Every year on World Diabetes Day, we reflect on the challenges, progress and lived experiences of those managing diabetes. This year’s theme, “Diabetes in the Workplace,” shines a light on an often-overlooked truth: managing diabetes doesn’t stop when the shift starts.
For many professionals, especially those working in high-pressure environments like healthcare, the workplace can make diabetes management significantly harder. And for nurses, the demands of the job amplify these challenges in ways that are rarely discussed openly.
The Silent Struggle: One Nurse’s Story
Recently, a nurse shared her experience with us, and her words captured something deeply important:
“Some days I feel like I’m doing two full-time jobs — caring for my patients, and caring for my blood sugar. I go hours without a real break. I’m not allowed food or water at the nurses’ station, even when I can feel my levels dropping. And if I need to step out to treat a hypo, I’m scared it will be seen as letting the team down. I wish I didn’t feel like I had to hide it.”
Her story isn’t unusual.
It’s simply rarely voiced.
Nurses living with diabetes often navigate the same restrictions as everyone else on the ward — but with much higher stakes.
When the Workplace Isn’t Health-Compatible
Most acute and clinical environments are built on routines that prioritise patient flow and safety. But unintentionally, some of these policies create obstacles for staff with chronic conditions:
- Irregular or missed breaks due to understaffing or high patient acuity
- Policies prohibiting food or drink at clinical stations, even when needed for glucose stability
- Stigma or misunderstanding around taking time to treat symptoms
- A culture of “pushing through” instead of prioritising health
- Lack of awareness of how diabetes practically affects a clinician’s day
For someone with diabetes, these conditions don’t just make the job harder — they can make it unsafe.
Why This Matters Weighs on All of Us
Healthcare workers are the backbone of our system. Yet many manage chronic health conditions silently, without feeling supported to speak up or advocate for their needs.
A healthy nurse is a safer nurse.
A supported nurse is a retained nurse.
A workplace that considers chronic health needs is not a luxury — it’s essential.
Creating Diabetes-Inclusive Workplaces
Improving support doesn’t require major structural change. It starts with practical, compassionate adjustments:
1. Protected, realistic break structures
Breaks shouldn’t just be scheduled — they should be takeable.
2. Access to food and water when clinically needed
Reasonable allowances ensure safety and dignity.
3. Clear, supportive policies for chronic conditions
Workplaces should clarify expectations and accommodations, not leave them to guesswork.
4. Encouraging open conversations
Reducing stigma starts with listening.
5. Leadership accountability
Managers and educators play a key role in normalising and supporting health needs.
Why NeedleCalm Cares
At NeedleCalm, we are committed to improving the experiences of people undergoing needle procedures — including healthcare workers themselves.
Living with diabetes often means frequent injections, blood glucose checks and ongoing treatment. For nurses, these tasks happen in the middle of already demanding shifts. Our goal is to help make these moments less stressful, less painful and more manageable, so people can continue doing the work they love without unnecessary burden.
This World Diabetes Day, Let’s Support the Carers Too
As we reflect on this year’s theme, let’s remember the nurses who show up for others while silently managing their own health. They deserve workplaces designed with their reality in mind — workplaces where safety, compassion and flexibility come first.
Creating a diabetes-inclusive workplace is not just good practice. It’s good care.
