Preprofessional Identity of Nutrition and Dietetics Students in Australia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the preprofessional identity of undergraduate nutrition and dietetic students to guide curriculum development to better support the expectations of students and promote career readiness in a changing profession. Design: Qualitative focus group discussions in March, 2021. Setting: An Australian university. Participants: First-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nutrition (n = 50) or Bachelor of Dietetics (n = 58) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Main Outcome Measures: Student sociodemographics, motivations for and influences on career choice and preprofessional identity, expectations of professional competency and practice, degree, and career expectations. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were conducted, and focus group discussions were analyzed using the Framework Approach. Results: Motivations and skills were consistent across both cohorts, centering on an interest in nutrition and respectful, professional conduct and communication. Expectations were similar across both degrees, with a focus on placement, real-world learning experiences, and staff support. Career expectations for both cohorts included business ownership. Conclusions and Implications: This research provided an understanding of students’ preprofessional identity, which was similar for both nutrition and dietetics students. Motivations identified in this research can be used to inform activities across nutrition and dietetic programs that support career readiness.