Nurse Educator Specialty: How to Become a Diabetes Nurse Educator
While most nurse educators are in the business of teaching other people how to be nurses, there are exceptions. One such exception is the diabetes nurse educator. In this profession, the focus is on patients rather than other nurses or would-be nurses. Even so, the teaching part of the position is one of its most important aspects.
What Is a Diabetes Nurse Educator?
Diabetes is a disease that requires patients to learn a lot of details. Without this education, the chance of properly managing it is minimal. Therefore, medical facilities typically employ nurses who are specially trained in providing the needed information. These nurses are called diabetes nurse educators (DNE), or just as commonly, diabetes educator nurses. The former term is the one that you’ll see in the profession and at schools that teach it.
This type of nurse is much different than someone who is called a “nurse educator.” Nurse educators teach other people how to become nurses. Alternatively, they teach existing nurses how to become various forms of specialist nurses. A DNE, on the other hand, teaches patients how to manage their disease. Such a nurse may also teach parents, loved ones, or caretakers how to manage diabetes in children or others under their care.
Nurse Educator vs. Diabetes Nurse Educator
| Criteria | Nurse Educator | Diabetes Nurse Educator |
| Definition | A nurse educator is a registered nurse who teaches and trains nursing students, healthcare professionals, and patients in various clinical settings. | A diabetes nurse educator is a registered nurse who specializes in educating and providing support to individuals with diabetes and their families. |
| Education and Training | Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing and certification as a Nurse Educator. | Bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing, certification as a diabetes educator, and specialized training in diabetes management. |
| Job Responsibilities | Develop and implement educational programs and training for nursing students, healthcare professionals, and patients. Assess learning needs, plan curriculums, and evaluate outcomes. | Assess and monitor patients’ health status and provide education, counseling, and support to manage their diabetes. Develop and implement diabetes education programs for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. |
| Patient Population | Nurses, nursing students, and other healthcare professionals | Individuals with diabetes and their families |
| Clinical Settings | Hospitals, clinics, nursing schools, and other healthcare settings. | Hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and other diabetes care settings. |
| Key Skills | Strong communication, teaching, and organizational skills. Ability to assess learning needs and develop effective educational programs. | In-depth knowledge of diabetes pathophysiology, treatment options, and self-management strategies. Ability to educate and empower patients to manage their diabetes effectively. |
| Professional Organizations | National League for Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the National Association of Nurse Educators | American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. |
Diabetes Nurse Educator Education & Certification
Technically, the first step is to become a registered nurse (RN). However, because a diabetes nurse educator first has to fully understand diabetes, it’s a good idea to gain actual experience in a setting that involves its treatment. This is best done by working as a nurse in that specific environment. There are many clinics that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, and some hospitals have departments dedicated to it.
Then, it’s time to make the leap to becoming a certified diabetes nurse educator. According to Indeed, the most desired credential is the certified diabetes educator designation. It is offered by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators or NCBDE.
The requirements for this certification are non-trivial. Requirements state that you must:
- Have an active RN license
- Have two years’ worth of professional experience
- Complete 1,000 hours of diabetes education within four years of applying for the certificate (400 of which must be earned during the year of application)
- Complete 15 hours’ worth of NCBDE-approved continuing education in the two years prior to applying.
There is another certificate that you might want to add to your arsenal of credentials: the Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management designation from the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. Board certification is always a plus for those in the medical profession. In the case of diabetes nurse educators, it allows you to accept responsibilities such as adjusting medications and dealing with treating and monitoring complications and comorbidities, as well as educating patients on their disease.
Where Do Diabetes Nurse Educators Work?
There are many settings in which a diabetes nurse educator can work. Some of the most popular are clinics, private practices, nursing homes, public health facilities, and hospitals. However, it is also possible to perform these duties as part of home care or at-home educational services. This gives a wide range of flexibility when it comes to the setting in which services are performed.
The actual duties of a diabetes nurse educator depend partly on the setting. In a busy hospital, you may find yourself doing more actual nursing than expected. Meanwhile, if you’re working in a diabetes or endocrinology clinic, you may find yourself doing little other than teaching patients all day. In a home care setting, it could go either way depending on the focus of the company you work for.
