Dealing with Doubts
I know that dietetic internships are competitive. Last I heard, it is still about a 50% match rate. It’s been a long road and I’m proud of my skills and accomplishments. I know that I earned this position through hard work. To be honest though, I sometimes doubt myself and wonder if all those things are true.
This may not seem like a fun topic, but I want to talk about self-doubt as an intern. I think it is completely normal to doubt yourself. I want to share some thoughts and practices I use to help deal with that doubt. But do not worry dear readers, this will still be a positive and uplifting read!
Let's take it on back to Match Day. It’s nerve wracking and stressful. It takes forever until you’re able to finally check that darn D&D Digital. This was even my second time applying but the nerves were still there.
Since I’m writing this, you know that Match Day ended well for me last year. Even so, I had mixed feelings about moving for the internship. I had already made a big move after graduating in 2014. I really liked where I lived and had gotten used to working full time. I had doubts about moving to another new place and managing the internship schedule. I was also worried about being homesick or lonely. I wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye to my pup and partner either, but I want those opportunities that an RDN credential will give me. I knew that this decision and move were going to be the best choices for me and my future.
I’m sharing this because I want you to know that it’s okay to have bad days during your internship. For some, it may be a big move away from family and or friends. Even if it’s not a big move, you will be faced with new expectations and responsibilities. It’s normal and okay to feel homesick or overwhelmed. Sometimes those feelings may even affect your work at a rotation. Some days have been tough for me and I doubt my decision. When that happens, I remind myself that every day will not and does not have to be my best day. Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try to do your best each day. Rather, I found it helpful to remember that we’re only human and if one day is tough that doesn’t necessarily mean that tomorrow will be.
Alright, I think I need to lighten this up a bit with some fun stuff! I want you to remember that what you do outside of your internship is just as important as your rotations. Your internship will be a full-time job and you may have didactic assignments as homework too. However, I strongly recommend setting aside time for yourself. I joined a rock-climbing gym, volunteer at the local animal shelter and try to go hiking on the weekends. I always feel recharged and more motivated after I’ve taken some time for myself!
Okay, I have just one more thought to share about working as an intern. Your best work does not mean perfect work. I’ve chased the idea of perfection in the past and sometimes I still think that perfection means success. This mindset can make being an intern very hard! You will make mistakes and that is okay. For example, my clinical rotation was very challenging. For the longest time I felt like I was never going to get better at charting or nutrition assessments.
I guess I have two more thoughts because I want you to know it’s okay to reach out for help or advice. I talked with my director and my clinical preceptor about my concerns. I realized that my focus on doing everything right was making me doubt myself. My clinical rotation went much better once I stopped worrying about trying to make my notes perfect. I still made mistakes but remembered that this is my time to learn. By the end of my clinical rotation, I was not only more proficient but also more confident in my charting skills.
Well dear readers, that covers all that I wanted to share. If you’re in an internship now or applying for one: you’ve got this! I’ve learned so much during my internship about different opportunities in dietetics but also a lot about myself. Now I’m even more excited about what lies ahead!
