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Public Health Umdnj

Posted in Uncategorized | August 27th, 2011

public health umdnj
RD jobs? I need some advice?

I am currently in a DTR program at a local community college, pursuing an associates degree in dietetic technology. I plan to transfer to a UMDNJ, an online college program, to get my bachelor’s degree and eventually become a registered dietitian. I have a definate interest in nutrition and I want to help people become healthier through diet. However, all I have heard is that RDs don’t make that much money. Before taking out student loans to continue with school, I would like to ask anyone working as a dietitian to honestly let me know if its worth it. Where are the best jobs? (I live in the Philadelphia area) How much money is there to be earned? I don’t really have any interest in working in a hospital. I would rather work in public health, with the WIC or Headstart programs. My teachers have obviously told me that dietetics is a great field to enter in to. I need an honest answer from someone working as a dietitian. Thanks !

Check out the occupational outlook handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos077.htm Sometimes their info isn’t quite right, but I still find it pretty reliable. Usually their information on education is the most innaccurate, since they tend to list the technical minimums and not what is really expected by employers.

From my understanding, to really get hired as a dietician you need a masters degree. The jobs can be competitive since there would only be one at a lot of facilities, but with the “obesity epidemic” there may be more pressure to hire more RDs. Where the good jobs are may be a fluke, a bunch of jobs may open up in one area in a year, and then the next year there is nothing. There will probably be jobs, you may just have to move or accept a part time/ temp/ per diem job until you can get into a more permanent position. YOu may also have to take a job in a setting you don’t think is idal (“More than half of all jobs were in hospitals, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, or offices of physicians and other health practitioners. – OOH) to get experience to be hired for your dream job, this is normal in just about any field.You can look at job lisitngs now to get an idea of whats out there, but like I said that may change by the time you are looking for a job.

As for money:

“According to the American Dietetic Association, median annualized wages for registered dietitians in 2005 varied by practice area as follows: $53,800 in consultation and business; $60,000 in food and nutrition management; $60,200 in education and research; $48,800 in clinical nutrition/ambulatory care; $50,000 in clinical nutrition/long-term care; $44,800 in community nutrition; and $45,000 in clinical nutrition/acute care. Salaries also vary by years in practice, education level, and geographic region.”

You can look at your area here: http://data.bls.gov/oes/search.jsp?data_tool=OES

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.