Julie Stelting, RN, CDE, BSN, BSD
By Erin Flynn Jay
In 1978, Julie Stelting was working as a dietitian in a small hospital, where part of her job included instructing adult patients newly diagnosed with insulin-resistant diabetes. With a family member also living with diabetes, she became increasingly interested in understanding the long-term effects of uncontrolled blood sugar.
After starting a family and reentering the workforce, Stelting realized she needed to update her education. Instead of pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition, she decided that a nursing degree would provide greater opportunities. During nursing school, she focused her clinical experiences on diabetes care. By combining her nutrition background with her nursing training, she saw a clear path to helping people with chronic disease, particularly those linked to obesity. Eventually, she pursued certification as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE®) to formalize her expertise and expand her impact.
The Path to Certification
The most difficult part of becoming certified for Stelting was securing a qualifying job. At that time, the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) required 650 hours of paid employment as a diabetes educator. She had been volunteering at Volunteers in Medicine as a diabetes educator, but those hours did not count.
Her experience deepened when she began working with patients with type 1 diabetes, including children on insulin therapy. “I worked every day for eight years with children on insulin. This helped me to understand their daily challenges,” she explained. Working in an outpatient setting gave her a stronger understanding of patients’ lived experiences compared to those who only work inpatient.
Instead of taking a prep course, Stelting chose to study independently using a textbook with self-exam questions. After completing her required two years of experience, she sat for the exam and passed.
Continuing Education and Recertification
Stelting is committed to lifelong learning. When due to recertify in 2020, she noted that her textbook preparation had earned her 60 continuing education credits toward the 75 required. She supplemented the rest through conferences and online coursework.
Looking ahead, Stelting also plans to pursue certification as a Certified Insulin Health Trainer to broaden her expertise.
Building a Career in Diabetes Education
In 2015, Stelting founded Kids at Risk for Diabetes, LLC after witnessing a four-year-old diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to morbid obesity. Concerned about the long-term complications such as blindness or kidney failure, she designed her program to focus on education, lifestyle changes, and prevention. The Whole Family Program was developed to involve parents—many of whom also struggle with uncontrolled diabetes—in the process.
She also created a three-month program for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes, recognizing that these women are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes within a few years. Her program provides both education and emotional support during this transitional time.
A Day in the Life of a CDE®
Many CDEs® work traditional office hours, but Stelting’s routine is more flexible. Her day typically begins with checking email and engaging with members in her two diabetes-focused Facebook support groups. She then counsels clients individually over the phone or via Skype.
She acknowledges that CDEs® often face tight schedules: “Many are challenged with completing paperwork during their office hours. Since hospitals want to discharge patients as soon as possible, CDEs working inpatient often end up working 60 to 80 hours a week.”
Favorite Aspects of the Work
For Stelting, the most rewarding part of her work is helping children reverse prediabetes or type 2 diabetes diagnoses through lifestyle changes. “Kids can be motivated to take care of themselves,” she explained.
One particularly memorable patient was a woman in her 80s diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an infant. Remarkably, she had no complications. Her mother had instilled in her the importance of living within her limitations, a lesson Stelting believes should also guide children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “Our country celebrates using sweet foods. We need to teach our children not to overindulge with food at any time,” she emphasized.
Related Resource
👉 Diabetes Educator Certification Overview
