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Nursing Manual The role of the developmental disabilities nurse Nurses who work in the field of developmental disabilities develop special knowledge and clinical skills to deal with the profound impact of how disabilities affect individuals, their families, and community. The practice of developmental disabilities nursing is characterized by those aspects of nursing care that focus on maintenance of health, development of skills, communication, socialization and participation in community life.There are two levels of nursing licenses in Oregon. The Registered Nurse (RN) is able to perform all nursing tasks, perform an assessment, write a health care plan, provide staff training, and provide delegation of certain nursing tasks. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides limited nursing services under the supervision of an RN, is able to perform nursing tasks, and provide staff training under the RN's direction. Two levels of supportive personnel, who are sometimes confused as being nurses by the general public, are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Certified Medication Aides (CMAs). A CNA is someone who has completed a short course in basic daily care duties (150 hours) and is tested and certified under the Oregon State Board of Nursing. A CMA is a CNA who has completed a short course on how to administer oral and topical medications and is tested and certified under the Oregon State Board of Nursing. These two certifications are not nursing licenses and they cannot practice under their certification unless they are regularly supervised by a nurse or functioning under the delegation rules. The nurse may work in a variety of settings. Providers, in general, may not be familiar with the State Board of Nursing rules and may ask the nurse to risk his or her nursing license by performing tasks beyond duties defined by their license. On the other hand, the nurse is hired as a nurse and needs to have accountability in his or her duties to the individuals they serve and their employer. Having a clear and detailed job description will help to define expectations so that both parties have the same goal. The provider should expect that the RN have and effectively utilize the following knowledge, understanding and/or skills:
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