Activities

• Nurses who work with learning disabled patients spend their days addressing the specific needs of their patients. This may mean in-home care or care in a hospital or other health care facility. Because learning disabilities vary dramatically in their impact on a patient, nurses may provide extensive or limited care. For example, a learning disability nurse may assist a child with a learning disability with behavior or socialization issues by visiting the child at school as well as working with the parents in the home.
  
  

Skills

• Nurses must be able to problem solve, listen and negotiate. Learning disabilities nurses must have a specialized understanding of the challenges posed by certain disabilities, such as autism, ADHD and Down syndrome. Nurses must also be able to accurately document their interactions with their patients, including treatment options and additional resources needed for proper care.
  
  

Education

• To work with learning disabled people as a nurse you will need to become a registered nurse, or RN. To do so you will need to complete a bachelor's of nursing (BSN), associate degree in nursing (ADN), or complete an approved nursing program. You will also need to pass the national licensure exam (see Resources).