Looking at Master's programs in US w/ diabetes specialty- any thoughts?

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Specializes in SCI/TBI, ER, Psych, and Pt. Education.

Greetings colleagues,

I've found a couple of really exciting education/role expansion opportunities for BSN-level diabetes nurses. Both are fully online MSN programs (although they are quick to point out that they are not geared toward preparing nurses who wish to become APRNs) with diabetes education and management specialties. Since my goal is to continue to do individual, group and community DSME rather than do medical management of patients in a clinical practice, I wouldn't need a FNP/ANP program. Here are the two I've found:

Capella University:

http://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/masters-diabetes-nursing/

Columbia University:

http://www.tc.columbia.edu/diabetes/

(I hope this isn't considered "advertisement"...)

Does anybody know of other similar programs here in the US? From reading the website info, it appears this an MS in diabetes is relatively new and therefore it might take some time for other universities to commit to and develop more programs like these. In light of the health care reforms we're facing in the next few years, not to mention the ever-growing population of diabetes patients, this seems like a good bet for future job security and satisfaction. If anyone knows of any other programs or has input they wouldn't mind sharing, I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks in advance,

Windy

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I haven't heard of any other programs, and I have been writing about diabetes for 10 years. I know the nurse who started the Columbia University program, and she herself has type 1 diabetes. That's the one that I'm planning to do once I'm done with nursing school. I also plan to become a CDE! :)

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I don't know of others, but thanks for the information. Both programs sound amazing and it's great that they're online.

You may also contact the International Diabetes Center at Park Nicollet (suburb of Minneapolis) to see if they can recommend graduate programs. I was actually a patient there back when I was diagnosed with type 1 in the 1970's. Park Nicollet

I'm thrilled to know there are other aspiring diabetes educators on this site! How did you choose this as a career? Do you have diabetes?

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I've had type 1 diabetes for 19 years and I've been writing about diabetes for blogs and magazines for about 10 years or so. I decided that I wanted to work more closely with patients on a one-on-one basis.

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Cool Justabitoff! I've had type 1 for 35 years (diagnosed at age 4) and it was online diabetes blogs and forums that made me realize how much diabetes education is needed. That started me on to pursuing a nursing degree to become a CDE.

Thanks for all the good work you're doing.

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Specializes in telemetry, ICU, CCU endocrinology.

I am a RN CDE as well as Type 1 x 40 years. I am enrolled in the Capella program for master's of science in nursing - diabetes nursing specialty. There are 5 clinical terms which are done locally. I looked into the Columbia program but you have to commute to NYC. Even though I am 2.5 hours from NYC, this was not practical for me.

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Specializes in SCI/TBI, ER, Psych, and Pt. Education.

Thanks to everyone for your responses- I guess we are a pretty 'exclusive' group. Small, but mighty!

Blondi, I am planning on enrolling @ Capella in the next couple of months. That MSN-Diabetes sounds like just the ticket for what I am hoping to accomplish in the "second half" of my nursing career. Keep us posted on your studies and congratulations!

~Windy

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Greetings colleagues,

I've found a couple of really exciting education/role expansion opportunities for BSN-level diabetes nurses. Both are fully online MSN programs (although they are quick to point out that they are not geared toward preparing nurses who wish to become APRNs) with diabetes education and management specialties. Since my goal is to continue to do individual, group and community DSME rather than do medical management of patients in a clinical practice, I wouldn't need a FNP/ANP program. Here are the two I've found:

Capella University:

http://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/masters-diabetes-nursing/

Columbia University:

http://www.tc.columbia.edu/diabetes/

(I hope this isn't considered "advertisement"...)

Does anybody know of other similar programs here in the US? From reading the website info, it appears this an MS in diabetes is relatively new and therefore it might take some time for other universities to commit to and develop more programs like these. In light of the health care reforms we're facing in the next few years, not to mention the ever-growing population of diabetes patients, this seems like a good bet for future job security and satisfaction. If anyone knows of any other programs or has input they wouldn't mind sharing, I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks in advance,

Windy

So how about if you have your Master's in Education in Nursing. Is there a career pathway to working in diabetes. This is a huge area of interest as that is what I work with as well as have in my family.

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Hi Windy,

I just saw your post about becoming a CDE and taking the MS diabetes educator program in Capella University. How did it go? I was thinking of enrolling there as well but I want to ask for any feedback from you. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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I am curious too about the diabetes nursing program at Capella.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I looked at the Columbia one. GREAT program, but Waaaaaaaaaay too expensive.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I didn't realize one had to go to NYC for the Columbia one. I am T2, son is T1. I am very interested in teaching (have a MA teaching) and I think this degree with fit me to a T. Love it.

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