Nutrition Degree

[janette]

Does anyone have a degree in Nutrition? This is something my 17yo DD is interested in but she's not sure she wants to be a Dietitian and would like to know what other type of jobs people do with this degree.

It would also be nice to know if you got a degree in Nutrition but haven't found that it worked for you in the job market.

Thanks.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I manage the clinical nutrition department in my hospital. We have two fulltime RDs and one PRN who does our outpatient counseling.I think they enjoy their jobs, but they certainly don't make as much as the RNs, and they have master's degrees!

 

[janette]

Thanks Judy, she doesn't want to work with patients so nursing is out although she knows she'll be doing the medical classes. The working with patients is also why she's not sure about nutrition but there are other things you can do at least that's what she's hoping.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I manage the clinical nutrition department in my hospital. We have two fulltime RDs and one PRN who does our outpatient counseling.I think they enjoy their jobs, but they certainly don't make as much as the RNs, and they have master's degrees!

You might be surprised how many staff nurses today also hold master's degrees - you wouldn't know it unless you look closely at their nametags or resumes. I work with many who are also master's prepared NPs. They keep their staff nurse jobs because the hours work better with familes and the pay is better than what they can get working in medical practices.

janette, it's good that your DD knows she doesn't want to work with patients in the way that a nurse does (ie hands on). I took some nutrition classes in college and enjoyed them, but was surprised at how much chemistry is involved. In the hospital setting, they come in and evaluate nutritional needs of patients using calculations, and make recommendations for improving nutritional status as that's a big part of healing. There are other types of settings they can work in, too. Educating people is a big piece of it (and obviously a challenging one!)

 

[janette]

Thank you, math / science are her stronger subjects and part of what she finds interesting about the degree. She's thought of maybe something in food service or menu planning over patient work / counseling.

The other degree she's considering is Computer Science and because not all schools offer both and they are completely different paths it will help if she decides before picking a college.

 

[Piecey]

I know someone with a degree in Nutrition, but he's not using it for his profession.

He works for the state and does the initial investigations for adolescent sexual abuse cases. He loves his job, but also loved his degree work.

 

[Judy from Boise]

You might be surprised how many staff nurses today also hold master's degrees - you wouldn't know it unless you look closely at their nametags or resumes. I work with many who are also master's prepared NPs. They keep their staff nurse jobs because the hours work better with familes and the pay is better than what they can get working in medical practices.

Wouldn't suprise me at all ! Have one myself , and still worked the bedside, although for some years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist not staff nurse per se. I was just illustrated the difference in starting pay despite the difference in degrees.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wouldn't suprise me at all ! Have one myself , and still worked the bedside, although for some years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist not staff nurse per se.

So are you managing the Nutrition Dept as part of your nursing role?

 

[Traveliz]

My college roommate had a degree in Nutrition and works for the American Dairy Association.

Liz

 

[Forevryoung]

My mom has a nutrition degree (is an RD). Her cool part time job is being part of a Corporate Wellness Program for a major government site here (think scientists).

She gets to teach classes and see clients.

If your daughter wants her email address to know more about different jobs in the field PM me. She's been in the field for 10 years so not too short not too long (went back to school) and has worked in many different environments.

 

[Judy from Boise]

So are you managing the Nutrition Dept as part of your nursing role?

Yes, I manage (not directly of course they all have great department managers) the pharmacy, clinical nutrition, resp therapy, admissions, and nursing.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, I manage (not directly of course they all have great department managers) the pharmacy, clinical nutrition, resp therapy, admissions, and nursing.

Yikes, Janette, 17 already!? Can't believe how time flies. Best wishes to her.

 

[smkiss02]

I'm in university right now for nutrition. It's 4 years then a 1 year internship. I'm not in the US but here in Canada, most (if not all) of the internships are unpaid and are competitive to get in to. To become a dietitian you need to have completed the internship.

Honestly, I really don't know what else you can do with a nutrition degree. I don't have a Plan B right now if I don't get the internship.

I think with a nutrition degree you can work in food service like a food service supervisor or actually I do know of someone who works for a neutraceutical/functional foods research centre.

If she does become a dietitian I do know she definately doesn't have to work with patients if she doesn't want to! There are community dietitians that do programs for the public. Even in long term care homes...the dietitian I worked for didn't spend a whole lot of time with the residents. She mainly made their diet plans and did a lot of computer work.

A lot of food companies also hire dietitians for research work, lab work, etc...like Kraft, Dairy companies, Agricultural companies.

Good luck to her!