Confucius hit the nail on the head with that one!I was just talking to bff, Kristen (she's the ICU nurse), in Chicago and we got on the topic of work. While yes, life is monotonous (especially after getting hitched!), and some days I get sick of listening to diet recalls by 3pm...I truly love what I do. I'm passionate about what I do. And I have aspirations of a title beyond "dietitian". Specifically, I am wanting to become a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). And currently, I am racking up the hours and years of experience to pursue this credential. I need:
- a master's degree in one of several fields (nutrition be one of them) - CHECK!
- 2 years (minimum) of diabetes self-management education - in progress!
- 1,000 logged hours of diabetes self-management education experience - in progress!
- current employment in a defined diabetes educator role providing diabetes self-management education a minimum of 4 hours per week
I think all RD's should be encouraged to seek a specialty, similar to nurses. It's great to love it all, but I honestly wouldn't be satisfied working in pediatrics. Or renal disease. Or oncology. And there's dietitians out there that couldn't be paid enough to agree to working in weight management and diabetes exclusively. Me, however...sign me up!
What else is out there for RD's to pursue? A whole lot! To name a few: Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO), etc.
As I know many of my readers are young professionals or in the medical field -- what are your goals or career aspirations? What areas of nutrition are you MOST passionate about?
I've enjoyed the long weekend (Happy Labor Day, by the way!)...but I won't be sad to head to work tomorrow. Even with it being my long, 13-hour work day. I must love what I do!
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I would love to be a certified diabetes educator, I really think it's going to be a requirement sometime soon! As for goals, I have SO SO many, it's ridiculous. I've never been into the clinical side of dietetics, but my main interests are in owning my own business, or working for a large food company, school, or other food service industry. Currently I am applying for a job as an RD for a new company, which is being started by a guy here in Columbus. He wants me to be the RD who goes around and gives seminars on different nutrition topics. If I get this job, I'm going to be LOVING my job!
ReplyDeleteIf I need a weight management or diabetes dietician, I want you to be it :). It's always great to interact with people that really enjoy their jobs! It makes everything better.
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