What is Dietetics?
Registered Dietitians (RD's) are recognized members of the health care profession and provide nutritional care and counseling to individuals in wellness and acute care settings. Dietetics professionals work in healthcare, education, research, sales, marketing and public relations. Registered dietitians also work in government, restaurant management, fitness, food companies, and in private practice.
What is a Registered Dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) is an individual who has completed the following requirements:
- Academic requirements from a CADE (Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education) accredited Didactic Program such as the one at the University of Florida.
- Minimum of a Baccalaureate degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university such as UF
A dietetics internship program from a CADE accredited program. - Successfully pass the National Registration Examination for Dietitians
Where do Registered Dietitians work, and what are their average salaries?
Registered Dietitians are employed in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, government and public health agencies, food companies, schools and universities, private practice, and a variety of other settings. Opportunities for Registered Dietitians to be employed in wellness and fitness programs and in sales and marketing for business and industry are increasing.
Career opportunities for graduates include:
- Clinical Dietitian/Nutritionist (in a health care setting including acute and long-term care and specialty facilities
- Public Health or Community Nutritionist*
- Research
- Graduate School
- Nutrition Educator or Teacher
- Nutrition Specialist (for food industries)
- Consultant Dietitian in Private Practice*
- Sports Dietitian*
- Restaurant Manager
- Food Service Director (in acute care hospitals, extended care facilities, educational institutions, airlines, and other settings)
- Pharmaceutical/Medical Sales Representative
- Supermarkets
- Nutraceutical Industry
- Nutrition Advisor (e.g., in programs for elderly, children, the disabled; for weight control)
- Corporate Wellness
- Culinary Arts Programs
- Catering
- Public Policy Development
- Nonprofit Advocacy Groups
- National or International Health Organizations
What is a Licensed Dietitian?
Some states require that dietitians be licensed by a State Licensing Board to be able to practice dietetics. In many states, the requirements for licensure are identical to those for dietetic registration. After passing the National Registration Examination for Dietitians, one would apply to the State Licensing Board for a license, if the state has this requirement, and pay the required fee. Florida requires licensing for practice (see web site for more information: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/dietetics/ )
What are the characteristics of a successful dietetics student?
- Good time management skills
- Effectiveness Management
- Self-discipline
- Proactive
- Self-starter
- Goal-oriented
- Leadership ability
- Commitment to the profession
- Integrity
- Team player
- Adaptability
- Ability to prioritize
- Organizational skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Volunteer and work experience
- Good grades
- Critical thinker
What should I know about professional organizations?
The American Dietetic Association (ADA)
The American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest professional organization for dietitians. Students enrolled in a dietetics program at an accredited university like UF have the opportunity to become a student member of the organization. Benefits of membership include:
- The Journal of the American Dietetic Association
- ADA's Member-only web site
- Electronic Mailing List
- Student Center with information about career planning, student news and a listserv
- Continuing education programs and materials
- Professional publications
- Member discounts on publications and merchandise
- Annual meeting discounts
- Membership Opportunities
- Dietetic practice groups
- Membership in state association
- Job announcements
- Scholarship opportunities
The most important advantages to ADA student members are the Journal, eligibility for ADA-sponsored scholarships, networking, and the chance to improve your marketability. Students get all of this for a very small annual fee. The membership fee is $50.00 for 2009-2010. Ask an advisor for more information. The UF dietetics faculty strongly urges students to become members of ADA.
To be a student member of the ADA, you must complete a membership application which is available on the ADA website. Membership runs from June 1 - May 31.
Note: The dietetics program now requires all students to be ADA members after 60 credits.
