James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
1. You only accept 7 applicants during each year during the Spring match cycle - that is really competitive! My GPA is a 3.1, should I even bother applying?
If your cumulative GPA is greater than 3.0, definitely apply. If your GPA is below 3.0, consider a dialogue with the internship director or preparing a letter of explanation to be submitted with your DICAS application discussing your particular circumstances. We at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) Dietetic Internship (DI) look at much more than just GPA, like work and volunteer experience and history, professional skills, recommendations, and a robust personal statement.
Note: While we only accept 7 interns per each Spring cycle, our maximum dietetic intern enrollment is 14. Dietetic interns in the 16-month MS/DI track will still be completing NYU coursework in their final full-time semester (2nd program year) following the 12 month supervised practice portion of the Dietetic Internship is completed while a new class of interns in the MS/DI and standalone DI will start the program.
2. What is considered meaningful volunteer and field experience for the Dietetic Internship?
We like to see as much time in nutrition related fieldwork as possible. Meaningful experiences may include volunteering in a hospital or outpatient nutrition clinic, working in community-based food outreach programs, and exploring nutrition research, leadership, and advocacy positions within your local and university nutrition organizations. The pandemic has demonstrated that there are various ways future RDNs may engage with the profession and gain volunteer experience. This may include working with RDNs or community based programs in a virtual fashion.
3. Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen?
To receive a stipend through the Office of Academic Affiliations one must be a U.S. Citizen to apply to our program.
4. What makes this program different from others?
The James J. Peters VA Dietetic Internship offers a well-rounded experience and introduction to the world of dietetics. A structured program where all planning and schedules are coordinated on your behalf allowing you to focus on your training. A team of dedicated preceptors, most who are our own program graduates, looking to provide interns with the same experience which was afforded to them. The small class sizes allows preceptors to become invested in your growth and training and for interns to build a solid bond between themselves as they support each other's journey. The superivsed practice experience is nearly all direct patient care related experience, with very limited case study or self-study work. This ensures graduates of our program feel comfortable and confident treating patients and working with the healthcare team and beyond.
5. What are the benefits of a clinically focused program?
The benefit of a clinically focused program is the development of the understanding of dietetics, through a foundation in the theory and application of medical nutrition therapy. Interns are trained to understand the reason behind recommendations and collaborating with patients and the healthcare team to support their patient as they meet their nutrition and healthcare needs and goals. These skills in clinical nutrition allow the entry-level RDN to be able to work in any area of practice with confidence and an ability to speak knowledgably about their nutrition recommendations.
6. Do JJPVAMC DI graduates only work in hospitals after graduating the internship?
Given our program has a concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) many of our dietetic interns have interest in working in a clinical hospital setting. Our graduates work in all sorts of inpatient and outpatient hospital areas such as the ICU, NICU, Med/Surg, Oncology, Diabetes/Endocrine, Primary Care, Spinal Cord Injury and Neurology to name a few. Our graduates have moved on to be Chiefs of Nutrition Services, Assistant Chiefs and Dietetic Internship Directors. Other areas completely outside of the hospital environment include but are not limited to careers in dietetics such as:
- Food marketing
- Food research and product development
- Intuitive eating counselor
- Various private practice opportunities including pediatric baby lead weaning, diabetes management, health and wellness, gastrointestinal disorders, and gerontological nutrition
- Oral Nutrition Supplement Sales (Adults and Pediatrics)
- Food Service Management
- Breast Cancer Research Dietitian
- Food and Nutrition Research Writer and Blogger
- Community Health Outreach Coordinator
- Director of SNAP-ED for Large Non-profit
- Day Treatment Leader at Eating Disorder Treatment Center
- Corporate Wellness Dietitian
- Data Analytics in healthcare
- Outpatient Eating Disorder Treatment
7. I do not have a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition or my master's degree is in a different field when applying to JJPVA DI, do I need to apply and complete the graduate program at NYU before I get my verification statement?
Yes, if you do not come into the program with a conferred graduate degree in Clinical Nutrition or related approved field, you will need to apply and complete your Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition at NYU before a DI verification statement can be issued. For those completing their MS in Clinical Nutrition or related field prior to program start must have their degree conferred no later than 1 month prior to program start.
8. Can I participate in another master's program besides NYU either in person or remotely while completing the DI at JJPVA?
9. I am interested in a career in dietetics but I do not have my Diadactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) classes completed, I just have a bachelor's degree in another area. Can I apply to your program?
Our Dietetic Internship requires a DPD Verification Statement to apply. Luckily, New York University has a DPD Program allowing students with a bachelor's degree to take the necessary coursework in chemistry, biochemistry, food science and nutrition and food as a graduate student. Once you near the end of your DPD coursework, you may apply to our program while you continue your Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition coursework.
10. Can I work during the internship?
It is not recommended to work during the DI. This program requires a significant time commitment which may include your personal time at home. In addition to projects and homework you receive from the DI, you will also have homework and projects from NYU. A benefit of our program, however, is the stipend provided which aids during your studies.
11. What are my housing options?
JJPVAMC offers housing for a fee (approximately $580-680/month) on a first come, first serve basis. Once you accept your offer you will be provided with the contact person to inquire about availability. Housing is also available via NYU, for more information visit: NYU Graduate Housing. In the past, dietetic interns have also chosen to live offsite all around the city in an apartment they have found and secured on their own. Some neighborhoods often considered include Washington Heights, Riverdale, Upper East Side, East or West Village and Harlem.
12. Do you have time to enjoy NYC living?
While you are definitely busy during your DI, good time management skills should allow you time to enjoy NYC. As many of our new dietetic interns are new to New York City life, they are AMAZED to find out all that this city has to offer.
13. What is my workspace like?Dietetic interns are allocated a newly remodeled office equipped with personal desks and chairs, desktops, storage space, printer, fridge, office supplies, a microwave, and a coffee machine.
14. How can I prepare for the internship over the summer?Once accepted into our program it is highly recommended that you review Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Optional summer assignments will be provided in advance prior to starting DI.
15. Is there a dress code or uniform required?
A standardized color scrubs uniform is required for most of your clinical rotations, however some rotations do allow business casual attire. You will be provided further instruction about your uniform once you are admitted to our program.
16. Are books and other materials needed?
You will need to provide your own notepaper, notebooks, pencils, and pens. In addition, there are several references that are recommended for your purchase. A list of references will be provided in advance.
17. What will my rotation schedule be like?
An important aspect about the DI is that, while you will attend some DI classes, it is more like a full-time job than school. In fact, dietetic interns often describe it as a full-time job AND school, because many of the projects are completed and much of the learning takes place during your personal time when you are at home in the evenings and on the weekends. Your schedule will most often be Tuesday through Friday at the hospital during normal work hours and off on Mondays. Typical hours are 7:30am-4:00pm or 8am-4:30pm, your tour may be adjusted to accommodate for classes at NYU. A full explanation of your schedule will be provided during orientation.
18. If I do this dietetic internship, will I be required to work at the VA or enlist in the military?
No. Dietetic interns who complete their DI at the VA are not required to work in the VA or enlist in the military after completion of the DI. While many past dietetic interns do return to the VA for employment, working for the VA is not a requirement of the JJPVAMC DI.
Should you have any questions about not answered above, please consider attending our open houses, more information found on the “Program Information Tab” or email Verzhine.Owens@va.gov.
Page Updated: September 2023
