title: The state of sexuality education in baccalaureate nursing programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a great deal of consensus about the need for sexuality education in nursing education programs, however the current state of sexuality education in the United States in terms of the content and amount of time dedicated to sexuality content has not been examined since 1976.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to describe the amount and focus of sexuality content currently taught and to identify the barriers to the inclusion of sexuality education in baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an exploratory, descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was gathered from nurse educators across the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nurse educators who teach in baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online email survey with closed and open questions. Open responses were categorized and counted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The current state of sexuality education in nursing programs in the United States was examined and found to be lacking consistent and adequate information. Only 16% of nurse educator participants believe their students are prepared to deal with sexuality issues in the clients they work with and 27% report that sexuality content is not part of their curriculum. Some programs do not cover content such as LGBT sexual health, normal sexual function, and taking a sexual history. Barriers to sexuality education include lack of time, higher priority given to other content, and lack of comfort with the topic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexuality education in nursing programs is lacking and this oversight prevents the adequate education of nursing students. This lack of adequate sexuality content highlights the need for standardization of sexuality education in nursing curricula so that nursing students can learn to provide truly holistic care of clients.
authors.affiliation: RN 3307 Third Ave West, Suite 106, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119, United States.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Aaberg
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011361:Professional Competence; D012736:Sex Education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Holistic nursing care; Human sexuality; Nursing education; Undergraduate