NURSE-LED DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SELF-CARE SUPPORT IN DIABETES CARE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus requires sustained self-management to achieve glycemic control and reduce the risk of complications. Because much of diabetes care occurs outside clinical settings, patients must routinely adhere to medication, nutrition, physical activity, blood glucose monitoring, and problem-solving behaviors. Nurses play a central role in supporting these activities through diabetes self-management education (DSME) and diabetes self-management education and support ( DSMES ). This narrative review examines nurses contributions to diabetes outcomes through educational, behavioral, and supportive interventions. The available evidence indicates that nurse-led DSMES improves diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, self-care behaviors, medication adherence, and glucose monitoring and is associated with reductions in glycated hemoglobin levels. These effects are strongest when education is individualized, reinforced over time, and integrated with counseling, motivational interviewing, behavioral coaching, and follow-up. Digital and telehealth approaches may further extend the reach of nurse-led support, although their effectiveness depends on access, engagement, and professional feedback. Barriers such as workforce constraints, health literacy, socioeconomic disadvantage, cultural differences, and implementation challenges may limit program impact. In conclusion, nurse-led DSMES is an important component of comprehensive diabetes care, supporting long-term self-management and improving patient outcomes.