Developmental Disability Nurse Career Overview
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Developmental Disability Nurse Career in Brief
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.
Key Responsibilities
- Direct care
- Case management and development of Individual Service or Education Plans
- Education for patients and families about care options
- Advocacy for patients’ rights
Certification Option
- Developmental Disability Nurses Association Certification
Career Traits
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Patience
- Specialized training in disability and special needs healthcare
Where Do Developmental Disability Nurses Work?
Disability nurses may enter the field after earning their nursing degree 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.
HospitalsDisability nurses working in hospitals provide direct patient care, coordinate treatment with the healthcare team and specialists, and administer treatment plans.
- Home Healthcare
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.
- Schools
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.
Why Become a Developmental Disability Nurse?
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.
Advantages to Becoming a Developmental Disability Nurse
Growing demand for nurses with training and experience in intellectual and developmental disorders, mental health conditions, and learning disabilities- Job opportunities available in a variety of practice settings (e.g., hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home healthcare)
- Career advancement possibilities through certification and graduate training
- Opportunities to deliver person-centered patient care and exercise independent decision-making
- Personally fulfilling work improving the health and lifestyles of patients with chronic and permanent conditions, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome
Disadvantages to Becoming a Developmental Disability Nurse
Inadequate RN training to handle the complex medical, behavioral, and advocacy needs of various patient populations with disabilities- Lower salaries despite the required specialized knowledge and training
- Physically and emotionally challenging
- Difficult ethical and legal considerations regarding patients’ rights, such as their capacity to make their own medical decisions and guardianship
- Must report physical or psychological abuse of vulnerable patients by family members or other caregivers
How to Become a Developmental Disability Nurse
- 1
Earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree
Earning a BSN typically takes four years of full-time study. State nursing boards require an associate nursing or BSN degree to apply for RN licensure; however, most employers and specialties require a bachelor’s.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to receive licensure
Nurses should take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) directly after completing their nursing degree. All 50 states require a passing NCLEX-RN score for licensure.
- 3
Gain experience as an RN
RNs must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of practice work experience within five years of their application to receive certification as a developmental disability nurse.
- 4
Earn a nursing certification in intellectual and developmental disabilities nursing
Earning a certification in intellectual and developmental disabilities demonstrates advanced proficiency beyond an RN license. Nurses must work for at least two years in developmental disability settings to qualify for this certification.
- 5
Find employment
After completing degree and licensure requirements, RNs may enter the workforce. Job seekers can receive help finding employment by joining a professional nurse association or working with a college career office.
How Much Do Developmental Disability Nurses Make?
Recent BLS projections show a 5% growth rate for all RN jobs between 2024 and 2034, creating approximately 166,100 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.
According to the online job seeker site, ZipRecruiter, developmental disability nursing salaries average $80,321 a year, although compensation varies considerably by years of experience, skill level, and location. While employment opportunities exist across the United States, six cities in California rank among the top 10 highest-paying cities for this nurse specialty.
Resources for Developmental Disability Nurses
Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association
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.
American Nurses Association
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.
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Developmental Disability Nurses
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.
Reviewed by:
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.
Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.
