What Is a Registered Dietitian?
A registered dietitian is a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential “RD.” In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. State requirements frequently are met through the same education and training required to become an RD.
What Are Educational and Professional Requirements for a Registered Dietitian?
Registered dietitians must meet the following criteria to earn the RD credential:
- Receive a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association
- Complete a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support and diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for ADA and other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession but are not required.
What Do You Study to Become a Registered Dietitian?
Students wishing to become registered dietitians study subjects including food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, communications, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry.
Where Do Registered Dietitians Work?
The majority of registered dietitians work in the treatment and prevention of disease (administering medical nutrition therapy, often part of medical teams), in hospitals, HMOs, private practice or other health-care facilities. In addition, a large number of dietitians work in community and public health settings and academia and research. A growing number of registered dietitians work in the food and nutrition industry, in business, journalism, sports nutrition, corporate wellness programs and other non-traditional work settings.
Employment Settings
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered dietitians is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010 because of increased emphasis on disease prevention, a growing and aging population and public interest in nutrition. Employment in hospitals is expected to show little change because of anticipated slow growth and patients’ reduced lengths of hospital stay. Faster growth is anticipated in nursing homes, residential care facilities and physicians clinics. ADA's most recent survey of members shows RDs work in these settings:
| Hospitals (inpatient and acute care) |
34.0 |
percent |
Clinics and ambulatory care centers |
11.6 |
|
Community and public health programs |
11.3 |
|
Extended care facilities |
10.9 |
|
Consultation (primarily to health-care facilities) |
6.3 |
|
College and university faculty |
5.5 |
|
Other for-profit organizations and industries |
4.7 |
|
Other non-profit organizations |
4.5 |
|
Private practice (primarily to individual clients) |
3.5 |
|
School foodservice (K-12 and college) |
3.0 |
|
Consultation, primarily to other organizations |
2.0 |
|
HMOs, physician and other care providers |
1.7 |
|
Home care |
1.1 |
|
What Is the Salary Range for Registered Dietitians?
As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility and supply of RDs. According to ADA’s 2002 Dietetics Compensation and Benefits Survey, the median annual income for registered dietitians in the United States who have been working in the field for at least a year is $45,000. Salaries increase with experience. Many RDs, particularly those in private practice, business and consulting earn above $50,000.
How can I locate a registered dietitian near me?
Call ADA’s Member Service Center at 800/877-1600, ext. 5000, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Central).
For More Information
Write
American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Media information
Public Relations: 800/877-1600, ext. 4802, 4769, 4894 or 4822
www.eatright.org/
With nearly 65,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.
Visit CADE for more information
Information gathered from:
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_6658_ENU_HTML.htm
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