If you're interested in health, nutrition, and food, you may want to consider working as a dietitian.Food and nutrition experts who work on a variety of issues related to foodThey are able to prepare food, conduct research, and coach people on healthy nutrition.You need more than just an interest in food to become a successful and registered dietitian.
Step 1: Do you know about the benefits?
Being a food and nutrition expert can be very rewarding.There are many benefits to being a dietitian, even though it can be a competitive industry.It takes a lot of knowledge.You will need to know about a lot of things.It can be rewarding to help someone get healthy or make proper food choices.It comes with some emotional demands.You will have to navigate personal dynamics from patients to family members and other healthcare providers.Once she is registered, a dietitian can go down a lot of different paths.You will have a better idea of which avenue you are most comfortable in once you have completed an internship.
Step 2: Consider your skills and education.
Before you can become a registered dietitian, you need to assess your abilities and education.If you take an objective view of what you have to offer, you can decide if being a dietitian is right for you.One way to think about your ability to be a dietitian is to consider an experience you have had with someone.You could shadow a dietitian for a day to get a better idea of what she does, or even discuss it as a career.You will need at least a bachelor's degree, a graduate degree and 1200 hours of supervised practice to pass the national exam.This might be too much of a time commitment for some people, or may not be the right choice if you aren't a strong student.It takes a long time to be successful.It can take a long time to become a registered dietitian.It can take years to build up a client base or find a good job.It is possible to relax and make the process of becoming a dietitian more enjoyable by knowing the commitment up front.You need an accredited dietetics program to get a bachelor's degree.This requires courses in biology, psychology, and human nutrition.1200 hours of supervised practice is required for an accredited dietetic organization.
Step 3: Do you think being a dietitian will fit in with your lifestyle?
Consider how being a dietitian will affect you and your family.It's important to know whether the time, emotional, and physical aspects fit in with your lifestyle if you want to become a dietitian.Is it possible that you can handle the physical demands?Depending on where you work, you may need to stand or sit.Does your diet fit your personality?It's important to work with patients and other people.If you enjoy helping people and working with them, you may be a good choice as a dietitian.
Step 4: Do you meet your financial needs as a dietician?
Dietitians make an average of $55,000 per year.Depending on your experience and location, this amount can change.If the average pay is in line with your financial requirements, then you should go ahead and become a registered dietician.The minimum wage is less than the average salary of a registered dietitian, which is $26.56 per hour.Private practice dietitians tend to make the most money as they are in business for themselves, control their schedules and keep all of the revenue for their services.You will have to pay taxes for your salary, but you will also get health benefits and vacation time.There is growth in the field of dietetics.There should be plenty of opportunities to find a job between 2010 and 2020 because current projects forecast a growth rate of 20%.
Step 5: A bachelor's degree is required.
A bachelor's degree is required to work as a registered dietitian.You can get a degree in dietetics, food science, nutrition, or another related field.This can help you understand the different aspects of being a dietitian, as well as furthering your education.The courses should be approved by the ACEND.If you have a bachelor's degree in a related field, you may want to get a masters degree or PhD.
Step 6: An internship is accredited.
Every person who wants to work as a dietitian has to complete an internship.The supervised practice needs to be accredited by the ACEND.It takes 1200 hours to do an internship, which is about six to 12 months.You can do an internship at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a restaurant.If you want to specialize in dietetics for obese patients, you should consider this for your internship.There are over 250 accredited programs in North America and around the world.There is a list of professionals with whom to intern on the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.dietetic internships are very competitive.You'll want to be armed with three internships that you'd like and be prepared to write extensive applications/essays/projects for each one.
Step 7: Pass the national exam.
If you pass the national exam, you can become a registered dietitian.Once you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree program and a supervised internship, you can take the exam.Prepare for the test and application process will be given to you by the program director of your internship.Purchase study aids or join a study group to improve your chances of passing.You can retest 45 days after you fail the exam.
Step 8: You can find a job.
There are many institutions in which you can find a job as a registered dietitian.There are a lot of jobs for a Dietitian at any given time.The clinical field is where most dietitians start.It is possible to start your own private practice.Sending applications to different places can help you find your dream job.Food service management, government, education, research, and the private sector are some of the industries Dietitians can work in.You can find jobs at universities, hospitals, cafeterias, and schools.You can work as a private contractor, which will allow you to get experience in a bunch of different areas, as well as let you pick and choose when and for whom you work.Once you have some experience, start your own practice.It is a good idea to build up a client base before taking this step.
Step 9: You need to maintain your credentials as a registered dietitian.
Continuation education is required for you to maintain your certification.This can help you keep up with the latest research and trends in your field.You must complete 75 credit hours of continuing professional education every five years in order to maintain your RD status.If you want to improve your skills and knowledge over time, you can take a variety of continuing education courses.