Parkinson's/Neurology Nurse Pathway
This pathway presents the most relevant courses for your work role, progressing from entry-level learning to more optional, specialised knowledge courses.
Designed to help you navigate your learning journey
If you are new to Parkinson's education or to supporting people with Parkinson's, we recommend starting at the entry-level point and completing all courses up to and including the Foundation programme. From then on you can select the optional further learning course(s) that best suit your current learning needs.
Please note that the education pathways are advisory and are to help you get started on your journey in expanding your knowledge and understanding of Parkinson's and to reflect on how you can best support people living with Parkinson's.
Core learning
Foundation Programme
A suite of eight self-guided, online courses offering broad baseline coverage of Parkinson’s as a condition and associated professional practice.
Length: 30 minutes plus reflection time per course
Knowing Parkinson's account required: Yes
Certificate of completion: Yes
Develop your knowledge
All courses in this section require a Knowing Parkinson's account and a certificate of completion will be available for download.
Supporting people with Parkinson's-related dementia
Learn about the types of dementia that most commonly affect people living with Parkinson’s, explore associated risk factors and recognise the symptoms to look out for.
Length: 30 minutes
Promoting safer swallowing
Develop your knowledge and understanding of swallowing-related issues for people living with Parkinson’s, and how to improve the safety of eating, drinking and swallowing.
Length: 30 minutes
Parkinson's sleep and fatigue
Be informed about the sleep and fatigue symptoms associated with Parkinson’s, and the challenges people with Parkinson’s face as a result.
Length: 3 hours
Parkinson’s: supporting the family unit and care partners
Examine how best to support the families and care partners of people with Parkinson's.
Length: 30 minutes
Service development - how to plan and implement a Parkinson’s related dementia clinic
This case study from Cardiff and Vale Health Board's Parkinson's dementia service focuses on setting up and managing Parkinson's services and what that involves.
Length: 3 hours
Navigating Parkinson's research with your patients
Providing you with insights and practical skills to effectively communicate with your patients about the value of participating in research.
Length: 30 minutes
Talking about tech
Develop your knowledge and understanding of the variety of technology solutions available to support people living with Parkinson’s.
Length: 30 minutes
Parkinson’s mental health
Providing information and education about Parkinson's that you can apply to your professional area in mental health services. Enhance clinical practice in supporting a person with Parkinson's and their support network.
Length: 30 minutes
Explore further Parkinson's UK courses on our Learning Hub.
Neurology Academy MasterClasses
The Parkinson's Academy and Palliative Care Academy offer different levels of MasterClass for professionals specialising in Parkinson's.
Visit the events page on the Neurology Academy website for more information.
- Provided by Parkinson's Academy
- Bands 5 to 8 - course themes: Neurophysiology and Palliative care
Non-medical Prescribing Programme
The University of Northampton offers this 40-credit non-medical prescribing course which will enable autonomous nurse/midwife practitioners and AHPs to demonstrate safe prescribing practice within their own scope of practice.
Sign up to the Non-Medical Prescribing Programme.
- Provided by University of Northampton
- Bands 6 to 8 - course theme: Prescribing
- Specialist competency 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 in part
- Knowledge and Skills Framework Core 1 to 6 Level 2/3
- Health and Wellbeing in part
- General 1 Level 2 in part
Parkinson's: Tailored Management Course
An educational package addressing the in-depth management of Parkinson's on a daily basis, this fully virtual course is a practical how-to guide for anyone looking to understand or improve how they support people with Parkinson's to live well.
Register for the Parkinson's: Tailored Management Course.
- Provided by Parkinson's Academy
- Band 5
Meeting the specific needs of people with Parkinson's and their carers
This module aims to provide an educational programme to enable health care practitioners to practice competently as a member of the multidisciplinary team within the specialist field of caring for people with Parkinson's disease and their carers.
Apply for Meeting the specific needs of people with Parkinson's and their carers.
- Provided by Swansea University
- Bands 5 and 8 - course theme: General & Neurophysiology
- Specialist competency 1 to 8, 11 x 1, 13
- Knowledge and Skills Framework Core 1 Level 2
- Health and Wellbeing in part
Enhanced Parkinson's Disease Management
This 40 credit degree-level module enables you to become competent in assessing, planning, delivering, evaluating and leading the care of people with Parkinson’s disease; and to give support and advice to their carers.
Apply for Enhanced Parkinson’s Disease Management.
- Provided by Plymouth University
- Bands 5 to 8 - course theme: General & Neurophysiology
- Specialist competency 1 to 10, 11 x 4, 12, 13
- Knowledge and Skills Framework Core 1 to 6 Level 2
- Health and Wellbeing in part
Kinetics
- Provided by DT2 Productions
- Bands 5 to 8
Kinetics is based on the true story of Sue Wylie's journey to being diagnosed with Parkinson's, the impact on her everyday life and acceptance of living with Parkinson’s.
Good practice in commencing and changing Parkinson’s medication regimes
- Provided by Parkinson's Academy
- Bands 5 and 8
A 1 hour online webinar from expert speakers Dr Neil Archibald (Clinical director for neurology and stroke and consultant neurologist), Viv Horton (Advanced clinical pharmacist for neurosciences), and Hannah Martin (Advanced nurse practitioner Parkinson’s disease) on medication and treatment decisions, person-centred care and communication.
Diet and Parkinson's disease
- Provided by Parkinson's Academy
- Bands 5 and 8
Watch Diet and Parkinson's disease webinar.
Managing bowel and bladder problems in Parkinson's
- Provided by Parkinson's Academy
- Bands 5 and 8
Watch Managing bowel and bladder problems in Parkinson's webinar.