Though I do have one issue about a career change — I’m pretty expensive these days — I know I will be making more than $52,000, and might be over $55,000, I haven’t quite figured out the district tables.
So few non-profits could afford someone like me at this point. However, when I retire that might be an option. I wonder if a practice like my doctor’s could afford someone like me — I might take a moment to ask the doctor.
But I’m with Wordsmith when it comes to the CDE program. I’ve looked at doing that, and I’ve looked at what it would take, and at my age and income level, it just doesn’t make sense.
But I also see a place for non-CDE’s. First of all, in a large endo practice, someone like me would not need to draw blood, but would need to be able to interpret the results for patients. I’m quite sure I can handle that. I could certainly teach someone how to inject — which was very difficult for the three CDEs I had since none of them was a diabetic. They didn’t even do the orange thing for me (which is kind of goofy anyway).
I could certain design curriculum — thats what all my post graduate work has been about. I would be able to design both face-to-face education and on-line. And I think I’d be better at it than a non-diabetic because I know the pressure points.
I’m not sure I’d be good with small children. I haven’t been around many, but I would be absolutely fabulous with teaching teens on how to take responsbility for their own care. I’ve actually done a bit of that, every one including the nurse sends them to me when they need advice with dealing with their parents. Don’t worry — my advice doesn’t involve how often to inject,etc. but on how to show your parents you are taking responsibility for yourself. Teacher get that all the time, but maybe me more than most, from non-diabetics.
I really think I’d be best with adult Type 2s as they can tell from looking at me I’m struggling with the environment factors.
So yes, a non-CDE diabetes educator is a good idea, and could solve a lot of problems including the nursing shortage.