A Mother’s Instinct Meets A Nurse’s Training

For Hannah Marion, nursing has always been about connection — about showing up for people in moments that matter most. But during her time in Galen College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Louisville campus, that calling became deeply personal in a way she never anticipated.  

In the middle of a class lecture in 2024, Hannah was learning about the hallmark symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, commonly remembered as the “three Ps”: polyphagia (increased hunger), polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyuria (frequent urination). As the lesson unfolded, something clicked.  

“I remember sitting there in class… and I was like, something doesn’t seem right here, because all of that lines up with my boy,” she recalled. 

Her youngest son, Beckham, was almost two years old at the time. 

Just the night before, Hannah and her husband had been talking about how often they needed to change his diaper. One moment in particular stood out. A short, 15-minute car ride ended with Beckham soaking through a brand-new diaper. 

At the time, it raised concern. But the next day in class, it became clarity. 

“That was when it became kind of alarming… and then that next day, when I was in class, I was like, that’s what’s going on.” 

Trusting both her instincts as a mother and her growing clinical knowledge, Hannah took action and brought her concerns to Beckham’s pediatrician. Initial tests were inconclusive. His blood sugar was slightly elevated, but not definitively concerning. Still, something didn’t sit right.  

Drawing on what she had learned in her coursework, Hannah continued monitoring his glucose levels at home.  

“I knew the normal values… and I was checking his blood sugar,” she said. “At one point he read at like 240, which is definitely higher than it’s supposed to be.”  

She pushed for further answers. That persistence led to additional testing and ultimately, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes.  

With that diagnosis came immediate access to specialized care. Beckham was quickly connected with a pediatric endocrinologist, allowing Hannah and her family to begin one-on-one treatment tailored to his needs. He now wears a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, which has helped the family better understand Type 1 diabetes and the daily care it requires.  

Because his condition was caught early, Beckham is in a unique position. He does not require as much insulin as many children with a later diagnosis. He is not on an insulin pump and instead uses insulin pens as needed, an approach that has helped ease the transition for both Beckham and his parents.  

Because Hannah recognized the signs early, Beckham also avoided a far more serious outcome. 

“Because I caught it so early, we avoided being in the ICU… we completely avoided that whole process with him.”  

For many families, a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis comes after a medical emergency. For Hannah and Beckham, it became a moment where knowledge made all the difference.  

That experience has reshaped the way Hannah sees her future in nursing.  

“It’s definitely given me a different perspective… because I realize that not every parent is going to be as health literate,” she said. “It helps me recognize the need for them to get a little bit of extra assistance in advocating for their children.”  

After graduation in July 2026, Hannah will step into a role in a pediatric emergency department, caring for children and families navigating some of their most difficult moments.  

It’s a path that now carries even deeper meaning.  

“I will be working with kids coming in with new onset of Type 1 diabetes and will hopefully be able to provide comfort and empathy to them as well.” 

This next step in her journey brings everything full circle. What began as a lecture became a life-changing intervention. What started as a mother’s concern became a nurse’s intuition. 

For the families she’ll serve in the future, that combination of knowledge and lived experience will make all the difference.  

Explore Galen College of Nursing’s programs and see how a nursing education can prepare you to care, advocate, and act with confidence — inside and outside the clinical setting.