Hi all!

Are you an RD in private practice who offers online courses, paid downloads, virtual group programs, or webinars? If so, would you mind taking my brief survey?

I am compiling some data for a grad school capstone project about diversifying income in private practice. Willing to share all results when done. Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeljZXVPEMEGRxf-oO7aBGDvdyLFQhIfM4YH9fmHwppTJjtvQ/viewform

Does anyone use clin calc online tu e feeding calculator for calculating tube feeds? And is it accurate?

Do we increase the tube feeding one day post extubation? What if we feed too much and they get reintubated?

Incorrect/not backed by research/harmful/wacky things you've heard your pt say a medical professional told them to do nutrition/health wise?

I tried to post this in the nutrition support group, but couldn't for some reason. I feel like I've never had a great understanding of water flushes. Do you take it fluids into account when determining water flush volume in EN?

hello all!

brand spankin new RD here, I’m 2 months into my clinical job. $46000 a year (I know, I know, but it’s the only thing in my area and I can’t afford a move or a commute at the moment)

I have a second job as a caregiver that I do on some evenings and most weekends. I’m looking for passive/low effort income I can do on my nights off from home. something to do with nutrition writing or remote second shift sales or something like that. I’ve googled but it seems I’ll need someone to point me in some direction. My financial situation is in the pits at the moment and I need to do something. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do surely appreciate it 😊

I am an administrator for an adult 24 hour facility. I would like to ask some help where can I get resources to simple and nutritious recipe that meet their daily requirements. I tried GroveMenus but it overwhelms me a lot. TYIA

Are there any dietitians that have treated a pt with probiotics and seen it actually result in weight loss? Over the years I’ve kept up with the science and I see studies showing microbiome info associated with different body types and some supplement companies are claiming efficacy. Yet I don’t see any studies that have really proven to me that it’s a treatment to use with my pts.

Hello all - I’m looking for RDs who have taken the CSOWM exam. My job at a small family practice is being bought out by a larger hospital system. If I have additional credentials, I will be in a higher salary bracket - so this girl finally set a date for the CSWMO exam. I had applied for the exam a few months ago, but never set a date. I did see a post a few days again about reading the recommended articles and about knowing the different health questionaries. But any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

Love, A dietitian who would like more money :)

There are a lot of posts on here about dumb referrals or nursing mistakes, but I am starting to get disappointed the more I encounter dietitians who seem... in the nicest possible way... like they didn't pay attention in school.

I wouldn't call myself academic really, but compared to some of my coworkers and former classmates I guess I have higher standards than I thought? I have met so many people who lack knowledge, critical thinking skills, and professionalism.

Some of my coworkers are constantly surprised about very basic nutrition or health concepts and it is really concerning! For a complicated topic, instead of finding evidence-based research, a coworker once just searched something on Google and went with the first highlighted answer (which was wrong and not relevant to the question at hand). I'm fine with people looking at research and coming away with slightly different opinions, but a lot of people aren't even looking at research!

Some of them also have strange personal beliefs about nutrition that are more aligned with fads than actual nutrition. How are they supposed to teach people how to separate fads from facts if they can't do it themselves?

Working in hospitals has also made me aware of how many people cannot spell or string sentences together very well. I would say that the average Reddit post has better spelling and grammar than a typical email or patient chart at my work.

Beyond general competency, I have also had coworkers who are not culturally sensitive at all or who are disrespectful towards the LGBT community and when talking about specific patients/coworkers from different backgrounds. I just can't believe that would be allowed in a healthcare professional!

I do find myself wondering where the academic dietitians are! I wasn't at the top of my class, so I couldn't imagine how much more disappointed some of those people would be to realize that these people are their peers. Do people who get frustrated with this just go into research and academia? Or have I just worked at crappy hospitals? Let me know so I can escape!!

I know this will vary wildly based on insurance and circumstance. But, how many times would you say you meet with your follow ups? I have a few that I can say I have seen for up to a year, but most is anywhere from 3-6.ish sessions. Im just curious what other people’s experience has been ?

Any resources, classes, webinars, or whatever that you felt added or helped elevate your sessions for patients with eating disorder like thoughts/behaviors? I have 2 years in general outpatient/inpatient and I'd love to keep working on improving my sessions.

I have a patient with j tube, on osmolite 1.2 for years, lots of diarrhea, when I met him switched to fibersourse. Diarrhea decreased and he had some constipation, talked with doctor and constipation is gone but family still concerned having bouts of diarrhea not constant like before. I dont know what to do. Should I try a semi elemental formula ?

