What does a Diabetes Nurse Do? With diabetes on the rise, there is a need for more nurses that specialize in the field of diabetic patient care. More than 8 percent of Americans currently have diabetes and 3 times that number have prediabetes and are at high risk for developing diabetes within 10 years. The need for nurses that can work with and educate diabetic patients is greater than ever and only expected to increase over the next decade. Educating Patients A diabetes nurse strives to educate their patients, and ensure that the patient has all the information they need to make good decisions and choices when it comes to their care. Clients that work with a nurse specializing in diabetes, may be attempting to get their A1C numbers under control, and instructed to work with the nurse by their physician. According to a recent study, patients that work with a diabetes nurse reported lower A1C numbers in just 3 months of working with the nurse. This enables them to get their blood-glucose levels under control, and to maintain it at a healthy level. The first and primary responsibility of a diabetes nurse is the education of their patients. Because diabetes is very much a disease of self-management, it’s important that the patient have all the tools necessary to get their numbers within a healthy range. Very often, patients that were recently diagnosed with diabetes have no idea what they can eat and how diabetes will affect their lives. By learning the early signs of potential complications, they can ward off more serious consequences. Related: How to Handle Your Anxiety on the Job Some diabetes nurses may offer a group training to educate several patients and family members at one time. Some patients may need complete education in testing blood glucose levels at home, including tips, and testing kit styles. The diabetes nurse works with the patient to adjust behaviors in order to eat a well balanced diet that will lower their blood glucose numbers. Patients can also benefit from learning about computer programs or apps that will record and keep tract of their numbers, most can simply be emailed to the nurse. Most Diabetes nurses manage their patient's diabetic care under the supervision of the patient's physician. Many doctors refer their diabetic patients to a diabetes nurse for education and ongoing monitoring. A diabetes nurse generally spends some time with patients on an individual basis, and then in a group education seminar. If the patient has a family member that generally prepares their meals, it’s important to involve that family member also, so that they can be educated in the best meal planning possible.
Educating Coworkers