Nutritionist Degre? Can a young person find a job?

Discussion in 'Nursing and medical-related degrees' started by SurfDoctor, Feb 23, 2012.

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  1. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I have another young friend who is interested in being a nutritionist. Does anyone have any insight into that field? (Jennifer, Randell, anyone else?) I see bachelor's degrees in that discipline, but I know nothing about it and don't know what to say to this young lady who is asking my advice. Could she get a bachelor's in that and find a job? Or, is that just another one of those things that sound like a good idea, but good luck finding work?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 23, 2012
  2. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I use Registered Dieticians (RDs) through my medical plan (Kaiser). From interfacing with them it appears to be a great job filling in diet gaps where many MDs are not very well versed. Some states have specific requirements. My suggestion is for her to talk to an RD in her medical plan.

    I believe the need for RDs will increase in the future due to the potential epidemics in obesity and Diabetes.

    Many sports organizations/teams use RDs to help athletes obtain maximum performance.

    And of course RDs should be personable and believe and practice what they preach (IMHO).
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 23, 2012
  3. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Your IMHO is highly respected here.
     
  4. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    My two cents- nutritionist is a dangerous thing because it could mean any number of things- from the whoo to the legit. Follow the path/requirements to become an RD, that's THE real nutrition profession. Like Ian said, RDs are very employable. There's more to that field than hospital cafeterias. Even my local grocery store chain employs a dozen or more! Dietitians

    A few months back we shared a link about a student who attended a for-profit (Chicago?) that yielded a worthless nutrition degree, I think it cost her 80 grand if I remember.

    You can get creative with online stuff for instance, for your gen eds or through transfer- but there are a few others here who can discuss the clinical (that's not what it's called...escapes me....) internship portion. A million years ago, I found somewhere that offered just the internship/clinical as part of a second BA program. Someone here once posted a link to a fully online degree program -Wisconsin maybe? Sorry, foggy brain today.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 23, 2012
  5. daabels

    daabels New Member

  6. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef


    Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention. These degrees are VERY science heavy. Expect lots of bio, chem, and organic chem. is If she's not up to a pretty rigorous academic track, this really isn't the path to go down.
     
  7. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Very helpful, thanks so much.
     
  8. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    I was hoping you would be online! Thanks so much, that's good information.
     
  9. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    Eastern Michigan University offers an online BS in Dietetics (as well as an MS in Dietetics and an MS in Human Nutrition).

    Coordinated Program in Dietetics (Undergraduate) | Extended Programs and Educational Outreach

    According to the EMich site: "The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Upon successful completion of the program, qualified graduates are issued a Verification Statement making them eligible to take the Credentialing Examination for Registered Dietitians through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)."
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 23, 2012
  10. The_Professor

    The_Professor New Member

  11. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    I worked in a Medical Facility that employeed Dieticians for several different areas of the facility. Teaching, weight management, patient meals, etc. The one thing they had in common was that each one was a "Registered Dietician." So, for the degree to be of good utility it must provide the student the right to sit for the ACEND exam. I don't think there is a NA degree that provides this. As in all cases, "let the buyer beware."



    According to the EMich site: "The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Upon successful completion of the program, qualified graduates are issued a Verification Statement making them eligible to take the Credentialing Examination for Registered Dietitians through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)."[/QUOTE]
     
  12. daabels

    daabels New Member

     
  13. japhy4529

    japhy4529 House Bassist

    [/QUOTE]

    Agreed. Eastern Michigan University is an RA school, with a large campus and Division I football. They've been around for ~150 years.
     
  14. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Yes! That's exactly the one. I think you've shared that link before, I just drew a blank yesterday! :)
     
  15. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    As others have stated, if you don't set the stage to make yourself eligible to become an RD then you may as well not even start. Everything I've ever heard points to the reality that a license is essential in this field.
     
  16. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Sometimes working in a university has its residual benefits. In this case, I have worked inside RD-track course classrooms and have a bit of hearsay to share.

    For one thing, it does seem like obtaining an RD is absolutely essential for a long term career, but that probably is without surprise. From the conversations I have heard students and faculty have with each other, I gather that a bachelor's could be useful in certain settings, but will not open the world like an RD will.

    As far as job prospects are concerned, now would be the best time in history to become a dietitian. You might be surprised to learn (I certainly was) that dietitians are now not just working in clinical settings but also being hired by restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, sports teams, and colleges.

    Again, this is hearsay, but it all comes from people that are either in the field or are working towards entering the field.
     
  17. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Thanks, MC. That's really helpful. Sometimes the "buzz from the streets" is the best information you can get and more accurate than any official word from an agency.
     

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