Hi - I’m not sure if I’ve just happened to get to know a group of people who look down on dietetics as a profession or if it is a common experience. I have particularly noticed this with a physio - the person in question feels they have a much better degree & does not know (or care to be curious about) the role of a dietitian and thinks it is such an easy job. Has anyone experienced this??

This girl thought she was giving me a compliment— but she really just triggered my “ick” reflex.

I left my office to go to the printer and this PA and her two medical assistants are discussing sugar cravings. On my way back to my office this medical assistant made this comment at me, “Dietitians can’t relate to sugar cravings. You have the perfect body.” Tone was just so snarky.. 🫨

I’m sorry if that was a joke. I didn’t laugh. If it was a compliment, then it shouldn’t have made me feel bad.

I just walked by and didn’t say anything. But that was not the compliment she thinks it was. I’m glad the other girls got a good laugh.

Edit: also people in the office keep asking me ‘when I’m having a baby’🤰. Yes, I’m married— so I must be having a baby any day now. But I’m starting to realize it’s because they all want to watch me gain weight ☠️

Anyone else have bizarre interactions like this as work?

I have been recently getting into intuitive eating, especially since i've been working under someone that is undergoing the certification process... however I am thinking of pursuing a masters in sports nutrition. Any thoughts? do you think there is a place for intuitive eating principles in sports nutrition

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for refreshing on clinical concepts? I’ve been out of my internship for a year and in my current position for a little over a year as a foodservice RD. I love this role but am looking for a position where I will feel like a more valued member of my team. I applied to a couple clinical positions and want to refresh on my MNT knowledge. If anyone has any resources they recommend I would greatly appreciate them!

Has anyone worked in the govt roles as an RD or even non-RD specific roles? I know about the VA and am interested, but just curious what other roles are like- (e.g. responsibilities, pay, benefits, WFH option, if you genuinely enjoy it)

I just want to know what Dieittians are making. I’m feeling sad cause I went to graduate school and I really love the program don’t get me wrong— but the debt to income ratio is crippling me. Im genuinely scared for my future with this economy.

I work for 50K a year with 18 months RDN experience. Will have an MS in functional nutrition by the end of the year.

I’m seeing job postings for functional clinics that wants “at least 3 years experience , must have a certificate in functional nutrition , must have a master’s degree.” Then post 60K

I just feel like I’m constantly chasing a bar that keeps being g raised higher and higher … and I don’t know how to argue for more money

Please add if you are acute care, LTC , or outpatient

Edit** I plan to stay at my current job until I accrue my hours for CDCES exam. Which I’m 60% there. What do you think I should be paid for that: MS, RDN, CDCES

I mostly do virtual appointments. So with a 1-2 month follow up with somebody, I often encounter “I’m doing good! Doing better.”

Me: “Sure! I’m happy to hear that. Anything specific you’d like to talk about or go over? Some people like to review their meals, snacks, hydration goals, stress management, etc. with follow ups. Anything on your mind?”

“No thank you. I’m good.”

“No problem!”

This can be just a few minutes sometimes….am I not providing enough guidance? Should I try to pry engagement out of them?? There is no pressure for time with follow ups, thankfully. Just wanting to help people as much as I can.

Thank you!

Hi! I’ve been going to interviews for a while now as a post-grad (finished in September and nothing so far) and not surprisingly the most jobs available in the NHS are acute positions. Now I’m not fond of acute care and all my experience is in mental health or public health, but I’m at a point in life where financially I don’t have a choice.

My question is, how can I do well in these interviews when it seems so stacked against me? It’s already hard enough having to make up a reason why I want to work in acute (because I don’t) and answer all these questions that I have little experience in and learned about well over a year ago, when I know I don’t have the experience and will likely get passed up. I’ve tried revising as best I can but I just can’t learn it fast enough, and of course there are questions I’m asked about conditions I didn’t learn about in my degree.

What’s very discouraging is that I’ve found many interviewers seem baffled that I’m even interviewing for the position. There is this vibe of, ‘well you don’t have any acute experience and you did a non clinical C placement so you aren’t even as experienced as we’d like you to be for someone fresh out of postgrad, which is already not good enough because we want someone who’s already worked since graduating so we don’t have to train them. Why are you here?’

