in intellectual disability is often based within the community in the person’s residence, which includes assessing and supporting the person to maximise their independence while maintaining their health and wellbeing.
A registered nurse in intellectual disability plays an integral role within interdisciplinary teams such as a General Practitioner (GP), social care workers, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to support people with intellectual disability and their families
Where Will I Work?
The holistic support needs of a person with intellectual disability may vary and could range from mild to complex, therefore the role of the registered nurse will vary greatly across a wide range of settings and specialities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Further Information
- Intellectual Disability Nurse - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Intellectual Disability Nurse - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Intellectual Disability Nurse - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Intellectual Disability Nurse
The role of the Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability is varied, dynamic and rewarding because you are supporting people with an intellectual disability to live their best lives.
If you have some of the personal qualities outlined below then intellectual disability nursing is an excellent career choice for you:
- A caring, kind and understanding attitude
- Being able to get on well with people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds
- Being a good communicator and listener
- Having good emotional and mental strength
- Being able to act on own initiative
- Willingness to take responsibility
- An ability to cope with difficult situations and to remain calm in stressful situations
Skills and competencies that you will develop during a BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing include:
- Support the individual rights of the person to make informed decisions about their lives
- Learning about conducting comprehensive health assessments
- Learning how to promote and facilitate community inclusion while considering each person’s unique personalities, interests, capabilities, talents, needs and wishes.
- Developing Collaboration skills to work in partnership with the person who has an intellectual disability to create an individual care plan
- Understanding the importance of working as an advocate on behalf of the person with an intellectual disability while encouraging self-advocacy
- Developing competence across a wide range of nursing skills to provide quality care for people with an intellectual disability who have ongoing complex health needs.
- Supporting individuals who may communicate using a variety of communication styles some of which may not be verbal necessitating the use of communication assistive technologies.
Interests - Intellectual Disability Nurse
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry - Intellectual Disability Nurse
To become a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability (RNID) you will need to undertake a 4year degree course which will lead to a BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing, which is a Level 8 qualification.
Entry requirements for these courses can vary depending on where and how you would like to study, so it is important to check with the particular college.
CAO Entry:
Higher Education CAO Entry These programmes are offered through Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in association with the main Healthcare Agencies (Hospitals/Clinical Sites) Search our CAO coursefinder -just put in the word "Nurse or Nursing" in the search filter and all nursing courses at CAO level will be presented.
Further Education & Training Entry Pathways:
FET Centre PLC Courses Certain Specific QQI Level 5 Certificate Programmes can provide links to Nursing Degree Programmes Search our FET PLC Coursefinder
Nursing Studies (5M4349)
Healthcare Support (5M4339)
Community and Health Services (5M4468)
In all cases places are limited and applicants must have achieved distinctions in five components including;
Anatomy and Physiology (5N0749)
Introduction to Nursing (5N4325)
Human Growth and Development (5N1279) or Biology (5N2746)
You can check our QQI progression route course finder for options Search our progression routefinder
Always contact the Admissions Office of the individual [HEls] higher education institution or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQi places, Admissions Officers contact list, or www.nursingcareers.ie to check for any changes. Courses completed at FET PLC level, if meeting subject criteria students can apply via CAO under the HELS Higher education links scheme for a place in Nursing programmes.
Mature Entry:
All candidates are required to apply through CAO. Mature Entry is for those that are 23 years of age or older by 1st January in the year of entry, applicants are also required to sit a test. The Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, NMBI) assesses candidates.
Mature entry route is based on applying for a nursing course via www.cao.ie by 1st February or late application date of 1st May. Applicants can also avail of the change of mind facility on CAO up to 1st July. Although it is possible to make a late application to mature nursing, it is not possible to apply late for other mature entry routes. Other mature entry routes should be applied for by 1st February, to ensure they can engage in any mature assessments. Check out NMBI Mature student guide for more information.
Places are limited and mature applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements for the Nursing programme and will also be assessed based on each Colleges [RPL] Recognition of prior learning.
Career Professional Development
On completion of your undergraduate training you can progress your career through further studies which would allow you to work in specialist and advanced areas which include:
- Childhood Early intervention
- Epilepsy management
- Behaviour support
- Chronic Disease management
- Mental health – dual diagnosis
- Autism
- Health promotion and healthy aging
- Dementia care
- Palliative care
There are many opportunities for ongoing education and development for nurses. This incorporates education, clinical leadership development, research, innovation, specialist and advanced practice. The National Office of Nursing and Midwifery will provide further information and guidance on supporting your nursing career options.
https://healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/onmsd/
Postgraduate study options: NFQ level 9-10
Nursing – Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Intellectual Disability Nurse
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €83k
Your standard working week will be 37.5 hours on a shift pattern, which can include nights, early starts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Salaries vary by role, status, registration, experience, location, shift pattern, and duties.
Data Source(s):
HSE.ie
Last Updated: July, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Intellectual Disability Nurse
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
The Slaintecare Action Plan 2023 highlights that an additional 4,592 nurses/midwives were employed in the health service since 2020; funding for an additional 149 posts for advanced nurse and midwife practitioners has also been secured. In addition, the Minister for Health has announced funding for 854 additional nursing posts.44 Over 3,000 new employment permits were issued for nurses in 2022, primarily for staff nurses. This reliance on supply from outside of Ireland has resulted in an increasing share of nurses who are non-Irish citizens (at over 30% in quarter 4 2022).
Vacancies for nurses appeared frequently in the vacancy data in 2022 (both DSP and OVATE) and difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, nurse managers. Supply from the higher education system is expected to increase, with the announcement in Summer 2023 of an additional 208 places on nursing courses to be made available in Irish higher education institutions and a further 200 places reserved for students from the Republic of Ireland, to be delivered in Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, given the duration of training programmes, demand for nurses is likely to continue to outweigh supply leading to a continued shortage, with replacement demand alone for such a large occupation contributing to continued job openings.
Useful Contacts - Intellectual Disability Nurse
-
Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
- 18-20 Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
- (01) 639 8500 LoCall 0818 200 116
- [email protected]
- Click Here
-
Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital
- Dublin DO8 W2A8
- 01 635 2471
- Click Here
-
Regional Nursing and Midwifery Planning & Development Units
