Nursing Student with T1 Diabetes

[a.henrietta]

I just started an associate RN program this week and need some advice. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago, when I was 23. I started using an insulin pump just a couple of months ago, and I'm still tweaking things. My question is, do you think I should disclose anything to my instructors? Legally, as far as I know, I'm not required to unless I'm requesting accommodations. I don't foresee needing any, other than maybe being able to take a minute to test or eat something during clinical. I don't like making a big deal of things, and the only reason my boss knows is because it came up in conversation. But I also don't want my instructors to be upset if they found out later and I hadn't told anyone. It's not that I'm trying to hide anything, I'm just a pretty private person, and I feel like it's something personal. What do you think? As an instructor, do you feel like this is something you need to know?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

As an instructor, yes, I would want to know. Just because diabetes can be unpredictable, and I want to know if you look pale/sweaty/out of it - it could be being grossed out at something, or it could be hypoglycemia. Without knowing you have diabetes, I might put you in an empty room until you feel better- only to return and find you unconscious.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yes, you should tell every instructor. It is ok, and most of them actually will appreciate the information. They (well, the WAST majority of them, that is) do not want to inflict any harm onto you.

You also need to know if you have some sort of special limitations (do you need to eat at certain times? is your pump MRI-compatible, so you can be near the working scanner?) and make them known, for your own and people around you' sake.