[lpn181]

My experience is much the same as LPN1974; but there are times (every Fri & Sat) when I am the only nurse in our building of about 60. On those nights, there is typically an RN across the street who can be consulted for emergencies or questions that I may have and she is usually very good about responding. However, she is expected to pass medicaitons, do all of her "RN duties" AND help me. It would be overwhelming for only one person. Last Sat. was the worst day I have had since being "on my own", (I am the only LPN left on my shift in either building so we use med-tech's and we are down one RN or I wouldn't have to be working by myself so much) We have one "living area" with 8-9 higer functioning (and more dangerous) men. These are the ones who may be slightly MR, but are mostly there to avoid going to jail. Anyway they had been on edge all day and then about 8pn, close to the end of my med pass they called and said that they had had to do a "take down" and that there were injuries they needed me to assess. They described them as cuts (minor) scrapes ect. so I told them to give me 10 minutes to finish up and I would be there. Less than 3 minutes later, they called me back and said that they needed two chemical's. I locekd my cart, put it where it was less likely someone would get to it (nothing harmful was left, just juice, cups, spoons ect) and told the staff on that living area I would be back when I could. I proceeded to check the charts for allergies etc and called the Doc and told him the request and the med that each was normally given. He o.k.'d and I got the injections and gave them. In the meantime, they had had to put one of the men in mechanical restraints because he was trying to pull the carpet out of the "quiet room" to get to the tac strip. Long story short(er), I wound up having to send 2 staff to the local ER for {minor} injuries; then had to find someone to replace them; had injuries on 5 of the men who lived there and wound up giving one more chemical before the night was over! The med tech who was working with me that night had to go to the area where I had been giving meds and finish them up and made sure the narcotic count was right with the next shift because I wound up being 2 hours late that night!
As I said before, this was my WORST night and luckily they are typically few and far between. I might also add that our facility is slated to be shut down in 1yr and that is part of why it has been so hard for us to find someone to fill the holes that we have. I have worked in the facilty for five years now, only one as an LPN (just went to school last year, and am now going back for my RN) and I think it is harder to do "just my job" bucause I know what is expected from the staff {who BTW are wonderful}. Anyway, sorry this was so long...

[lindylou54]

Originally Posted by lpn181

My experience is much the same as LPN1974; but there are times (every Fri & Sat) when I am the only nurse in our building of about 60. On those nights, there is typically an RN across the street who can be consulted for emergencies or questions that I may have and she is usually very good about responding. However, she is expected to pass medicaitons, do all of her "RN duties" AND help me. It would be overwhelming for only one person. Last Sat. was the worst day I have had since being "on my own", (I am the only LPN left on my shift in either building so we use med-tech's and we are down one RN or I wouldn't have to be working by myself so much) We have one "living area" with 8-9 higer functioning (and more dangerous) men. These are the ones who may be slightly MR, but are mostly there to avoid going to jail. Anyway they had been on edge all day and then about 8pn, close to the end of my med pass they called and said that they had had to do a "take down" and that there were injuries they needed me to assess. They described them as cuts (minor) scrapes ect. so I told them to give me 10 minutes to finish up and I would be there. Less than 3 minutes later, they called me back and said that they needed two chemical's. I locekd my cart, put it where it was less likely someone would get to it (nothing harmful was left, just juice, cups, spoons ect) and told the staff on that living area I would be back when I could. I proceeded to check the charts for allergies etc and called the Doc and told him the request and the med that each was normally given. He o.k.'d and I got the injections and gave them. In the meantime, they had had to put one of the men in mechanical restraints because he was trying to pull the carpet out of the "quiet room" to get to the tac strip. Long story short(er), I wound up having to send 2 staff to the local ER for {minor} injuries; then had to find someone to replace them; had injuries on 5 of the men who lived there and wound up giving one more chemical before the night was over! The med tech who was working with me that night had to go to the area where I had been giving meds and finish them up and made sure the narcotic count was right with the next shift because I wound up being 2 hours late that night!
As I said before, this was my WORST night and luckily they are typically few and far between. I might also add that our facility is slated to be shut down in 1yr and that is part of why it has been so hard for us to find someone to fill the holes that we have. I have worked in the facilty for five years now, only one as an LPN (just went to school last year, and am now going back for my RN) and I think it is harder to do "just my job" bucause I know what is expected from the staff {who BTW are wonderful}. Anyway, sorry this was so long...

[HowieH RN]

My advise to anyone wanting to go into DD is to get some hospital experience first. It's important to get down the basics before specializing in something, and DD is specializing. It's hard enough to figure out what to do when your patients can talk to you. Now try to figure out whats wrong when they can't tell you!! The residential associates (really NA's) come to you and tell you "something's wrong with Mary" you go and assess her and she's sitting in her W/C, can't tell you, she's crying, and you have to call the on call MD who doesn't know her. That's where your experience will come in. Good luck with your decision.

