Diabetes Nurse Specialist

Job/Role Summary

To enable the person with diabetes to successfully manage their condition and minimize risk of developing complications. To provide education, support and advice to people with diabetes. To provide specialist education and training in diabetes care to health care professionals. To work collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues and service users to develop services and improve quality of care.

 

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Registered General Nurse
• 3 years post registration experience at grade E
• Specialist practice degree in Care of People with Diabetes

Career Milestones

Early in my career, working abroad with VSO developed my ability to work independantly and leaning to work in primary care. Working in diabetes allowed me the opprtunity to make clinical decisons and develop as an autonomous practitioner.

What attracted you to this job?

• Professional development
• Clinical need for the support from knowledgeable diabetes practitioner
• Involves listening to patients and providing appropriate response
• Previous experience in dealing with diabetes

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Developing and maintaining patient relationships
• Autonomy in decision making
• Developing in-depth knowledge in subject area

Important success factors

• Management support and encouragement, recognition for work done
• Continued development of knowledge and skills through careful selection and attendance at courses relevant to my learning needs
• Learning from colleagues

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

• Be willing to listen to patients and colleagues
• Be willing to continue to learn and remain updated
• Be able to adapt to changing times – clinically and organisationally
• Have or develop good clinical decision making skills
• Have or develop presentation skills

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• Listening, counselling, ability to put clinical issues in context of patients life situation
• Knowledge ot treatments and ability to change treatments appropriately
• Presenting, group facilitation and teaching
• Working collaboratively with others
• Knowledge of organisation and needs relating to diabetes care throughout organistion

Career Profiles