2 Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner Programs
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
As the incidence of diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other endocrine, metabolic, and autoimmune disorders in the U.S. continues to rise, the demand for talented endocrine nurse practitioners continues to grow. Presently, most nurse practitioners who choose endocrinology as their professional specialty receive their training on the job because what endocrinology nurse practitioner programs are currently available simply aren’t sufficient in number to train the number of endocrinology NPs who are needed. That is poised to change, however. In the meantime, here are 2 endocrinology nurse practitioner programs that would be well worth checking out.
Top 3 Benefits Of Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner Programs
As an endocrinology nurse practitioner, you’ll be managing patients with chronic, complex health issues, making this calling an excellent specialty for any APRN who enjoys developing long-term relationships with patients. Endocrinology nurse practitioner practice has other benefits as well.
Benefit #1: Salary
As a graduate of an endocrinology nurse practitioner program, your average annual salary ($129,920) will be 4 percent higher than it would be if you were an NP who had not pursued a specialization ($124,680.) In some states, like California, where endocrinology NPs average $164,780 a year, that percentage differential will be even greater. And if you focus on a particular subspecialty like pediatric endocrinology or reproductive endocrinology and infertility, you may earn a higher salary still.Benefit #2: Employment opportunities
Skilled endocrinology nurse practitioners are highly sought after in the U.S. as the incidence of thyroid disorders and diabetes—two of the most common endocrine conditions—continues to grow. In one study, 74 percent of existing endocrine practices indicated they were actively recruiting nurse practitioners to help with their surging patient caseloads. More than 11 percent of the U.S. population (some 37.3 million Americans) has diabetes, and that percentage is continuing to rise. Healthcare employers know that these individuals need healthcare providers like endocrine NPs, who are specifically trained to provide the type of care they need.Benefit #3: Research opportunities
Endocrinology nurse practice offers many opportunities for NPs in clinical settings to participate in research even though they may be working outside of academia. Much of the most exciting work in endocrinology today is being carried out in hospitals, and endocrinology NPs are well-positioned to present patient cases or the results of quality improvement strategies at prestigious professional conferences. Endocrinology NPs frequently participate in pharmaceutical research as well.What Endocrinology Nurse Practitioner Programs Are Currently Available?
(The following 2 endocrinology nurse practitioner programs are currently available. The list includes college programs, certificates, fellowships, and residency training programs.)1. Duke University School of Nursing - Durham, NC
Program Type: Specialty Certificate
Duke University’s Endocrinology Specialty certificate is the first of its kind in the nation. This 9-credit endocrinology nurse practitioner program consists of two lecture courses and one practicum comprised of 168 supervised clinical hours. Coursework curricula adhere to educational guidelines set forth by the American Diabetes Association, the Endocrine Society, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Though the courses are offered online, you’ll be required to make one trip to Duke’s campus in Durham, North Carolina, for training in the use of a hands-on insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, as well as other intensive skills training in the simulation lab.
The program begins each spring and is open to NPs who graduated from accredited nursing programs as well as to NPs who are still in school. Program faculty are clinicians who practice endocrinology in a variety of professional settings.
2. Mount Marty University - Yankton, SD
Program Type: Certificate
The second of the nation’s endocrinology nurse practitioner programs is Mount Marty University’s Graduate Certificate in Endocrinology. The 10-credit curriculum consists of three lecture courses and three practicums for a total of 240 clinical hours. The certificate is taught online, and you will be able to pursue your practicums at a healthcare facility close to where you live. A significant portion of the curriculum is devoted to diabetes management.
This program is available to family nurse practitioners with a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Coursework begins in the spring of each year.
Where Do Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners Mostly Work?
Hospitals, specialty clinics like fertility clinics and obesity clinics, physician practices, and pharmaceutical research laboratories are some of the professional practice settings where graduates of endocrinology nurse practitioner programs find employment.
