MORE DIABETIC NURSES IN THE NHS PLEASE!!!

[fed-up]

What are the chances of getting more diabetic nurses who actually are diabetic???

DISCUSS - Fed up with nurses who keep giving me the wrong information!! I could relate to someone who had the condition better than someone lamenting me ever time I go for an appointment

 

[wsmum]

My son was in hospital about something unrelated and his nurse was a T1. She had a really good 'off the record' chat with him about taking control of his own diabetes, not being afraid to experiment etc when the official line at the time was fixed doses based on blood sugar levels. So he quickly decided that he wanted to carb count and felt quite inspired by her ... She would make a great diabetic nurse and who knows, she might just do that as she was still training

 

[LittleSue]

The chances are better now thanks to courses like DAFNE, increased use of pumps and generally more of a 'can do' attitude. When I was a teenager in the 70s/80s, the rule was if it involved shift work you couldn't do it. No discussion, no asking what career you wanted and finding a way, just "you can't". With modern insulins and flexible MDI, its quite normal for type 1s to become nurses or doctors now, or for those diagnosed as adults already in the profession to continue their role. Hopefully therefore the proportion will increase over time.

My hospital has had diabetic DSNs for at least 10 years. Currently at least two DSNs are type 1, one on DAFNE and the other on a pump. They are of course the best and most respected due to their knowledge from both sides of the equation.