The Rising Need for Competency in Nutrition Support
The Rising Need for Competency in Nutrition Support
by Bridget Storm, MA, RD, LDN, CNSC
The field of clinical nutrition is undergoing significant shifts, driven by increasing demand and evolving clinical practice requirements. According to recent data, the demand for Registered Dietitians (RDs) is predicted to grow by 7% over the next decade, while the number of clinical RDs has decreased by 9% in just three years. This mismatch between supply and demand has placed many healthcare facilities in a challenging position, struggling to meet staffing needs. The situation calls for a renewed focus on competency development, especially as new and incoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) find themselves in increasingly complex clinical environments in their early careers. The increased complexity of patient cases highlights the necessity for robust clinical training, which has often shifted to being done on the job.Dietetic interns and newly credentialed RDNs may face a
significant gap between their medical nutrition therapy (MNT) education and
real-world clinical practice. This gap can be attributed to changes in
supervised practice requirements and academic credentials. Notably, the total
required supervised practice hours for dietetic certification were recently
reduced from 1200 to 1000 hours, with a minimum of 700 hours spent in onsite
clinical settings. Moreover, while a Master’s degree is now required to take the
RD exam, this degree does not necessarily have to be in dietetics, as long as
the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) requirements are met. Adding to this
complexity, the recency of DPD education is left to the discretion of
individual programs, leading to variability in readiness for clinical practice.
This evolving landscape means that many new RDNs may not
meet the same clinical competency standards as those entering the field before
these changes. Despite this, new professionals are often tasked with providing
care that exceeds the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and
Dietetics (ACEND) entry-level competency expectations. Consequently, there is
an increasing reliance on on-the-job training to bridge these gaps, although
the quality and consistency of such training can vary based on the availability
of qualified mentors and leaders in each facility.
Competency in nutrition support requires much more than
simply meeting the minimum standards of clinical education. New and practicing
RDNs alike must continually hone their skills and stay current with
evidence-based practices. Key areas of competency include:
· Staying current with evidence-based practice: Continuous professional development ensures that RDNs maintain the knowledge, skills, and judgment necessary to provide high-quality care.
· Utilizing data-driven decision-making: Effective patient care relies on gathering and interpreting appropriate data to guide treatment plans.
· Engagement in quality improvement: RDNs should participate in both self-evaluation and broader quality improvement efforts within their practice settings. Applying feedback from these efforts is essential for professional growth and ensuring that care standards are met.
Looking Ahead: Solutions for Future Competency
To address these challenges, healthcare facilities should
consider implementing more structured competency development programs and
offering clear guidelines for clinical orientation duration. Investing in
experienced mentors who can guide new RDNs through the intricacies of
high-acuity patient care will also be critical. Additionally, creating formal
competency evaluation frameworks will ensure that new professionals are
adequately prepared for the demands of clinical practice. The field of
nutrition and dietetics is at a crossroads, with staffing shortages and
increasing patient complexity requiring creative solutions. By focusing on
competency development and supporting new RDNs with proper training, the
profession can continue to grow and meet the needs of the healthcare system
while ensuring the highest standards of patient care.
Interested in increasing your proficiency in nutrition support? Check out our CNSC Study Guide and our training guide: Feeding the Critically Ill & GI Compromised.
- Dietitian
and Nutritionist. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department
of Labor. Accessed 6/18/24. Dietitians
and Nutritionists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (bls.gov).
- RD
Examination - Eligibility Requirements. Accessed 7/29/24. https://www.cdrnet.org/RDNeligibility.
- ACEND
Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Graduate Degree
Programs. June 2022. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and
Dietetics; 1-45.
- Doley J.
Dietetics Education: Will Enough RDs Enter the Workforce? Today’s
Dietitian 2024, Vol 26 (2); 14.
- Revised 2024
Scope and Standards of Practice for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.
Commission on Dietetic Registration Scope and Standards of Practice Task
Force. Pg 1-58.
- Stein K and
Rops M. The Commission on Dietetic Registration: Ahead of the Trends for a
Competent 21st Century Workforce. J Acad Nutr and Diet 2016 Dec;
Vol 116 (12): 1981-1997.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2016.09.019.
- Corrigan ML
et al Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for
Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Revised 2021 Standards of Practice and
Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian
Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Nutrition Support. J
Acad Nutr and Diet 2021 Oct; 121 (10): P2071-2086.E59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2021.05.026.
Comments
Post a Comment