With dietary guidelines constantly evolving to meet the latest research and diet trends, it can be hard to understand how the food we eat impacts our health. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), however, know the answer.
As chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease continue to rise and patients see the connection between food and their health more and more, RDNs play a vital role in healthcare teams.
Read more about how to embark on a career as an RDN, including education requirements and certifications, training and daily responsibilities, and employment outlook.
A registered dietitian nutritionist is a credentialed professional with the scientific expertise to assess the nutritional needs of an individual. They create a tailored dietary guide to help patients improve their health, manage disease or maintain their well-being.
Their duties include evaluating patients, developing meal plans, tracking their progress, educating them on healthy habits and specific nutritional requirements, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to offer holistic care.
As they progress in their career, some registered dietitians specialize in an area of practice or take on more supervisory roles. Others may pursue graduate degrees to focus on research, education or leadership positions.
Consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, biology or food science in your undergraduate years. These subjects form a solid foundation in topics nutritionists or dietitians must be familiar with and lay the groundwork for acceptance into a graduate program.
Starting in 2024, candidates who want to become registered dietitians must earn a graduate degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The graduate degree makes candidates eligible to sit for the registration exam from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Aspiring RDNs must also complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice to take the exam. This recent change to eligibility requirements comes after a careful evaluation from ACEND, CDR and other governing bodies, who decided that a graduate degree more effectively equipped students with the conceptual knowledge and technical tools to carry out their jobs as registered dietitians. Graduating from an accredited institution guarantees you have received the adequate education to be a responsible and highly qualified healthcare professional.
Hands-on training is essential to entering the workforce, ready to provide the best care possible to your patients. That’s why the CDR requires you to complete a set number of clinical hours before sitting for the licensing exam. These experiences do more than boost your résumé; they also increase your confidence in your skills.Internships create a safe environment to apply your classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios under the supervision of a professional. They also allow you to develop important soft skills like listening, understanding emotional cues, and giving clear and easy instructions to patients. Clinical experience also lets you explore different parts of the profession, whether in work settings or focus areas.
Registered dietitians use evidence-based practices to create the right nutritional plans for their patients. Their job, however, demands much more than scientific knowledge.
Food can be personal to people — it’s tied to lifestyle, culture and traditions. Patients may have conflicting emotions about the role food plays in their lives, and socioeconomic factors may affect their access to quality food. For that reason, RDNs hone different abilities to become excellent practitioners.
Some of the key abilities and qualities registered dietitians should possess include:
Attention to detail
Communication
Interpersonal skills
Mathematics
Observation
Patience
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Earning a registered dietitian credential offers a lot of professional flexibility. RDNs find successful careers in hospitals, private practice, long-term care facilities, community health centers, sports facilities, government agencies and nursing homes.
Others use their credentials to find opportunities in the food industry, research institutions or the education sector. RDNs may also work as consultants or health writers.
Most states require dietitians to pass the RDN exam for licensing. While some states allow dietitians to practice with other types of certification — sometimes none at all — successfully completing the RDN exam has other benefits.
Many employers prefer candidates with the RDN credential, and you may need it to pursue government jobs. In addition, some health insurance companies refuse to reimburse or work with uncertified dietitians.
The RDN exam is multiple-choice and covers the principles of dietetics, nutrition care for individuals and groups, management of food and nutrition programs, and food service systems. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare for the exam:
Take sample exams so you can familiarize yourself with the format.
Create a study schedule to review information at a steady, less stressful pace.
Focus on sections you find particularly challenging instead of the ones you are most comfortable answering.
A master’s degree positions you to take on more supervisory and challenging roles. Additional certifications also allow you to specialize in a specific area and signal to employers that you have the advanced proficiency and knowledge to handle a particular type of patient.
Registered dietitians can get certified in pediatrics, renal nutrition, sports dietetics, nutrition support, oncology, gerontology and diabetes education.
If your professional goals involve research or higher education, then doctoral programs offer the training for an academic career. A master’s in public health or an MBA can also prepare you for leadership positions in government, private industry or entrepreneurship.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for registered dietitians to grow 7% through 2032 — faster than average for all occupations. The median pay for RDNs in 2022 was $66,450, with the highest 10 percent of earners reporting wages above $95,130.
Being an RDN is rewarding and intellectually stimulating. With no “one size fits all” approach to nutrition, RDNs must develop tailored plans for each patient, taking into account their conditions, budget and lifestyle.
They establish trusting relationships with patients, helping them shift their relationship to food. It’s a career where an individual sees their positive impact up close and truly helps to improve someone’s quality of life.
The Master of Science in Nutritional Science program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) equips you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you need to become a leader in the health and wellness space.
You can complete our affordable and flexible program in as little as 17 months. Choose from full-time or part-time options, and fit your coursework into your schedule with online or blended courses.
We offer two tracks to best suit your professional goals:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Concentration: Designed for those who want to become registered dietitian nutritionists. This program emphasizes experiential learning in our Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital and meets the requirements to sit for the RDN exam.
Thesis Concentration: Aimed at students who are already RDNs, are completing a stand-alone dietetic internship program, or want a master’s degree but are not interested in becoming RDNs.
Discover a rewarding and meaningful career path, and learn why FranU is the perfect place to achieve your goals!
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