3 answers
1
Question
Asked
1026 views
How to become dietitian and is it a stable income?
I'm struggling to decide on who to become. One thing that is part of my everyday life no matter what is my interest in healthy eatings, healthy habits. I love talking, reading and listening about it. I love educating friends and family members about it. How to become one? I have a degree in English and Journalism.
Thank you
Login to comment
3 answers
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Alicja!
How to Become a Dietitian
MY ANSWER AS A DIETITIAN:-
I started at a new university, Griffith in Brisbane. Then the weirdest thing happened. My uncle Mike's old supervisor Professor Masters, from 1960 came to lecture in biochemistry at Griffith. I call it "An Act of God." Well yours faithfully changed majors to biochemistry and started reading up on nutrition. After my first degree I went to another university to do fourth year postgraduate biochemistry. I taught first year dentistry and second year medicine.
The topic that really interested me was Californian Professor Linus Pauling's orthomolecular nutrition. This involves the treatment of diseases with select nutrients: God's Pharmacopeia - not man's. I had the good fortune to talk to Lady Dr Phyllis Cilento in 1981. She was recommending me studying orthomolecular nutrition. This involves using 'the right molecules' like amino-acids, vitamins, and minerals to treat illnesses. Phyllis told me to do the postgraduate diploma in Sydney. I did that then worked with natural therapists.
My father died of a coronary at 50 years of age in 1985. I enrolled with a third university and studied to be a dietitian. I had seen enough coronary artery disease in my family. I commenced helping people as a dietitian-nutritionist. I got a job in Dubbo, New South Wales. I covered a large outback swathe, a third of the state. I visited regional rural hospitals and community health centers and consulted patients. Then I moved back to Brisbane and did three years of private practice.
After that I got another job in Western Australia, at Port Hedland. This was a regional dietitian's position covering a fifth of the state, and quite remote. I started a Masters in Public Health by distance education with the University of New South Wales. Then I got my fourth position as a contract dietitian-nutritionist back in Queensland in the outback town of Roma. This was excellent pay at $45 an hour.
I combined the two talents when in 1994 a patient told me that the one-day sample menus were not sufficient to tell her what to eat. This was the nutrition education resource in written form utilized world-wide by nutritionists and dietitians. Then there were the food group selection lists from many dietitians. This resource did not cut the mustard either. Too many mathematical demands on the patient, who was unsure for weeks, whether they were doing this properly.
Well this patient wanted a 14-day food menu! I set about crafting the necessary software to do the job. That involved Equations of Randomized Iterative Complementation {ERIC}. Seven computer languages later I made the Diet Wizard. ------------------------> https://www.youtube.com/@JAMES_CONSTANTINE_FRANGOS
Have a look at my profile here's the address https://www.careervillage.org/users/179930/?next=
Go to the About James Constantine section it's a header.
Scroll down to the query entitled "in lay person terms what do you actually do at work?" I FIX SICK PEOPLE.
Here you find all the nutrients described. Also you'll be able to look up the food sources that they come from and what these substances do in the body. They increase human performance in the areas of psychological physical sports academic procedures. So you can get far more work done when you're properly nourished.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE'S ANSWER:-
To become a dietitian, you will need to follow several key steps that involve education, practical experience, and certification. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Educational Requirements
The first step is obtaining the necessary educational qualifications. In the United States, becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field from an accredited program. Since you already have a degree in English and Journalism, you may need to pursue additional coursework in subjects such as:
Nutrition science
Food science
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Many universities offer post-baccalaureate programs or coordinated programs that allow students with non-nutrition degrees to complete the required coursework.
2. Supervised Practice Experience
After completing your degree requirements, you must gain supervised practice experience through an accredited dietetic internship (DI). These internships usually last about 6 to 12 months and provide hands-on training in various settings such as hospitals, community health organizations, and food service operations. Admission to these internships can be competitive, so it’s essential to maintain a strong academic record and gain relevant volunteer or work experience in nutrition-related fields.
3. Pass the Registration Examination
Upon completing your internship, you will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This exam tests your knowledge and skills in various areas of dietetics and nutrition. A passing score is required to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
4. State Licensure
In many states, dietitians are required to obtain state licensure or certification to practice legally. The requirements vary by state but often include holding an RDN credential and passing an additional state exam. It is crucial to check the specific regulations for Texas or any other state where you plan to work.
