RN CDE: What to expect

Specialties Endocrine

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I've interviewed for a CDE RN position but have not been offered anything yet. I'm not a current CDE. I have worked as an acute care RN for approximately a year and a half. I have type 1 diabetes as well as volunteer and work-related diabetes experience.

The position would be at one of many diabetes clinics within a large hospital system; it would focus mainly on adults. At the particular clinic I interviewed with, the staff would consist of a part-time RD, an admin and they're looking for a full-time RN CDE to kind of "run" the show.

I recognize that this position would be much different from my current one at the bedside so I'm just trying to learn more about role expectations, responsibilities, standards, hardships, etc. I am eager to take on more responsibilities as a RN and step into more leadership roles but I'm also nervous.

Thanks for any input.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

The first thing I would do is go to the ADA website (www.diabetes.org) and download a copy of the standards. Some are for in-patient and others for out-patient. You will be teaching forms of both. Find out what the facility is currently doing - policies related to hyper/hypoglycemia, checklist, protocols, standing orders, etc. Make sure those are consistent and match the standards.Other standards are on www.guidelines.gov. If there is an education course for out-pts you will need to know about billing (this is a money-sucker because no insurance company pays for the time you actually put in to the program).You do not have to be a CDE to teach. Being an RN puts you in a position of knowing more than most,not all, lay people. Find out who the vendors are for meters, etc.. They are helpful in providing educational material. To shine, you have to provide something others do not provide. Maybe you will be the policy queen or standards advocate or evidence-based resource person. Good luck in this position!

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Wonderful! I was offered the job and I start in a few weeks! I'm so excited. I've been reading a bunch and getting some more CEU's through the AADE website.

I had just downloaded the ADA Diabetes Recommendations to my phone through the Skyscape App. It's super helpful. I'm glad I'll be able to reference it anytime and read through at my leisure!

Thank you for the advice and well wishes!

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