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Old 10-15-2011, 10:39 AM
 
Location: NH/MA
113 posts, read 448,572 times
Reputation: 148

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I'm thinking about getting a graduate degree in Nutrition, and possibly becoming a Registered Dietitian. Are any of you RD's, know any RD's or have some insight into the field? I've been hearing about the disadvantages like the low pay, monotony, etc. and not enough from people who enjoy the work and can tell me about the high points.

Also wondering if anyone has an advanced degree in Nutrition, or knows some information about it, and can tell me about the career prospects?

I'm trying to nail down the right career in science / health science for me, so I am doing all the research I can.

Thanks!
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Old 10-16-2011, 07:00 AM
 
10,102 posts, read 19,297,579 times
Reputation: 17432
Dietetics is not a science or health science career. You're chief cook and bottle washer. They launched a campaign about 30 years ago to gain more recognition as scientists, health care professionals, etc, but its still like 30 years ago.Most Dietitians describe their profession as a farce. They still don't have the recognition they need from other professions and state licenising boards to earn insurance reimbursement Most of the dietitians I've known have gone into other careers. Watch out for the ones who stay in the profesion. they are simply insufferable. I never saw a "profession" with such an inlfated sense of themselves. They keep trying so hard to not look like kitchen help its funny!
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Old 10-16-2011, 02:29 PM
 
Location: NH/MA
113 posts, read 448,572 times
Reputation: 148
Marylee, I'm curious why you feel this way. It would seem from my research that dietitians are the "go to" people for any kind of nutrition or diet concern, and that there's no equivalent area of study where people know so much about food and nutrition. Who else would you go to if you had diet concerns? Also, what about all the research that's needed to be done on things like obesity, processed foods, effects of vitamins and minerals on health problems, etc. Not trying to argue with you, but am interested in your viewpoint, as I am still very much on the fence about even pursuing this field. Thanks for your input.
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Old 10-17-2011, 08:31 AM
 
Location: Moon Over Palmettos
5,978 posts, read 19,827,013 times
Reputation: 5102
My sister is a Registered Dietitian in the state of CA and works for Shriners Hospital. She has had two promotions and was featured in the Sacramento Bee. I think it really all depends on where you work. Her pay is at market rate, considering she lives in an expensive state.
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Old 10-17-2011, 11:57 AM
 
188 posts, read 413,065 times
Reputation: 85
Here is an interesting post I saw, but more of a nutrition consultant My Advice on Turning Nutrition Education Into a Career | Balanced Bites | Holistic & Paleo Nutrition Coaching & Seminars
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Old 10-18-2011, 11:08 PM
 
Location: NH/MA
113 posts, read 448,572 times
Reputation: 148
Good article. Thanks!
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Old 09-09-2014, 11:43 AM
 
1 posts, read 1,998 times
Reputation: 10
I am actually in the same boat with you hershey. I graduated with an undergrad in Marketing and currently working as a Marketing Lead for a Caesar's Casino property. I have great benefits and I great at what I do. But I have developed the love and interest for nutritional sciences. I need to know that appropriate steps to become a RD and later receive my PhD. Any programs you might know where I can start my course study?
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Old 09-10-2014, 05:32 AM
 
6,822 posts, read 6,594,008 times
Reputation: 3769
I have a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science from an accredited University which would make me eligible for the Dietetic Internship. I did not go on to do the internship and I do not recommend anyone going for a career in the Nutrition industry.

There are many reasons why and the second poster hit some of them head on. With experience as a Food Service Director at a local nursing facility, the existence of the Dietitian position really is one that is regulated by the federal and state regulations. The residents and society at large does not value this profession. People will get their nutrition advise from just about anyone or anything offering it that sounds good to them. The business of nutrition is selling half truths to the public in order to make a profit. Everyone and their mother that read an article becomes an expert on nutritional matters. It does not matter of your educational background. They will be teaching you about it.

I have been trying diligently to dig myself out of the hole I got in financially for this worthless degree. Waste of time and money. Should have just gone with nursing.
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Old 09-10-2014, 10:11 AM
 
50,092 posts, read 35,727,051 times
Reputation: 76061
Quote:
Originally Posted by MaryleeII View Post
Dietetics is not a science or health science career. You're chief cook and bottle washer. They launched a campaign about 30 years ago to gain more recognition as scientists, health care professionals, etc, but its still like 30 years ago.Most Dietitians describe their profession as a farce. They still don't have the recognition they need from other professions and state licenising boards to earn insurance reimbursement Most of the dietitians I've known have gone into other careers. Watch out for the ones who stay in the profesion. they are simply insufferable. I never saw a "profession" with such an inlfated sense of themselves. They keep trying so hard to not look like kitchen help its funny!
This not true. I have worked in nursing homes for 18 years, and the dietician has a very important role. She has to make sure each individual resident is getting the meals they need and avoiding what can hurt them, which in this population isn't easy. People with wounds/pressure sores need a different diet (higher protein) than someone with a heart condition. Someone taking Coumadin has to avoid foods with Vitamin K. When residents get lab work done, the dietician needs to look at the labs and adjust diet accordingly in terms of potassium levels and a million other things that can harm residents if diet is not correctly adjusted for their specific issues. Our dietician doesn't cook or clean anything, she is a health professional, not a kitchen worker. When I see her, she is not in a kitchen, she is at the nurse's station studying resident's charts and their latest lab reports, with the rest of the resident's team of health care professionals.

The downside I see is that at least in our setting, there is only one full-time dietician on staff, while there are dozens of nurses and therapists, etc. So there probably aren't as many jobs available.

Last edited by ocnjgirl; 09-10-2014 at 11:37 AM..
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Old 09-10-2014, 10:54 AM
 
310 posts, read 682,306 times
Reputation: 493
The problem with RD is that at some point in your career you will realize that all the stuff you have been taught, and that you have been practicing, is actually wrong.

The government recommends the "food plate" because the agri industry lobbies the government to say that eating grains is good for you, or that low fat is good for you, or that processed foods are good for you. Monsanto infiltrates the highest levels of government. You are told that there's nothing wrong with GMO foods or Frankenfish.

If you really want to help people then educate yourself outside of the commercial food business and outside of higher ed which pushes the agri agenda. Look at what people ate just 100 (or even just 50 years ago) years ago and how many fewer health issues they had back then, look at what people ate 1,000 years ago.

Mass produced commercial food is not biologically appropriate for people, the only reason we have it is because it's hugely profitable. The most expensive part of a box of cereal at the grocery store is the actual box which comes in at ~17 cents. Yet you pay $5 for Kellogs.

If you become an RD you are part of the problem.
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