Nurse - Learning Disability
Support people with learning disabilities to enjoy good health and live as independently as possible.
Also known as: registered nurse (learning disabilities)
About the job
What it's like
You would support people with learning disabilities and their families to enjoy good health and get the best out of life.
You’d help your clients with everyday tasks whilst encouraging and helping them to live as independently as they can. You might also counsel and advise clients' families and carers.
You would often begin with an assessment of a person’s health and social care needs, which will probably be complex. Their needs may be linked to:
Physical disabilities
Epilepsy
Mental health problems
Difficulties with speech
Hearing or vision issues
You would provide them with specialist healthcare and make sure the person has access to the right health services, treatment or therapy.
You would teach skills and give people practical help and encouragement with:
Personal hygiene
Dressing
Using public transport
Going on shopping trips
Pursuing leisure interests or community activities
Making and attending appointments
Finding a job
You’d work with people of all ages. You could work with clients in their workplace, in adult education, in school, residential or community centres, and in their home, for example helping them bring up a family.
You would need to be sensitive to the needs of your clients, have patience and stay calm and in control of sometimes difficult situations.
You might also mentor and supervise support workers, and provide specialist advice to the wider healthcare team including doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, social workers and teachers.
You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the learning disability nurse page on the NHS Scotland Careers website. See the Learning and development section for information about career structure, progression and rates of pay.
Hours
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week, which could include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays as 24 hour care may be required. Many NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers offer flexible hours or part-time work.
Environment
You would mostly work indoors, but you may also sometimes accompany people on trips outside their homes.
Travel
You would have to travel to people's homes, workplaces and other important sites. Some jobs may require a driving license.
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Related industries
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Healthcare
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- learning disabilities
- midwifery
- nursing practices
- leadership studies
- nmc guidelines
- community mental health services
- personality disorder
- labor and delivery nursing
- disease prevention
- neuromuscular system and disorders
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- developing a plan
- social conscience
- empathising
- researching
- verbal communication
- listening
- supporting
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Care
Chemistry
Childcare and Development
Human Biology
Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You need a degree in nursing (SCQF level 9/10). Edinburgh Napier University offers a BN in Nursing (Learning Disabilities) and Glasgow Caledonian University offers a BSc Nursing Studies (Learning Disability).
To enter a Nursing Degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires National 4/5 qualifications and a minimum of three or four Highers at C or equivalent qualifications such as a relevant HNC/HND or Scottish Vocational Qualification in Healthcare Support (SVQ level 2/3).
It is possible to enter a shortened graduate nursing programme with a relevant degree in another subject.
There are Scottish Wider Access Programme courses which can also give entry if you have been out of education for three or more years.
Qualifications that show understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
Health and Social Care (SCQF level 6)
SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF level 3-5)
Once qualified you will need to:
register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check
complete a medical examination to ensure you are physically fit
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Nurse - Learning Disability'
