[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Developmental Disability Nurse Career in Brief[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Disability nurses work with other healthcare providers to care for individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These registered nurses (RNs) possess specialized training to assist with mobility, communication, bodily function, hygienic, and nutritional needs appropriate to the lifestyle of their patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Developmental Disability Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Disability nurses may enter the field after earning their [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/”]nursing degree[/hen-ui-link] and RN license. Work experience and certification will broaden employment and salary possibilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hospitals, physicians’ offices, home healthcare, and skilled nursing facilities employ the highest level of RNs overall. See below for duties performed by disability nurses by workplace setting.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Disability nurses working in hospitals provide direct patient care, coordinate treatment with the healthcare team and specialists, and administer treatment plans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Home Healthcare[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many disability nurses work in home healthcare settings assisting with daily patient living. This may include helping with bodily functions, bathing, and eating; developing mobility and communication skills; and coordinating services with healthcare specialists, family members, and other caregivers.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Schools[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools employ special needs nurses to identify accommodations for students with disabilities like removing barriers to learning and developing and implementing Individual Education Plans. Disability RNs train teachers and staff to assist with accommodations, but they typically provide care, such as tube feeding and giving medication, during school. Some are assigned to a single student depending on the education plan.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Developmental Disability Nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs who intend to enter the field of disability nursing should consider how their own professional goals and interests fit with the demands and challenges they will encounter.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Developmental Disability Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Developmental Disability Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Recent BLS projections show a 7% growth rate for all RN jobs between 2019 and 2029, creating approximately 175,900 openings. As healthcare needs expand for patients with chronic and permanent disabilities and mental health conditions, the demand for disability and special needs nurses will continue to rise.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the online job seeker site, ZipRecruiter, developmental disability nursing salaries average $52,600 a year, although [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/developmental-disability-nurse/” target=”_blank”]compensation varies[/hen-ui-link] considerably by years of experience, skill level, and location. While employment opportunities exist across the United States, six cities in [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link] rank among the top 10 highest-paying cities for this nurse specialty.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/registered-nursing/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What do developmental disability nurses do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A developmental disability nurse, also known as a special needs nurse, provides a variety of services to assist patients with intellectual or developmental conditions. In addition to providing direct patient care, they serve as liaisons with other healthcare providers to coordinate care and provide education and counseling to families and caretakers. Disability nurses can work in a variety of settings, including school, camp sites, and home.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How do you become a special needs nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After graduating from a two-year ADN or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/”]four-year BSN program[/hen-ui-link], prospective special needs nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for licensure through their state nursing regulatory board. Earning certification offered through the Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association requires a minimum of two years of work experience in developmental disability settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What type of nurse works with kids living with disabilities?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Working with children with disabilities requires a calm demeanor, patience, and compassion in addition to specialized nursing skills. Special needs nurses must develop the ability to interpret the needs of their patients, many of whom are nonverbal or express a limited range of emotions. They must use good judgement to make independent decisions about patient care. It can also be physically demanding (e.g., lifting patients, transferring patients in wheelchairs, and assisting with toileting).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What qualifies as a developmental disability?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Developmental disabilities refer to a broad range of conditions caused by impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas which impact daily activities throughout an individual’s lifetime. Examples include autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, and muscular dystrophy. Disabilities that limit muscle control, movement, and mobility often result from brain injuries or conditions such as cerebral palsy.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Developmental Disability Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://ddna.org/” target=”_blank”] Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Established in 1992, this nonprofit professional organization provides education, advocacy, networking, and support to nurses who care for patients with developmental disabilities. DDNA offers nursing certification for RNs and licensed practical and vocational nurses. The association hosts an annual conference, publishes newsletters and academic journals, and sponsors a job bank.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″] American Nurses Association[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Serving the interests of over four million RNs across the states, this prominent nursing organization shares professional development resources, including webinars, mentorship programs, and continuing education hours. An important focus of ANA centers on lobbying efforts at the state and federal levels addressing issues that impact nursing professionals and quality healthcare.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/yjdd20/current” target=”_blank”] International Journal of Developmental Disabilities[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This multidisciplinary academic journal, available six times a year, publishes articles on all aspects of people living with an intellectual disability, including genetic predispositions, learning interventions, challenging behavior, medication, advocacy, and legal issues. The research presented in the IJDD offers practical help for people with intellectual disabilities or those who care for them.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”44364,34400,46″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Elizabeth M. Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,g_face,h_300,w_300,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/e_grayscale/v1616020353/NurseJournal.org/Elizabeth_Clarke-1.jpg” img-alt=”Elizabeth M. Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Elizabeth Clarke (Poon) is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who provides primary and urgent care to pediatric populations. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Miami.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]