Learning Disabilities Nursing
NHS Grampian/Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership is responsible for the provision of specialist Adult Learning Disabilities Services to the population of Grampian. The service comprises of two in-patient services based at Royal Cornhill Hospital, Aberdeen and five Community Learning Disability Nursing teams operating across our three Health and Social Care Partnerships in Grampian. The area we are responsible for covers Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
We are a small nursing service, however, we offer opportunities for career development and advancement of nursing roles. We recognise the importance of staff being able to develop and flourish to their full potential, for example, supporting Healthcare Support Workers to complete HNC or access undergraduate nursing programmes through the Open University route. Investment in our nursing staff also includes post-graduate opportunities such as, psychological therapies and interventions.
Would you like to become a Learning Disabilities Nurse?
As a career choice, learning disability nursing is extremely rewarding and presents a diverse and adaptable role, including transferability of skills and knowledge gained. Learning Disability Nurses drive inclusion, person centred care and innovative ways of working (Mason-Angelow 2020).
In Scotland, we have a Career and Development Framework (2013) and, a Learning Disability Nursing Strategy (2019) that shapes the direction of learning disability nursing for future years to come.
If you are considering a career in nursing but have never thought about learning disability nursing, here are some links to resources and videos you may find helpful.
Careers in Learning Disability Nursing
- Careers in LD nursing
- Careers in LD nursing - LD Network
- Job opportunities
- NHS Scotland Careers
- The Role of Learning Disability Nurses - Resources
- The National Learning Disability Forum
Education Links
Undergraduate learning disability nursing programmes are delivered at two Higher Education Institutes: Edinburgh Napier University and Glasgow Caledonian University.
Testimonials from Napier
College Route
Healthcare Practice (HNC Level 7)
This course is for those intending to apply for Year 1 of a Paramedic Practice, Midwifery or Children and Young People’s nursing degree on completing the course.
This is for those wishing to articulate into Year 2 of an Adult or Mental Health nursing degree at RGU, or a Learning Disabilities nursing degree at Edinburgh Napier University after the course.
Already work in healthcare?
If you want to become a registered nurse within the field of learning disability nursing, and are already working in a healthcare role. The Open University Undergraduate Programme unique practice-based qualification may be for you.
Highlighting the unique role of the Learning Disability Nurse
Are you a qualified Learning Disabilities Nurse considering a move to Grampian?
We would be pleased to hear from you if you are interested in joining our team. Our vacancies are advertised here.
Has your NMC registration lapsed?
Do you wish to return to work as a registered learning disability nurse? Robert Gordon University provides the return to practice programme.
Published: 06/11/2024 18:48