8 Ways to Be a Dietetics Superhero: Advocacy
I have spent the last 8 weeks at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) in my Food Service Management rotation learning from a team that is truly passionate about nourishing their patients and the community. The SBCH Nutrition Department really lives up to their mission statement, “We believe in the art and science of food. Thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced, and nourishing.”
This rotation gave me the opportunity to help launch a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program with Something Good Organics, create a Halloween room service menu for patients, discuss with team members why plating and tray aesthetics matter, and so much more. All these experiences were invaluable, but what stood out to me the most was the theme of advocacy in the SBCH Nutrition Department’s work flow and daily decisions.
On the very first day of my Food Service Management rotation, the Director of Hospitality Services at SBCH asked me to think about what the value added is in everything that their Nutrition team does. This made me think more about what it means to be a dietetics professional: being intentional about how your actions add value to those you want to serve. By doing so, you are advocating for patients, clients, the community, the profession, and your expertise.
Here are 8 ways you can be a dietetics superhero through advocacy:
Advocate for yourself as a professional by…
1. Staying up to date on current nutrition research
Let “evidence-based practice” be your mantra.
Remember, this applies even when you’re doing community nutrition work. I took the extra step of reviewing census data and research on previous CSA programs in California before coming up with a marketing strategy for the CSA program at SBCH, which helped me to focus my time on ideas that would work.
2. Being confident in your knowledge and experience
Trust the extensive education and training that we go through to become an RDN.
I learned so much from the Culinary Dietitian at SBCH, who was the go-to person for all things related to patient food nutrients and the Nutrition department’s nutrient analysis software.
3. Voicing your expertise when working in interdisciplinary teams
Be the best RD you can be.
I attended daily management meetings with several of the RDNs and food service nutrition managers, where every person contributed (including me, the dietetic intern)!
Advocate for the dietetics profession as a group by…
4. Being professional and respectful of your peers
Earn the respect of colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
The entire Nutrition team at SBCH is held to high standards and each person takes pride in their professionalism. Fitting in as an intern was intimidating at first, but I was able to step up and earn the trust of my preceptors. It was a great feeling to be regarded as a part of the professional team.
5. Knowing that there is power in numbers
Work with other RDNs to advocate for the profession and join in on the conversations.
I have seen RDNs working together on a daily basis, bringing individual expertise and specializations to the table to solve nutrition related problems and help clients, patients, and the community. RDNs and dietetics students are out there talking about what a dietitian does and what it takes to become a nutrition expert.
6. Connecting with other RD2Bes, RDNs, and healthcare professionals
Get out and network. Attend nutrition conferences to get to know other dietetics professionals.
I attended the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) for the first time back in 2014 as a student. It was an amazing experience to learn about the latest nutrition research and meet RDNs and other RD2Bes from different states and countries.
Advocate for your patients, clients, and/or the community by…
7. Remembering you are the person they count on to advocate for their nutrition needs
You’re the nutrition expert with a depth and breadth of knowledge. Who else studies OChem after finishing recipe costing and nutrient analysis for 100 meal options, and then prepares for a case study presentation on End Stage Renal Disease?
Advocating for nutrition needs can be done in many different ways. At SBCH, I got to advocate for patients through menu development and nutrient analysis so that patients on different therapeutic diet orders could enjoy special Halloween dishes too.
8. Getting creative!
We each have different skills and perspectives to offer. Utilize your personal strengths to create nutrition programs and education materials tailored to the person/community you’re serving.
With a professional cooking background, I love creating recipes with nutrition and dietary restrictions in mind. This has definitely come in handy in my dietetic internship!
When you start your dietetic internship, remember to stop and think about what value you’re adding as a professional and how you want to be a future dietetics superhero.
Looking for more insights about being a dietetics professional? Read some of the related posts by other Cal Poly SLO interns and alums:
The Expert Never Stops Learning by Jessica Kaliher
What You Haven’t Been Told About Being A Dietetics Professional by Kelsey Krieger