How To Become A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
About your university degree.
How to become a registered dietitian nutritionist. Become a registered dietitian nutritionist. If you are interested in becoming a nutritionist and practicing medical nutrition therapy which means providing nutrition recommendations or plans for those with disease states i highly recommend becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist rdn or certified nutrition specialist cns. To be eligible to become a registered dietitian nutritionist you must complete a university level dietetics program accredited by pnds. Dietitians can use either abbreviation.
A registered dietitian rd is the same thing as a registered dietitian nutritionist rdn. Prospective dietitians who wish to work in the rocky mountain state must receive registered dietitian credentials through the commission on dietetic registration cdr meeting specific professional and educational standards. Here are a few quick hits on the duties skills and requirements for a career in nutrition. Earn an accredited bachelor s or master s degree.
This is required in order to sit for the cdr exam. Rdns work in a variety of settings including but not limited to hospitals clinics public health business private practice sports universities and research. What is absolutely not the same thing as an rd rdn is a nutritionist. The first step to become a registered dietitian is to get a degree in the area of nutrition and earn a verification statement from an accreditation council for education in nutrition and dietetics acend accredited program.
To become a dietitian you need a specific university degree a period of practical training and pass a national licensing exam. Registered dietitian nutritionists rdns are nutrition experts and are the only legally recognized nutrition professional in the united states. As of 2019 the state of colorado does not require its dietitians to be licensed in order to work in the state. Regular membership is only for those who have completed a minimum of a bachelor s degree in nutrition and dietetics.
To become a registered dietitian nutritionist a path of higher education is a must as well as a dietetic internship from an acend accredited program and passing the national registration examination. Registered dietitian rd and registered dietitian nutritionist rdn are the same thing. You will need to complete a degree in human nutrition and dietetics from a university program that has been accredited by the partnership for dietetic education and practice pdep. Oz every day could call herself a nutritionist.
The pathway listed below is a common route many traditional students take but it is not the only path to become an rdn. A registered dietitian or nutritionist career can be a rewarding way to earn a living and knowing just what to prepare for while you re in your nutritionist degree program can be a big help. Let s clear this up first. Nutrition careers in colorado.
However a nutritionist alone is not the same thing and is much more loosely defined.