27 April 2026

The Career Pathway for Nurses in Nursing Homes, commissioned by the Chief Nursing Officer, will officially launch on 5 May 2026, representing a significant step forward in strengthening, supporting and valuing the care home nursing workforce in Northern Ireland.

Supporting Career Development in Care Home Nursing

The Career Pathway provides a clear and structured framework to support nurses at all stages of their professional journey within nursing home settings. It is designed to:

• recognise care home nursing as a skilled, specialist and rewarding career choice
• support recruitment, retention and career progression within the sector
• promote consistent standards of education, professional development and leadership
• strengthen the delivery of person-centred, safe and effective care for residents

The pathway has been developed collaboratively with Nursing Home colleagues, Health and Social Care colleagues, student nurses, education providers, the Department of Health and professional bodies, the Career Pathway aligns with wider regional priorities for workforce development and professional practice.

Further information is available here

An overview of the Career Pathway is available through a webinar hosted on the RCN Northern Ireland Independent Sector Network website, where Gary Cousins, Senior Professional Officer, outlines the purpose, structure and intended impact of the pathway.