This year during
National Diabetes Awareness Month,
we are highlighting some of the nurses that we know have made an impact within our local communities.

Today we introduce you to Hannah Hopson. Hannah is a third-year nursing student at The College of New Jersey. She’s is a familiar face in our local community, as the team captain of top Hannah’s Heroes and a member of The College Diabetes Network. Hannah was also diagnosed with T1D just a few years ago.

What inspired you to become a nurse?
I was inspired to be a nurse during my time in the hospital. Being diagnosed at 16, I was able to see firsthand what it was like as a patient clearly. The way the nurses cared for me was something I truly admired and will never forget. Additionally, I met a woman from Medtronic during my hospital stay who also had Type One. Being able to connect with someone during the time of my diagnosis who understood what I was going through was truly impactful. I wanted to be able to give that experience to others in the future, and I felt as though nursing was the best way to do that.

What excites you about your nursing career?
Something that excites me about becoming a nurse is potentially being able to care for people with diabetes, who are just like myself. I hope that some day I will be able to work in endocrinology, in order to promote the best holistic care I can. I hope to do this while showing others that diabetes or chronic illness only strengthens people and doesn’t defeat us.

How does living with T1D influence your nursing philosophy?
Living with T1D has made me into the strongest version of myself. Dealing with such hardships every day, I am able to motivate myself and others to conquer even the toughest of battles. Knowing what it is like to live with a chronic illness, I am able to support and advocate for so many patients in a way that is so unique.