They can be dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice providers, or other healthcare providers, and below is a description of the unique contribution of each discipline. NSPs work independently or as part of a nutrition support team in a variety of settings, including hospitals, home care agencies, long-term care facilities, research facilities, and academia.
NSPs utilize evidence-based clinical guidance to deliver enteral and parenteral care to patients. They learn through on-the-job training and by networking with other NSPs and professional organizations such as ASPEN. Many take a certification examination to solidify their credentials in nutrition support and advance their careers.
Continuing education is crucial to the practice of nutrition support therapy. ASPEN provides numerous continuing education opportunities, including conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and online learning to help NSPs stay up to date on the latest nutrition research and clinical guidance. ASPEN also offers leadership, volunteer, and networking opportunities.
Unique Contribution of Each Discipline to the Provision of Nutrition Support
The primary roles of nutrition support dietitians are to conduct individualized nutrition screening and assessment, develop and implement a nutrition care plan, monitor the patient’s response to the nutrition care delivered, and develop a transitional feeding care plan or termination of nutrition support as appropriate. They may also participate in research activities.
The responsibilities of a nutrition support nurse vary with the practitioner’s educational background, position, and practice environment. The scope of practice includes, but is not limited to, the following: directing patient care including nutrition screening and assessment, intravenous and enteral access, education of patients and caregivers, and participation in research activities.
Nurse practitioners can practice in specialty areas or primary care and are most often able to prescribe nutrition support therapy along with medications, treatments, and diagnostic tests. They also participate in transition of care planning. Not all nutrition support nurses are nurse practitioners, although many are.
Nutrition support pharmacists prepare the parenteral nutrition formulation prescribed and provide direct patient care. They may also manage the nutrition support program and improve its quality by educating other healthcare professionals, students, patients, and caregivers. Many pharmacists also participate in research activities.
Nutrition support physicians lead the nutrition care implementation structure. These physicians must be familiar with all aspects of nutrition care, including patient screening, assessment, diagnosis, development and implementation of a nutrition care plan, patient monitoring, and termination of therapy. Nutrition support physicians may oversee the nutrition care provided by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dietitians, nurses, and pharmacists, and engage in all aspects of the direct care of patients’ nutrition needs as indicated.
Physician Assistants can practice in specialty areas or primary care and are able to prescribe nutrition support therapy along with medications, treatments, and diagnostic tests related to nutrition support therapy.