Diabetes Care Plus Clinic welcomes Diabetes Nurse Practitioner
Introducing Diabetes Care Plus Clinic new Nurse Practitioner – Sven Pohlsen
We are so very excited to introduce Sven Pohlsen as our first Diabetes Nurse Practitioner at our Clinic.
Sven has 12 years’ experience specialising in diabetes in hospitals in Victoria and has supported hundreds of people with starting and managing their insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
New Health Professional Service
A new health professional service has started at the Diabetes Victoria’s Diabetes Care Plus Clinic – a Diabetes Nurse Practitioner.
In the article below, we explain what a Nurse Practitioner is and how a Diabetes Nurse Practitioner can provide access to essential diabetes treatment.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a Registered Nurse with the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute (a condition that begins suddenly, is usually severe, and lasts for a short duration, typically days or a few weeks) or chronic (long term) health conditions such as diabetes.
NPs have completed extra university study (Masters degree) and are the most senior and independent clinical nurses in Australia’s healthcare system.
The title 'Nurse Practitioner' can only be used by a person who has been endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Australian National Standards for practice ensure that Nurse Practitioners can provide high quality, patient centred care.
What is a Diabetes Nurse Practitioner?
A Diabetes Nurse Practitioner has the comnbined skills of a Register Nurse (RN) and Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), so is experienced in:
- teaching people about how their diabetes treatments
- teaching people how to self-manage their diabetes
- assisting in reducing the risk of, and managing, diabetes related complications and other pre-existing health conditions
In addition, Diabetes Nurse Practitioners can:
- work with both the person living with diabetes and their wider health care team (such as a GP and Endocrinologist) to order blood glucose tests or other diabetes-related tests
- start and adjust doses of insulin and recommend and prescribe other diabetes medications
- approve insulin pump starts
A Diabetes Nurse Practitioner uses motivational interviewing, problem-solving and family negotiation, building relationships and providing families with realistic expectations about the uniquely dynamic nature of diabetes.
How do Diabetes Nurse Practitioners help with diabetes management?'
- Adjust insulin doses in a timely manner between GP and Endocrinology appointments
- Assess eligibility for an insulin pump and can complete the paperwork
- Recommend and initiate insulin pump settings calculations
- Provide prescriptions for established diabetes medications
- Increase access to quality specialised diabetes care by making appropriate referrals to specialist as needed
- Enable and coordinate case discussion so that care is more streamlined
- Can reduce frequency and cost of health professional visits by maximising the efficiency of the entire team (including allied health professionals)
A diabetes nurse practitioner will also consider:
- how the person with diabetes and family have coped with other major stressors in their lives
- a person’s experience with diabetes before diagnosis (e.g. did they have a family member with diabetes complications?)
- a person’s level of confidence in managing their diabetes
- a person’s greatest current challenge with diabetes.
If you’re ready for support that meets you where you are and helps you move forward with confidence, now is a great time to take the next step. Book an appointment with Sven and get the personalised guidance your diabetes management deserves.
For more information or to book an appointment with Sven click here or call us on 1300 153 123.