5. Continuing Education
Once you become a registered dietitian nutritionist, you must engage in continuing education to maintain your registration status. The CDR requires RDNs to complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years.
Is Dietetics a Stable Income?
The field of dietetics generally offers stable income opportunities due to the growing awareness of health and wellness issues among the public. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average for all occupations.
As of May 2021, the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was approximately $63,090. However, salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, type of employer (e.g., hospitals vs private practice), and specialization within the field (e.g., clinical vs community vs sports nutrition).
In summary:
Obtain relevant educational qualifications.
Complete an accredited supervised practice internship.
Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Acquire state licensure if required.
Engage in continuing education throughout your career.
Given these factors—growing job demand and competitive salaries—dietetics can be considered a stable career choice for those passionate about healthy eating and nutrition.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - This source provides comprehensive data on job outlooks, salary information, and employment statistics across various professions including dietitians.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - This organization offers resources regarding educational pathways, professional standards for dietitians, and updates on industry trends.
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) - This body oversees the credentialing process for registered dietitian nutritionists including information about examinations and continuing education requirements.
Probability that this answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|=============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==============|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
How to Become a Dietitian
MY ANSWER AS A DIETITIAN:-
I started at a new university, Griffith in Brisbane. Then the weirdest thing happened. My uncle Mike's old supervisor Professor Masters, from 1960 came to lecture in biochemistry at Griffith. I call it "An Act of God." Well yours faithfully changed majors to biochemistry and started reading up on nutrition. After my first degree I went to another university to do fourth year postgraduate biochemistry. I taught first year dentistry and second year medicine.
The topic that really interested me was Californian Professor Linus Pauling's orthomolecular nutrition. This involves the treatment of diseases with select nutrients: God's Pharmacopeia - not man's. I had the good fortune to talk to Lady Dr Phyllis Cilento in 1981. She was recommending me studying orthomolecular nutrition. This involves using 'the right molecules' like amino-acids, vitamins, and minerals to treat illnesses. Phyllis told me to do the postgraduate diploma in Sydney. I did that then worked with natural therapists.
My father died of a coronary at 50 years of age in 1985. I enrolled with a third university and studied to be a dietitian. I had seen enough coronary artery disease in my family. I commenced helping people as a dietitian-nutritionist. I got a job in Dubbo, New South Wales. I covered a large outback swathe, a third of the state. I visited regional rural hospitals and community health centers and consulted patients. Then I moved back to Brisbane and did three years of private practice.
After that I got another job in Western Australia, at Port Hedland. This was a regional dietitian's position covering a fifth of the state, and quite remote. I started a Masters in Public Health by distance education with the University of New South Wales. Then I got my fourth position as a contract dietitian-nutritionist back in Queensland in the outback town of Roma. This was excellent pay at $45 an hour.
I combined the two talents when in 1994 a patient told me that the one-day sample menus were not sufficient to tell her what to eat. This was the nutrition education resource in written form utilized world-wide by nutritionists and dietitians. Then there were the food group selection lists from many dietitians. This resource did not cut the mustard either. Too many mathematical demands on the patient, who was unsure for weeks, whether they were doing this properly.
Well this patient wanted a 14-day food menu! I set about crafting the necessary software to do the job. That involved Equations of Randomized Iterative Complementation {ERIC}. Seven computer languages later I made the Diet Wizard. ------------------------> https://www.youtube.com/@JAMES_CONSTANTINE_FRANGOS
Have a look at my profile here's the address https://www.careervillage.org/users/179930/?next=
Go to the About James Constantine section it's a header.
Scroll down to the query entitled "in lay person terms what do you actually do at work?" I FIX SICK PEOPLE.
