Any Diabetic nurses out there? - Page 2

Hello,

I am a new diabetic and am oral meds plus loads of insulin and byetta. I too am having a little trouble figuring out when to take what. I work in a NICU and usually have 2 vented babies, doesn't sound that hard but some nights are very busy as with most nursing. I have been a nurse for 12 years and time manage fairly well but sometimes stuff just happens that prevents taking a break. But I think with a little time I will figure things out. I think this forum is great and I think the input from different people is very useful. We will figure out what works for us and hopefully we can find an area in nursing that will allow us to take care of ourselves so we can take care of our patients.

Being new to Diabetes, I guess that I did post a stupid question. I'll have to talk with the infection control nurse where I work, and just figure it out tomorrow. I'll probably start bringing my lunch instead of ordering from dietary so the ice pack should keep my insulin cool. Sorry

disregard this second post, same as the first thanks

Hi!
I am Type 1 Diabetic (adult onset Type 1), using an insulin pump for 1 year and have been a nurse for 2 years. I have worked exclusively in the ER. It was the only place I ever wanted to work. I love working the ER but it has taken a toll on me: My A1C has gone up to .4 from where I was before I started nursing.
I find my sugars are all over the place (but I tend to make bad food choices when at work otherwise I watch what I eat on days off.) Glad to hear there are others out there like me :-)
Has anyone had any problems with management or your colleagues when they find out you are Diabetic? Most of my co-workers have been supportive to my face (who knows what they say behind my back though?) I even had a co-worker who was also Diabetic. Management however was not so supportive and used my disability as a way to get me to leave :-(

I am currently finishing my rn pre-reqs and hope to start the rn program in the next year. I have had type 1 diabetes since childhood. I never thought of this disease as a disability, but now wonder how I will adjust not having a chance to eat because of a busy schedule. I am a very healthy,disiplined eater and control my b.s. with diet & exercise. I average about 13 units a day. Is it possible to grab a banana or something if you need it? What problems do you have while working. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have had diabetes for 8 years and been an RN for just over a year. i haven't found many problems. the biggest thing is night shifts, whilst my basal is spot on for nights when I'm alseep, nights where i'm working and active I do need to carb up a bit to prevent lows.
I work on a medical ward with diabetes speciality so my colleagues are pretty understanding, they all know and say to just take an extra break if I need (i haven't had to yet). One of my colleagues, an HCA has diabetes too and often has big swings and has to sit at the nurses station for a while due to hypo's.

It's reassuring to hear I'm not the only one who's dealing with this. I have to take frequent breaks to grab a snack or I find I get really shakey too.

Can you carry glucose tablets or something in your pocket. Also, do you where a pump? When my sugars drop gradual, I wont notice a low til my b.s. hits 30-40 than I need to take action fast. How much insulin do you take a day? I have a hard time regulating because I dont take that much. Carb to insulin ratio is 1:50

I am also a type I 22 year diabetic on a pump! I work in the ER and rarely have time to pee let alone eat right. I have found the solution to avoiding lows at work. Set up patterns or temporary basal rate 10% less than normal. I resisted doing this for a long time but it really works!!!