Libby: Hello, everyone. I'm Libby, and I'm thrilled to be here today with Kristin Cardillo, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist. Welcome, Kristin. It's fantastic to have you here. Is there anything you'd like to add to the introduction before we dive in?
Kristin: Thank you, Libby. I appreciate the warm welcome. You covered everything perfectly. And yes, my Instagram handle is @KristinCardillo_weightloss, where I share more about my journey and expertise.
Libby: Wonderful. So, Kristin, can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a CDCES (Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist)?
Kristin: Of course. It's been quite the journey. I've been a dietitian for about five years now, and after gaining sufficient experience in patient counseling, especially in diabetes management, I decided to pursue certification as a CDCES. This involved accumulating a thousand hours of direct counseling on diabetes, which I did primarily in an outpatient setting.
Additionally, I had to be a dietitian for at least a year before pursuing this certification. I was interested in developing my dietitian income streams, and after meeting the requirements, I completed a comprehensive course to prepare for the exam, which covered everything from the basics to advanced topics in diabetes care.
Libby: That sounds like a rigorous process, balancing work and study. How did you manage to juggle everything?
Kristin: It definitely required some careful time management! Working full-time while studying for the certification was challenging, but I made it work by taking advantage of any downtime during the day to complete coursework or review materials. It was like pursuing a master's degree while working. I dedicated about a year to studying and completing the necessary continuing education credits to feel fully prepared for the exam.
Libby: That's impressive dedication. Can you share a bit about the resources or strategies you found most helpful during your preparation?
Kristin: Absolutely. I enrolled in an online course called Diabetes University, which provided comprehensive and up-to-date information on diabetes care. This course, led by Beverly Tomassian, was invaluable in preparing me for the exam. Additionally, I made sure to stay organized and set aside dedicated study time each week to stay on track. And of course, I leaned on supportive colleagues and mentors for advice and encouragement throughout the process.
Libby: It sounds like you had a solid plan in place. How did you feel when you finally passed the exam and officially became a CDCES?
Kristin: It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment and validation for all the hard work I put in. Knowing that I could now officially serve as a diabetes care and education specialist brought a sense of pride and confidence in my abilities to make a difference in the lives of those with diabetes.
Libby: That's wonderful to hear. Now that you're officially certified, what are some of the ways you're using your expertise to support your patients?
Kristin: In my role as a diabetes program coordinator and manager, I work closely with active and busy New York City employees who have diabetes. I provide them with practical solutions for managing their condition through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. I aim to simplify complex concepts and empower my patients to take control of their health by understanding their disease and available treatment options.
Libby: That sounds incredibly rewarding. What advice would you offer to other dietitians who may be considering pursuing certification as a CDCES?
Kristin: My advice would be to start by gaining experience in diabetes counseling and patient education. Once you feel confident in your knowledge and skills, don't hesitate to pursue certification. It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey that allows you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with diabetes while generating additional dietitian income streams. And remember, you're not alone—lean on your support network and trust in your abilities.
Libby: Can you tell us about your experience preparing for and passing the CDCES exam?
Kristin: Absolutely. It was definitely a challenging journey, but one that I was determined to see through. I set a target date for the exam, which helped me focus my studying efforts. I spent several months reviewing materials, taking practice exams, and ensuring that everything was fresh in my mind for the big day. It meant thinking about school at night and dedicating weekends to study, but it was all worth it in the end.
Libby: That sounds like a rigorous process. Can you share more about the exam itself and why it's considered one of the more challenging certifications?
Kristin: The CDCES exam is no walk in the park, that's for sure. It consists of at least 200 questions and covers a wide range of topics related to diabetes care and education. What makes it particularly challenging is that it's not just for dietitians—nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare practitioners can also take it. So, you're competing with a diverse group of professionals who are all striving for the same certification.
Libby: That's a tough test indeed. How did you stay motivated and disciplined throughout your study process?
Kristin: My motivation stemmed from a combination of factors. Firstly, I've always been passionate about diabetes care and education, so obtaining this certification was a personal goal of mine. Additionally, there's a financial incentive to becoming a CDCES, so that provided some extra motivation. But most importantly, I was inspired by my patients and their struggles with diabetes. I wanted to be better equipped to help them manage their condition and advocate for their health.
Libby: Kristin, you've accomplished a lot in your career, including becoming a certified diabetes care and education specialist. Can you share a bit about why you pursued this certification and how it has impacted your career?
Kristin: Becoming a CDCES was always a goal of mine because of my passion for diabetes care and education. The certification not only provided me with a financial incentive but also boosted my confidence and credibility in the field. Being seen as an expert in diabetes care has opened up many doors for me, empowered me to generate more dietitian income streams on my own terms, and allowed me to play a more significant role in patient care.
