Hi
I can relate to most of this. In 1982 I was diagnosed and put into hospital for 9 days. As I was a nurses aide (just finnished training in a childrens home that you couldn't change a bandaid without supervision) They thought I should know it all.
My saving grace was a few student nurses who taught me to give insulin. Blood glucose monitors where new (the lady in the bed next to mine new the fellow who developed one of the first in New South wales) It was urine strips watch for glucose and ketones. I was given a couple of books told all bad things that can happen to you and sent on my way.
Went back to work and told I couldn't do Night shift etc They had less knowledge then me.
Thank goodness I went to different Dr who sent me to a bigger hospital with one of the best Diabetic Educaters I have ever met.
Over the years I have become a registered Nurse and have done courses with this lady. Their aproach is to make learning as fun as possible. Not to make anyone feel bad. They try to get the would be educaters to think like they have diabetes.
I work mainly with Kids and being in a small hospital we send them to the larger centres in Sydney or Canberra. This way they can get a uniform education rather then bits and peices from people who really have NO IDEA.
As for the injecting Oranges I have gotten the kids to practice on a real arm MINE.(They do a better job then most Doctors and RNs)
all I can say thank goodness things have changed and sorry for raving on