Work Setting #1: Hospitals
In hospitals, endocrinology nurse practitioners work in diabetes units and other clinical wards that specialize in the care of patients with endocrinological or metabolic disorders. They diagnose, treat, and manage patients, collaborate with colleagues, and participate in rounds, inservices, and other teaching activities for both patients and other healthcare providers.Work Setting #2: Fertility Clinics
Endocrinology nurse practitioners generally provide support for medical specialists when they’re employed at fertility clinics. Much of their time is spent assessing clients' knowledge gaps, providing instruction and anticipatory guidance, and explaining treatment options and test results. They also assist with reproductive technology procedures such as in vitro fertilization and egg harvesting.Work Setting #3: Pharmaceutical research
Endocrinology nurse practitioners who work for pharmaceutical companies are most frequently employed to help coordinate clinical trials. They recruit and screen prospective research subjects and write the protocols for the care participants will receive while enrolled in the clinical trial.Starting Salary For Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners
Endocrinology nurse practitioners with no experience make $91,010 annually on average, which works out to $43.75 per hour, $1,750 a week, or $7,580 a month.
| Hourly | $43.75 |
| Weekly | $1,750 |
| Monthly | $7,580 |
| Annual | $91,010 |
| (Source: Nursingprocess.org) | |
Average Salary For Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners
Once they have some professional experience under their belts, endocrinology nurse practitioners make 43 percent more than they did when they first started out. An experienced endocrinology NP averages $129,920 a year, which comes to $62.46 an hour, $2,498 a week, or $10,920 a month.
| Hourly | $62.46 |
| Weekly | $2,498 |
| Monthly | $10,830 |
| Annual | $129,920 |
| (Source: Nursingprocess.org) | |
My Final Thoughts
Endocrinology nurse practice is a dynamic career path that promises generous salary prospects, job security, and an opportunity to make a real difference in your patients’ lives. What endocrinology nurse practitioner programs are currently available? Few at present, but there will almost certainly be many more in the years to come. For the time being, the 2 endocrinology nurse practitioner programs described in this article will give you an excellent headstart in this specialty.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
1. On Average, How Much Do Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Hour?
Endocrinology NPs average $62.46 per hour.| Salary Per Hour |
| $62.46 |
2. On Average, How Much Do Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Week?
Endocrinology nurse practitioners can expect to get paid $2,498 in an average week.| Salary Per Week |
| $2,498 |
3. On Average, How Much Do Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Month?
On a monthly basis, endocrinology nurse practitioners make $10,830.| Salary Per Month |
| $10,830 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners Make Per Year?
Endocrinology nurse practitioners earn salaries of $129,820 a year.| Salary Per Year |
| $129,920 |
5. What Are The 10 Highest Paying States For Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners?
Endocrinology nurse practitioner salaries vary widely by location. The typical California endocrinology NP, for example, earns a salary 27 percent higher than the national average, while the typical Hawaii endocrinology NP earns a salary 4 percent higher.The need to keep salaries competitive in the face of high demand is the driving impetus behind high salaries in New Jersey, New York State, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in the Northeast, and California, Oregon, and Washington State on the Pacific Coast. Another driver is the high cost of living in these states: If healthcare employers weren’t prepared to pay such high salaries, endocrinology nurse practitioners might not be able to afford to live and work there.
| Rank | Highest Paying States | |
| State | Average Annual Salary | |
| 1 | California | $164,780 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $149,270 |
| 3 | New York | $147,420 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $144,530 |
| 5 | Oregon | $141,980 |
| 6 | Nevada | $141,960 |
| 7 | Washington | $141,290 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $137,020 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $135,010 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $133,700 |
6. What Are The 10 Highest Paying Cities For Endocrinology Nurse Practitioners?
The Greater New York City Metropolitan Area is the only urban region outside California on this list of the ten top-paying cities for endocrinology nurse practitioners in the U.S. Healthcare employers throughout the Golden State recognize that the most effective way to attract and retain high-quality endocrine NPs is to pay them high wages.| Rank | Highest Paying Cities | |
| City | Average Annual Salary | |
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,020 |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $198,060 |
| 3 | Napa, CA | $197,140 |
| 4 | Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $188,600 |
| 5 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $177,480 |
| 6 | Yuba City, CA | $168,490 |
| 7 | Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $164,440 |
| 8 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $164,110 |
| 9 | Salinas, CA | $163,510 |
| 10 | El Centro, CA | $158,770 |
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.
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