This service evaluation explores the experiences of registered learning disability nurses (RNLDs) who have undertaken additional specialist training. All RNLDs employed in one NHS trust (n=465) were invited to complete an open-ended questionnaire. Ten of these RNLDs responded, seven of whom had completed specialist training and three of whom were enrolled in such training. Inductive thematic analysis identified four key themes: initial role dissatisfaction; motivation to engage in specialist training; intention to stay and use skills in learning disability services; and leaving learning disability services for the mainstream. Respondents cited limited recognition, career progression and appropriate role banding as drivers of their departure from learning disability services. These findings suggest a hidden retention issue in the RNLD workforce: while most nurses remain in the NHS, many of them leave the learning disability field post-training. If these trends extend beyond the evaluated trust, urgent policy and organisational interventions are required to retain skilled RNLDs in the field.