Any Diabetic nurses out there?

[turtletyme]

I have been a diabetic for 22 years and now on the insulin pump. I am a new nurse. I just want to know how others manage their diabetes and work as a nurse. I have found it to be very hard and challenging. I was hired to work on a women's unit, instead it is a catch all unit. I say this because they remodeled and made all private rooms(our unit is the only one in the hospital with private rooms). We have alot of nursing home patients as well as the ones that are not expected to live long. I work nights with one other nurse and maybe an aide if we are lucky. Anyway, this is killing my health. I am wondering if I should have become a nurse if this is how nursing is going to be. I love taking care of people but not at my health's expense. I know for a fact, medical surgical is not my cup of tea it never was in school. I need to find a job that will help me to heal again. I have worked hard to get my BSN degree and I am so hurt that my first job has been a disappointment.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I worked hospital with DM before I was on insulin- diet only; I still had some lows initially (A1C was 10.2 @ dx....down to 4.7 a few years ago, then a lot of complications with non-DM issues. My supervisors were supportive of me taking the time to get something in if I felt weird. And, when I worked MDSs/LTCs, there was no problem.

[Rob72, ASN, RN]

BTW 10? I thought my personal best at 15 was bad (and I had a seizure that time). I cant believe you hadnt seized yet.

Hmmm. I'm not real interested in finding my personal best, guys. I had a hypoglycemic stroke, around 8-10 years old. Completely undiagnosed at the time- I assume they thought I was just exhibiting normal post-episode fugue, but I was experiencing expressive aphasia(word selection/naming), which continued sporadically, for a month afterwards.

Ya'll be careful, out there. I'd much rather be a PITA to management than drooling & in a diaper...

[BrooklynRN11201]

hi there, I'm also T1 - I'm just a student, but I've found that when I'm in the hospital, my Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) really helps, as does keeping my meter and a roll of glucose tablets in my pocket!

this is what I use - http://www.dexcom.com/ it's amazing, really helps me when I exercise too.

oh and yes, I've had hypoglycemic seizures as well... many of them, which is why I've been on a CGM for 3+ years now.

[SoCalCrystal, CNA]

Any of you diabetics seeing any visual changes yet? I have had DM1 for almost 20 years now and unfortunately it is starting to take its toll on my retinas I just hope I make it through RN school before something bad happens.