[RN28MD]

I would love to work with diabetes patients but don't know what type of NP do this or is there no such thing????

[HealthyRN]

When I was completing my BSN program, I spent some time working in the diabetes clinic at a major university hospital. They utilized NPs to work with the diabetic patients. One of the NPs would make rounds at the hospital to check on newly diagosed patients and/or patients that were being hospitalized for diabetic related complications. She would do a history, physical, and keep the endocrinology MD updated on the progress of the patient, including labs and plan of care. She also did a lot of diabetic teaching. At the clinic, the NPs would see patients for regular office visits relating to their diabetes. They would also assist with the physicals and follow-ups required for the various clinical trials that were taking place. I believe they utilized FNPs, because the clinic did see patients of all age groups. It seemed like an interesting niche.

[pinoyNP]

Like the above poster wrote, I would suppose that if the practice in question is staffed by both pediatric and adult endocrinologists, an FNP will be more preferred. However, if the practice sees only adult patients, then an ANP or ACNP will be appropriate but that's not to say that the FNP is not qualified for such a practice setting. For a purely pediatric endocrinologist practice, a PNP or FNP can apply.

I know an ACNP who works with an endocrinologist. The practice has a large patient base of diabetics and her role is very much focused on treating diabetics.

[RN28MD]

Thank you guys so much. Now I am more excited them ever!

[pinoyNP]

Your welcome, RN28MD. By the way, I do also like to add that if your interest is in diabetes there are NP positions specific for managing this particular disease. I personally interviewed for a position as a nurse practitioner in our hospital system's diabetes clinic. The job involved managing a large number of inner city diabetics who have many other health problems such as obesity and HTN. Definitely, a tough group to treat but it was comforting to know that most are Medicare insured or are covered by an HMO (which incidentally, the hospital system also owns this HMO). The NP has the autonomy to come up with strategies and programs for better glucose control in the patients including developing diabetes classes or individual counseling. There is a dietitian and a physician available for consults. One day a week, the NP sees internal medicine patients in the clinic just to keep up with primary care skills in other diseases and conditions. The physician head of the department prefers an NP with a CDE certification but will hire someone who isn't CDE-certified with the condition that the successful candidate obtains the certification in the first month after hire. It sounded like a very attractive position but unfortunately, I had to withdraw my application after the first interview because I may end up with a pay cut as the position is under the clinic NP category and I am paid as an ICU NP currently. Also thought I will end up losing my acute care skills since the position is exclusively clinic-based. But they were considering me for the position despite being an ACNP since I am employed in the same health system and have experience with inner city populations.