10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Registered Dietitian

After I passed my RD exam, I knew that I wanted to work with people on achieving safe and sustainable weight loss. I loved my clinical rotation and have mad respect for my preceptors. I just knew that from the beginning of my nutrition career, I wanted to work as an RD in the fitness industry.

Moving to Denver, CO seemed like the perfect opportunity to launch my dietetics career. Denver is full of ways to be active. Boutique gyms, cycling studios, and the Rockies! My first day here, I stopped at a Trader Joe’s and nearly everyone was wearing workout clothes. I definitely fit in.

It was apparent that people in Denver really cared about their health and nutrition. Every where I go, there is a Whole Foods in the neighborhood (it’s like the equivalent of Stewarts in upstate NY). But I've notice some serious struggles about my beloved career choice. Most of them due to the extreme popularity nutrition has gotten the last few years. These tips are all based on my perceptions and I totally understand if people have opposing or just different views. If anyone has any thoughts, feel free to share in the comments!

1.Everyone Eats, Therefore Everyone is a Nutrition Expert

You must admit that this is partially true. Registered Dietitians learn about counseling and working with different cultures. We have the knowledge on how to sustain optimal human nutrition. We live and breathe human nutrition science. Clients benefits from our knowledge and our people-skills and clients know their bodies best.

The Registered Dietitian recognizes that cultures influence dietary patterns. Your clients know what they will and will not do to change their habits. They are the expert of themselves. Work with them, but don’t be afraid to establish yourself as the expert of nutrition.

2.Your Job is Not Protected

The worst part of it all. Despite your grueling 4 years of biochemistry, metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, food service management, the agony of submitting to DICAs, the stress of having only a 50% chance of getting an internship, working full-time for negative dollars an hour (really I made -15.48 an hour each hour of my internship), AND THEN passing the exam… you’re credentials don’t outweigh the influence of the IG model with 50k followers.

Dietitians need licensure. The scope of medical nutrition therapy should be practiced only by RDs. Very few states protect the RD's scope of practice and even though the public would be safer if the whole country required licensure. You wouldn't see a certified doctor to treat your disease right?

I was lucky to have professors in NY who taught us the importance of licensure. They had us participate in Lobby Day during our internship so we can talk to legislators about passing the bill in NYS. But not every RD2BE or intern is exposed to this. NY doesn't have licensure, neither does Colorado and it affects millions of people. "If dietetics is your profession, policy is your passion" (eatright.org). Click here for more info on licensure.

3. Loans, Fees, and CEUs

Okay okay, every degree will likely cause some debt. However, the uniqueness of paying for your internship while your homies from high school are interning for pay makes pursuing the RD extra debt-y.

My advice is try to live at home. You’re parents can be pretty cool! Distance internships are getting more popular now and on-line programs like The Sage Colleges MS in Applied Nutrition make this possible. I didn’t work during my internship. I took out a 20k dollar loan, and lived off of my savings. My parents also took out a parent plus loan.

I’m $42,488 (+ $1,784 in interest) in the hole, but I’ll be crawling out with a BS in Nutrition Science, Registered Dietitian credentials, and a Master’s in Applied Nutrition. Considering the average loan debt after 4 years is 37k, I think I'm doing all right....? I'm sure there are ways to do it more affordably. Eatright.org has scholarships, so does Davita. Look into those as much as you can.

4. You Need a Master’s Degree

By 2024, an MS is required to sit for the RD exam. I’m kind of annoyed by this due to the lack of licensure issue (see #2), but I am more annoyed with the thought of not elevating our status as the true nutrition professional. Considering all of the Master’s programs in Nutrition that people can get these days, you are in the best company with RD,MS status.

Great news though! Many programs are going to turn into a 2+3 programs, coordinated programs are also ideal. I completed graduate courses during my internship and just need to complete 7 more courses (4 after this semester!).

If you don’t do a combined program you have flexibility to choose what you want your MS in and it doesn’t have to be in Nutrition. It can be Exercise Science, an MPH, and MBA. So whether you go full-time, or take a class each semester, make the goal of getting your MS as important as the RD.

5.You Might Not Actually Work as an RD

The RD credential implies you are competent in many roles related to nutrition; clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, school nutrition. The skills required to be an RD are transferrable to non-RD positions. I’m working for a company as a health coach. I am not an RD in this role, but I think having the skill set and background helps me coach users on their nutrition and exercise.

