How do I become a Diabetes Nurse Educator?

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I am currently an ER nurse, but someday i would like to become involved as a diabetes nurse educator, how do i go about doing this? i currently have 2 years experience and my BSN.... help!!

could you send me a private message

thanks a bunch!

my mother is a diabetic on the pump......diabetes has always been a thing for me..

cde2be said:

I took the exam on Saturday. They let you know if you passed or not within six weeks.

When they say they'll let you know in six weeks, they mean 6 weeks and not a day sooner. It's a harrowing wait, but be patient. They will probably take at least the FULL 6 weeks to get your results out.

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Hi there

I do not have any nursing skills or experience taught by text books. I have been a type 1 diabetic for 14 years, i have always wanted to be a diabetes nurse. I am not afraid of needles and i know how the feelings and symptoms feel not how they look, i have done everything apart from drugs and i really want to give something back.

At the moment i am a top account manager but i have always wanted to be a diabetes nurse, and i am a people person and have always wanted to do this but thought that i have not got any medical training apart from looking after this desease and now i am going to give it a shot as i am now 28 and want to do something with my life. And feel that this is something i could do and also give something back. I understand insulin right down to its fat storage hormones and have helped other diabetic that i know personally with regards to eating disorders, alcohol addictions and other minor issues uis diabetics can get, especially if we see a shotcut. can anyone give me any advice, i notice most of you have years experience as a nurse and i need to know where to start any info will be greatley appreciated.

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To be a diabetes nurse educator you have to become an RN. (although there are other practices RD, Pharmacy...that can get their CDE as well.) As much as I knew about diabetes going into nursing school, I didn't understand how diabetes interacted with other organ systems. So I worked Med/Surg for a year before I took a diabetes ed job. At the time I didn't want to, but now I am glad I did. It really helped me to understand all I was taught in nursing school. The new guidlines for taking the CDE exam require 2 years of nursing and 1000 hours of pt education, with at least 400 of those being in the year leading up to the exam. So it's kind of a catch 22, you have to get the job to get the certification, but you need the certification to get the job.

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vylica8 said:
I had a similar problem in my community. We were in desperate need of a diabetic educator, yet to become certified I need 1000 teaching hours. I solved the problem by convincing my hospital to let me teach free classes and free one on one sessions. It gives them a way to advertise to the community and in the process cut down on useless ER visits, and it give me practice and hours. I am just getting started, but the hours quickly add up. I just do it two days a week and continue my regular staff nurse position part time as well.

That was a fantastic idea. It really sounds like the way to go if you can talk your hospital into it. If not, I don't see how you can get those 1000 hours you need in any timely fashion. Way to go for a great idea. I am very interested in diabetes management. My husband has diabetes and we have both been on a diabetic diet for the most part. I have never felt better in my life plus my cholesterol went down and I lost some weight. I am interested in being an educator, I knew that, just not what part of nursing. I never thought about diabetes but that sounds like it would be something that I would really be interested in, just hard to do.

I am 40 and starting my second career. I was interested in doing something advanced right after my BSN instead of working a few years in Med/surg but it seems as though I might have to.

Thanks for your great idea.

Lisa

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which core curriculum did you study from. I can find one book by marion franz and another by martha funnell. I plan to take the test in november. Also, did you attend the core conference?

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Hi! I live in Oklahoma & Im a native american nurse.. so the need for Diabetic Nurse Educator is great around my area..that is exactly my plan too. I spoke with current DNE she told me you have to have 1500-3000 hrs under a DNE then do the course & take the exam. I hope this helps. She is also contracted thru the tribe..she makes a pretty good living

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