Synonyms: Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, Nutritionist
Registered dietitians help people stay healthy and manage diseases by creating and running nutrition programs. They may also supervise food service operations, give individual advice, or conduct research.
$69,680 annually or $33.50 per hour.
Registered dietitians typically work set hours in various healthcare settings and maintain a good work-life balance, often leaving work at the office. While some roles may offer flexibility or remote work, most positions, especially those without electronic charting, require in-person interactions and physical record-keeping.
A bachelor’s degree in dietetics or food and nutrition is typically required.
The future for registered dietitians is bright, with a projected 7% growth in employment, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Vanessa Marippa to learn more about being a registered dietitian here!
Full-time, Monday through Friday, from 8 to 4. Some may also work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules.
Typically in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, community health centers, private practice, schools, universities, corporate wellness programs, and food service management. They may also work in research institutions, government agencies, sports teams, or food industry companies.
Assessing clients’ nutritional needs, counseling on healthy eating habits, creating personalized meal plans, monitoring their effectiveness, promoting healthy lifestyles through educational talks and materials, keeping up with nutrition research, and documenting clients’ progress.
Biology, medicine, therapy, and counseling focusing on physical and mental health rehabilitation.
Proficient in nutritional assessment, personalized meal planning, medical nutrition therapy for managing health conditions, effective nutrition education, food service management, and data analysis to inform evidence-based dietary recommendations.
Computers and phones for research, record-keeping, and communication with clients.
Registered dietitians are naturally empathetic and skilled communicators, adept at understanding and addressing clients’ nutritional concerns and goals. They have strong analytical abilities and a passion for promoting health through evidence-based dietary guidance.
Educating, advising, and guiding others on nutrition while also engaging in investigative research on health-related topics.
Registered dietitians typically have social and investigative personality types. They are approachable, good communicators, skilled researchers, and analytical.
Relationships, independence, creativity, autonomy, and non-competitive environments where they can provide service and work closely with others to achieve results and personal fulfillment in their work.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required, followed by completion of a two-year program that includes supervised practice hours. Recent changes mandate a master’s degree before taking the national registration exam. Continuing education is also necessary to maintain registration every five years.
Pursuing majors in clinical nutrition, dietetics and clinical nutrition services, food and nutrition, wellness studies, human nutrition, food technology, nutrition sciences, or a related field can be helpful.
Demonstrate a strong passion for nutrition and health, embodying the role model persona by practicing what they preach. It’s essential to be confident and committed, as success and comfort in the role can vary based on individual dedication and readiness to take on the responsibilities of the profession.
Start with a focused nutrition program in college that includes all required coursework. This typically involves meeting with advisors early to plan and apply for specialized programs that often have limited enrollment opportunities, ensuring readiness for application deadlines and completing hands-on coursework to gain practical experience.
Vanessa recommends checking with your prospective schools to ensure they offer the dietetics program you’re interested in and whether internships are integrated into the curriculum or required after graduation. This ensures you’re prepared and aligned with the program’s structure before making your educational decisions.
“It’s awesome. You’re choosing the right path. That’s what I would tell myself.”
Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 17 July 2024.
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