Registered Nurses in Intellectual Disability (RNID) promote the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social care needs of people with an intellectual disability across all age groups.
Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Videos on the Web
- Intellectual Disability Nurse- from: Youtube Search
- Learning Disabilities Nurse- from: icould [UK] Video
Working Life
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 can work with children, adolescents, adults and their families. Your role 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 a multidisciplinary healthcare team, collaborating with doctors, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists to support people with an 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:
You could work in a variety of settings such community care, community disability network teams, day services, the person's own home, school and education, specialist care, respite care/family support, residential care and liaison in acute hospital/maternity services. You may also work in specialist or advance practice and in nursing management.
The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here.
Further Information
- Learning Disability Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Mental Health Nurse- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Primary Care Graduate Mental Health Worker- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Intellectual Disability Nurse
The role of the Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability requires excellent communication skills that can be adjusted to needs of each individual service user. You should possess emotional intelligence with the ability to show empathy and understanding. It is a rewarding career where your compassionate and patient-centred approach will play a vital role in enhancing the well-being and overall development of your patients.
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 your training and as an Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability include:
- The ability to provide person-centred, therapeutic interventions to support the service user in their daily life
- The ability to carry out all aspects of nursing assessments including, but not limited to, physical health, care planning, risk assessment and safety planning
- Strong organisational and critical thinking skills, which support informed decision-making
- Excellent communication skills and the capacity to engage with service users and their families
- The ability to collaborate with other members of the multidisciplinary team
- The ability to respond to emergency situations professionally
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 / Progression - Intellectual Disability Nurse
To become a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability (RNID) you will need to undertake a 4 year degree course which will lead to a BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing, which is a Level 8 qualification.
Go to NMBI Careers in Nursing and Midwifery for further information on how to train and register as an Intellectual Disability nurse including:
- Programme: type, purpose, structure and competencies.
- Making an application: including CAO application, Higher Education Access Route (HEAR), Disability Access Route to Education (DARE), allowances and grants.
- Clinical and theoretical components of the pre-reg programme
- Entry requirements: health requirements, Garda Vetting, English competency, non-EU applications. Standard and Mature applications.
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.
Application Information from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Further Education & Training Entry Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: nursing studies, healthcare support, community and health services, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, biology.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: nursing studies, healthcare support, community and health services, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, biology.
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 find details of where these courses are run by entering the course titles into the Course Finder from the link below.
Search for PLC Courses
If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required.
Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place in nursing under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.
Contact the Admissions Office of the individual (EB’s) Education Body or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQI places.
You can also check NMBI Careers in Nursing & Midwifery for any changes.
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
The Higher Education route is the most common route for students considering a nursing career. A full list of nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.
Search for CAO Courses
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.
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.
Check out NMBI Mature student guide for more information.
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8). A full list of postgraduate nursing courses can be found by entering the term 'Nursing' into the Coursefinder from the link below, or following this link for all medical related courses.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Career / Professional Development
Once you have qualified as a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disability (RNID) you can diversify and progress your career through continued study at graduate level. This can lead to jobs in management, clinical specialist practice, advanced practice, clinical research or teaching at clinical or university level. The National Office of Nursing and Midwifery will provide further information and guidance on supporting your nursing career options. Check out a list of current CPD on offer.
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: March, 2025
Labour Market Updates - Intellectual Disability Nurse
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Nurses and midwives.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
This occupation is the second largest (after sales assistants) across all occupations. Employment growth was above average, with particularly strong growth between 2021 and 2023 (an additional 20,500 persons employed). There was also a high number of recent job hires for this role, reflecting both the employment growth and turnover in roles with short-term contracts. Almost all employed were female (90%) and 37% were non-Irish citizens. This is also reflected in the high number of employment permits, the highest across all occupations, with staff nurses the most common role where permits were issued.
There was a relatively high volume of jobs advertised online (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) and of posts notified to DSP for nurses; difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey included for staff nurses, theatre, ICU, oncology, and nurse managers. Recent changes to the education/training for nurses has seen additional places on existing courses and new routes (e.g. tertiary programmes and allocated places for students from the Republic of Ireland to study in Northern Ireland) which will go some way to alleviating issues with sourcing nurses in the coming years.
A high demand for nurses is likely to persist and replacement demand alone for such a large occupation will also contribute to continued job openings.
Useful Contacts - Intellectual Disability Nurse
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Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, HSE Dr Steevens’ Hospital
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Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)
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Regional Nursing and Midwifery Planning & Development Units
