Becoming a Diabetes Educator….Saved My Family
Written By: Brittany Schultz, BSN, RN
It is no secret that nursing has one of the highest career burnout and stress rates nationwide. In 2012, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a review of research and found that 75% of employees believe they experience more on-the-job stress than workers did a generation ago. NIOSH defines job stress as “the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.”
Working in an inpatient medical/surgical unit with less than five years’ experience, I was one of the top seasoned nurses. With no acuity system in place, I was often tasked with taking care of six patients at a time, training new graduate nurses or students, educating patients, and performing the typical daily duties of a nurse. My situation fit the definition of job stress to a T. In addition to the stress of being understaffed with limited resources, I was also under extreme family stress.
I think it is a rather well known fact that nurses work 12 hour shifts, every-other weekend, and holidays. What is not so well known is that daycares (especially in small town USA) are open Monday-Friday, closed weekends, closed holidays, and only open for 10 hours a day. I was six months pregnant and facing the daunting reality that being a nurse and a mother was not going to be possible. With an already understaffed unit, my employer was unable to accommodate the scheduling needs of a soon-to-be working mother. I was forced to choose my family or career.
Feeling discouraged, burned out, overwhelmed, and disappointed with my situation, I began to pray for an opportunity to present itself. In December of 2015, I was approached by a friend, and Registered Dietitian, who knew of an opening for a Diabetes Educator. I had been investigating becoming a Diabetes Educator for about six months, but was overwhelmed with the requirements. The hospital I was working for did not have the resources needed to develop a Diabetes Education Program, so I had placed the idea of becoming a CDE out of my mind. Presented with this opportunity, I immediately began the application process. Within a couple of weeks, I was hired with the understanding that I would not start until twelve weeks after I delivered my baby which was about six months away.
Six months flew by and June 6th was my first day as a Diabetes Educator. Having had four years’ experience taking care of people with diabetes, I felt this new endeavor would be an easy transition. Looking back, I can’t believe I thought it would be a good idea to start a job with a new organization, change career specialties, have a baby, and breastfeed. Apparently I thought I was super human!
After my first week of orientation, I lost my mind. Literally, I lost my mind! The stress of being a new mom, having a new job, a new schedule, learning about diabetes, learning people’s names, worrying about my baby, pumping, and lack of sleep took a toll. My brain that once remembered every minute detail couldn’t remember why I drove into town or why I was at the grocery store. My husband, very worriedly, asked, “Do you think you had a stroke?” No, I did not have a stroke. My body declared that I was in fact not super human, and that I could not do everything!
The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a baby.” I think the same is true for Nurses and Diabetes Educators. I am so thankful for my village. I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by experienced and welcoming educators that felt I was worthy of investing energy and time. It would have been so easy to give up and quit, but my village has supported me every step of the way.
I have developed a deep respect for the Diabetes Education community. Diabetes is extremely complex and multidimensional. I had a strong nursing foundation, but my lack of diabetes knowledge was grossly apparent. The first few months, I immersed myself in the world of diabetes. I read, asked questions, listened to those mentoring me, researched, and took countless notes. I have so much more to learn. Like Nursing, I learn something new every day as a Diabetes Educator.
My mind has come back for the most part. I do have moments where thoughts escape me, but I have a new found empathy for my patients with memory problems. I love being a Diabetes Educator. Technology is one of my strong suits and I have embraced insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring teaching. My nursing foundation was strong, but I feel nurses are at a disadvantage for the lack of nutrition education. My advice for new nurses is to learn as much about nutrition as you can. Looking back to my work as an inpatient nurse, I wish I had known more about nutrition. I would have been able to make a bigger impact in the lives of my patients had I only known a little more. I hope to officially be a Certified Diabetes Educator by the fall of 2017.
I am so thankful that Diabetes Education found me. Being an educator has allowed me to be a wife, mom, and nurse. I get to help people every day, and take care of my family. I no longer have to choose career or family. I get both!
Resources:
Roberts, R., PL Grubb, and JW Grosch. "Alleviating Job Stress in Nurses: Approaches to Reducing Job Stress in Nurses." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Mar. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.