Dietetic Internship Program

Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System

Program Mission

The mission of the VAGLAHS Dietetic Internship program is to develop competent entry-level or above entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) for evidence-based, inclusive and equitable practice in clinical, community, or foodservice nutrition and to support the mission, vision, and goals of the Veterans Healthcare Administration. The program is structured for developing interprofessional teamwork and communication skills, cultural competence and humility, establishing a basis for self-reflection and life-long learning essential for maintaining a credentialed status, and providing the most effective learning environment utilizing highly trained staff preceptors and providing support and flexibility for interns with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. 

Program Philosophy

The strength of the training within the VAGLAHS DI Program is a direct result of the setting in a large progressive and research-oriented medical center, highly trained staff dedicated to education, and a rewarding curriculum that requires performance of dietetic skills that are entry-level or above. The supervised practice rotations are spent primarily at VAGLAHS sites promoting a cohesive learning environment.

Dietetic interns learn by doing, and VAGLAHS provides an excellent setting for application of knowledge and development of clinical, community and administrative skills. Unique to teaching hospitals, the dietetic intern will learn to function as a vital component of the health care team, gain a multidisciplinary understanding of nutrition and patient care, and impact patient outcomes based on access to progressive medical and nutrition information and technology. Similar team-focused care is provided to outpatients through a large and expanding ambulatory care service. The administrative services are large in both size and scope, providing opportunities for interns in the areas of food service managment, personnel management, and all levels of departmental administration. Management projects are based on practical needs identified in the department and used for performance improvement and intended to teach interns life-long skills of planning and coordination, time management, and critical thinking. The program declares a medical nutrition therapy emphasis due to the vast amount of opportunities providing medical nutrition therapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The dietetic professionals that serve as preceptors at VAGLAHS are dedicated to education and are committed to providing a comprehensive and supportive program. Staff preceptors serve as role models in providing the highest quality nutrition care to patients in cooperation with the health care team. The precepors take ownership and pride in teaching interns and use one-on-one teaching in a majority of the rotations.  When working with interns, preceptors ask thoughtful questions and prompt interns to think out loud in an effort to help guide their thought process, develop critical thinking, and generate their own solutions. The staff is large, and the time spent with each preceptor gives the intern a variety of professional styles from which to learn in developing their own unique style of professional practice. Continuous constructive evaluation of intern performance provides for sequentially higher levels of professional competence.

The curriculum, which directs the learning experiences for the interns based on Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) standards, is well developed and continuously revised to keep current with the rapidly changing health care field and intern interests. The curriculum is developed to facilitate achievement of successively higher-level skills as the intern progresses through rotations in all areas of dietetics. We acknowledge the history of racial discrimination and anti-LGBTQ+ biases by the Department of Defense, including Veterans Affairs. We are actively working to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all Veterans and their families, employees, and trainees. We believe that choosing interns with diverse backgrounds and experiences will improve the care of Veterans at VAGLAHS, and we strive to provide a supportive learning environment where interns of all abilities, backgrounds, religions, and outside commitments can succeed. 

Program Goals/Objectives

Program goals reflect what the VAGLAHS DI Dietetic program will accomplish. The outcomes that we measure for each program goal provide information on where we have been successful as a program and where we need to make changes to ensure success. These outcome measures are evaluated annually and serve as the basis for continuously improving our program.

Program Goal #1: Program graduates will receive the flexibility, support, and inclusion/belonging they need, regardless of personal or professional challenges faced, to develop dietetic skills that are at least entry-level, and the majority will graduate with dietetic skills above entry-level.

1a. Based on a 3-year average, graduates will rate entry-level skills at the time of employment in 100% of training
      competencies by an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
1b. Based on a 3-year average, graduates will rate above entry-level ratings skills at the time of employment in at least
      50% of training competencies by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.
1c. Based on a 3-year average, employers of graduates will rate graduates as having entry-level skills in 100% of
      training competencies by an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
1d. Based on a 3-year average, employers of graduates will rate graduates as having above entry-level skills in at least
      50% of training competencies by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.
1e. Based on a 3-year average, graduates will rate that their satisfaction with the flexibility, support, and
      inclusion/belonging provided by the program at ≥ 3.5 out of 5.0 (Extremely Satisfied - Extremely
      Unsatisfied). 
1f. Based on a 3-year average, employers of graduated interns will rate satisfaction of graduate preparation at ≥ 3.5 or
     above out of 5.0 (Extremely Satisfied - Extremely Unsatisfied).

Program Goal #2: Graduates will function as a valuable member of the interdisciplinary health care team in clinical, community, and management dietetics.

2a. Based on a 3-year average, 100% of graduates will rate entry-level skills for CRDN 2.04 at time of employment by
      an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
2b. Based on a 3-year average, >50% of graduates will rate above entry-level skills for CRDN 2.04 at time of
      employment by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.
2c. Based on a 3-year average, 100% of graduates will rate entry-level skills for CRDN 2.04 at time of employment by
      an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
2d. Based on a 3-year average, at least 70% of employers of graduates will rate above entry-level skills for CRDN 2.04
      at time of employment by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.

Program Goal #3: Graduates will successfully complete the registration examination and obtain employment in dietetics field.

3a. At least 80% of graduates in the Non-Degree track complete program requirements within 16.5 months (150% of
      planned program length). 
3b. At least 80% of graduates in the Graduate Degree Track  complete program requirements within 33 months for
      Combined MS tracks and 31.5 months for Combed MPH track (150% of planned program length). 
3c. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 70% percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields
      within 12 months of graduation. 
3d. At least  90% percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12
      months of program completion. 
3e. 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%. 

Program Goal #4: Program graduates will develop the cultural humility and competence needed to provide inclusive and equitable care to diverse patients, clients, and communities.

4a. Based on a 3-year average, 100% of graduates will rate entry-level skills for CRDN 2.11 and CRDN 2.12 at time of
      employment by an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
4b. Based on a 3-year average, >50% of graduates will rate above entry-level skills for CRDN 2.11 and CRDN 2.12 at
      time of employment by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.
4c. Based on a 3-year average, 100% of employers of graduates will rate above entry-level skills for CRDN 2.11 and
      CRDN 2.12 at time of employment  by an average rating ≥3.0 out of 5.0.
4d. Based on a 3-year average, >50% of employers of graduates will rate above entry-level skills for CRDN 2.11 and
      CRDN 2.12 at time of employment by an average rating >3.5 out of 5.0.

Annual Program Evaluation outcomes data are available upon request by contacting the VAGLAHS DI director at jillian.redgate@va.gov.