What better way to pick back up my blog than with celebrating Dietitian Day and International Women’s Day. Did you know ~92% of all Registered Dietitians are women? Now, I do have issue with this statistic, but since it is a reality we live in as a RDN today we are going to lean into it and embrace the amazing women that are Rockstar Dietitians.
I became a Registered Dietitian because I wanted to help people and work with people to be the best version of themselves. I found the niche area of neonatal nutrition, because I loved being able to have a meaningful impact on my patients and see the changes that nutrition plays in their tiny lives. Babies grow, adapt and overcome adversity and seeing those changes in such a short period of time is truly a miracle.
I have ad the opportunity to work with some amazing women over the years in the field of dietetics. Each job I have held, I have had more senior RDs teach me what they know and impart that wisdom to me. I am thankful for each one of them and for them taking the time to help me become the RD that I am today.
As I look back on my 11.5 year career as a RD, I wanted to share some thoughts with you about my journey.
I have worked at three different hospital institutions that were three very different sizes. I covered adult CICU, labor/delivery, high risk OB, NICU (inpatient and outpatient), pediatrics (inpatient and outpatient).
I have somehow managed to be responsible for high risk OB patients at each hospital I have work at over the last 11.5 years.
I covered NICU Follow Up clinic at my very first job and at my current job.
I have had the chance to do countless radio, TV, newspaper and written publication work over the years. My favorite thing is writing and then TV appearances. Radio work was much harder than I imagined and I really preferred in person media education.
As specifically a NICU RD, this last year with COVID supply chain issues and formula recalls it has been SO challenging to work with families on what formulas are available and what works best for their child.
I am incredibly thankful for this career journey and for all the experiences and people I have met. It has been such an amazing ride and so better than I ever imagined. I wish that I could change some things and have RDs make more money and have more diversity and be a career that more people have access to, but I will continue to work to support our profession and work to move us in that direction. So for today, Happy Registered Dietitian Day and thank you to ALL the amazing RDs who work tirelessly to take care of their patients/clients.
