With diabetes reaching epidemic levels across the U.S., there's never been a more urgent time to step into the vital role of a diabetes nurse educator.
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and a great time to promote diabetes awareness with patients. It’s also a great time to consider how to become a diabetes nurse educator to support patients living with this chronic metabolic condition.
The latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are staggering. Nearly 39 million people have diabetes in the U.S. alone. In the backdrop are almost 98 million people with the precursor to type 2 diabetes, known as prediabetes.
Given these astounding numbers, the need for diabetes nurse educators to provide care, education, and support to people living with diabetes is tremendous.
What is a diabetes nurse educator?
Diabetes nurse educators are healthcare professionals who care for and educate people living with all types of diabetes. These educators work in a variety of healthcare environments, such as inpatient and outpatient centers, community health centers, and telehealth settings.
Pathways to becoming a diabetes nurse educator
There are two main certifications available for this specialty, both issued by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).
Dana Brackney, PhD, RN, CNS, CDCES, ADM, President-Elect of the CBDCE for January 2026, shared more about the certification requirements.
The two options are the Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). According to Brackney, individuals can sit for the board exam for one or both certifications if they meet all the clinical, educational, and practice requirements.
The Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management pathway
One certification offered in diabetes care is the Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM), which is the less common of the two certifications. Approximately 1,900 healthcare professionals currently hold this certification.
“The BC-ADM has different educational and clinical requirements from the CDCES,” said Brackney. “The BC-ADM has more emphasis on the medical management of diabetes and co-existing cardio-metabolic conditions because the people eligible for the BC-ADM may be licensed prescribers of medical treatments.”
If you’re interested in managing complex diabetes patients, have a master’s degree, and also meet the requirements listed here, the BC-ADM pathway may be for you.
The Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist pathway
The CDCES is the most common certification individuals pursue, with over 19,000 healthcare professionals holding this certification. The CDCES is open to RNs regardless of their academic degree level.
There are two different pathways for pursuing the CDCES, formerly known as the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE): the Standard Pathway and the Unique Qualification Pathway.
The Standard Pathway will be your route if you meet the board’s professional discipline requirement, which lists the various health professionals who fall under this category, including RNs with a current, active, and unrestricted RN license.
Alternatively, if you don't meet the professional discipline requirement, you may still qualify through the Unique Qualification Pathway, which requires submitting a detailed application demonstrating your specialized diabetes education experience.
Next, you’ll need to meet these requirements before you can apply to sit for the board exam:
- At least two years of practice as an RN
- A minimum of 1,000 hours of practice providing diabetes care and education, within the five years prior to applying
- A minimum of 200 hours (out of the total 1,000 hours) of practice in the most recent year prior to applying
- A minimum of 15 hours of continuing education (CE) hours related to diabetes, earned within the two years before applying, and from a CE provider approved by the CBCDE
Responsibilities of a CDCES
As diabetes nurse educators, we provide specialized knowledge and compassionate support to help individuals manage their condition effectively. This role takes a holistic approach to care, empowering patients to make informed decisions that support long-term health and well-being.
The work of a diabetes nurse educator involves educating patients on these key areas:
- How different foods (macronutrients) affect blood glucose
- Healthy eating, portion control, and timing of meals
- How physical activity affects blood glucose
- How and when to self-monitor blood glucose (SMBG)
- Using diabetes technology
- How to prevent lows and highs and self-care to correct/self-treat lows/highs
- The correct timing of diabetes medications so they achieve maximum effectiveness
- Teaching how to inject diabetes medications (both insulin and non-insulin)
- Recognizing the development of complications and when to seek care
- How diabetes affects the body and comorbidities
- The importance of restorative sleep and stress reduction
- How to solve problems when issues arise with self-care
- How to set self-care goals for diabetes and health
- Motivational interviewing and behavior change
- Conducting 1:1 education sessions and/or group education classes
Paula Bernard, BSN, RN, CDCES, a diabetes educator with two hospital systems near Columbus, Ohio, and a Certified Insulin Pump Trainer, transitioned into diabetes education after 20 years as a cardiac rehab educator.
She entered the field just as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) were becoming more widely used. Bernard reflected on her career shift.
“What has transpired over the last 15 years has been remarkable. If you like motivational interviewing and enjoy patient education, becoming a CDCES may be for you,” she said.
My experience as a diabetes nurse educator
If you have a passion for patient education and coaching patients to improve their diabetes and overall health, consider becoming a CDCES.
While completing my master’s practicum for my MSN in education, I was offered a position in diabetes care and education at a local hospital’s outpatient center in Southern California. I accepted the job and, after meeting the requirements, I earned my CDCES certification.
For me, being a diabetes nurse educator is a great fit. Teaching my patients evidence-based strategies to manage their blood glucose, reduce their risk of developing complications, and lead a healthy lifestyle is so rewarding.
And seeing patients when they have an ‘aha’ moment when learning something new, or when they return with improved blood glucose readings, is a gratifying feeling.
How to earn your practice hours
If you want to become a CDCES and are looking for ways to earn your 1,000 practice hours, you may encounter opportunities at your current workplace, like Paula Bernard and I did.
If not, you can visit the CBDCE’s website and research their mentee program as another possible way to earn your 1,000 hours in diabetes care and education by applying to follow one of their approved mentors.
Once certified, it’s important to engage in your ongoing professional development with CEs, conferences, and staying current with the practice guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care, which are updated annually.
Final thoughts on how to become a diabetes nurse educator
Becoming a diabetes nurse educator is a fulfilling career path if you're passionate about patient-centered care and chronic disease management. Whether you pursue the BC-ADM or CDCES certification, you can help patients navigate the daily challenges of diabetes, adopt healthier behaviors, and achieve better outcomes.
