Expanding Nutrition Opportunities from Hospital into the Community

Abstract

Employment opportunities in the hospital setting continue to decline because of downsizing and the changing health care arena.1 Yet, opportunities in the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (or Cooperative Extension System, as it is often called), particularly Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), are growing. Although funding for the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) varies from state to state and area to area, national funding has been fairly stable over the past several years. In addition, each year more CSREES programs secure grant funds to accomplish their mission. This support offers broadened opportunities for new employees, creating an abundance of opportunity for nutrition professionals to move out of the hospital treatment setting and into the community, where preventive intervention can be implemented and achieved.