- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Aug. 6, 2009
Diabetes and shift work
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Do you have diabetes and work varying shifts? Do you work the night shift and find it hard to follow a diet and keep your sugars in order when you sleep during the day? Sometimes eating when working is when you get a chance to grab a bite. If there is no set schedule, hang in there. Managing diabetes while working varying shifts can be a challenge, but with a bit of thought, education and a plan, you can do a great job.
Take responsibility for your own care. Let your employer know that you have diabetes. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that employers provide reasonable adjustments or modifications to accommodate people with diabetes depending on the needs of the individual. Some employees may need one or more of the following accommodations:
- Private area to test blood sugar or to take insulin
- Place to rest until a low blood sugar returns to normal
- Regular breaks to eat or drink, take medicine, or to test blood sugar
- Leave for treatment, recuperation, or training on managing diabetes
- Modified work schedule or shift change — you may need a note from your physician indicating that shift work interferes with your sleep, eating routine, and schedule of insulin shots that is making it difficult to manage your diabetes
- Allowing a person with diabetic neuropathy to use a stool
In the next blog we will share different strategies you can use to better manage your blood sugar when working different shifts. We want to hear how you manage your diabetes at work. Do you let your co-workers know that you have diabetes? Share your workplace diabetes management tips with others so that others can learn from your experience.
Peggy
7 comments posted
May 16, 2011 11:27 p.m.
I work rotating shifts and have found that bringing in a bag of healthy snacks...several pieces of fruit,granola bars, etc., helps me out. In the past I was consuming way too much sugars and carbs (a ton of sugared pop) and would often eat only one meal maybe two meals a day....big starchy/carb portions at that. With my diet change now and metformin my numbers are lower but they actually weren't that bad to begin with. I also have higher blood glucose readings after I sleep normally. I think it is a really good idea to take your metformin before your main sleeping periods or fasting periods whether that is during the day if you work graveyards or at night like the "normal" people do. Now it is also time for me to start exercizing. It is too bad we shift workers can't all have a personal diabetes dietician. I guess retraining yourself and personal accountablility/responsibility is very important. If you haven't already, look into a Diabetes Training Center---they are amazing. You will probably need a doctors referral but that shouldn't be a problem if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes by said doctor. Don't just assume you will be fine without this training, it is absolutely beneficial. Good luck to everyone.
- Devin
March 16, 2010 11:41 a.m.
Janet, it sounds like your fasting blood glucose is not being controlled after the 6 hour nap [post stretch of 48 hour period with only 2 hours of sleep] (stress). If it is a persistant pattern I would see your healthcare provider to manage the blood glucose. If the higher blood glucose happens only occasionally and the A1c is in a good range just continue to watch it.
- Nancy and Peggy
March 8, 2010 3:16 p.m.
I a a midwife on metformin and Junuvia > Both @ mxium doses. my BMI is 22 , I'm a runner , rock climber, vegetarian and have a Hgb A 1 C of 6.5. So, I still worry re the hyper glycemia that developes after a shift of 48 hrs with only 2 hrs of sleep and lots of stressors . It's a hard job that I love. My fastings are any where from 106 to 146---- but after my recovery nap today (6 hours) my Finger stick was 278-- am I worrying too much? Argh anyone else with a similar problem?
- Janet
October 26, 2009 12:24 p.m.
I work as a lawyer in a large firm and find that working long hours through the night under pressure (sometimes 48 hours solid, or 90 hour weeks) sends my sugars sky-high. Any other type 1s in a similar situation?
- Elena
September 22, 2009 7:51 p.m.
i, TOO, WORK NIGHT SHIFT (7P-7A), just started insulin, long with oral meds June 2008, stopped in Jan 2009, started back July 2009. Problem: severe body pain, tremors, fatigue, profuse sweating, inability to sleep & crashing low blood sugars that occur instantly. Have just concluded with my MD that I am basically "allergic" to insulin and diabetic meds---Wht am I to do?? I have off work for 3 weeks due to the complications. Saw a MD today to consider gastric bypass to cure the diabetes, but can't do that--I am not overweight(my BMI is 30) and will lose weight just by stopping the diabetic meds!! (the MD today told me to stop the meds and exercise!!!!) Anybody with similiar problems?? What can I do??
- DEBRA
August 19, 2009 12:30 a.m.
I had the experience of shift work and diabeties and it was tough.I started work just after noon and finished after 5pm.Try as I could I really needed my 12-1 lunch hour and with just a little break at 2.30pm,at 5pm I was hungry and tired as a lion!! I was really glad when I moved back to regular/normal work hours.
- Amy
August 6, 2009 1:27 a.m.
I have been recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and work 4 PM -12AM. It is difficult because at the end of the day you are very tired....if you get up at a decent time. I am up at 9:30AM and have breakfast. I get in a 1 hour workout then have lunch around 1PM. After lunch I prepare myself for work. I am a week into this schedule and the only problem I am having is....I am dead tired by the end of they day....and that is not such a bad thing......cuz I sleep well !!
- Quentin
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