Dietetic Internship Program

VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System DI Program - Introduction

Las Vegas Program Introduction Program Information Program Rotations Program Mission & Goals Financial Information FAQs Life in Las Vegas VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Website

Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) Dietetic Internship (DI) Program in Las Vegas, Nevada!

The VASNHS DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Interns who successfully complete all program requirements will receive their ACEND Verification Statement, qualifying them to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The program duration is 42 weeks with a minimum 1280 supervised practice hours. The internship provides a focus on medical nutrition therapy utilizing the nutrition care process. The VASNHS DI is pleased to offer a paid stipend to our Dietetic Interns.

Program Tracks:

Dietetic Internship Only: Must have a master’s degree prior to admission to the DI
Combined Master's Degree and DI:The VASNHS DI has a partnership with the University of Alabama to provide interns with the opportunity to enroll in a fully online Master of Science program in Human Nutrition that can be completed in less than two years. You can learn more about the program here: https://ches.ua.edu/nhm/ms-in-human-nutrition/. 

Intern benefits: 

• There is no fee associated with our dietetic internship program
• Interns in our program receive a stipend of $15/hour, which is paid throughout the course of the DI up to $25,200.This is intended to help off-set the cost of living during the DI
• Interns accrue leave for paid holidays, vacations, and illness
• We have a small class size set at 4 interns maximum allowing for individual attention from the DI Director and 1:1 training from preceptors during supervised practice rotations
• We have a very dedicated staff of highly qualified dietitians who are eager to train dietetic interns
• Our dietitians and dietetic interns are highly respected by the medical staff and work at the top of our scope of practice
• Interns receive a government furnished laptop to use during the DI
• We will assist you in finding employment within the government or private sector. As a VA dietetic intern, you will be afforded the opportunity to utilize Health Professional Trainee hiring flexibilities to work for the VA in approximately 150 VA Medical Centers across the country                                                                                                 

Open House

Please read through our entire webpage to learn more about our program. Should you have any questions, contact VASNHS Dietetic Internship Director, Melissa Klemp, melissa.klemp@va.gov. 

Melissa Klemp, MS, RDN
Nutrition and Food Services, Dietetic Internship Director
Office: 702-791-9000 x19457
Melissa.klemp@va.gov



Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400
https://www.eatrightPRO.org/ACEND

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