The author presents her experience with diabetic patients' assistance. The work was developed at the Diabetic Unit of the State Social Security Hospital of Minas Gerais (IPSEMG). At this unit, created as a tertiary care one, a multiprofessional group of doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians and psychologists offer the diabetic patients their technical knowledge and self care incentive. From June/82 to Febr./84, 580 patients were admitted at this unit. Fourty two percent of them received nurses' instructions about insulin injection, glycosuria checking, feet care, hypoglycemia notion and treatment. The author comments the results based on reduction of patients' admissions and on re-evaluation of their knowledge during the follow up period. New activities programed for nursing and the importance of the third stage diabetic care are commented.