? for diabetic RN's

[love2barn]

Where do you test you bs? I use my fingers & test about 10 times a day. Now that I am starting the RN program, I'm thinking I should let my fingers heal and use alternate sites. Where else do you test?

[DogloverinCA]

Where do you test you bs? I use my fingers & test about 10 times a day. Now that I am starting the RN program, I'm thinking I should let my fingers heal and use alternate sites. Where else do you test?

Hi! Thanks for your question and congratulations on starting nursing school:yeah:

I check my bs whenever and wherever I can! I will go to the bathroom for privacy but there's not always one nearby (or a ledge to hold my glucometer while I test!) If I am working with folks I know well (I work per diem/registry) I might test discreetly at a nurses station or I go to the break room. Most know I am diabetic, so it's not some secret.

I work in the ER with germy pathogens all around so I wash my hands and forearms often. I do wear gloves often too. I can't afford to have painful fingers hurting me all the time when I work so I never do finger sticks on myself (but for my patients-- well that's a different story--they get the finger sticks LOL). I use my forearms to test--they seem to be less painful too. I test more frequently too because the pain is practically non-existent when testing and that encourages me to do it more often. Hope that helps. Good luck in your endeavors.

[ForMYdaughter]

THATS VERY INFORMATIVE....I am a type I, I have been "DIABETIC" for 17 years now and I have never tested my BS on my arm. The question never occured to me about me being a diabetic as an issue, but now I understand I would probably test in the breakroom as well! The lancet device that allows you to prick the palm of your hand is GREAT that one also minimizes pain.................GOOD LUCK........and CONGRATS!!!!

[seattlerainsun]

This is such a great thread. I'm taking prereq's for nursing now, hoping to start school next Fall. I have Type 1 Diabetes, have had it for 21 years now... test at least 10 times a day and take insulin w/meals and to adjust blood sugars. Are there other nurses out there who have diabetes? I've never done the arm tests either - very much a creature of habit with the finger-testing. Have people had problems with low blood sugar impacting work? Etc? Thank you so much!!

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

We have a sink in our break room. I wash my hands there and test. I can test in about