Welcome to the new Learning Disability Nursing forum

AWESOME! I will be checking in on this forum frequently!. Several of the patients I see in my current line of work have autism or some form of disability--whew! What a challenge! BIG change from infants on ventilators! I do wonder how much of what we do in the NICU's affects the little ones psyches in the long run; I've had some parents tell me their child's autism is not genetic, or at least didn't test out that way. Anybody know of a resource or research that's been done on this? (It's a tangent I didn't realize I would get into when I took this position.) These kiddos don't metabolize/process meds the same way other kids do and are really difficult to sedate for EEG's and what not. I'm interested in communicating with other RN's/practitioners who have similar experiences.

Thanks for the new forum, Brian!

Hi. I am so happy to find this topic.
I will be starting a new job in October at a residential facility and day program center in S.E. Pennsylvania. The residents are children and adults who are MRCP or have Down Syndrome.
The only experience in this area that I have is 12yrs of babysitting/caring for a girl with MRCP. She ironically lives at this facility now (for the past 2 yrs). However she will not be one of my patients. I am really looking forward to starting there. If anyone has any experiences or advice to share I would greatly appreciate the input!

This is a great forum, thanks Brian

I am starting nursing this coming August and have been going through these sites quite frequently and tonight discovered this one! I have a son who is 8 1/2 years old and has a very rare chromosomal defect, ring chromosome 18. We found this at birth due to a severe hypospadious. He has undergone 12 surgeries to date and has a moderate mental disability. He is in a trainable level program at school and is doing wonderful. Blake is the sole insporation for me going back to school. I want to not only be able to help these chlidren but also help these parents see what a wonderful blessing they have in their lives. THese kids are so loving and so giving. They know no stranger and no hate. If we could only learn a little bit from them we would be so much more efficient!!!!

I was surprised to see this forum. It's wonderful and an answer to my problem. I think... I work at this time as an Education Specialist Assistant III in Special Education. I left nursing (LPN) after I lost my significant other in 2000, I wanted a break from nursing and I love working with children. At this time I work in a middle school, with students with all types of disabilities, including a student who I cath once per school day. We are facing major budget cuts within the next few months. So I am thinking about returning to nursing and reactivating my LPN license. My desire is to go back to school. I was wondering how to combine my love for special needs children, my love for painting (I'm an artist) and nursing. My new husband, I was August 9, 2002 at the age of 50 no less, is very supportive of my decisions. Plus my sons are growing up, my youngest is 16 and a Junior in high school. So, I feel it's time to concentrate on my career. Am I too "old" to return to nursing and can I combine my passions in anyway?
Thanks for listening.
Barb

Hi, Barb... just wanted to let you know that you are definitely not to old to return to school! I am 48 and I'm doing it! I also work in a Special Ed school, half of which is severely multihandicapped children{seizure disorders, gastric tube feedings, CP, etc.} and the other half of the students are learning disabled and social/behavior problem. I like it, but sometimes get overwhelmed, being the only nurse in the building most times! I work with an RN, but she has to cover 2 other buildings, so I'm on my own most of the time. I'm an LPN, but looking forward to being an RN someday!Then I hope to become certified as a school nurse. I'm sure you can find a position where you can use your talents!

This forum is great, in Australia there is not much focus on mental retardation nursing. I have worked in this field as an 'Assistant in Nursing' for nearly 3 years, i have enjoyed it. At times not the most glamorous of work, but i find it interesting. I think though you need to experience different types of reatard nursing, when you are stuck in one area for to long it can start to get you.
This type of nursing in New South Wales, Australia has been moved out into the community away from large institutions.

I am so happy i stumbled onto this! I have just left med/surg for a number of reasons and just got a call today about a postion in this field and was very curious about it. thank you all for enlightening me. I definitly want to follow up on the job now!!

I think this is a good idea. A thread all about me!!! J/K!!!

I think we should add lots of new forums. . . . such as . . . CNA forum, and touching nursing stories, venting only forum, and maybe an education board, where young folks, such as myself could ask questions, and learn from nurses. I hope that this was of some valuble advice.

-*The CNA forum would not be ALLNURSES would they?
-*Keep reading their are many touching stories on here.
-*To vent, ON OCCASION ya go to the "off-topic" forum.
-*And if you have questions go to the "students nurses" forum.

Gator