Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
|
Mission
The mission of the dietetic internship program is to educate dietetic interns to become entry-level Registered Dietitians Nutritionists who will serve Veterans and the public and promote the profession of dietetics.
Education Philosophy
The Paul M. Russo Dietetic Internship aims to provide interns with essential knowledge and skills to become competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to meet the expanding role of today's dietitian. The internship presents a common core of knowledge in a systematic way which is evidence-based. Each intern completes the same rotations to acquire basic knowledge of different areas. The internship offers experiential learning. Preceptors facilitate learning by assigning specific patients to the intern based on the intern's needs. We teach a realistic approach to real life situations.
The internship creates teamwork opportunities with dietitian nutritionists and other staff through special projects and assignments. The internship encourages problem solving and critical thinking, encouraging the intern to bring their undergraduate knowledge and life experiences to the situation. We challenge the intern to accept more independence as the year progresses, culminating in both inpatient and outpatient experience rotations.
The internship encourages preceptors to complete preceptor training and continually learn and advance their practice. Preceptors develop their rotation materials and offer one on one time with interns on specific cases.
With its focus on our special population of Veterans, Bay Pines imbues the code of conduct and ICARE values to interns (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence). Awareness of ethical concerns, respect for Veteran values and placing the Veteran and Veteran desires at the center of care is of paramount importance in our daily teaching.
We seek to continuously improve our education of interns to meet the role of the dietitian nutritionist in clinical, food service management and community nutrition.
Goals
1. To produce competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists possessing the skills necessary to practice in a variety of food and nutrition fields as measured by:
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
- At least 80% of employers on survey will agree or strongly agree that graduates were adequately prepared for entry-level practice.
- At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 36 mos. for the MPH/DI program option. (150% of planned program length).
- At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 16 mos. for the Verification Statement only program option.
- At least 90% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
2. To prepare graduates to meet the needs for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in the Veterans Health Administration and the Nation.
- Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
- At least 33% percent of graduates will be placed at a VA facility.
3. To prepare dietetic professionals who participate in professional development and lifelong learning.
- At least 33% of graduates will report pursuing advanced positions, specialty certifications, leadership opportunities and advocacy activities.
Please note that program outcomes will be made available upon request.
How Do I Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
To become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, you will need to:- Complete a minimum of a master's degree granted by a college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency or foreign equivalent, and coursework through an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics accredited Didactic, Coordinated, Graduate or International program.
- Complete required supervised practice/experience through an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program, Graduate Program, or an Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway offered through an ACEND-accredited program.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website. https://www.cdrnet.org/
- Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes.
- Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.
