Nursing is the fastest-growing occupation in the US. Nurses make up the majority of the healthcare industry, and that number’s going up, with 581,500 more nursing jobs by 2018. Why? There are a lot of reasons, including an aging population and a shrinking nursing workforce. (Johnson & Johnson, 2014) |
In every career there is something that stands out
as one of the biggest accomplishments. One
of my proudest achievements as a registered nurse has been in obtaining my
certification as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). By acquiring this certification, I have been
able to demonstrate my competence in the field of diabetes education to both my
peers and the population with which I work.
In order to maintain my certification, I regularly attend CEU lectures
which keep me up to date with the latest research and advancements which are
going on in the field of diabetes. With
the prevalence of diabetes continuing to grow across all populations, it is my
belief that it will be nurses at the forefront of helping to educate patients
to manage their disease and live healthier lives.
For the past seven years I have been employed by Medtronic Minimed as a Certified Product Trainer. In this capacity, I have been entrusted to educate people with diabetes by teaching them how to use an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor in order to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. As a person with type 1 diabetes for the past thirty years, I have seen a tremendous need for nurses who intimately understand how diabetes can affect a person both mentally and physically. By completing an Advanced Practice Degree in Nursing I believe that I will be able to practice with a level of independence that exceeds that which is available to the bachelor prepared nurse. My goal upon graduation from Monmouth University is to begin a medical practice focusing on the treatment of patients with diabetes. Through collaboration with a licensed physician, I hope to lessen the burden that those with diabetes face in living with a chronic illness.
Throughout my career, I have committed myself to community involvement. My participation in community service includes forming and facilitating a diabetic support group in the Neptune Township, NJ area. During the monthly meetings, I discuss current research that can benefit those in the group. I have invited guest speakers to present on varying topics such as healthy eating with diabetes and new diabetes technology. I have also volunteered at the Providence Medical Clinic in Neptune City, NJ. This clinic was formed in 1996 to provide those who were unable to afford health insurance with free medical care. Unfortunately, the clinic was closed earlier this year due to a lack of funding.
As I advance in my career and specifically in the field of diabetes education and management, I feel that now is the time for me to pursue an Advanced Practice Degree. As an Advanced Practice Nurse, I feel that I would have the ability to offer even more to the community as both an educator and a practitioner. Now more than ever there is an increased need for Advanced Practice Nurses due to the aging population and the chronic health conditions they face. According to the American Diabetes Association (2013), 1.9 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year with 25% of U.S. seniors suffering from the condition. Because I plan to continue to work in the field of diabetes, I know my knowledge and skills will be greatly needed.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2013). Fast facts data and statistics about diabetes. Retrieved from http://professional.diabetes.org/admin/UserFiles/0%20-%20Sean/FastFacts%20March%202013.pdf
Johnson & Johnson. (2014). Why be a nurse? Retrieved from http://www.discovernursing.com/why-be-a-nurse#.U12aWpxWh8E
For the past seven years I have been employed by Medtronic Minimed as a Certified Product Trainer. In this capacity, I have been entrusted to educate people with diabetes by teaching them how to use an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor in order to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. As a person with type 1 diabetes for the past thirty years, I have seen a tremendous need for nurses who intimately understand how diabetes can affect a person both mentally and physically. By completing an Advanced Practice Degree in Nursing I believe that I will be able to practice with a level of independence that exceeds that which is available to the bachelor prepared nurse. My goal upon graduation from Monmouth University is to begin a medical practice focusing on the treatment of patients with diabetes. Through collaboration with a licensed physician, I hope to lessen the burden that those with diabetes face in living with a chronic illness.
Throughout my career, I have committed myself to community involvement. My participation in community service includes forming and facilitating a diabetic support group in the Neptune Township, NJ area. During the monthly meetings, I discuss current research that can benefit those in the group. I have invited guest speakers to present on varying topics such as healthy eating with diabetes and new diabetes technology. I have also volunteered at the Providence Medical Clinic in Neptune City, NJ. This clinic was formed in 1996 to provide those who were unable to afford health insurance with free medical care. Unfortunately, the clinic was closed earlier this year due to a lack of funding.
As I advance in my career and specifically in the field of diabetes education and management, I feel that now is the time for me to pursue an Advanced Practice Degree. As an Advanced Practice Nurse, I feel that I would have the ability to offer even more to the community as both an educator and a practitioner. Now more than ever there is an increased need for Advanced Practice Nurses due to the aging population and the chronic health conditions they face. According to the American Diabetes Association (2013), 1.9 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year with 25% of U.S. seniors suffering from the condition. Because I plan to continue to work in the field of diabetes, I know my knowledge and skills will be greatly needed.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2013). Fast facts data and statistics about diabetes. Retrieved from http://professional.diabetes.org/admin/UserFiles/0%20-%20Sean/FastFacts%20March%202013.pdf
Johnson & Johnson. (2014). Why be a nurse? Retrieved from http://www.discovernursing.com/why-be-a-nurse#.U12aWpxWh8E