We often hear the terms “Nutritionist” and “Dietitian” interchangeably. However, they are not interchangeable, and the salaries, job prospects, and educational requirements are vastly different. So, what are the differences?
Dietitian
A Registered Dietitian(RD) has been accredited by the CDR(Commission on Dietetic Registration) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and has met ALL of the mandatory experience and academic requirements. The title “Registered Dietitian” is a legally protected professional title. To be able to legally refer to yourself as a Registered Dietitian, you must:
- Hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition science, nutrition, or dietetics. About 50% of RD’s have advanced degrees.
- To be licensed as a Registered Dietitian, the student must complete an approved internship
The purpose of the mandatory internship is to ensure the prospective Registered Dietitian has hands on experience with patients. When hospitals hire employees for nutritional positions, they are typically only looking to hire Registered Dietitians.
Nutritionists
Nutritionist is NOT a credential that is nationally recognized, or legally protected. what this means is that in many states, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, regardless of whether or not they graduated from an accredited college. Other states DO regulate who may call themselves a Nutritionist, but employment at hospitals in those states are also typically only looking to hire Registered Dietitians.
What’s The End Result?
If you’re looking for a program that is recognized by ALL hospitals and clinics, the Registered Dietitian is the route to take. That’s not to say that a Nutritionist Program is worthless. Many of them are valuable, and lead to an in-depth understanding of dietetics and nutrition. Please keep one thing in mind, though: ALL Registered Dietitians can refer to themselves as Nutritionists, but Nutritionists may NOT refer to themselves as Registered Dietitians unless they are nationally credentialed.