James H. Quillen VA Medical Center
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- My DPD-Director told me it's very hard to get into a VA internship program because they are too competitive, and I shouldn't even bother applying. How competitive is admission to your internship program?
- Why train at the VA?
- What is your patient population?
- Do VA Internships offer opportunities to work with other populations?
- Do you really provide a stipend? Are there any strings attached?
- I am not a U.S. Citizen. Can I still apply to your program?
- How much is your application fee?
- What Library Resources will I have available to me?
1. My DPD-Director told me it's very hard to get into a VA internship program because they are too competitive, and I shouldn't even bother applying. How competitive is admission to your internship program?
VA Internship Programs have earned a reputation for being "too competitive". All Dietetic Internship Programs are competitive, and VA Dietetic Internship Programs are not more competitive than most internship programs throughout the country. VA Internship Programs are in teaching hospitals, provide a variety of hands-on experiences, have state-of-the art resources, and do not charge fees or tuition. Candidates interested in applying to a VA Dietetic Internship Program should find out about the program, and see if the program matches the candidate's goals, mission, and philosophy. All interested persons should apply to a VA Dietetic Internship Program.
The VA Healthcare System had a major overhaul in the mid 1990€™s. In addition to being recognized as having the most advanced computerized medical chart system in the United States, an annual consumer survey conducted by the National Quality Research Center at the University of Michigan has found that the VA has consistently outranked the private sector in regards to patient satisfaction for the past six years.
3. What is your patient population?
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (DVAMC) provides health care to men and women who have served our country. Our patient population is made up of Veterans from World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf Wars, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Our patient population is 90 - 97% male and 3 - 10% female. Dietetic interns in VA internship programs develop strong clinical skills from working with a variety of patients with complex medical and social needs.
4. Do VA Internships offer opportunities to work with other populations?
Yes. All of the VA dietetic internship programs have affiliations within their communities that allow interns to work with other patient populations. Examples of other populations encountered through VA internship programs include working with women and children in the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC); working with all populations in the retail food industry K-VA-T Foods, Inc.; and exposure to men and women of varying race, culture, and other demographic factors through community and health promotion rotations.
5. Do you really provide a stipend? Are there any strings attached?
Due to this program just receiving accreditation, stipends are not currently approved. A proposal for stipend funding is being submitted. If approved, stipends will be available for the 2024-2025 academic year. Interns are not required to work for the VA upon program completion if stipends are approved.
6. I am not a U.S. Citizen. Can I still apply to your program?
All applicants to VA Dietetic Internship Programs must be a U.S. Citizen at the time of application.
7. How much is your application fee?
There is NO APPLICATION FEE for any of the VA Internship programs.
8. What library resources will I have available to me?
The dietetic intern will have full use of the hospital library which offers a wide variety of books, periodicals, internet, and online journal access. During orientation, interns are given an extensive Orientation to the resources available to them.
