The History of Developmental Disabilities Nursing

Price (includes one year of access and CE):  US$8 Course Code: 7SENNF-PRV-09-ddn121 CE: 1.50 Hours. Post Test Score Required for Successful Completion: 80%

Course Overview:

This module explores the history of the nursing care of clients with developmental disabilities, from the early days of segregation and institutionalization to the present, when clients receive inclusive services in the community from a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses who specialize in developmental disabilities. Because the care of clients with developmental disabilities is continually evolving in our complex society, nurses must understand how legal, ethical, and regulatory foundations historically have influenced client care. Nurses also must be aware of changing environmental factors, such as education, finances, and technology, that impact lifespan, quality of life, and access to accommodations that increase clients' ability to participate fully in life. Today, the practice of developmental disabilities nursing promotes an equal and caring partnership among nurses, caregivers, and clients.

Course Objectives:

After completion of this learning activity, the learner will be able to:

• describe nursing's role in the evolution of health-service models for persons with developmental disability and their families.
• describe how the discipline of developmental disabilities nursing has been impacted by environmental factors, including: community integration, ethical-legal issues, finances, attitudes, education and vocational training, primary prevention, multiple disciplinary effects, politics and regulations, technology, and culture.
• describe how the personal factors of lifespan, choice, and personality affect the practice of developmental disabilities nursing.

This courseware was made possible in part by grant number R43 NR04738-03 from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Copyright© 2007 by HealthSoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HealthSoft, Inc. is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New York State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It has been assigned code 7SENNF-PRV-09.

This course is updated annually. Expiration date: 5/1/11

The faculty and planners of this course have no vested interests to disclose.

This course has received no commercial support.