Nutrition assessment: experience is not a predictor of knowledge.
This study tested an evidence-based nutrition education program for licensed nurses working in nursing homes who scored an average of 56% on a pretest. Posttest scores averaged 66%, demonstrating a continuing deficit of basic nutritional knowledge despite the educational intervention. Statistical analysis revealed that less experienced nurses scored better on posttests than more experienced nurses; more experienced nurses performed nutritional assessment more often than less experienced nurses; and more experienced nurses were usually charge nurses or nurses completing Minimum Data Sets. Although the education did not eliminate all deficits in nutrition knowledge, a decrease in the percentage of residents with significant weight loss was noted.
Crogan
N L
NL
Intercollegiate College of Nursing, Washington State University College of Nursing, Spokane 99224-5291, USA.
Evans
B C
BC
D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation