Required education
ADN or BSN
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Out-of-hospital
Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll build long-lasting relationships with your patients, learning to anticipate their needs and helping improve the quality of their lives.
What you’ll do
Education
You’ll teach patients and their families about their condition and the best ways to manage it.
Treatment
You’ll help patients with basic bodily care, movement and communication.
Where you’ll work
- Hospitals
- Offices
- Patients’ homes
- Schools
How to become a Developmental Disability Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
03
Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining at least two years’ experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities.
04
Get your Certification in Developmental Disabilities Nursing from the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association.
05
You’re ready to work as a Developmental Disability Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a Developmental Disability Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
An Emergency Nurse’s role is also varied.
A Cardiac Care Nurse is another type of long-term care nurse.
