Program Overview
The primary objective of the program is to train qualified individuals to become competent dietitians. For the 2025-26 class, six dietetic interns will be selected for the program. The DI program will be a 12-15-month internship program beginning in early June 2025 and ending the following summer in August 2026 for those also completing the graduate degree. If you already have a graduate degree, it is only 9 months. You will experience supervised practice rotations in over 10 different sites, including hospitals, long-term care, dialysis, foodservice, community and pediatrics. In addition, interns may complete a totally online 30-credit hour graduate program. Our team of over 25 preceptors and faculty focus on you being prepared and confident as you begin your career.
How to become a Registered Dietitian (RD)
To become a RD, or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), an individual must complete a process as outlined on the Academy website:
- Completed a minimum of a graduate degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Completed an ACEND®– 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.
- Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website.
- Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Please visit this webpage to learn more about the pathways to becoming a registered dietitian (RD): https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/information-for-students/registered-dietitian-nutritionist-fact-sheet
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND’s considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND-accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: State Licensure.
Accreditation
The NHC Dietetic Internship Program is currently granted accreditation status by ACEND of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600, Ext. 5400. (https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend ; email ACEND@eatright.org). ACEND is the only accrediting agency for dietetics education recognized by the USDE.
Mission, Goals, and Objectives
The mission of the NHC DI program is “To prepare interns to become successful entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists through supervised practice and didactic learning experiences in clinical, foodservice management, community, and leadership in nutrition. “The mission of the program drives the goals and outcome measures that are listed below:
Program Goal 1: The program will produce competent graduates who are prepared for entry- level practice as registered dietitian nutritionists.
Objective 1.1: At least 80% of program interns complete program/degree requirements within 23 months (150% of the program length).
Objective 1.2: Of graduates who seek employment, 89% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 1.3: 89% percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Objective 1.4: The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
Objective 1.5: Program graduates will rate knowledge and preparedness for entry-level dietetics practice as adequate, as evidenced by a mean score of 4.0 or higher (out of 5.0) on the graduate/employer survey.
Objective 1.6: Employers of program graduates will rate knowledge and preparedness for entry-level dietetics practice as adequate, as evidenced by a mean score of 4.0 or higher (out of 5.0) on the graduate/employer survey.
Program Goal 2: The program will prepare graduates to practice in the nutrition field and provide a return on investment (ROI) for the sponsoring institution.
Objective 2.1: Over a five-year period, 40% of graduates provide the sponsoring institution with one to two years of work, to provide a return on investment (ROI) to NHC and encourage further sponsorship of the program.
Program Goal 3: The program will prepare graduates to demonstrate a commitment to the community through professional involvement, leadership and service in a variety of personal or professional settings.
Objective 3.1: The interns will become members of the national, state, and local dietetic association and will attend either in person or virtually, a local district dietetic association meeting and a national dietetic association meeting while in the program.
Objective 3.2: When surveyed, graduates will rate their level of involvement in professional activities, community service or leadership activities as adequate, as evidenced by a mean score of 4.0 out of 5.0 or above on the graduate/employer survey.
Complaint Policy
Any grievances or complaints about the dietetic internship should first be presented to the director. If the intern is dissatisfied with the results of the conference with the director, then the intern should make a request, in writing, for a conference with the grievance committee. The Grievance Committee will be composed of the Program Director and the NHC Assistant Vice-President (AVP), Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). If the intern is still dissatisfied, then a written request should be made for a conference with the senior vice president of patient services. All grievances will be documented and signed by the director and the intern. The original will be filed in the intern’s folder and kept on file in the office of the director.
If the intern has a grievance or complaint related to their graduate courses, they will be encouraged to discuss it with their graduate school professor first, then their advisor. If that does not resolve the issue, they will be encouraged to discuss it with the DI Director who will help direct them to the proper contact.
If an individual other than an intern such as faculty, preceptor, dietetics practitioner and/or member of the public has a complaint, they may submit a complaint against the program. If the complaint can be addressed with the program director, that is the first course of action. If it is believed that it can’t be resolved through the program director, the complaint can be brought to the NHC AVP of FNS. The procedure to file complaints against accredited programs to ACEND is discussed in the policy and procedure manual. Please submit complaints directly to ACEND only after all other options with the program and the institution have been exhausted. All grievances will be handled in a manner that prevents retaliation.