Studying the transition from graduate to health practitioner: The Griffith Dietetics Graduate Outcomes Survey

Abstract

Understanding health workforce profiles is important for planning. This study aimed to explore the experiences and influences on graduate dietitians transitioning to employment. A mixed-methods case-study design was used. Graduates of Griffith University Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics 2017-2019 cohorts (n = 150) were invited to participate. Purpose-developed surveys were administered prior to graduation and six-months later to examine employment outcomes. Telephone interviews were conducted with participants in the 2017 cohort using a semi-structured protocol and thematically analyzed to further explore key issues arising from the survey results. Qualitative data were synthesized using triangulation of open survey items and interview responses. Baseline data were provided by 137 graduates (91%), with 110 (80%) completing the six-month survey. At six-months, 84 of the 98 (85%) respondents seeking employment reported being employed as a dietitian (private practice, n = 46; hospital, n = 26), 39 of whom were working full-time. Key themes included the importance of networking to gain employment, willingness to relocate to rural areas, the need to persevere, and the need for supported career development. These findings can be used to inform dietetic education and workforce preparation.

Keywords: allied health; dietitian; employability; graduate; workforce.