Developmental disability nurses care for patients with chronic conditions that cause physical, learning, language, or behavior impairment. Also known as special needs nurses, their patients may have one or more of these developmental disabilities:
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism spectrum disorder
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Fragile X syndrome
Intellectual disability
Language disorders
Learning disorders
Tourette syndrome
Special needs nurses can treat patients of any age, from newborns to older adults. They can work in a wide variety of care settings, both acute and long-term. The goal of developmental nursing is to improve quality of life and maintain optimal health in their patients.
Where Do Developmental Disability Nurses Work?
People with developmental disabilities can live independently, with a guardian, or in a group home setting, and their nurses usually come to them. Developmental disability nurses can work in:
Health clinics
Long-term care facilities
Group homes
Hospitals
Patient homes
Schools
Government agencies
Special needs nurses mostly work in subacute care, helping their patients prevent illness and injury while living with as much independence as possible. In a health clinic setting, developmental nurses provide a familiar face for their patients and build rapport and trust over years of care.
In group homes and long-term care, nurses can collaborate with other staff to offer residents assistance while still promoting self-reliance. If patients live at home with a parent or caregiver, some special needs nurses work with home health companies, who provide medical care for however much of the day the patient needs. Some nurses travel to school and back with their patients and care for them in class and during transport.
In the hospital, special needs nurses see developmental disability patients during an illness or after an injury. Patients with these conditions can struggle as they are removed from their normal schedule, and developmental disability nurses can provide understanding, compassion, and comfort to this population when they need it most.
What Does a Developmental Disability Nurse Do?
Developmental disability nurses work with their patients on a daily basis to educate, treat illness, and guide them toward their highest level of health and autonomy. Special needs nursing tasks may include:
Advocating for patients and families
Assisting with activities of daily living and communication techniques
Connecting patients and families with community resources
Coordinating care with other members of the healthcare team
Creating an evidence-based plan for school or work with patients, parents, and caregivers
Educating patients and families on their condition
Making recommendations to the health team based on observations and patient/family wishes
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation
Monitoring and adjusting patient diet
Providing and managing health screenings for those with developmental disabilities in work and school settings
Updating policies and procedures with their employer based on the latest research
Some patients may be almost completely independent, while others may need help with basic daily tasks like toileting and eating. In the latter case, special needs nurses must be familiar with any medical equipment their patients use, like:
Feeding tubes and pumps
Mechanical lifts
Tracheostomies
Urinary catheters
Ventilators
Wheelchairs
How Do I Become a Developmental Disability Nurse?
Aspiring developmental disability nurses must first graduate from an accredited nursing program with a nursing degree or certificate. Candidates can earn a licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification in one or two years. After graduation, they may take their state licensing exam: the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). After they pass this exam, nurses earn the title of LPN.
More and more employers are requiring nurses to have a registered nurse (RN) designation, though, which can be achieved through earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN typically takes two years to complete, while a BSN takes four. However, some programs offer an accelerated option that can be finished in as little as a year. After graduation, nurses may apply to developmental disability nursing jobs as graduate nurses (GNs).
Nurses work as GNs while they complete their training under a nurse preceptor and prepare to take their state licensing exam: the NCLEX-RN. After passing the NCLEX, nurses can practice on their own as RNs once they finish their facility’s orientation.
Some developmental disability nurses return to school for an advanced practice degree. After graduating with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on developmental disabilities, nurses can practice as nurse practitioners (NPs). An MSN takes two years if done full-time, but nurses may also take longer if they want to continue working during the program.
Another option for special needs nurses with some experience is to become certified in their specialty. The Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA) offers a specialty certification for nurses in this field. To be eligible, nurses must have at least 4,000 hours of practice in developmental disabilities nursing as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or licensed vocational nurse within the past five years.
Nurse practitioners in this field can earn a Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder certification from The University of Arizona College of Nursing. To be eligible for this course and certification, you must be an advanced practice nurse.
How Much Does a Developmental Disability Nurse Make Per Year?
A developmental disability nurse can earn the same as any other RN in a similar position, which averages $81,220 per year as of 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This amount can vary depending on your work setting and the cost of living in the area. The low-end average is $61,250, and the high-end is $129,400. Depending on where you work, your employer may be able to offer higher or lower compensation:
The salaries for developmental disability nurse practitioners are higher than those of RNs, with average annual earnings of $148,960, according to BLS data from 2022. The BLS reports a low-end average of $87,340, and a high-end of $165,240. The location of employment can affect developmental disability nurse practitioners as well, with differences similar to RNs. Salary can also change based on employment type:
The top paying areas for developmental disability nurses and nurse practitioners include:
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
Napa, CA
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Yuba City, CA
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA
Are Developmental Disability Nurses in High Demand?
All nurses are in high demand in the United States and the nursing shortage is being felt across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 24% of U.S. hospitals have reported critical staffing shortages, and eight states have needed to call in staffing assistance from the military.
According to a study published in 2019 in Pediatrics, from 2007 to 2017, the incidence of developmental disabilities at birth increased from 16% to almost 18%. The increase was mostly due to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. With an increase in this population of patients, special needs nurses are in high demand.
Additional Resources About Becoming a Developmental Disability Nurse
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