loveDDRN

Thank you so much for responding! I really really appreciate it!:redbeathe I am nervous about being able to find a job within this field and to be completely honest i dont want to do anything else. Working with the DD population is so interesting and the thing that i love best about it is as a nurse you actually can provide holistic care to every patient. Along with spending time with them and getting to know them. I feel that within the hospital situation you are not able to give this kind of care because of staff shortages and patient overload. Plus people come in and out everyday. I would love to hear more about your personal experience within this field.. what you love and what you could do without. Is it difficult to have so many people working under your licence? Is it hard to stay organized taking care of so many individuals? I have worked in this field and havent been able to fully establish a relationship with an RN because we have had a very high turn over rate (2 of the ladies who i have worked with became extremely ill and passed away sadly.) So thank you again for taking the time to respond. In my experience the RN usually has 60 patients and has roughly 20-30 people passing medications daily under their licence. Did you have any prior experience within this field before becoming an RN? If not how did you manage to fall into the career? thank you so much for your time!

Im sorry I mistyped. DDNA is the developmental disabilities nursing association. Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing (CDDN) is the certification im referring too "To be certified means that you are competent in your chosen field and have a recognized level of achievement. You understand and comply with the standards of your professional organization, live by those standards professionally, and set an example of excellence. Certification attests to your knowledge in your chosen specialty area of nursing practice. Certification provides a way to demonstrate your experience, competence, and proficiency beyond that required for nursing licensure. As a nurse practicing in the field of developmental disabilities, certification also documents that you possess special knowledge and gives you access to expanded career opportunities and advancement. As a certified nurse, you also benefit the profession of nursing, the specialty of developmental disabilities, and the people for whom you care." (off the DDNA website) However, I have worked for numerous companies in NY who do not require this certification. I just wanted to know more about it because it sounds like a great thing to have (especially if you are interested in going into this field) thanks for responding:)

hello everyone! i was wondering if anyone knew anything about getting cddn certification. i am currently an rn student living in ny state planning to graduate in may 2011. i have worked with individuals with disabilities for almost 10 years and love it.i really want to specialize in this field and am having a difficult time navigating my way through it ~so any information is surely welcomed! i read on the ddna website that you must have 4,000 hours of experience as an rn working with this population of individuals before sitting for the exam. after i graduate would it be best for me to start working right away with an agency that is specific to helping people with disabilities and working my way up to getting the certification or is it better to get the 'hospital experience' first? my ultimate goal is to become a np and work specifically with this population. it seems wise to obtain cddn ... or am i being mislead? is it difficult to get hired within these agencies as a *new* rn? thank you to any information provided! it is greatly appreciated.

hello everyone! i was wondering if anyone knew anything about getting a cddn certification. i am currently an rn student living in ny state planning to graduate in may 2011. i have worked with individuals with disabilities for almost 10 years and love it.i really want to specialize in this field and am having a difficult time navigating my way through it ~so any information is surely welcomed! i read on the ddna website that you must have 4,000 hours of experience as an rn working with this population of individuals before sitting for the exam. after i graduate would it be best for me to start working right away with an agency that is specific to helping people with disabilities and working my way up to getting the certification or is it better to get the 'hospital experience' first? my ultimate goal is to become a np and work specifically with this population. it seems wise to obtain cddn certification... or am i being mislead? is it difficult to get hired within these agencies as a *new* rn? thank you to any information provided! it is greatly appreciated.