Dietetics caught my interest in 9th grade after having to regularly meet with one. Ever since then I had my sights set on doing what she does for the rest of my life. I am currently a second semester freshman in a nutrition and dietetics program at a small university in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I am also pursuing minors in Science and Health and Physical Education. With my degree I want to become a Sports Dietitian for a college/university or for a professional athletic team. This blog will talk about things that I am currently learning in my many classes, along with experiences working along side professional dietitians.
Last semester I had only one course that was focused in dietetics. I took mostly general education classes like modern belief, general chemistry and anatomy and physiology (both required for nutrition majors), and philosophy. But, Contemporary Nutrition topics B was my favorite. It is a seven week course that covers what it is to be a dietitian, what are the requirements to be able to sit for the RD credentialing exam, what credentials like RD, LDN and MS mean. A couple of the biggest things that were stressed to us is that a Dietitian and a Nutritionist is not the same thing. A dietitian has a degree in dietetics and went to school for it. Whereas a nutritionist doesn't have a degree. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but not everyone can call themselves a dietitian. The purpose of the RD (Registered Dietitian) credential is to protect the public, when someone has the credential it means that they have learned all the necessary material and are capable to educate and help others according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics standards. Another important thing to know is that having the credential LDN (Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist) is different from RD. Licensure comes at the state level, where as getting the RD credential come from taking the exam. After completing this course I knew I was where I belong.
