Diabetes and Diabetic Nurse Education and Practice

Diabetic Nursing Education

Certificate programs and Nursing continuing education in diabetes management is available for both nurses with an undergraduate degree and for advanced practice nurses who already hold MSNs. These post-baccalaureate and post-graduate certificate programs typically cover the following areas:

• Pathophysiology, classification, and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
• Complications associated with diabetes
• Oral medications and insulin therapy

Non-drug therapies for diabetes, including exercise, nutrition, and other lifestyle and behavioral modifications

While some MSN programs with a diabetes nursing specialization are available, it is much more common for nurses interested in advanced practice to pursue graduate-level education in a primary patient population focused specialization, such as one designed for adult, pediatric, or family nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. Advanced practice registered nurses interested in diabetic care may take diabetes-related classes during their graduate program, and could arrange to have diabetic care included in the clinical experience component of their education.