[sunnym]

I agree there is not a normal day-
It is one thing that really makes me love my job!
Although I'm not a NURSE (well not yet ) I have worke with adults with DD and profound MR for teh last 7 years... there is nothing better! Every day we have suprises -

[DLRN]

I see you are from NY,what state agencies are in NY,I have worked in this field for about 15 years,I had no clue there were state agencies for mr/dd population.How are the benefits,retire,ment?THanks

[lindylou54]

Originally Posted by Louisepug

Hi everyone,
I will be graduating nursing school in 2006, and right now am just kinda feeling my way around, and trying to get as much information from experienced nurses in my different fields of interest. I definately have an interest in this field, and am just curious to know what a "typical" day in the life of a dev. disability nurse is like. Also, how wide open is this field for say, a new grad? Do they prefer you to have regular med-surg or any other experience before you would be hired? Thanks for your time everyone! Louisepug

well , all I can say is that with NY State-the LPN/DA is a dual role- you work as a developmental assistant (aide) and as an LPN; it is hard , but rewarding. Right now I am working as a DA- I may go back to A LPN position if one opens up that is near home. The state has you do a lot of nonsense things and tend to overlook the fact that you have practical nursing skills, but you usually work in homes that have 4-10 people living there and of course it all depends on whether or not they are behavioral or just medical needs; the state has good pay and good benefits-check out nys web site-omrdd-has some info too. linda

[sjmac]

Originally Posted by HowieH RN

My advise to anyone wanting to go into DD is to get some hospital experience first. It's important to get down the basics before specializing in something, and DD is specializing. It's hard enough to figure out what to do when your patients can talk to you. Now try to figure out whats wrong when they can't tell you!! The residential associates (really NA's) come to you and tell you "something's wrong with Mary" you go and assess her and she's sitting in her W/C, can't tell you, she's crying, and you have to call the on call MD who doesn't know her. That's where your experience will come in. Good luck with your decision.

Hi

Is a learning disability nurse known as a DD nurse in the US? I have been looking for job vacancies but can't find ANYTHING! Would appreciate your help in what I should be looking for! Regards, sjmac

[rdnkmom]

We have 2 wings, 3 nurses on each wing. We work 12 hour shifts..5-5. We're lucky if our med pass takes the "2 hours of compliance" you get kids havingn seizures, going into respiratory distress that you have to send to the ER, kids pulling gt's out, family members calling, ... etc. I usually do all of my tx's on my second med pass. 90% of our kids are bedridden, but not one kid there has any skin breakdown. We have some awesome aides. We have no med aides. Then theres the charting, daily skin assessments, V/S reports (3 x wk) Weekly SZ reports and Behavior reports, med orders, then you have the bolus feedings that you have to stand in the room for a while since its gotta drain in the tube.Checking vent monitors and apnea alarms everytime they go off because your respiratory dept is busy on the other side of the wing suctioning and stuff (these seem to go off continuously). You would think that 12 hours would be plenty of time....NOT!! Sometimes we don't even get a lunch because we are running the whole time we are there. But I cant help but enjoy going to work and enjoy doing what I do.

[Ragdoll]

I worked in an ICF/MR facility as an LPN for four years. I absolutely loved being a DD nurse! Even today I still feel that there is no greater achievement than helping clients help themselves. At our group home, the motto was "do with, not for." Sadly, I left this position when I decided to go back to school for my RN. The group home consolidated with another group home and now the agency has several homes across the country.

One thing I would recommend about this area is that you have some prior experince working in a hospital on a medical surgical floor or a peds unit because it was my experince that other staff look to YOU the nurse in the facility to be a leader in several different areas. In the agency I worked for, there were 2 nurses, myself and an RN. We were consulted constantly for questions about medication error policies, g tube trainings, questions about certain illnesses, signs and symptoms to watch for, etc. It is a wonderful area to work in and I miss it so much.

Currently, I am working in a community based nursing in the psychiatric area. It's very rewarding as well, but DD nursing is still my passion.

Connie, RN

PS: DD also has some cool state nursing organizations and they have a national one as well.

[Drifternurse]

WOW I knew I had a good job---but after reading the demands and pt ratios that some of you have, I realize I have a GREAT job! I work for group homes operated by the State as a vacation-relief nurse. The maximum # of clients to a home is 5; some have 3. The # direct care staff is usually 2-4 depending on the shift. GREAT benefits(fully state-paid). After working in nsg homes and MD clinics, etc, this is the best job ever!