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Developmental Disability Nursing Jobs in Wisconsin

Chief Nursing Officer

Milwaukee, WI

$124K - $170K/yr

Oversee the development and continuous improvement of services, policies, processes, and programs ... disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law ...

Director of Nursing

Juneau, WI · On-site

$52.48/hr

Life insurance, Long-term disability, short-term disability and Flex spending * Participation in ... Identifies staff development needs; coordinates training with Executive Director/Administrator.

Director of Nursing

Juneau, WI · On-site

$52.48/hr

Life insurance, Long-term disability, short-term disability and Flex spending * Participation in ... Identifies staff development needs; coordinates training with Executive Director/Administrator.

Showing results 21-40

Developmental Disability Nursing information

See Wisconsin salary details

$39.4K

$91.8K

$145.3K

How much do developmental disability nursing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for developmental disability nursing in Wisconsin is $91,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,200.00 and $104,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is developmental disability nursing?

Developmental disability nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities. Nurses in this field assess health needs, develop care plans, administer medications, and help patients maximize their independence and quality of life. They also work closely with families, educators, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care. This nursing specialty requires compassion, patience, and specialized training to address the unique challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a developmental disability nurse?

To thrive as a Developmental Disability Nurse, you need a nursing degree, RN licensure, and specialized knowledge in caring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Familiarity with assistive technologies, individualized care planning software, and certifications such as the Developmental Disabilities Nursing Certification (CDDN) are often required. Compassion, patience, strong communication, and advocacy skills help nurses build trust and support both patients and their families. These competencies are crucial for providing tailored care, promoting patient independence, and ensuring well-being in this specialized field.

What are some common challenges faced by nurses working in developmental disability settings, and how can they be addressed?

Nurses in developmental disability settings often encounter challenges such as communication barriers with nonverbal patients, managing complex medical and behavioral needs, and ensuring patient safety while promoting independence. Building strong, trusting relationships with patients, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams (such as therapists and caregivers), and utilizing adaptive communication tools can help address these challenges. Ongoing training in behavioral support techniques and person-centered care is also essential for providing high-quality, compassionate care in this field.

What is the difference between Developmental Disability Nursing vs Pediatric Nursing?

AspectDevelopmental Disability NursingPediatric Nursing
Required CredentialsRN license, specialized training in developmental disabilitiesRN license, pediatric care certification
Work EnvironmentCommunity clinics, residential facilities, schoolsHospitals, pediatric clinics, schools
Employer & IndustryHealthcare providers serving individuals with developmental disabilitiesHospitals, pediatric practices, schools
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

Developmental Disability Nursing focuses on caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, often in community or residential settings, requiring specialized training. Pediatric Nursing centers on health care for children in hospitals or clinics. While both roles require RN licensure, their work environments and patient populations differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Developmental Disability Nursing jobs in Wisconsin?

For Developmental Disability Nursing jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Developmental Disability Nursing jobs in Wisconsin look for?

The top searched job categories for Developmental Disability Nursing jobs in Wisconsin are:

Infographic showing various Developmental Disability Nursing job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,785 per year, or $44.1 per hour.

Chief Nursing Officer

Ascension

Milwaukee, WI

$124K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Ascension Healthcare rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 1,046 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

421st of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Facility: Ascension Columbia St. Mary's

Eligible for an annual bonus incentive

How you'll make an impact in this role

Oversee the overall management of nursing practice, nursing education and professional development, nursing research, nursing administration and nursing services.

  • Provide leadership to management within areas of responsibility.
  • Oversee the development and continuous improvement of services, policies, processes, and programs.
  • Formulate and implement operational strategies and initiatives.
  • Oversee operations, budget, financial targets, and human resources management.
What minimum qualifications you'll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

  • Registered Nurse credentialed from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required. Licensure from the Wisconsin Board of Nursing OR current home state license if considered multi-state/Compact State.
  • Nurse Executive credentialed from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) preferred.
  • Nurse Executive credentialed from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) preferred.

Education:

  • Master's degree required.

Work Experience:

  • 5 years of experience required.
  • 10 years of experience preferred.
  • 2 years of leadership or management experience required.
  • 5 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
What additional requirements you'll need

Additional Preferences:

  • Transformational Nursing Leadership: Demonstrated ability to advance professional nursing practice, integrate evidence-based care, and lead strategic initiatives that improve quality, patient safety, and clinical outcomes across the organization.
  • Operational Excellence & Accountability: Proven success driving operational performance through disciplined execution, measurable results, and a culture of accountability aligned with nursing standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational goals.
  • Culture & Talent Development: Experienced in fostering a highly engaged, inclusive culture that balances support with high expectations while strengthening recruitment, onboarding, retention, succession planning, and leadership development, including new graduate nurse and emerging leader programs.
  • Strategic Change Leadership: Skilled at leading complex organizational change, building leadership capability, and ensuring accountability for strategic priorities, cross-functional initiatives, and continuous performance improvement.
  • Executive Partnership & Influence: Collaborative executive with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills who effectively partners with physicians, executive leaders, and the Board to advance the organization's mission, vision, and strategic objectives.

#le@der

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer does not participate in E-Verify and therefore cannot employ STEM OPT candidates.

Benefits

Paid time off (PTO)Various health insurance options & wellness plansRetirement benefits including employer match plansLong-term & short-term disabilityEmployee assistance programs (EAP)Parental leave & adoption assistanceTuition reimbursementWays to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Ascension Healthcare employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Ascension logo

About Ascension

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Ascension is a leading non-profit, faith-based national health system made up of over 150,000 associates and 2,600 sites of care, including more than 140 hospitals and 40 senior living communities in 19 states.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and outpatient health care

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

St. Louis, MO, US