Registered Dietitians go on to get other certifications to specialize. I know several RD CPTs (certified personal trainers) who work at gyms, own their own practices, and guest speak at running clubs. A lot of my fellow RDs are busy entrepreneurs have a major on-line presence. The RD can get you far. I had a Professor who said she has had many jobs but that the only ones she truly loved are the ones she where the RD was required.

6.You Will Clash with Main Stream “Nutritionism”

By the time you graduate, you will have read any where from 1,000 to 4,000 peer-reviewed articles on nutrition science. That is a lot of analyzing, critical thinking, and evidence. So, it is no wonder that when a blog on lemon water curing asthma goes viral, your eyes roll. Discussing gluten, GMO’s, and pegan diets are just about as volatile as religion or politics.

My only advice for this is brace yourself for the madness. When solicited for nutrition advice or meal plans, say you're not giving it for free ;). The World Wide Web is wild wild west. There are illegitimate nutritionists giving nutrition advice. If you don't have a blog, start one or write on someone's already established blog to spread sound nutrition advice.

Nothing that is published by me or any ethical blogger will substitute for medical advice from a physician or medical nutrition therapy from RD.

7. Not Everyone Knows what an RD is

Ouch! Yes, sad but true. To this very day, I am explaining that anyone is a nutritionist but not all nutritionists are dietitians. This is kind of like saying anyone is a runner but not all runners are triathletes or marathoners. Ya feel me? Imagine the hard work a marathon runner puts in. She's giving it her all, for a long long time before the race and obviously during.

Anyone can tell you that eating cauliflower is good for you, can find a calorie calculator, or Google a 1500 calorie meal plan. The endurance needed to achieve the RD goes beyond listing health benefits and telling someone 'eat this, look like that'. As nutrition gets more and more attention, having the RD credential is going to be the best tool to have if you want to be considered an expert.

8.Interpreting Research Correctly is CRITICAL

Remember the 1000-4000 (maybe more?) articles I mentioned? Reading and writing literature reviews will not only give you knowledge of human nutrition it will give you the skill of critical thinking and public speaking. You will present many case studies to your professors, colleagues and maybe some Attending Physicians. Interpreting research is SO important because you can now read mainstream media like a freakin’ detective.

The words “A study found…” mean nothing until you have found that specific study, unlocked it so you can read MORE than the abstract, read the methodology, read the size of the effect, the sample size, and looked to see who was authoring the article and or sponsoring the article.

Even then, a really critical thinker will not be convinced over 1 article. So becoming an RD means you are basically a detective. Go you!

9.Be Prepared to Defend Your Title

I cry a little bit when I type in nutritionist certification and thousands of businesses pop up claiming that their certification is the best. It just is not. I cannot blame the people who want to be educated in the science, but getting the RD gives you the ultimate clinical, management, and community experience to be able to provide quality individualized nutrition. Defend your title to anyone who tells you otherwise and encourage others to go for it too.

There are some who will deny your credibility because of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual Food and Nutrition Conference Expo having vendors promoting certain foods (but this practice is everywhere, not just RD meetings). Others will think you are a shill for the government because you have a picture of the MyPlate hanging (proudly) above your work desk.

Potato, PotAHto, no matter what people think, you know your value, your ethics, and your credibility. Own it!

10. Learn to Work Within Client’s Diet Restrictions

Since the Registered Dietitian is the expert in nutrition, you should embrace all styles of eating patterns. Your purpose is not to tell people what to eat but to guide them towards self-sufficiency with their nutrition. Yes, we have the Nutrition Care Manual with a bounty of medical nutrition therapy supplies, therapeutic diets, client education handouts, etc. Your obligation is to help people optimize their nutrition with evidence based practices and cultural sensitivity.

That includes making sure the vegan mom has enough nutrients while she is breastfeeding. It includes making sure that your athlete is taking his protein powders responsibly and abiding to the NCAA policies. The Registered Dietitian will welcome anyone seeking out a new diet to improve symptoms of a chronic disease by working with him/her & the physician. Have good rapport with other health professionals like counselors, personal trainers, and other RDs who are specialist in X,Y,Z and be ready to make referrals accordingly.

So if nutrition is truly your passion, and you want to have the most respected credential and become a Registered Dietitian (or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) know that you are doing the right thing! It will take lots of hard work, but that is what makes it all worth it!

#RegisteredDietitian #Licensure #protection #scopeofpractice #nutrition #dietetics #Masters #graduateschool #roadtoRD