Libby: I can imagine that having such a specialized certification brings a lot of respect and recognition. Can you elaborate on how it has elevated your role in patient care?
Kristin: Definitely. With the CDCES certification, I've been able to train other healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurse practitioners, on diabetes management and technology. This has allowed me to be more involved in higher-level decisions regarding patient care and has made me an invaluable asset to the healthcare team. The level of respect and confidence that comes with being a CDCES has been truly rewarding.
Libby: It's clear that obtaining this certification has been a significant milestone in your career. Now, let's talk about another aspect of your success—your ability to generate multiple revenue streams. Can you share why this is important to you and how you've been able to achieve it?
Kristin: Having multiple revenue streams provides me with flexibility and financial stability. As a dietitian, I've always wanted to have more control over my career and income. By diversifying my sources of income, I can pursue opportunities that align with my interests and schedule. Additionally, it allows me to be more independent and less reliant on a traditional 9-to-5 job.
Libby: That's a smart approach to career development. Can you give us some examples of the different revenue streams you've established?
Kristin: Of course. One of my revenue streams is serving as an insulin pump trainer, which is a role I can fulfill outside of my regular work hours. This allows me to earn additional income while also expanding my expertise in diabetes technology. Another revenue stream is selling educational handouts for dietitians. These handouts are based on my own experiences working with patients and have been well-received by other professionals in the field.
Libby: It's impressive how you've been able to leverage your expertise and experiences to create additional income opportunities. Can you share some insights into how you got started with selling your educational handouts?
Kristin: It was actually quite simple. I started compiling the handouts I had developed while working with patients and realized that they could be valuable resources for other dietitians. I joined a platform called RD2RD, where I could sell these handouts to a broader audience. While I initially didn't have much experience with online marketing or social media, I found that the handouts gained traction on their own, which was encouraging.
Libby: You've been working on developing a course on diabetes technology for healthcare practitioners. Can you tell us about your experience with this project and what has been the most challenging aspect?
Kristen: Absolutely. Developing this course has been both rewarding and challenging. One of the most difficult parts has been finding the time to dedicate to it. Over the past six months, there have been many changes in my life, including a new job and pursuing certification as a pump trainer. Balancing exams and other life commitments made it challenging to prioritize the course. Additionally, ensuring that the content is accurate and well-researched has been time-consuming, especially since it's targeted towards healthcare professionals.
Libby: Time management can definitely be a challenge, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. How have you managed to overcome this obstacle?
Kristen: Despite the challenges, I found that organization and accountability have been key. By setting up biweekly meetings with a colleague and dedicating specific time each week to work on the course, I was able to stay on track. Having someone to collaborate with and hold me accountable made a big difference. It also helped to break down the process into smaller tasks, making it more manageable.
Libby: It's great to hear how you've found strategies to stay focused and productive. On the flip side, what aspect of creating the course came most naturally to you?
Kristen: The easiest part of the process was actually writing and recording the content. Drawing from my own experience and expertise in pump therapy, I found it natural to communicate the information in a clear and concise manner. Once we had the content outlined, recording the course sessions felt almost effortless. It's a reminder that sometimes our greatest strengths lie in what we already know and do well.
Libby: That's a valuable insight. Sometimes, we underestimate our own abilities—especially when it comes to generating dietitian income streams in private practice. Moving beyond the course, you've shared some inspiring advice about following one's passion and staying motivated. Can you elaborate on why this is important, especially in the field of dietetics?
Kristen: Absolutely. I've always believed that passion is essential for success in any career, but particularly in dietetics. Our work revolves around helping others improve their health and well-being, and that requires genuine enthusiasm and dedication. In my own journey, I faced discouragement early on when I was told there was no money in this field. However, I chose to pursue dietetics because it aligned with my passion for helping people. Despite the challenges, staying true to my passion has kept me motivated and driven to make a difference.
Libby: Your resilience and commitment are truly inspiring. Before we wrap up, can you remind our listeners where they can connect with you and learn more about your work?
Kristen: Of course. You can find me on Instagram @KristenCardello_weightloss, and feel free to reach out to me via email at [email protected]. I'm always happy to connect with fellow healthcare professionals and share experiences.
Libby: Wonderful. Thank you so much, Kristen, for sharing your insights about creating new dietitian income streams and your professional experiences with us today. It's been a pleasure speaking with you.
Kristen: Thank you for having me. It's been a great conversation.
Libby: And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative and inspiring. Visit us at dietitianboss.com to learn more about starting your own practice as a registered dietitian. Until next time, take care!
