Diabetes Nurse Educator Job Description

According to the American Diabetes Association(ADA) the key person involved in the care of the patient diagnosed with diabetes is the Diabetes Nurse Educator (DNE). The endocrinologist or primary care physician will play an important role, but when the diagnosis has been made, the DNE will have the most long lasting impact on the self-care management of the patient. In 2009 the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) states there were ten thousand diabetes educators in the United States and that number is likely to rise as the need for more diabetes educators continues to grow.

Qualifications

• Diabetes Nurse Educators are licensed professional nurses who have obtained Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credentials. Most organizations require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and prefer a Master of Science in Nursing in addition to the CDE credential. Allthough many professionals fulfill the role of diabetes educator such as physicians, dietitians and nurses, DNEs are most responsible for educating patients. Most CDE positions also require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, a combination of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency cardiac care (ECC) sufficient to keep patients alive until further treatment is available.

Role

• The DNE assumes the role of counselor and instructor, teaching the patient the proper use of the glucometer to check blood glucose levels. Diet instruction as well as the role of diet and exercise in the management of diabetes is part of the teaching process. Patients needing insulin learn the proper method of giving insulin injections and storing insulin. DNEs stress the importance of properly managing diabetes to lower the risk of complications and reduce the chances of hospitalization. According to the AADE patients who consult with diabetes educators have lower blood glucose levels (Hgb A1C, test for blood glucose levels) than those who do not consult diabetes educators. Even one diabetes educator consultation has been shown to lower chances of hospitalization by 34%.

Duties

• Diabetic Nurse Educators may meet patients individually or in groups. Wellness education is an important part of the diabetes educator's job. Encouraging patients to be proactive about their health makes the likelihood of hospitalization or complications very slim. Diabetes educators teach patients correct portion sizes, healthy food choices, and how and when the diabetic should exercise. Patients who achieve successful diabetes self care management will utilize the services of a Diabetes Nurse Educator at least once while managing their disease.

Certification

• The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) sets strict guidelines for certification. There are prerequisites required before being allowed to take the board exam in the United States. Only licensed professionals with the required prerequisites are permitted to take the board exam. Several disciplines from clinical psychologist to registered nurse offer the background for diabetes educator certification. A minimum of two years practical experience working for compensation as a diabetes educator during the past five years is required before being allowed to take the test.

Income

• According to the 2009 Annual Report from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the average salary of Diabetes Nurse Educators was $64,900. Respondents to this survey typically had a bachelors degree and were 51 years old. Most employment opportunities exist in hospital or university outpatient settings with hospital inpatient settings offering 12% of job opportunities.