How To Become A Nicu Dietitian

Research the education and career requirements training and licensure information and experience required for starting a career in pediatric dietetics.

How to become a nicu dietitian. Registered dietitians rds have special expertise on the nutrition issues of very low birth weight vlbw infants. They pass a national exam which requires at least a bachelor s degree in nutrition and a 900 hour internship to earn the registered dietitian designation from the academy of nutrition and dietetics commission on dietetic registration. Fellowships vary in length by program. This webinar will delve into the intricacies of becoming a nicu rd.

Neonatal dietitians are registered dietitians with specialized training and experience in newborn nutrition. Carrie finch ms rdn csp has 20 years of experience as a neonatal dietitian and currently works in the nicu at the children s hospital of richmond at virginia commonwealth university medical center in richmond va. The virginia neonatal nutrition association was founded in 2010 to serve as an avenue for education and networking for dietitians and other healthcare providers who provide specialized nutrition related care to infants and young children. Some last a few months while others last a few years.

Nicu dietitians must typically receive additional training in nutrition for children and infants. We asked questions about how you would become a dietitian what you could do etc. Dietitians are required to be licensed certified or registered in 46 states within the united states. While other members of the neonatal intensive care unit nicu team focus on infant daily care procedures and life saving events the rd s primary focus on evidence based individualized nutrition care helps to ensure that this is provided consistently to each infant.

This helpful chart of specialty certifications for registered dietitians is brought to you by dietitians on demand a dietitian staffing company. Learn how to become a pediatric dietitian. It was a shocker for me because i had never heard of this not in high school and not in my first year or so in college. The course will discuss the basics of nicu neonatal intensive care unit nutrition how to deliver effective safe enteral and parenteral nutrition as well as how to develop rapport with other nicu staff so your recommendations are heard.

To become a neonatal nutritionist graduates must complete a fellowship to attain specialization.