It’s not like I chose the placements I was given. I enjoyed them, but it’s not my fault. And I want to say, what do you mean why am I here? I need a job, I need a stable income to live, of course I’m going to interview for anything I can and acute care is 80% of what’s available. If what I did isn’t good enough why did you select me to interview?

So. Any advice on how I can do better, how I can feel less discouraged? Are there any key concepts of acute illness I need to be aware of that I might not have been taught? What should I be focusing on?

Many thanks. Hoping very much it doesn’t take me a year+ to get a job but I’m already losing steam.

I've been a clinical DTR for 4 years and I'm realizing the high stress, low pay and lack of advancement opportunity without getting a Master's RD licensure has killed my desire to continue in the role. I don't want to waste the education I have, so I'm wondering ... What other roles could I look for as a nutrition professional aside from Dietary Manager (which is similarly unbalanced in terms of stress vs rate of pay)?

Bariatric RDs, a question: why do the bariatric guidelines recommend to avoid ferrous sulfate?? Instead, rec ferrous gluconate or ferrous fumarate.

If it’s due to side effect of constipation, my complicated pt w hx of total gastrectomy is having diarrhea (Abx-related) —would this side effect help slow it down?

If it’s related to absorbability, would liquid ferrous sulfate be any better?

Appreciate any advice!

Hello! I'm a college dietitian who will be taking over helping our athletic department next fall. The previous RD stated that not many coaches reached out to her (but she was only here 2x per month and I'll be here full time).

I'm very excited about this opportunity, I am a powerlifter myself and I have my own lil sports nutrition Instagram. But I am not sure how to better advocate athlete nutrition to the coaches. I do plan on sending out an intro email to the athletic department. But what all do I mention (outside of basic introduction) and do I try reaching out individually to the coaches? What have y'all done? Any advice is appreciated!

Are any of you prenatal dietitians? Is this really much of a thing or do OBGYNS just cover all aspects of pregnancy? I want to go into pediatrics but I wonder if that could also pair with prenatal care or if that is an entirely different thing. Anyone have experience in either of these? What's your opinion on it?

Hi! I am deciding between Rutgers or KUMC for their DCN programs. KUMC is ~10k cheaper. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these 2 programs. Please share-- anything is helpful! What did you think of the residency and research project? I am having a hard time choosing between the two schools.

I'm trying to get more clinical education after passing my exam recently. Now that I dont feel like im studying 4 different aections (FS, Management, Clincal, Science) I want to really sharpen my knowledge in MNT. Would you just recommend the Krause book or just a little of everything I used to study for the exam?

Not saying I didnt learn anything, but now I feel like it's more about LEARNING MORE real world information, rather than "what the exam wants me to know." Plus, I want to be ready for interviews and in the near future, private practice 😁

Hello everyone,

I am the “dietitian” in my friend group and since looking for a new career, everyone tells me to go to school for dietetics already. I have some questions I would deeply appreciate your help with.

1. How do I know I am passionate enough about nutrition science to study this seriously? I love learning about vitamins and minerals and how much is in each food, conclusions from studies (I don’t read them in full and I know I would have to for school), how to create balanced meals, etc. I have been thinking to try reading a nutrition textbook and gauge my interest from there. I have never been particularly interested in chemistry and in fact I am very much afraid of it.

2. Are there any jobs you can have with a Bachelor in Nutrition? I know I couldn’t be a RDN, but the Masters and internship takes so long and I don’t want a lot of debt.

3. Any tips for making school more affordable? I already have a Bachelors in computer science

4. How likely is it to have a remote job as an RDN?

5. How do I know I have the aptitude for this career?

Answer as many or as few as you want. Thank you in advance!

Just to be clear I am not looking for specific medical or diet advice. I am just trying to understand how to navigate the system.

I was looking to see an RD for a consultation related to Insulin Resistance and Low Testosterone. Another relative was looking to see an RD for a consultation related to PCOS.

Some hospitals have schedulers who ask if we want "Diabetes Education", "Nutritionist", or "Medical Nutrition Therapy". The odd thing is that most of the time the provider is the same (the same RD), though sometimes the diabetes education option has an RN.

If an RD does all 3 things - "Diabetes Education", "Nutritionist", and "Medical Nutrition Therapy", appointment times aside, is there really a difference in what to expect?

When estimating the needs of a malnourished pt, do you use CBW or IDW and what kcal range do you use? I’m noticing I was taught differently than what my current coworkers are doing