Working with individuals with intellectual disabilities - page 2

In the past, many people with DD were housed in terrible facilities that were like nursing homes. Now that more people are in more home-like group homes there are fewer nurses per se needed (as in, medication aides and CNA's or HHA's work more in those settings) but there are still going to be social service agencies and day programs. You might check with the staff at the camp where you worked as they should know the network in your area. A nurse might do inservices for the clients, inservices for new staff, flu shot clinics, sex ed, all kinds of things.

I work for DDD, I absolutely love the work!! The politics, not so much.

I work for DDD, I absolutely love the work!! The politics, not so much.<img class="inlineimg" title="Wavey" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.allnurses.com/smilies/wave.gif" smilieid="41">

Maybe try private duty? I cared for individuals with ID and who had other medical issues, usually requiring a feeding tube and/or a ventilator. It's 1:1 and I found it rewarding.

I work in this field. There are days I work with lots of behaviors and days I work with high medical needs. It depends on which clients and their level of functioning. I absolutely love it!

This field, like so much of nursing, is also full of diversity. Many positions are more administrative however, depending on where you live, there may be group homes that have nurses working in them. This type of group home would support very medically fragile individuals. There are differences from state to state. Check out the DDNA.org website for more information.

You could also investigate working at the state level, overseeing waivers. There are lots of options. Good luck in this very rewarding field!