Preparing for a Career as a Nutritionist

There are many different possibilities in the healthcare industry, and not all of them necessarily require a person to work with the sick, the injured, or those recovering from surgery.  One of these jobs is that of a Nutritionist.  Nutritionists are trained to understand everything there is to know about nutrition and food.  They help patients learn what foods they should eat and what foods they shouldn’t, and they work with patients to create a dietary program that is unique and perfect for them.  These diets may be necessary to prevent illness or help a person gain or lose weight.  Nutritionists work in healthcare facilities, schools, nursing homes, and in the private industry.  They primarily work with patients, although some go into research or administration.

If you’re interested in a career as a Nutritionist, there are several things you need to take into consideration.  First, if you know you want to be a Nutritionist early in life, you can start preparing by taking the right classes.  These classes include biology, health, chemistry, and even math.  You will also want to look for colleges and universities that offer degrees in food and nutrition, dietetics, or food systems management.  These programs are somewhat rare when compared to other degree programs, but they are out there.  The Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education, a part of the American Dietetics Association, has approved 235 different university programs.  These programs offer courses in nutrition, psychology, math, institutional management, and biology, among others.  Taking a few writing courses may also be beneficial.

Once you’ve identified the programs you are interested in, look at what kind of practical experience each will give you.  In the healthcare industry, education is very important, but so is hands-on experience.  Many dietetics programs combine practical experience with textbook learning.  Internships are also very important.  In fact, to complete the examination to become a registered Nutritionist, you must complete an ADA accredited internship.  These internships are very competitive, and you will need to have both a high GPA and do very well in your practical experience in order to have your pick of them.

Once you have completed your internship successfully, you will need to take the certification exam.  If you pass, you will be accredited as a registered Nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  This certification is required for almost every dietitian job in the healthcare industry today.  If you want to go into research, want to do more advanced work, or want to go into administration, you may need to continue your education by getting a master’s degree.

Once you’ve received your certification, it’s time to find a job.  You can look online, check out the wanted ads in your local paper, and look at the job postings for local hospitals and healthcare facilities.  There are a good number of job openings in this field, although how many depends on what type of healthcare facility you want to work at.

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