Hello! My name is Johanna Eichner and I am a Sodexo dietetic intern from Region 1. I am amidst my clinical rotation at UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, Connecticut. I just completed two weeks in outpatient diabetes education, working alongside four CDEs, two of which were also RDs.
In this picture, I am standing in the main education room where patients with diabetes are taught how to use insulin syringes, check fasting blood glucose, set up insulin pumps, and learn how to count carbohydrates. I was fortunate enough to observe all of those sessions as well as teach a few carbohydrate counting lessons. I came into this internship having an interest in diabetes education, selecting diabetes as my concentration topic. Being in this setting for just one day solidified those interests. I couldn’t stop smiling! I look forward to learning much more during my diabetes concentration rotation and becoming a CDE in the future.
As a future RD, it is important to find a patient cohort that desires to learn what you are teaching. During my time in the outpatient setting, I noticed how much information clients did not know. The most common myth was that people with diabetes cannot eat carbohydrates. For some reason, clients seemed to punish themselves because of their diagnosis. It was rewarding to talk with a diverse clientele and explain to them that they would still be able to consume foods they enjoy, just in smaller portions. I came up with a helpful saying, “consistent insulin, consistent carbs” to explain to clients that the two go hand in hand. Having diabetes can be overwhelming. Do not underestimate the discomfort of checking your blood glucose four times a day. Trust me, I did it! Empathy is an important characteristic of a great healthcare provider.
I embrace the future of my internship because I have grown more confident and responsible. I accept every task and opportunity that comes my way because so many doors have already been opened. I consciously take each day as it comes, because I know it will be over before I know it!
In this picture, I am standing in the main education room where patients with diabetes are taught how to use insulin syringes, check fasting blood glucose, set up insulin pumps, and learn how to count carbohydrates. I was fortunate enough to observe all of those sessions as well as teach a few carbohydrate counting lessons. I came into this internship having an interest in diabetes education, selecting diabetes as my concentration topic. Being in this setting for just one day solidified those interests. I couldn’t stop smiling! I look forward to learning much more during my diabetes concentration rotation and becoming a CDE in the future.
As a future RD, it is important to find a patient cohort that desires to learn what you are teaching. During my time in the outpatient setting, I noticed how much information clients did not know. The most common myth was that people with diabetes cannot eat carbohydrates. For some reason, clients seemed to punish themselves because of their diagnosis. It was rewarding to talk with a diverse clientele and explain to them that they would still be able to consume foods they enjoy, just in smaller portions. I came up with a helpful saying, “consistent insulin, consistent carbs” to explain to clients that the two go hand in hand. Having diabetes can be overwhelming. Do not underestimate the discomfort of checking your blood glucose four times a day. Trust me, I did it! Empathy is an important characteristic of a great healthcare provider.
I embrace the future of my internship because I have grown more confident and responsible. I accept every task and opportunity that comes my way because so many doors have already been opened. I consciously take each day as it comes, because I know it will be over before I know it!
