Nutrition education in baccalaureate degree nursing schools: 1983 survey results

A mail survey was conducted to clarify the status of nutrition education in baccalaureate degree nursing programs in the United States. Responses from 53% of the 331 schools were classified into 3 groups. Twenty-one percent (36 schools) employed a full-time dietitian, 26% (46 schools) employed a part-time dietitian, and 53% (94 schools) did not have a dietitian on the faculty. Results showed differences within each group and more variability across all groups. In a majority of schools, basic nutrition was a required, three-credit course, taught by a registered dietitian. In one-third of the schools without a dietitian, approximately 15 hours of basic nutrition content was integrated into nursing courses by faculty members who were registered nurses. In most programs, diet therapy was integrated into nursing courses. Teaching responsibilities in the clinical practice area were not always a workload constituent of the full- and part-time faculty dietitians. Several interdependent factors are identified that influence nutrition education in baccalaureate nursing programs. They include and relate to the components of the nutrition curriculum, the implementation plan, and academic preparation of faculty. As the profession of nursing continues to be redefined, revisions in the nutrition component of curriculums will need to be based on present and emerging practice.