Whether Or Not To Be A Registered Dietitian

By Ryan Davis, MBA and Mark Deutsch, MBA

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a Registered Dietitian (RD)? Any report you read on the top jobs of the future include healthcare careers - and becoming a RD is a fast-growing field. If you have a strong interest in the area of nutrition, perhaps this is your calling. But before jumping headstrong in to the ring, this article covers several things to consider.

Here are the basic steps to become a Registered Dietitian:

Step 1: Enroll in an accredited university that offers a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, ideally one that offers a Coordinated Program. This Coordinated Program combines didactic lectures and clinical internship wherein a student must finish at least 900 hours with supervised practice. The Commission on the Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association must accredit the school.

Step 2: Get your degree.

Step 3: Once you've graduated, you must take the national exam to become registered - visit the Commission on Dietetic Registration to learn more (http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/rddtr/rdindex.htm). After you pass the exam, depending on which state you reside, you'll need to get licensed. In most states, you must do these things in order to practice dietetics. Learn more about various state requirements here - http://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/licensure/index.htm.

Step 4: Complete continuing education to maintain your registration status. You must complete 75 hours of approved continuing education every 5 years in order to maintain your registration status.

Once you have successfully completed these requirements, there are plenty of job opportunities for RDs. Some of these are:

1. Management RDs - main responsibility is to oversee menu planning, budgeting, and preparation of food establishments like schools, cafeterias, or other healthcare corporation.

2. Clinical RDs- work as part of a healthcare team wherein you participate in medical therapy for your patients.

3. Community RDs- works in government-funded organizations wherein your responsibility is to educate the public regarding proper nutrition.

4. Educator RDs- work in the academe to teach future dietitians or any other health care professionals.

5. Research RDs - work in any facility, which engages in research regarding alternative foods or dietary proposals to the people.

6. Consultant RDs- they advice other healthcare practitioners and works with other dietitians in an agency.

7. Business RDs- works in food manufacturers, pharmaceuticals or other commercialized institutions.

With all these options, dietitians are very much in-demand. It is not easy to become one, but if ever you consider a healthcare career, consider becoming a Registered Dietitian.