Developmental Disabilities Nursing

Developmental Disabilities Nursing covers many facets of nursing care. Most nurses have come into contact with patients who have developmental disabilities. It requires tact, diplomacy, thorough knowledge of developmental milestones as well as compassion and patience. Nurses must also be increasingly able to think of their feet and the ability to improvise. Family and caregivers must also be considered in patient education.

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Developmental Disabilities Nursing

The Developmental Disabilities Nurse

Developmental Disabilities nursing covers a wide range of types of nursing. These problems can be mental, emotional or physical. Those with developmental disabilities run the gamut from infants in early intervention programs to seniors who have lived with life-long disabilities.

Examples of Diagnoses 

  • Down Syndrome/Trisomy 21
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Anoxic brain injuries
  • Fragile X Syndrome
  • Other chromosomal abnormalities

The individuals are usually born with the diagnosed disability but it can also be acquired via trauma both accidental and non-accidental. As these patients survive longer and longer, it is more common for all types of specialty nurses to encounter patients with these disabilities in the community, in-home care, and in all units of the hospital.

Work Environment

  • children's rehabilitation unit in a hospital
  • sub-acute facility
  • long-term acute care hospital (LTACH)
  • long-term chronic care
  • private office setting

Patients are typically identified at birth or as an infant when they don't meet developmental milestones. Early childhood intervention programs are often the gatekeeper for care. Easter Seals and March of Dimes are both well-known organizations that provide education and care for the patient, family, and caregivers. As developmental disabilities frequently require life long care, it is very important to plan ahead for the next stage of care.

Non-accidental trauma is an unfortunate cause of developmental disability. This opens up many other avenues for employment. Some options include:

  • state-funded child protective services
  • police departments
  • volunteer organizations
  • education and prevention care

Education Requirements

  • Graduate from accredited Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) nursing program.
  • Successfully pass NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN
  • Current, unencumbered RN or LPN license in U.S. state of practice

Certification

Certification is available for the RN and LPN/LVN through the DDNA | – Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association.

Eligibility (not all-inclusive)

  • Minimum 4,000 hours active developmental disabilities nursing practice as an RN, LPN, LVN within the immediate previous 60 months (five years).
  • Practice requirement may be met in the following roles:
  • Practicing nurse in developmental disabilities in institutional/community setting
  • Nurse administrator in developmental disabilities program
  • Nurse educator in developmental disabilities program
  • Nurse consultant in developmental disabilities
  • Nurse practicing in the expanded role in an IDD institutional or community setting, including Nurse Practitioners (NP)

Opportunities or Projected Vacancy Rates

The outlook is bright for nurses and ancillary personnel that want to seek employment in developmental disabilities simply because there are many avenues for this position. As the gestational age of viability sinks lower and lower, there are more and more neonates with developmental disabilities. And, at the other end of the spectrum, as patients live longer and longer due in part to better medical care. There are many jobs available for senior care also.

Salary (2020)

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay in the U.S. is $52,603. Many Developmental Disabilities nurses care for patients confined to home and receive mileage stipends in addition to their salary.

Resources

Home | March of Dimes | Healthy Moms. Strong Babies

Easterseals | Taking on disability together

Human Rights Organization for Individuals with Down syndrome | NDSS

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

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traumaRUs

About traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

Trauma Columnist

14-yr RN experience, ER, ICU, pre-hospital RN, 12+ years experience Nephrology APRN.

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Specializes in kids.

I take care of some very DD students in my public high school. They are often the highlight of my day!

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