The Role of Nurses and Nutrition in Healthy Patients
Nutrition is the main contributor to human health. The popular dieticians saying that we are what we eat is undeniably very accurate. Proper nutrition does not only keep us healthy and strong, it plays a fundamental role in preventing us from infections and also enhances the recovery process after an illness. While it is the role of dieticians and nutritionists to teach people about proper nutrition, the lack of enough dieticians in the health care industry forces nurses to take up the role because they are the primary point of contact with the patients. To effectively teach and explain about nutrition, nurses must thoroughly understand the ins and outs of proper nutrition and the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet regime. Above all, nurses should purpose to lead by example by observing healthy eating habits.
The Link Between Nutrition and Health
A healthy dietary routine is vital in disease prevention. Good nutrition is not only vital in preventing deficiency diseases but also chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart diseases. Nurses are skilled to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Nurses who work in hospitals mostly focus on the dietary needs of patients recovering from illnesses. However, community nurses are concerned with promoting proper nutritional habits focused on prevention. Community nurses can reach out directly to people in community centers, institutions, and support groups.
In addition, nutrition also affects how a person responds to an infection. The nutritional state of a patient affects their outcomes during an illness and the chances of a smooth recovery. In the United States, all patients must undergo nutritional screening at the time of admission. Unfortunately, most people are already severely malnourished during admission, which impairs the recovery process. This calls for early screening programs in the society before illness and hospitalization occur to boost chances of recovery and survival.
What is the Role of a Nurse in teaching their patients about nutrition?
All nurses have a responsibility in addressing the nutritional needs of their patients. Luckily, there are unlimited methods that can be employed to teach patients and society in general about nutrition as it relates to their health. These methods range from very simple acts such as holding conversations with patients at their bedside regarding the healthy foods available in the hospital, emphasizing the benefits of maintaining proper nutrition, and following up with them after being discharged. Competent nurses can prepare and conduct PowerPoint presentations in community clinics and health fairs. Nurses can also develop educative literature that offers nutrition guidelines and distribute them to members of society. School nurses can get involved by holding interactive programs where they discuss healthy nutrition and also prepare brochures that students can keep with them at all times.
Knight, Janet. “Community nutrition nurse specialist role: a service improvement.” British Journal of Community Nursing 25.2 (2020): 76-81.
Patience, Sara. “Advising patients on nutrition and healthy eating.” British Journal of Nursing 25.21 (2016): 1182-1186.
Xu, Xiaoyue, et al. “Where is the nurse in nutritional care?.” (2017): 267-270.

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