Factors impacting job satisfaction of registered dietitian nutritionists who do or do not precept students

Hernandez, Jennifer (2023) Factors impacting job satisfaction of registered dietitian nutritionists who do or do not precept students. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Hernandez_2023_factors_impacting_job_satisfaction_registered_dietitian.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB)

Abstract

Preceptors are essential components of dietetics education, providing practical instruction to future Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). Preceptors are generally not employed by educational providers, making their recruitment and retention a challenge to program directors and a limiting factor to how many students can complete educational requirements for the profession. Job satisfaction in RDNs has been studied; however, no known studies of correlates of preceptor role satisfaction were found. This study uses Career Construction Theory (Savickas, 2005) to frame discussions around RDN job and precepting satisfaction. Five hundred sixty (560) RDNs completed a survey including demographics, Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey (Spector, 1985), Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire (Spector, n.d.-b), and Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (Clance, n.d.). Correlates of satisfaction, including years of experience, age, utilizing a mentor, and impostor phenomenon, were assessed. Both job and preceptor role satisfaction had a positive correlation with reporting having a mentor and a negative correlation with impostor phenomenon. The majority of RDNs did not report high impostor phenomenon scores, with no differences by primary practice area. RDNs with a doctorate reported lower levels of impostor phenomenon than those with a bachelor degree. A large proportion of RDNs were satisfied with their jobs and precepting experiences, with a similar proportion reporting ambivalence. No significant difference was found in mean job satisfaction scores by practice area; however, people with experience as a preceptor and those who had received mentoring reported higher satisfaction scores than those who never precepted students or never had someone they considered a mentor. The data suggest that mentors may help RDNs work through career self-image and challenges faced in job roles. Implications for practice and future research are discussed, including exploration of how RDNs utilize mentorship and how those relationships are linked to reduced impostor phenomenon feelings and enhanced job/ role satisfaction, as well as potential benefits of formal mentoring programs for educational programs and employers.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	impostor phenomenon; Job satisfaction; mentor; preceptor; Registered Dietitian Nutritionists; Career Construction Theory, Spector's Job Satisfaction Survey
Subjects:	T Technology > TX Home economics
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Education > Teaching and Learning
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2026 20:51
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2026 20:51
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6297

Actions (login required)

IR Staff Record View

Downloads