Featured Intern: Private Practice for a Dietitian: Is It For Me?

I am nearing the end of my internship—only about 4 more weeks left (plus an extra week for career week and graduation). I am starting to feel the stress and anxiety leading up to the end. We have to take a practice RD exam and get an 85 percent or better to get our verification statement which then allows us to take the real RD exam. Plus I have a seminar to lecture, a case study to present, and yet another test on management. Oh, and I have to find a job of course! So, as you can see, I have a lot going on just with the internship.

However, I know there are thousands of students who would love to be in my position right now. I am sure those students would do anything to be in my internship and get the chance to get their verification statement to take the RD exam. It is a dream of every dietitian-to-be. With that said, I am optimistic and thankful for the chance to be able to continue to pursue my career in dietetics.

Currently, I am at my self interest rotation with the focus on private practice and eating disorders. So far, I have seen the heavy workload the dietitian must overcome. The RD works until 7:30 pm most days, and has to manage every aspect of her business (marketing, budgeting, legalities, etc.). This job is not just about nutrition. However, I have seen the positive perks to the job: you get to create your own schedule, you can workout at 2 in the afternoon if you choose, you likely have a much higher salary, and most importantly, you run the show. I have always thought my dream job would be a dietitian in private practice, but now I am not so sure. I feel that I need more experience as a dietitian for a few years first (maybe as a WIC dietitian), and then would be the time to revisit the idea. Next week I will let you in on what it’s like to be an intern at an eating disorder rotation.