Diabetes and Nursing

Nurses Stress 101

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Can anyone offer advice to a fairly new nurse who is having difficulty managing her diabetes since she became a nurse?

I have almost been forced to work nights, where I constantly forget to test, eat right, and take my medications as prescribed. On days, I am too busy it seems to eat right, and test my blood sugar when I need too, so I end up going all day without testing or knowing where my sugars are, then I am started after my 7a-7p shift, eat late and more than I should, and end up with high blood sugars at night.

Exercise seems to be a joke as I am always either sore or tired or sore and tired from working 12 hour shifts, all on my feet practically running from one end of the hall to the other (which DOES help keep my sugar level down for that time period).

I can't tell you how scary it is to be answering call bells while my hands are shaking so bad and my mind is in a fog from low blood sugar.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated or just to chat with someone going thru the same thing.

LOL,

Kathie

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiothoracics, VADs.

I hope someone with experience answers, but your best bet may be to discuss this with your healthcare provider or diabetes nurse?

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For pete's sake, take a vacation, at least one week, see your health care provider, after sitting down and carefully analyzing everything you have just said on your post. Write it down and talk with your doctor. Make an appt. to see a CDE or buy a book or two on the subject., do some soul-searching, come up with an action plan, and put it in place before you go back to work! Not long ago, the local newspaper did a very detailed human interest story about a motorist who had a diabetic episode while driving, caused an accident, which killed people, and now he is dealing with all the consequences. Do you need us to tell you what some of the possible consequences could be for you on the job, much less driving to and from work? Remember, there is only one you and 20 yrs from now not many will care if you harmed yourself and others b/c you are mismanaging yourself now. I only say this b/c I myself am symptomatic for DM, have done the blackout while driving bit, and am trying to get it together just like I'm trying to convince you to do the same. You know something is wrong otherwise you would not have posted. So nurse, nurse yourself! God bless you! We on this site care!

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As a nurse I am sure you know the seriousness of diabetes. You also know the best way to manage diabetes is through exercise. You only get one life, so you must find time to go to the gym, manage your blood sugar and eat what you suppose to eat. By not doing that, you not showing caring for yourself and for your patients. I hope you take the necessary steps as soon as possible because diabetes is not something you play with. I hope God can help you in the process. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hi. Must say I agree with the above posters.

This is your life and having diabetes (type I or II) will definitely impact your life later on. I am not saying you must disclose your disease to the other members of your team, and I DO understand how busy one can be. BUT nothing wrong in saying "I need to take 15 minutes" Sit down, do your fingerstick, EAT SOMETHING....

If a patient approached you and stated the same thing that you did (in your post) what and how would you advise that person?

Its your license and your life.

Take care of yourself.

athena

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