Is anyone here a Dietitian or Nutritionist?

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I was diagnosed with bc three years ago this week.  Since then, I have been trying to educate myself and others about what the best foods to eat along with having a healthy lifestyle.  I have been considering getting my degree as a Registered Dietition or Nutritionist.  Unfortunately, to be a RD, you have to go to an ADA accredited college/course, internship and test.  Plus I hear that they teach the food pyramid and don't think "outside the box" on nutrition like using organic foods, herbs, supplements, etc.  Some RDs do think "outside the box" but they're not taught that way while getting the degree.  Also, you can become a certified nutritionist but I don't know if you can get that certification without being an RD plus may not be able to get licensed by the state unless you're an RD.  I've read that a lot of hospitals or companies won't hire you if you have a BS in Nutrition but it's not through an ADA accredited program. (RD)

Is there anyone out there who is an RD or certified nutritionist that can shed some light on this?  I would love to be able to get a good paying job teaching others to eat healthy and have a healthy lifestyle without having to go through the accredited ADA program and learn something that I don't totally agree with.  This is a big step for me because I never had the chance or support to go to college before and I will be starting from scratch so it's a big time and money investment.  I need to make sure I'm doing it the right way. 

Thanks.

Comments

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited February 2011

    Perhaps there is a different accreditation that will allow you do what you want.  Personal trainer or similar venue?  I'd imagine they want to maintain a certain academic standard for RD accreditation.  Our daughter has just graduated with her bachelor of Nutrition and will be taking the provincial test soon to finish her acceditation.  Nearly 5 years of combined school and clinical experience.  She did her degree at McGill (Montreal Canada).

  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited February 2011

    Piping up as a patient of dieticians.  I have a digestive disorder and would only really want to go to someone with the certification and training from an accredited institution.  I have specialized needs and would be very concerned about someone holding themselves out as a dietician without this kind of academic expertise.

     It sounds like you have some theories and want the bona fides of the title to support you, but you aren't open to the training and education you would get to go with that title -- training and education that might lead you to question some of your fixed ideas.  If that is the case, then what you really want to do is promote your ideas and perhaps you should follow Timothy's suggested approach.  Get some other kind of degree or certification so that people would understand when they hired you that you are coming from where you are coming from, and not necessarily within the mainstream of the profession. 

  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited February 2011

    mocame, I looked into similar training years ago and it just looked too heavily steeped in the kind of mentality that has failed to find a cancer cure for decades now.  I've been learning on my own since my own dx in 2004 and thank goodness for the internet.  When I think of what I was offered in the doctors' offices, I realize now there are so many more options.  And there are so many things we can do for ourselves that are within our control, like ditching the processed foods, avoiding genetically modified foods, learning how it's possible to be overweight and be malnourished at the same time.  There's a school that teaches nutrition and lifestyle choices with this kind of mindset.  You earn a health coach certification upon graduation.  It's not a high-powered heavy duty credential, but imo, I don't think I really need one to simply be of help to others simply navigate a grocery store and make better choices.  The school is the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.  They have a distance learning program now and I'm planning to start classes next month. 

  • mocame
    mocame Member Posts: 669
    edited February 2011

    Thanks, Timothy.  I'm not sure how it works in Canada since the only college options I saw on the ADA's website was from the US.  I hope your daughter passes her test with flying colors!

    Member... I'm not trying to get the title without the education. This education will take me at least 6 years to get and I want to be licensed.  I just would like the option of going to a school that is closer with curriculum that teaches herbs, supplements, etc., along with the regular curriculum.  Timothy's daughter is getting the same degree as I would except that to be an RD, you have to have that degree from ADA accredited school, go to their accredited internship, and then take the test.  Other colleges have the same degree but not ADA accredited. There are RD's out there in the mainstream that are certified nutritionists and teach about herbs, supplements, whole foods, etc. and I'm just trying to find out if I HAVE to go this route to get there or if there is another way.  I'm not trying to "promote my ideas" without any education. 

    althea...Thanks for the information.  I will check it out. Do you think there are job options out there for that degree?  That is my concern. Everything I'm reading in job openings and information online is that everyone wants only that accredidation. 

