Endocrinology Specialty

Nurse practitioner examining patient

The endocrinology specialty offers both nurse practitioner students and currently practicing nurse practitioners the opportunity to have advanced training in the care of individuals with diabetes and other endocrine conditions. The distance-based coursework includes evidence-based guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, incorporating the latest knowledge in the field. One required on-campus intensive provides you with the opportunity to engage with faculty and practicing clinicians and inquire about novel research and innovative practice. In the synthesis course, you will work directly with clinicians practicing in endocrinology across a variety of clinical settings.

Coursework and clinical experiences prepares you to practice in outpatient primary care settings as the clinical expert, or in endocrinology settings across the country. The specialty courses provide the requisite knowledge and skills to demonstrate expertise in the care of diabetes and other endocrine disorders.

Highlights
  • First endocrinology specialty for NPs in the United States

  • Curriculum includes three specific endocrinology courses

  • One required on-campus visit for hands-on insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) training and complex patient simulations

  • Faculty teaching in this program are active in endocrinology practice and research

  • 9 credit hours

  • Provides 168 supervised clinical hours in endocrine settings across the spectrum of care

  • Spring start only

Q&A with Lead Faculty Kathryn Evans Kreider

Q: What attracts you to endocrinology?
A: Endocrinology is so fascinating! It is incredible to understand how all of the different hormonal systems in the body work together. Endocrine conditions affect a large percentage of the population and having advanced knowledge in the treatment of diabetes, thyroid conditions and obesity (just some examples) is so crucial. Diabetes has always been my favorite topic as the management is so multifaceted and has a significant behavioral/psychological component.

Q: What makes the endocrinology specialty unique?
A: Endocrinology is applicable to populations no matter what area of nursing that you practice in. Nurse practitioners across specialties find this information relevant for effective patient management. Faculty who teach in the program are all currently practicing clinicians at Duke University Medical Center.

Q: What type of nurse should consider a DUSON certificate in endocrinology?
A: Any currently practicing nurse practitioner or someone in nurse practitioner school can apply for this program. You should consider advanced training in endocrinology if you have a firm interest in adult health and advanced diabetes management and a desire to gain more expertise in the management of general endocrine conditions such as thyroid, lipid, bone, pituitary disorders, and obesity.

Q: Describe an excellent candidate for the endocrinology specialty?
A: Self-motivated and directed, diverse in background and experience, professional and compassionate.

Q:How can the endocrinology specialty enhance a nurse's career?
A: This endocrinology specialty training program is the first in the country for nurse practitioners. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in a distance-based environment. Having specialty training can elevate your practice and increase your ability to care for your patients using the most evidence-based approach.

 
Courses
  • NUR 831: Advanced Practice Nursing: Endocrine Specialty I (Spring only)

  • NUR 833: Advanced Practice Nursing: Endocrine Specialty II (Summer only)

  • NUR 835: Advanced Practice Nursing in Endocrine Synthesis

Enrollment Options

At this time, the endocrinology specialty is available to nurse practitioner students and currently practicing nurse practitioners who manage adult patients in primary care or specialty settings.

Duke University School of Nursing students interested in adding this specialty to your academic plan must complete the Add a Specialty Form. This form must be submitted to the MSN Program Office via email (son‐msn@dm.duke.edu) at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester.

Nurse practitioners with an MSN degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and nurse practitioner students from other regionally accredited colleges or universities interested in earning a certificate in this specialty should follow the instructions for the Specialty Certificate application. Enrollment decisions are made by the lead faculty of the specialty based on space availability. Due to limited space, this specialty is competitive, and an interview (web-based or phone) may be required.

 

 

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