Can a Nurse Specialize to Work with Individuals with Special Needs?

Be_Moore · Jun 21, 2009

Seems like psych may be a good route to go. And look for specialty clinics / homes / facilities.

kjsquared · Jun 21, 2009

Hi there,

I am not in nursing school yet (stat in Aug), but I am also very interested in this type of work. I worked in a "day camp" during summer and fall a few years ago for children and adults with special needs, but I don't remember ever having nurses around. Everyone I worked with had to be certified to give out medications and such, and we took lots of classes on how to handle and deal with special needs.

I have been wondering for a while about the questions you asked, but have kind of been unable to come up with any answers other than working in psych....I would really like more info on this area if anyone else has any as well. :nuke:

yesdog, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2009

Maybe you would be interested in working as a nurse in a state hospital for the severely disabled. In California I know of Fairview and Porterville. Also, some school districts have a nurse that deals only with the special education students. There are also rehabilitation centers for those with head trauma etc.

Rose3721 · Jun 22, 2009

You could look at working in a state school as well. I have an older sister that is special needs and lives in a state school in Texas. It consists of full time, 24/7 care for individuals, children and adult that cannot live on their own because of significant mental retardation, autism, etc. The RNs work there fulltime for medication administration, case management, and assessments. I know that several state schools in Texas are hiring at this time. Hope this helps!

carluvscats · Jun 22, 2009

I do pediatric home health, and love it. :)

You may want to check out Shriners Hospitals. They do awesome work for kids with a variety of disabilities.

Best of luck to you!

kjsquared · Jun 22, 2009

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments! I appreciate it. I hope this helps the OP also!

elb252 · Jun 23, 2009

Yes, the above posts have been a help!! I've always had a special place in my heart for both children and adults suffering from various neurological, mental, and physical disabilities. Also know various children suffering from autism...always a huge interest of mine, and something that I've found rewarding to learn about.

But I won't say that I regret my time spent in nursing school...just thinking that the path that I'll be taking will be one very different from my classmates.

However, I am considering obtaining a master's degree in either special education or counseling as well...Will this be beneficial on top of my nursing degree, and will I really be able to use it anywhere? Also, if I do decide to go in that direction, will a BSN qualify me for a master's in sped or counseling, or would I have to go back and get another bachelor's in one of the two?

Thank you for all of your posts thus far!

yesdog, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

You would need obtain a teaching credential and then get a masters degree in sp ed. Counseling is not what you think it is. A degree in counseling is more for high schools. They do the scheduling for students. I think you mean a psych degree. You would need a BA and MA in psych in order to counsel....which is really doing assessments and meetings....not much counseling. I know all of this because I was a speech pathologist for many years.

Don't ever be afraid of being different. You can always combine your nursing degree with another career. No one will ever be able to take that away from you. It will always be an asset. You are young. When I was your age I had no idea what I really wanted to be, so I became a speech pathologist. I did it for a long time, but I realized that I really wanted another challenge in my life. So, now I just finished an MSN and will be starting in the SICU! It is very exciting. Life always has opportunities and challenges if you have the courage to try. Pursue whatever you want! Create your own destiny!