  • althea
    althea Member Posts: 1,595
    edited February 2011

    I'd suggest you visit their site and form your own opinions about what they offer.  If it appeals to your interest, get on their subscriber list.  They have a blog that distributes via email, and there will be opportunities to get discounts on the tuition. 

  • mocame
    mocame Member Posts: 669
    edited February 2011

    Thanks, althea!

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited February 2011

    I am an RD (registered Dietitian).

    I went to an accredited college which included the internship program in the 4 year plan.

    Some colleges offer the degree, but in order to get registered you need to do a 2 year internship, which I hear is hard to find/get into.

    I agree that they do not think outside the box and I was very disappointed in the program.  I will also say that finding work is difficult in this field unless you are a go-getter and love public speaking.

    I went to school in Wisconsin and that was how it worked there.  Nutritionists may only require a certificate to get the name.  Some states have no regulation for othe title "nutritionist" and anyone can call themselves a nutritionist---I think Jillian Michaels(Sp?) from the Big Loser does this but not positive.

    I ended up going for a Master's in Library/information science and focused on medical librarianship and then worked with a doctor who believed in wellness and thought outside the box.  

    Librarians make more money than dietitians.  Some states require master's degrees for it and other states do not.

  • mocame
    mocame Member Posts: 669
    edited February 2011

    wallycat, thanks for the information.  It gives me something to think about.

    What exactly do you do now that you have the library/information science degree?  What does that job entail?  I never heard of it.

  • PB22
    PB22 Member Posts: 315
    edited February 2011

    I'm a Registered Dietitian/Licensed Nutritionist. I have a BS degree from an accredited ADA college and completed year long dietetic internship to sit for the exam. The undergraduate focus on sciences such as biochemistry, organic, anatomy ,physiology, same as a premed program. The internship is usually in a hospital which gives you the clinical experience in all disease states. It is w this background you have the ability to review clinical studies and nutritional claims in order to use them w your pts/clients. In order to keep your credentials you must maintain 75 continuing credits in 5 years in your area of interest. This is where you can "think outside the box" and study complementary nutrition. You cannot prescribe an herbal without understanding it's chemistry and understanding the medical hx of your client, their diseases, their allergies. One thing is to read when it's indicated but you have to understand all the health concerns your client may be undergoing and their meds and how to recognize reactions. A dietitian in private practice have the flexibility to utilizenoutside the box because she will carry malpractice insurance where a hospital Dietitian will use evidence based nutrition therapy following standards of care. You can pm me with any questions you may have.

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited February 2011

    Mocame, after I got my Master's, I worked in a medical library.

    A doc at one of the clinics began a wellness program and needed a medical researcher.  Since I had experience locating and interpreting studies, I interviewed for the job and got it.

    It was an exciting and amazing job.  It allowed me to use both my library skills and my knowledge of medical info plus my love of holistic/"outside the box" thinking that I had ever since I was 19.  :)

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011

    Just saw this thread.how interesting.I just finished 33 rounds of rads.AND I am NED.yay.But my onc wants me on the ALs.I was on arumidex for 3 weeks and had major stomach issure.always had that problem.I want nothing to do with any of the meds.I just dont know where to start.I gave up Beef and Dairy and my lifelong migraines stopped.I dont know what else to do.I read a lot and there is sooo much yes and no that im very confused.any info would be a great start.I do have a problem with veggies due to the stomach issues.HELP....

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited February 2011

    On an encouraging note for the nutritional experts of the future, our daughter did a paper in her final year on the subject of Reishi mushrooms and the evidence for benefit to cancer patients.  Her boyfriend, also in the same faculty (Nutrition), did a presentation on the subject of evidence that metformin may provide benefit to breast cancer patients.  Good to see forward thinking in our established medical education system.

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