Donna Maheady

Donna Maheady

Pediatrics, developmental disabilities

Member

About Donna Maheady

Donna Maheady has 38 years experience and specializes in Pediatrics, developmental disabilities.

Greetings from sunny Florida! I am a pediatric nurse practitioner, autism Mom/warrior, nurse educator, author and blogger. My name is Donna Maheady. I have a wide range of nursing experience both in academic and practice settings. Pediatrics is my love and passion but I have also taught many other topics. I am a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and I have being practicing and teaching nursing for over 35 years. I grew up in Connecticut and went to nursing school at the University of Bridgeport. I received my MS in nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a certificate as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the University of Texas Medical Center at Galveston. I received my doctorate in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University. I am married and have one daughter who is 28. Lauren is diagnosed with autism, mental retardation and epilepsy.

My advocacy work for Lauren was the foundation for my later research and publications about issues related to nurses and nursing students with disabilities. My husband and I love to travel. Our trips have taken us to Italy, Spain, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. I am the founder of the nonprofit resource network for nurses and nursing students with disabilities www.ExceptionalNurse.com. Author of three books "The Exceptional Nurse: Tales from the trenches of truly resilient nurses working with disabilities", "Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disabilities" and "Nursing students with disabilities change the course", I have also written numerous articles about nurses and nursing students with disabilities as well as other topics. I blog about all things related to nurses with disabilities http://exceptionalnurse.blogspot.com/ and tweet @ExceptNurse. I also blog about parenting an adult daughter with autism at http://autismolympics.blogspot.com/. Born to become a nurse....nursing is my passion!

Latest Activity

  1. Nursing with a hearing loss: Yes you can!

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in Disabilities

    Bravo to you!!!! Congratulations!

  2. Nursing with a hearing loss: Yes you can!

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in Disabilities

    Thank you so much for commenting and bravo to you! Love to hear any other tips related to student success!

  3. Nursing Student: Can a Person with a Trach Work in the Hospital?

    Donna Maheady replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

    Thanks for asking about which hospital Beth. I have the same question.

  4. Nursing Student: Can a Person with a Trach Work in the Hospital?

    Donna Maheady replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Nurse Beth

    Dear needs a trach, I agree with Beth totally...first you need to take care of your health! I applaud your commitment and continued interest in working as a nurse. Just think of how many people you could have a positive impact on. What a role model!...

  5. Resources for Nurses and Nursing Students With Learning Disabilities

    Donna Maheady posted a topic in General Nursing

    According to the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), a learning disability is a neurological condition that interferes with an individual's ability to store, process, or produce information. Learning disabilities can affect one's abil...

  6. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    Today, people don't confuse the words...but 29+ years ago they often did. It was a new word...especially for lay people.

  7. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks so much for the kind words Beth. You are right...Lauren has impacted so many people!

  8. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks so much for the kind words! Your family sounds amazing!

  9. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    So true!!! Thanks for commenting!

  10. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    You are right! She does have many of my qualities!

  11. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks so much!

  12. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady replied to Donna Maheady's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks so much! She is our joy!

  13. Is She Artistic or Autistic?

    Donna Maheady posted a topic in General Nursing

    My daughter, Lauren, is a member of the group of young adults who grew up on the evolving autism spectrum. For Lauren, a clear diagnosis eluded all of the professionals for many years. Over time, the spectrum expanded and Lauren landed as an "artist ...

  14. Can blogging hurt or harm your career

    Donna Maheady replied to btcoonhound's topic in Entrepreneurs

    Hi Beth, I couldn't agree more. I am proud of the work I do blogging at Exceptional Nurse and opt to put my name on it. I teach nursing and would never throw a school under the bus. A professional and thoughtful dialog is possible! It does take skill...

  15. The Obesity Problem in Rural America

    Donna Maheady replied to Brenda F. Johnson's topic in General Nursing

    Thanks for shedding light on another aspect related to the obesity epidemic. I wonder if nurses who work in rural areas are impacted as well?