Dietetic Internship: 56% finished

What week is it again?

It feels like the longer the internship lasts that more each week rolls into the next and I can't keep track of what week number I am on. I just completed my 14th week, and I know this because I have a massive to-do checklist that tells me what to do each week of the internship. It has been what keeps me on track and knowing that I don't have to stress about what I need to do in the future because it is already planned out.

Last week was my final week where I shadow RDs. For the next two weeks I will be in charge of my own floor in the hospital. I will have to decide which patients need to be seen and when to see them. I will get to choose how to educate the patient and learn to trust my instincts. I will have the help of any RD if a question should arise, but for the most part I will be working on my own.

I am equally excited and terrified. I will be working in two different areas that I haven't been in for quite a few weeks - Pediatrics and Cardiac.

After these next two weeks fly by I will be actually flying to India for my four week adventure to learn about malnutrition. I am so excited, nervous, anxious, ready, not ready, happy, looking forward to heat - pretty much I am full of all of the emotions you can feel before a big trip. The reasons I am anxious and not ready are because I am still waiting for the return of my passport with the visas inside (which should be back later the week), and I am still waiting to hear the plan from my travel agent about what the schedule is for seeing the Taj Mahal and Nepal. Who knew things could be so complicated to schedule travel? You would think I would since I have been all over the place, but the majority of the time either my mom planned everything or I was in a safe enough place (like Europe) and could plan as each day came. But, in India we need private drivers and all kinds of fun things to schedule. I am sure it will be fantastic though. And, honestly I look forward to going and just pray I am ready by then :)

Pray for me as I finish these last two weeks that I can accomplish the rest of my to-do list which includes a few quizzes, assignments, presentation, evaluations, and RD practice exams.

I appreciate everyone's love and support and am excited to be 56% finished :)

Dietetic Internship 40% finished

I cannot believe how fast the internship is going. I just finished my 10th week and am starting the 11th week tomorrow.

Since my last post I have worked in WIC, had a crash course in Renal (Kidney and dialysis) friendly nutrition, educated heart patients, watched a feeding tube be placed, watched three colonoscopies, and work with in-store grocery store dietitians at HyVee.

While at HyVee I was able to teach preschoolers on a field trip about how to make healthy meals including colorful fruits and vegetables. 

The number one question I feel like I am asked is what do you want to do when you finish?
And, to be honest that is so hard to answer. Every week I experience nutrition and dietetics in a new way that is exciting and would be fun to work in. Overall though, I would love to work with kids or even a grocery store if that became a job in North Carolina. I have a passion for children facing food allergies and intolerances. Currently there is not a specialty for that area of nutrition, but I might be able to start it or be in the beginning side of it. I am very interested in how it happens and would even one day join a research team. Who Knows?

The other passion I have is for developing a program to educate malnourished people around the world. I would love to teach them about nutrition and help them make healthy food choices that are still culturally acceptable. I am thankful for my previous experience, but look forward to learning more in the months to come and years to come.

Well, that is all for now. Stay tuned for more updates from my Dietetic Internship.

Dietetic Internship: 20% finished

7 weeks ago I left Charlotte, North Carolina, for the cold winter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I confess that I amaze myself with my ability to handle the cold weather. I am sure that any native Iowan would laugh and say that I do not handle the cold very well, but I do not think they realize I poorly I handled our 'warm' winters in Charlotte.

The transition to Iowa has been easier than I expected. God has really blessed me with an excellent program, family to live with, and a church community.

The internship program I am in is actually more of an accreditation program - it is what teaches me how to think and work like a dietitian so I can get my license. So, far I have finished 20% of the program. The first two weeks were orientation, the second two weeks focused on diabetes, and the fifth week was in a pediatric clinic for children with disabilities and developmental delay. And, honestly I think I found my place in the dietetic world last week working with children.

We had diagnoses from Spina bifida to Cerebral Palsy to over-eating and obesity. Every child was unique and required unique nutritional care. I loved figuring out the child's needs and talking to the families. I feel like this is the area where I could make the most impact. Not only are you teaching parents how to help their child, but you can also inspire them to practice healthy eating habits.

Pediatrics also plays into what I would love to do internationally which is fight malnutrition. I believe that if we help children thrive nutritionally and not just survive that they will be given the best opportunity in life. Nutrition plays into cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. And, to give children who are currently starving the chance to thrive is my dream. In a few months I will get the opportunity to go to India and study malnutrition for a month. I am beyond excited. I know that God is providing this experience so that He can use me in big ways in the future. Pray for me that God can use me in this way.

Next week is my 6th week in the program and I will be in cardiology. I am excited to learn more this week! And, I will be 1 more week closer to 25 which is my last week!

This was my first Dietetic Internship post. Stay tuned for more about my journey!