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Q: Registered Dietitians
Why did you decide to become a Registered Dietitian? (September, 2000)
A: Diana Peabody, RD responds:
I always wanted to be in a profession that helped others in some way and I have had a passion for nutrition and food since the age of about 18. Let's just say that was quite a while ago. Being a dietitian allows me to combine the two, making it extremely fulfilling work. I initially saw myself as teacher and counsellor, spreading the word of good nutrition, but I didn't realize in the beginning how much the patients and clients I work with would teach me.
A: Barbara J. Scott, MPH, RD responds:
I decided that I wanted a career in nutrition because it was challenging and seemed a way to be of service, especially in the community as it relates to hunger and poverty. I didn't really decide to become an RD; that was just the path to getting the necessary credentials!
A: Donna Tinnerello,MS, RD, CD/N responds:
I decided to became an RD because I wanted to help people with their nutrition problems and I wanted to be recognized as a professional in the field. I really wanted to work in the hospital -- only RDs have that privilege. It was the best career move I ever made.
(Administrator's Note: If you would also like to see Jennifer's story on this, you can read her piece Feed My People about how she got interested in nutrition in the first place. Also, her piece A Few Words about the Basket and her article Alphabet Soup contain references on licensure for nutritionists and the credential of Registered Dietitian. But Jennifer's most telling excerpt on the topic is quoted below from her article Summer Sound Bites:)
A: Jennifer Jensen, MS, MBA, RD responds:
WHO'S A NUTRITIONIST?
Good question. Consider California. Here, the term nutritionist is not defined at all. There is no state licensing available. Anyone is legal to call him/herself a nutritionist even if he/she didn't graduate kindergarten! In fact, there is no state law to prevent the display of impressive, unearned initials and credentials like Ph.D. (This really is true!)
Nutrition should be licensed and regulated here in California, and here's why: If you have HIV/AIDS, and you need to have your hair cut, you must go to a licensed professional. If you need nutrition advice, anyone will do -- there aren't any state licensed nutritionists. Here, you have nothing to qualify your choice in nutritionist other than the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential which means this person has at least a college degree and has had training in therapeutic nutrition.
Several years ago, my dog joined the American Nutritionists' Association (ANA) by telling them (fibbing a little!) that she was a graduate student in Nutrition at UCLA. She was admitted without question or delay. Two years later members of ANA were "grandfathered" into The American College of Nutrition, an important and respected group. The dog's still getting mail. (Welcome to my profession!)
