Times and the trend of events are changing. The health care sector is not left out in this change. Nowadays, the health care status of a patient is not only on the medical personnel but such responsibility lies also on the patient and he is accountable for the status of his health care. For a healthy lifestyle, healthy and nutritious diet is very vital. Nutritionists or dietitians are trained professionals in nutrition, food selection as well as preparation. They are also experts on food adjustment for a specific needs caused by allergies, infections and diseases. Salaries vary greatly when depending on the path you choose on how to become a nutritionist.
Nutritionists counsel individuals on food choices for a healthy living. They also implement nutrition programs both for individuals and also for health care facilities like hospitals. Because of the increase in awareness on health, consumers will turn to professionals for direction and advice on proper dieting and good eating habits. Because of this, the demand for holistic nutritionists is on the increase. For professionals in sector, some requirements must be met. These requirements might vary from state to state.
How to Become a Nutritionist: Basic Information
Careers in nutrition are recession proof careers. If you want to learn how to become a nutritionist and to start a career in this profession, then you must get the necessary training. This you can start by getting connected to those who are certified and are already working as nutritionist. In doing this, you get to know what a nutritionist is expected to do. Get to know the pros and the cons of the profession. This information will guide you in making a quality decision whether the profession is right for you. You can also get useful tips from these professionals on how to become a nutritionist. Look into yellow pages to find these professionals. You can also inquire from your physician or visit a non-profit health organization.
When you are certain that this is the right profession for you, then it is now time to learn how to become a nutritionist, you have to get all the necessary information about food, diet and meal preparation. You can do a personal home experiment with some nutritional snacks and tasty meals. Find out the ones you do best. You can also get a family and friends option. With these, you can develop with some diet plans which people will really enjoy to eat which you can implement as soon as you are certified a nutritionist.
How to Become a Dietitian: Education Requirements
In learning how to become a dietitian, the first thing to do is to get the required educational qualification and training for your state. To start, you need to bag a Bachelor’s degree in food services, nutrition, dietetics or any other related area. At college level, you will need to study courses like nutrition, biology, the study of food, chemistry, mathematics, institution management and physiology etc all in classroom, laboratory studies and practical experience. It will also be useful if you learn a foreign language like Chinese or Spanish. The course of study in learning how to become a nutritionist must be approved or accredited by the American Dietetic Association. For a better career opportunity, get a masters degree in nutrition. A master’s degree in nutrition, will not only afford you more opportunity and positions in places like research, advanced clinical nutrition, management and public heath but will also help you to develop a core specialty in certain areas like cardiovascular, diabetic or even pediatric dietetics and aid you to career advancement into healthcare or even food management careers.
How to Become a Nutritionist: License Info
There are three means of accreditation of nutritionists and dietitians; licensing, certification and registration with registration being the least professional status and most dietitians opt for registration. Registration at some point was the only and major distinction and most states till date still stick to it. All the states have laws governing dietitians and nutritionists. Most of these states require license, and some others require certification. To be registered, the requirements given by the CDR both for classroom and experimental practices must be met and the examination must also be passed. This registration can be achieved in either of two ways;
1. To complete an accredited and approved bachelor’s degree in dietetics with a houseman ship or internship or any other the alternative ADA approved pre-practice program done in a 900 invigilated practice.
2. To register in an ADA accredited initiated programs that involve both classroom and practical work. At the completion of these programs with the required hours of practice, the candidate is awarded with either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. When either of the two courses is completed, the Commission on Dietetic Registration sets a twelve hour examination for the candidate to test him on the knowledge of community nutrition, normal nutrition, and clinical nutrition, and food science. This exam is usually in October and April.
How to Become a Nutritionist: Nutritionist Salaries
As reported by the United States Department of Labor, nutritionists and dietitians held up to half a million jobs in 2004. Majority of dietitians were employed in hospitals, outpatient settings, doctor’s offices and nursing homes. Others also worked in various settings like the private practice or for other agencies that specialize in provision of food service to schools. Airline, corporations, prisons, colleges and higher institutions and home health care.
According to the BLS, an average of $51,500 salary per annum and $24.5 per hour were earned by nutritionist in 2008. In most countries like California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Maryland nutritionists earned salaries in the range of $ 59,300 and $62,200 per annum and $228.5 and $29.9 per hour which is above the national average wages in the same year. Bureau of Labor Statistics as at May 2008 recorded that nutritionists that work in some metropolitan areas like San Jose, Oakland areas of California, and also the Frederick area in Maryland etc earned salaries in the range of $69,300 to $83,300 per annum $33.30 to $40.00.
How to Become a Nutritionist: Working environment for Nutritionists
Getting to know what the working environment of a nutritionist is, is one of the major information you need to get in learning how to become a nutritionist. Nutritionists and dietitians maintain an average working hours of 40 per week. This may fall into some weekends. Most professional nutritionist is not always on-call status. There is greater flexibility within this occupation as a good number of dietitians and nutritionists worked on part-time basis. Adding to working in any health care outfit or establishment, a nutritionist or dietitian can also establish a personal nutritional consulting outfit and service hospitals corporations as clientele. He can also choose to educate people in a community by working with a community outreach programs and can also rise to the post of a manager in charge of food production.
In learning how to become a nutritionist, it is good to know that the job of a nutritionist is so rewarding and fulfilling. Apart from earning, the nutritionist is impacting on the society as he is considered the custodian of the overall well-being of the society. The knowledge acquired before and after these training will help the nutritionist in discharging his duties well and guides the people on the part to wellness and healthy living.