Want to become a CDE

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I can't find anywhere to get a job to accumulate the 1000 clinical hrs I need as a diabetes educator. I'm so frustrated. Anybody have any suggestions creative ways to gain these hours in a paid position?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

If you are working as a nurse and are educating patents in that capacity you should qualify. Check with the agency providing the certification

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If you are working as a nurse and are educating patents in that capacity you should qualify. Check with the agency providing the certification

I am working as a nurse and only doing very limited interaction with people with diabetes. National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators wants a 1000 hours of verifiable teaching/education. I couldn't find specifics on their site about the logging of these hours so I asked someone I knew who was also pursuing the certification (she fortunately has a job at an endocrinologist office) and she told me "The education has to be documented in that form. Assessment, plan, etc. And that has to be proven" So, it sounds like even if a have a diabetic patient once in a blue moon I'll have to document my interaction and they have my employer be willing to verify it if I was audited.

I just wish I could find an endocrinologist who might be looking for nursing staff.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

you might find an MD (internal medicine or endocrinology) who could use you part time or prn to do basic survival skill training. That would relieve their staff of this service. I would ask them to tell the patient you will call, give you the number and you meet the pt at the MD office at a date/time that suits all. Charge by the hour. The MD can get reimbursed thru insurance if you are contracting with them. You can then refer to a CDE for Medical Nutrition Therapy or Diabetes Self-Monitoring Thereapy (Medicare terms). In fact, there may be a CDE office in your area that would take you prn/pt.

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Specializes in Nursing.

I wonder if a podiatrist or wound care doctor could use your help with diabetes education? Or perhaps a location with a hyperbaric chamber?

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Specializes in Nursing.

I am wondering How to get started to begin my journey towards becoming a CDE. I have looked at the website: http://www.ncbde.org/certification_info/eligibility-requirements/

For the professional practice experience: ]Minimum of 1000 hours of DSME experience with a minimum of 40% of those hours (400 hours) accrued in the most recent year preceding application.

I am a new nurse with 1 year of experience. I need one more year of experience, but as I am working - I would also like to begin work in the field of diabetes education. How do I get started?

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I am wondering How to get started to begin my journey towards becoming a CDE. I have looked at the website: http://www.ncbde.org/certification_info/eligibility-requirements/

F

or the professional practice experience: ]Minimum of 1000 hours of DSME experience with a minimum of 40% of those hours (400 hours) accrued in the most recent year preceding application.

I am a new nurse with 1 year of experience. I need one more year of experience, but as I am working - I would also like to begin work in the field of diabetes education. How do I get started?

Definitely depends on where you live. The Mentors available for mentoring are few and far between. I live in Philly area and last I looked (just a few months ago) there is only ONE mentor in my area. He happens to be a friend so I'm hoping when my schedule allows I might be able to become one of his menthes...... I'm very frustrated that I've been a care giver for 2 Type 1 kids for over 10 yrs and none of that counts toward certification. I dreamed of becoming a CDE when I entered nursing school after my kids were dx but no I think it will be just a dream.

Good Luck

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Specializes in Current: Nursing Informatics Past:ICU.

So, like those above, how do you get started? There are 3 mentors for my state (SC) and the closest one is about 2 hours away. I applied and interviewed with a local clinic last year and they were willing to work with me however, they required I have my CDE in 6 months. I just did not see how that was even possible from my understanding of the 1000 hours.

I am an ICU RN with about 5 years of ICU and an additional 3 years of HIT. I love what I do but, I just don't think I can do this for years to come. (health and physical issue).

If i understand it correctly I cannot use my ICU hours. Is that correct?

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You can only use hours that you are actively teaching someone about diabetes = care for themselves, understanding diabetes, etc. You can't count hours you work as a nurse with someone who is diabetic by chance is my understanding.....if so I'm counting my last 2 months of work. LOL

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Specializes in Peds, developmental disability.

In my current position I have no contact with diabetes. But a friend has it, and is welcoming occasional counseling. She is overwhelmed, and desparate for information.

This has me thinking...

What about volunteering? Why couldn't a nurse set up cooking classes, and teach in that setting? I notice that people have terrible eating HABITS. That seems to me to be to be a possible starting point.

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Specializes in Peds, developmental disability.

Never mind. I read some earlier posts....Liability, of course! Teaching can be risky. It is all about risk and reimbursement. Too bad what healthcare has become.

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