Nurses have an essential role in treating patients with diabetes and those, who are at risk of diabetes, or who are having tests to diagnose the disease. With diabetes being the most common chronic condition in the world (one in 11 adults currently has diabetes), it is becoming more and more important for nurses to be trained to provide optimal care and support for people with diabetes.

What is the role of nurses in helping patients with diabetes? 

Nurses are key health care workers with a vital role in supporting people living with diabetes. Besides helping patients administer medication, such as insulin shots, for example, they can also offer important health advice to help patients tackle the challenges that come with living with a chronic condition.

Nurses typically provide valuable dietary and lifestyle advice to people who are at risk of developing diabetes to help them reduce that risk. Moreover, nurses are also instrumental in raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes so they can ensure prompt diagnoses and treatment for patients of all ages.

Multiple studies have shown that nurses are greatly involved in educating patients who live with diabetes to manage their condition. Other studies have also shown that there is a positive outcome in educating patients about their condition when nurses are involved.

A nurse's role in diabetes care may be either part of general or specialist care. The main objective of nurses caring for patients with diabetes is to determine priorities for managing the condition and educating patients about the most important aspects of care. This starts with the maintenance of good glycemic control, and in the majority of cases, nurses are vital in helping patients dealing with this particular change in their lifestyle.

The responsibilities of the nursing team regarding diabetes care typically include the following:

• Assessing and meeting the nutritional needs of the patients
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Identifying and treating hyperglycemia
• Identifying and treating hypoglycemia
• Injectable therapies
• Oral therapies
• Prevention advice using health coaching techniques and behavior change
• Promoting self-care
• Screening, prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes
• Urine monitoring
• An awareness of how mental health issues can affect patients who live with diabetes

A nurse is often the first point of contact for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes or have the risk of developing this chronic condition. Their role is to spot symptoms and refer patients to other specialist services. However, their responsibilities go beyond that and their role in a diabetes care team is diverse and continues to evolve.

The role of nurses in screening for complications 

Nurses are often responsible for routine screening for diabetic complications. Screening typically includes taking blood for lipid estimation, urine testing for protein to check the renal function, measuring blood pressure and examining the feet and eyes.

When screening for retinopathy, the nurse's role is to explain to patients what will happen during the procedure and what any of the findings mean. In some cases, nurses may measure the patient's visual acuity and offer information and reassurance if the patient is referred for laser photocoagulation.

Some of the individuals who live with diabetes are also at risk of neuropathy. Nurses can offer advice about wearing sensible shoes and foot hygiene to these patients. Patients who are at risk of neuropathy need to be advised to look at their feet every day to check for damage and not just rely on how their feet feel. Nurses are typically the first point of contact to discuss how to check the condition of the feet. They are also the ones who advise patients to seek assistance urgently when a problem occurs.

Nurses play a very important role in diabetes healthcare teams. Their role is to provide information, support, and direction. They assess risks to make sure that appropriate treatment and interventions are made at the right times. They are also aware of the psychological and social impact diabetes has on individuals.

Besides, nurses are responsible for informing patients about any lifestyle changes they may need to manage their chronic condition correctly. They often take advantage of every annual review or regular doctor visits to discuss personal situations with the patients and ensure the patients have access to quality educational materials they may need to manage their condition.