Exploring the Nurse’s Role in Nurse-Led Self-Management Interventions for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Type 2 diabetes is increasing globally and places a significant burden on individuals and health systems. Nurses are central to diabetes care; however, the specific evidence-based contributions they make to prevention, self-management support, and metabolic control are not clearly synthesised. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the evidence on the roles of nurses in supporting the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes in adults. A narrative review informed by systematic search was undertaken in CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, TRIP, and Cochrane for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024. Studies involving adults with Type 2 diabetes and reporting nurse-delivered or nurse-led interventions were included. Articles were appraised using the Cormack framework, and findings were narratively synthesised. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Nurse-led education and support were consistently associated with improvements in diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviour, confidence in managing the condition, and emotional wellbeing. Several studies demonstrated improved glycaemic outcomes when nurses provided structured guidance on medication use, daily self-management activities, diet, and physical activity. Additional roles included communication that supported shared decision-making, coordination of care, and the integration of digital tools for remote monitoring and follow-up. Evidence indicates that nurses play a multifaceted role in supporting adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Education, behavioural support, coordinated care, and technology-enabled follow-up contribute to improved health outcomes. Strengthening nurse-led programmes and advanced training may enhance diabetes prevention and management in clinical practice.