Next Chapter: The Internship
Many of you have been following along since day one (sending virtual hugs your way!). However, for those who are newer here, you are probably wondering what the title of this post means. For the last *almost* 5 years of my life, I have dreamt of being a registered dietitian nutritionist. Becoming a dietitian is not an easy feat. First, you have to complete four years of undergrad in an accredited program and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Food Science with a dietetics concentration. This major consists of several science courses (i.e. general chemistry I & II, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology I & II), medical nutrition therapy, coaching and counseling, food service management, etc. In addition to the rigorous didactic courses, we are required to build a resume by volunteering and/or working in food service, being involved in clubs, and maintain a competitive GPA.
Next, becoming an RDN requires a minimum completion of 1200 hours of supervised practice in a dietetic internship. Every applicant applies to DICAS (Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System), which is where you submit a lengthy application consisting of a personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, a GRE score, resume, and a ton of information about personal background, colleges attended, courses completed, etc. After applying, applicants who are being considered by their program will be asked for an interview (which is nerve-racking, to say the least!). After about 6 weeks, applicants find out if they matched through another portal known as D&D Digital. The national match rate is 55%, which makes it highly competitive. This process is like applying to medical school in the nutrition world. Programs can last anywhere from 6 to 24 months long. Beginning in 2024, anyone who wants to become a dietitian will be required to have a master’s degree, so sooner or later, all of the programs will be rather lengthy.
THEN you have to pass a national credentialing exam, and if you pass, then voila! You have passed through all of the hoops and are officially a registered dietitian.
On April 5th, I was honored to accept a position with The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Dietetic Internship, which is a momentous step towards becoming a registered dietitian. It has definitely been a long road with lots of hard work, prayers, daily calls to my mother, and pep talks from my husband. I have received SO much love from you guys in direct messages and comments. I wish I could hug each and every one of you. Thank you thank you thank you for all of your support. It has fueled my fire during this journey, and I am so excited to share this next chapter with you!