Diabetes and being a Nurse--advice needed!

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I was online looking for advice from diabetic nurses who have been in the field longer than I have, and came across this website. I started my first nursing job Feb.2011, and I have been at my 2nd/current nursing job for over 2.5 years. I work on a Medical Rehab floor that is usually 'feast or famine' we say (sometimes we only have 4 or less pts, sometimes up to 10). Some shifts aren't too crazy busy, but when it is busy on our unit, it usually is crazy busy. Thus being said, I am having issues getting all components of my diabetic life in balance (and I am exhausted): my sleep schedule is WAY off (getting to sleep by 4am is good for me--I work the 3p-11p shift and have issues winding down quickly after, and now that has carried over even to my days off), I don't have energy and motivation to cook hardly ever so I'm not eating perfectly right, and getting into a routine of exercising every day has been hit and miss. All of this added together, my blood sugars are not well controlled and I've been getting out of work consistently more than 1hr late every shift the past few weeks, and I'm treading on thin ice I think. I feel like my out-of-balance life is making my blood sugars worse, and that the worse my blood sugars get, the more out-of-balance my life gets.....it's an awful cycle I'm trying to break out of. Does anyone have any advice on having diabetes and still managing well with a nursing career? Thanks! -D-

(Please feel free to ask any questions that would give you more insight in order to offer more specific advice!)

Some facts to give more insight:

A1C as of 9/3/14: 8.9

Hx of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in March 2010, treated with chemo and cleared July 2010

Diabetic since Jan. 2003

On the insulin pump since Jan. 2004

Never been unconscious due to lows

Have had work disrupted MANY times due to lows (and can't even blame getting out late on that because it just sounds like an excuse, and I doubt my boss would really understand that sometimes, when I go low enough, I feel just awful for several hours after)

Have highs mostly r/t over-corrections of lows or under-boluses r/t thinking I will go low if I give the full bolus (based on BG, carb amount, and activity level)

Just started CGM last week

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Hi! Welcome.

While members can give emotional/moral support...as per the Terms of Service we cannot give medical advice.

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Thank you, but I'm not looking for medical advice-- I'm just looking for tips from other diabetic nurses on things that have helped them with their own struggles that maybe might help me in mine. Thank you.

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