The Florida Dietetic Association
The Florida Dietetic Association (FDA) is Florida's professional organization for dietitians. Students who are ADA student members are automatically members of their State Association. Some advantages include:
- Newsletters and publications
- Annual meeting discounts
- Scholarship opportunities
- Networking and more
The Gainesville Dietetic Association
The Gainesville District Dietetic Association is Gainesville's professional organization for dietitians. You are encouraged to join and get to know local dietitians. Membership provides great opportunities for networking and mentoring. The student membership fee is $7.00 per year. Some of the advantages include:
- Bi-Monthly newsletter
- Bi-Monthly meetings (September-May)
- Networking
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Involvement in the community
- Committee assignments
- Leadership opportunities (National Nutrition Month)
Why should I join the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Club?
The FSHN Club is a student run organization for students majoring, or just interested, in any of the three specializations (Dietetics, Nutritional Sciences, or Food Science) within the FSHN major. Meetings are held twice per month on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings (day and time are subject to change). The membership fee is $15.00 per year (also subject to change), and includes membership in the Florida Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), for which this Club serves as the UF Chapter. (Although IFT is often erroneously considered an organization for Food Scientists only, many RD's are members and there are numerous nutrition-related job opportunities in the food industry.)
Many interesting topics related to nutrition and food science are discussed at meetings. Presentations given by area professionals introduce students to the varied career opportunities in dietetics. Dietetics-related volunteer and work experiences also are announced in these meetings. The Club participates actively in various events each year including the American Heart Association Heart Walk, March of Dimes’ Walk America and National Nutrition Month (in March). Club members also conduct fundraising and volunteer many hours to local charities and community organizations. Past volunteer activities have included food preparation and service at local soup kitchens and the Ronald McDonald House, donation of food to shelters for the homeless, abused women, abused children, and educational presentations on nutrition to local school children.
Many good things come from being a FSHN Club member. Information about the field of nutrition is provided and you also get a chance to make new friends and meet the faculty. Being an officer or committee chair is an excellent leadership opportunity. We encourage all dietetics students to run for an elected position, serve on Club committees, and/or participate in other Club activities. For more information about the Club or its activities and programs, go to the student services office in 467 FSHN or check out their web site
What about scholarships?
There are scholarship opportunities for you in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the University of Florida. Information about scholarships can be found on this link:
http://fshn.ifas.ufl.edu/resources_scholarships.shtml
Other scholarships are available through the America Dietetic Association and the Florida Dietetic Association for student members of these organizations. For more information about ADA /FDA scholarships and eligibility contact the American Dietetic Association (http://www.eatright.org) or the Florida Dietetic Association (http://www.eatrightflorida.org). Application forms for these scholarships are kept in 467 FSHN, or are available at the associations’ web sites.
Where do I get advising?
For academic advising, students should schedule an appointment with Nicole Young (ntyoung@ufl.edu), the undergraduate dietetics advisor. She will provide assistance in planning a schedule of required courses. For career advising, students are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment with their faculty advisor. They will provide information about professional organizations, job openings, and making plans for the future. The name of your faculty advisor will be listed at the bottom of your audit on the Integrated Student Information System, or ISIS: http://www.isis.ufl.edu. Students should plan to schedule at last one advising appointment with an advisor each semester and get to know your faculty advisor by your junior year. To schedule an appointment, call Mindy Edwards at 392-1991, ext. 220; email her at mindye@ufl.edu; or stop by Room 467 in FSHN.
Are there any other program completion requirements?
After successful completion of the program requirements, the graduate will receive a "Verification Statement" of program completion from the DPD director. This verification statement must be submitted to the student's DI director if the student was matched to a dietetics internship if not, the student should keep the statement in his or her records to verify completion of the DPD. You may need the verification statement for a future job or state licensure even if you do not pursue the RD credential
Salary and Job Outlook
According to a survey conducted by the American Dietetic Association (The 2007 Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Survey), the median annual salary for registered dietitians who have been working full-time for five or less years ranges from $42,000 to $55,000. Salaries may increase with years of experience, especially for those in management and consulting practices.
Over the next few years, employment opportunities for dietitians are expected to grow in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and physician clinics. Employment opportunities in hospitals are expected to remain about the same. Overall, the job outlook for dietitians is very positive!
Source: American Dietetic Association RD Fact Sheet, Updated 2009