Here you find all the nutrients described. Also you'll be able to look up the food sources that they come from and what these substances do in the body. They increase human performance in the areas of psychological physical sports academic procedures. So you can get far more work done when you're properly nourished.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE'S ANSWER:-
To become a dietitian, you will need to follow several key steps that involve education, practical experience, and certification. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:
1. Educational Requirements
The first step is obtaining the necessary educational qualifications. In the United States, becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field from an accredited program. Since you already have a degree in English and Journalism, you may need to pursue additional coursework in subjects such as:
Nutrition science
Food science
Biology
Chemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Many universities offer post-baccalaureate programs or coordinated programs that allow students with non-nutrition degrees to complete the required coursework.
2. Supervised Practice Experience
After completing your degree requirements, you must gain supervised practice experience through an accredited dietetic internship (DI). These internships usually last about 6 to 12 months and provide hands-on training in various settings such as hospitals, community health organizations, and food service operations. Admission to these internships can be competitive, so it’s essential to maintain a strong academic record and gain relevant volunteer or work experience in nutrition-related fields.
3. Pass the Registration Examination
Upon completing your internship, you will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This exam tests your knowledge and skills in various areas of dietetics and nutrition. A passing score is required to become a registered dietitian nutritionist.
4. State Licensure
In many states, dietitians are required to obtain state licensure or certification to practice legally. The requirements vary by state but often include holding an RDN credential and passing an additional state exam. It is crucial to check the specific regulations for Texas or any other state where you plan to work.
5. Continuing Education
Once you become a registered dietitian nutritionist, you must engage in continuing education to maintain your registration status. The CDR requires RDNs to complete 75 hours of continuing education every five years.
Is Dietetics a Stable Income?
The field of dietetics generally offers stable income opportunities due to the growing awareness of health and wellness issues among the public. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow by 11% from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average for all occupations.
As of May 2021, the median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was approximately $63,090. However, salaries can vary based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, type of employer (e.g., hospitals vs private practice), and specialization within the field (e.g., clinical vs community vs sports nutrition).
In summary:
Obtain relevant educational qualifications.
Complete an accredited supervised practice internship.
Pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Acquire state licensure if required.
Engage in continuing education throughout your career.
Given these factors—growing job demand and competitive salaries—dietetics can be considered a stable career choice for those passionate about healthy eating and nutrition.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - This source provides comprehensive data on job outlooks, salary information, and employment statistics across various professions including dietitians.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - This organization offers resources regarding educational pathways, professional standards for dietitians, and updates on industry trends.
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) - This body oversees the credentialing process for registered dietitian nutritionists including information about examinations and continuing education requirements.
Probability that this answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|=============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==============|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Updated
Margaret’s Answer
Deciding on a career path can be challenging, but your passion and innate skills can guide you. Dietetics and nutrition are great and stable professions that offer the opportunity to nurture, shape, and empower people to eat with their health in mind. Every country has a differing career process; however, a degree is generally required. Please research the specific requirements locally and don’t hold back on pursuing your dream.
From an experience point of view, volunteering or interning with health organizations, schools, or public health campaigns can help you gain hands-on experience, enhance your skills, and build valuable connections in the field. Additionally, consider joining professional networks or attending workshops and seminars related to health and nutrition. These opportunities not only improve your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
From an experience point of view, volunteering or interning with health organizations, schools, or public health campaigns can help you gain hands-on experience, enhance your skills, and build valuable connections in the field. Additionally, consider joining professional networks or attending workshops and seminars related to health and nutrition. These opportunities not only improve your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
Updated
Kat’s Answer
1. To become a dietician you need to earn at minimum a master's degree (this is a requirement to take the RDN/RD exam).
2. complete a supervised practice requirement (1000-1200 hours of supervised practice.) this is usually done as part of your bachelors as long as you go in the route of dietetics and not the general nutrition route.
3. pass the exam for either RD or RDN
4. depending on where you live you have to meet the other requirements
5. continue to renew license and stay up to date.
Unfortunately, if you only go for a nutrition degree and not dietetics the field is super hard to get into since everyone wants you to have a license.
2. complete a supervised practice requirement (1000-1200 hours of supervised practice.) this is usually done as part of your bachelors as long as you go in the route of dietetics and not the general nutrition route.
3. pass the exam for either RD or RDN
4. depending on where you live you have to meet the other requirements
5. continue to renew license and stay up to date.
Unfortunately, if you only go for a nutrition degree and not dietetics the field is super hard to get into since everyone wants you to have a license.