Caroline is a lecturer on the BSc. Intellectual Disability programme within the School of Nursing and Midwifery. She is an RNID who holds a MSc., Post-Graduate Diploma in Gerontology and a BSc from UCC. Prior to taking up this academic post Caroline worked as an staff nurse and Clinical Nurse Manager within Irish Disability services. Caroline has over 20 years experience working as an RNID in residential and respite services, caring for elderly people who required holistic and end-of-life care, worked with young adults with an intellectual disability with dual diagnosis who engage in behaviour that challenge in a high support residential service. Caroline gained experience in supporting people with autism, obsessive compulsive disorders, mood disorders, dementia, multiple and complex health problems, communication difficulties and epilepsy. Caroline has worked within various residential, community settings and school settings and worked closely with families during this time.

My primary research interest lies in the area of supporting the older person with Intellectual Disability and the experiences of older caregivers. Stemming from my clinical experience, I am particularly interested in gerontology, palliative care, dementia, and caregiver experiences. I completed my MSc. in Nursing in 2018. The title of my dissertation was “An exploration of care-burden experienced by older caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities, in Ireland.” I am undertaking a PhD in nursing Title: Supporting decision-making during transitions to long-term care among older adults with intellectual disabilities and their family caregivers. Co-applicant New Foundations: In 2024 we secured an Irish Research Council grant of €12,000. This project represents an innovative approach to advancing practice and processes of inclusive research involving people with intellectual disabilities. Title: The DIET Tailored Health Education-Deciding with Information and Education Together. Co-applicant Sexual safety HSE project. In 2023/2024 we securing a HSE tender of €24,000.This work package ‘Examined the Prevalence of Sexual Safety Incidents and Effectiveness of Sexual Safety Prevention and Management Strategies in Mental Health, Disability and Older Adult Settings’. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexual safety incidents in HSE managed centres in Ireland for older persons, adults with disabilities, and inpatient mental health units, and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and management strategies.

I am a full time permanent lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery since 2018, teaching and examining across all four years at BSc Nursing undergraduate level. I teach approximately 195 hours, primarily on the BSc Intellectual disability nursing programme. I also teach on the general, mental health and children’s and integrated nursing programme. Teaching includes lecturing, the facilitation of tutorials, workshops, practical’s and clinical skills simulation sessions. I also teach and examine on the PG diploma in gerontological nursing. I supervise 4 international students on the MSc Taught degree NU6073. I am module leader on both theory and clinical practice modules from 1st to 4th year on the undergraduate BSc. Nursing (Intellectual Disability). I am the disability support officer for the school. I am a link lecturer with our clinical partner COPE Foundation. In 2020 I completed the post graduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher eduction, UCC