Rachel Clarrage
October 2021
Rachel
Clarrage
,
BSN, RN, CDCES
Diabetes Education
Wentworth Douglass Hospital
Dover
,
NH
United States
Rachel was on my team and told me what I did was helpful. She recognized me for how I was managing my diabetes.
This may seem like a small thing, but for me, it was so revolutionary. My experience with Rachel, the diabetes educator, was the best experience I have had with a nurse in my 43 years with diabetes. She treated me like I actually knew something and did not talk down, condescend, or lecture me. In fact, she praised me for advocating for myself! This was such a big deal to me. To be honest, I had stopped going to support groups and engaging with doctors and nurses because I was so tired of being lectured. Most nurses and diabetes educators are in a teaching mode and have a mentality of “I need to correct this.” Anyone who has had diabetes for a while knows it very well. I have represented the state and traveled to Washington to talk about diabetes. I have two degrees and I understand my disease. However, I was being treated by nurses and diabetes educators who only wanted to lecture. I did not want to meet with Rachel at first. But she actually came in and thanked me! She did not criticize me. She was on my team and told me what I did was helpful. She recognized me for how I was managing my diabetes. This approach will improve patient outcomes and patient care! I came into the hospital nervous and uncomfortable and talking to Rachel was a breath of fresh air. I did not want her to leave my room! It was life-changing to be acknowledged for managing my own care. Rachel did more for me than any other educator. She was the first person to validate me. Rachel is a bright light and exemplifies the way any nurse should approach a patient.