Nutrition nurses are knowledgeable in the myriad ways in which a person’s diet and nutritional intake can impact their wellness, mental health, and physical health. They work in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and specialized nutrition facilities, with some working as independent contractors.
Most nutrition nurses are licensed registered nurses (RNs). Individuals interested in becoming nutrition nurses must first complete a nursing program such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program and obtain RN licensure through their state board of nursing. After gaining experience as a working RN, you could choose to pursue a specialization to focus on nutrition.
What Is a Nutrition Nurse?
The links between nutrition, mental health, and physical health have been researched extensively in recent years. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that an appropriate diet can prevent, manage, or reverse the adverse physical effects of certain health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Another study in Cureus suggests that eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of developing clinical depression.
Nutrition nurses are front-line healthcare practitioners who help their patients understand the importance of a healthy diet. They combine their expertise in clinical nursing with their knowledge of nutrition to combat some of the deadliest diseases facing Americans.
Job Responsibilities: What a Nutrition Nurse Does
Nutrition nurses spend a great deal of their time working with patients of all ages who need help managing their diet due to their health conditions. They also inform patients about nutrition’s role in preventing diabetes, obesity, and other diseases.
Although their job responsibilities may vary depending on their employers, most nutrition nurses carry out the following duties and tasks on a daily basis:
- Performing nutritional assessments in an effort to understand their patients’ dietary needs
- Creating detailed diet plans based on their patients’ conditions and goals
- Monitoring their patients’ progress to ensure they achieve their milestones
- Identifying candidates who may require tube feedings (either temporarily or long term) to have their nutritional needs met
- Developing and monitoring nutrition plans for tube-fed patients
- Administering nutrition, usually intravenously, to patients in need who cannot tolerate tube feedings
- Interpreting the results of laboratory tests to develop or modify patients’ nutrition plans
- Educating patients about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle
- Following up with patients as needed to ensure their progress or modify their nutrition plans
Steps to Become a Nutrition Nurse
Nutrition nurses make a meaningful impact in countless lives. Using the power of nutritious food to help people overcome conditions like diabetes and obesity with minimal pharmaceutical intervention, nutrition nurses have interesting and fulfilling jobs.
The steps in pursuing a nutrition nurse role are as follows:
Earn a Nursing Degree
An Associate Degree in Nursing is the minimum degree required to become an RN in all 50 states. The coursework in an ADN program teaches students the basics of clinical nursing and prepares them for entry-level nursing roles in any of a variety of settings. Graduates are qualified to pursue a wide range of ADN careers, including but not limited to nutrition nursing. An ADN program generally takes about two to three years to complete.
Some entry-level nurses earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as their first degree; RNs with an ADN can advance their careers by going on to earn a BSN.
Obtain a Nursing License
After completing an accredited nursing program, prospective nutrition nurses must obtain an RN license to work in their state. Though the requirements may vary somewhat from one state nursing board to the next, all RNs must sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Gain Work Experience
Aspiring nutrition nurses usually start out working as general registered nurses immediately after obtaining licensure to gain experience. They work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities, corporations’ wellness programs, schools, and prisons. This clinical experience can prove useful for moving into a nutrition-focused role.
Explore and Participate in Further Professional Development
Some nutrition nurses choose to obtain a certification to demonstrate their commitment to keeping themselves informed on the latest studies, research, and nutrition practices. Following are some of the most common nutrition-focused certifications:
- AANC Certification: Offered by the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, AANC certification demonstrates a nurse’s commitment to nutritional counseling.
- Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC): The CNSC credential is awarded by the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification (NBNSC). It validates the practitioners’ skills and knowledge, showing that they can provide quality nutritional care.
- Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS): The American Nutrition Association (ANA) offers the CNS credential, which is awarded after passing an exam that covers topics such as clinical intervention and monitoring, medical nutrition therapy, public health, nutrition assessment, nutrients and human health, the biochemistry of nutrition, and the principles of nutrition.
Nutrition Nurse Job Outlook
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that more than 828 million people — more than 9% of the world’s population — suffered from hunger in the previous year. The world has taken a step backward in the fight against hunger, despite countless charity programs, nonprofit groups, and other organizations working hard to eliminate it. An influx of nutrition-focused health professionals may help turn the tide.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of registered nurses, including nutrition nurses, will rise by 6% between 2022 and 2032. Additional research showing the undeniable links between nutrition, wellness, physical illness, and mental illness is likely to drive employment forward in future years.
Provide Collaborative Holistic Care as a Nutrition Nurse
If you are passionate about helping people adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent or eliminate illnesses and diseases, a role as a nutrition nurse can be an excellent career choice for you.
Enrolling in the St. Paul’s School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is an excellent first step toward fulfilling your career goal of becoming a nutrition nurse. The program includes registered nursing as well as liberal arts courses, arming you with the tools and knowledge you need to respond to patients’ nutritional gaps.
Explore the healthcare career opportunities you can pursue with an ADN from St. Paul’s School of Nursing.
Recommended Readings
5 Ways Nurses Make a Difference in Their Patients’ Lives
Five Alternative Nursing Careers Outside of Bedside Nursing
6 Tips for Avoiding Nursing Pitfalls When You’re New in Your Nursing Career