How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student

How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student

How to Gain Dietetic Experience as a Nutrition Student When preparing for a dietetic internship, you might be wondering how to gain dietetic experience as a nutrition student. It may even be tempting to do a few volunteer hours here and there to meet a program's volunteer hour requirement.At KBDI, we value QUALITY over quantity and don't have a minimum number of volunteer hours or professional experience required. Instead of volunteering for a few hours here and there at a bunch of different organizations, consider an ongoing volunteer or paid position that spans several months.We recommend cultivating experiences that provide you with practical skills that will help you succeed in the internship. For example, working as a virtual assistant for a private practice dietitian will help you develop your marketing skills. Volunteering with a community cooking class will provide you with teaching and professional speaking experience.When you focus on high quality experiences, you will also foster stronger connections and build...
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How to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship

How to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship

How to Reach Out to Potential Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship In our last post we covered six networking strategies to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship. In today's post, we'll cover exactly how to reach out to potential preceptors for a dietetic internship and what you should say in an email or phone call.   We'll also review the best strategies for staying organized and persistent throughout the process.  Start networking at least 6 months before the internship starts. It can take several months to secure preceptors and you’ll want to start early in order to secure rotations at the sites that most interest you. In addition, some preceptors take on several interns a year and they might only have openings at specific times during the year. Finally, the contracting process with some facilities can take several months to complete. If you already know that you plan to apply to distance dietetic internship programs, you can start looking for preceptors before...
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Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship

Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship

Six Networking Strategies to Secure Preceptors for a Dietetic Internship One of the many benefits of a distance dietetic internship is the opportunity to design your own internship experience. Interns are encouraged to select rotation sites that most closely align with his or her interests. While it can be challenging to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship, we're confident that with the right strategy and persistence, you too will be successful with designing the internship of your dreams.Today we'll be covering six networking strategies to secure preceptors for a dietetic internship program.  1. Put the word out to family, friends and neighbors. Does your best friend’s dad’s sister work as a dietitian at a hospital? As obscure as the connection sounds, people are more willing to say yes if they have a personal connection. Let everyone know that you are looking for rotation sites and ask if they know anyone in the healthcare sector that might be able to help. Instead of asking...
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Is a Distance Dietetic Internship Right for You?

Is a Distance Dietetic Internship Right for You?

Is a Distance Dietetic Internship Right for You?  A distance dietetic internship is one of the many different pathways to becoming a registered dietitian. A distance DI program provides flexibility and a custom internship experience that you might not find in other options. But is a distance dietetic internship right for you?  A distance DI program brings some unique challenges and experiences that may not be the best fit for everyone.  Ask yourself the following questions to discover if a distance dietetic internship is the right choice for you. Are you self-directed, motivated and proactive?   With a distance program, you are responsible for securing your own rotations. This is often one of the biggest challenges of a distance program. It is not uncommon to hear a lot of “no’s” before you find a good fit. But with persistence and a good sales pitch, all of our past interns have secured rotation sites and we're confident you'll be successful too. Furthermore, once you’re matched to...
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KBDI: the inside scoop from a current intern

KBDI: the inside scoop from a current intern

For many aspiring dietitians, the dietetic internship can appear daunting. We understand! You study for years in order to get to the place where you’re finally ready to take the next step towards becoming a certified RDN. The 1,200 hours of supervised dietetic practice will certainly prepare you well for your professional career, but what will prepare you now? Today, we’re getting the inside scoop from current KBDI intern, Callie Austin! Callie completed her Bachelor's degree in California at UC Davis in Clinical Nutrition. She went on to acquire her Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition in England at the University of Chester. Now halfway into the internship, Callie has provided us some invaluable insight into the day-to-day life of a KBDI intern! Check out the questions that Callie tackled during her interview. Why did you decide to pursue a distance dietetic internship? Why did you feel like KBDI was the best internship fit for you and your professional goals? ...
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How to Pass the RD Exam

How to Pass the RD Exam

How to Pass the RD Exam You finished your university courses, completed your dietetic internship, now all that’s left is to pass the RD exam. But where do you start? And what’s the best way to study? We want to help guide you through these common questions with tips on how to pass the RD exam- from dietitians that have done it! When and How to Start Studying Sign up. Find a Pearson VUE test center and schedule your exam by going to this website. Once you get the verification statement from your internship or coordinated program, sign up right away. Registered Dietitian Charita James advises that you take the exam soon after completing your internship when everything is still fresh in your mind. Another tip she gave was to schedule the exam for the time that works best for you. Don’t schedule your exam for the afternoon if you are a morning person! Start early. There is a lot of material on the exam...
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The “why” behind the KBDI

The “why” behind the KBDI

Hear from our Director, Beryl Krinsky, about why she is passionate about the KBDI (and B.Komplete).  Who knew you could be a "food critic" beginning at age 2?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbmP6yjwd10 Learn more about B.Komplete Prospective Intern Information Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin...
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How to Apply for a Dietetic Internship

How to Apply for a Dietetic Internship

How to Apply for a Dietetic Internship Are you ready to take a critical step in becoming a Registered Dietitian? Let’s talk about how to apply for a dietetic internship! Do Your Research Before applying, do your research and navigate internship websites for programs of interest to you.  Talk to as many Registered Dietitians as you can and ask them about their internship experience.  Use LinkedIn to connect with Registered Dietitians and current Dietetic Interns - this is a great way to network and learn more about internship programs.  Reach out to Program Directors and schedule calls and attend Open Houses.  After you understand as much as you can about the internships and their requirements you can determine if a dietetic internship is right for you - and which ones you want to apply for! Then make notes of the required documentation you will need for a specific internship. Create a DICAS Account To start the application process, you will need to visit the online...
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How to Prepare for your Dietetic Rotations

How to Prepare for your Dietetic Rotations

How to Prepare for your Dietetic Rotations Your dietetic internship is approaching and there’s definitely a lot to look forward to. You are probably wondering exactly how to prepare for your dietetic rotations so that you can have the best experience possible. You may be feeling overwhelmed and excited- which is pretty normal. Follow our tips and pointers below so that you know exactly what to expect on your internship journey. Now you can let go of some of your uncertainty and focus on the excitement ahead! Preparing for your dietetic internship & rotations Successfully preparing for your internship rotations is a must-do and will help you feel more comfortable going into your first day at your rotation site. But how do you prepare well?  Our favorite tips to get you ready for day one of your rotation are… Review topics. Brush up on terms and concepts related to the rotation you will be at. Jot down a list of questions to ask your preceptor...
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