Introduction to Dietetic Internship

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Introduction to Dietetic Internship

• Laura Reid, IDI Coordinator

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To become a dietitian you need to

• Graduate from an accredited Nutrition degree
  program (i.e. StFX BScHNU)
• Complete an accredited dietetic internship
  program
• Successfully complete the national registration
  exam (CDRE)
• RD or PDt!!

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Dietetic Internship Routes

• Through StFX, during and following BScHNU

• After StFX BScHNU
• (apply in 4th year)

• StFX IDI Program

• Graduate Dietetic Internship Programs
• Master Degree with Dietetic Internship Programs

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Graduate Internship Programs

• Atlantic Canada (Halifax, Moncton, St Johns)
• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Compete with students from across Canada
• Info on http//dietitians.ca website

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Graduate Internship Programs

• Application process through Dietitians of Canada
  website
• www.dietitians.ca
• Selection process fee
• Individual program application fees may also
  apply
• Can choose 3 programs to apply to
• Have 3 years after graduation to apply

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Master Degree with Combined Internship Programs

• No limit to how many you can apply to
• Do both your Master in Nutrition degree and
  dietetic internship
• Different focus depending on the program

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Everything you Need to know about the StFX
Integrated Dietetic Internship (IDI) Program

• Laura Reid, MEd, PDt IDI Coordinator

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WHY IDI at StFX

• To open more doors to the dietetic profession
• To integrate academic learning with experiential
  learning
• To add a training component to the strong
  education you get at St FX

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WHY IDI at StFX

• To work with dietitians in the region to build a
  stronger profession
• To meet the service needs of our region
• To offer an alternative to graduate internships

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IDI Honours Conversion

• The IDI Program is now an Honours conversion
  program
• What does this mean?
• Interns will graduate after 4th year with
  Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSc HNU).
• Complete their internship enrolled in the IDI
  Honours Conversion
• BSc HNU major degree will then be converted to an
  honours with IDI degree when IDI is complete
• NS students are now eligible for NS student loans
  while in IDI!

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The internship

• Three (3) fourteen (14) week placements including
  an Orientation program after the successful
  completion of 3rd year of studies
• Practicum I First of May to mid August
• Complete 4th year of studies
• Practicum II First of May to mid August
• Practicum III First of September to mid
  December

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Typical Breakdown for each Practicum

• PI
• 1 week orientation
• 5 week food service/management
• 5 weeks community
• 4 weeks nutrition assessment/clinical

• PII
• 7 weeks food service/management
• 7 weeks community

• PIII
• 14-16 weeks clinical
• PII PIII sequence may switch

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WHERE are placements ?

• The majority of our placements are located Nova
  Scotia.
• We do have some placements in other areas of
  Atlantic Canada
• Must be willing to relocate within Atlantic
  Canada if necessary, and be aware you may not get
  to pick your location (placements may not be at
  home)
• Some placements require a vehicle

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WHO Should Apply?

• Intent to apply by end of second year HNU
• March 30th deadline hand in to Department Chair
  at the Main Office http//sites.stfx.ca/dean_o
  f_science/node/63
• Formal Application in third year. Course
  sequence equivalent to the established academic
  requirements for the HNU Program (see academic
  calendar for more details).

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WHO Should Apply?

• Wanted Super Keen IDI Machines!
• ARE YOU
• - self-directed
• - flexible
• - open communicator
• - caring
• - team player
• - independent

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WHOS WHO?

• IDI Coordinator Laura Reid( JBB-247)
• My role is to advise you throughout the
  application process
• External Advisory Committee (13 members)
• Selection Committee (one external member 2
  external dietitians or 3 dietitians)
• Preceptors Dietetic professionals who supervise
  IDI Interns during a placement

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Current IDI Interns

• 6 completing their final internship practicum
  (PIII) this fall
• 2 in their second practicum (PII) and entering
  their final PIII in January
• 2 intern in their first practicum (PI)
• 7 completed PI this summer and are back for their
  4th year of study

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To be eligible to apply Grades

• Overall average of 70
• And an overall average of 75 in HNU courses

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WHAT are the Course Requirements?

• At the earliest, students may commence internship
  after completing the 3rd year course sequence AND
  HNU 356
• Completed all 1st and 2nd year HNU courses and
  currently taking 3rd year course sequence

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Prior to beginning IDI(Required for Practicum I)

• Food Service (HNU 356)
• Communications (HNU 235)
• Nutrition Assessment (HNU 351)
• Nutrition in Chronic Disease Prevention
  Management (HNU 352)
• Community Nutrition (HNU 365)
• Research Methods (HNU 385)

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Additional Requirements for Practicum II

• Must complete other required courses HNU 456,
  Food Service System Management before progressing
  to 2nd practicum

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Please Note!

• HNU 356 456 are required to apply for all
  dietetic internship programs (in addition to our
  HNU degree course requirements)

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What about Transfer Students and 5th Year HKIN
Students?

• Students who have not completed the required
  course sequence by the end of their third year
  may apply for the IDI program in their 4th or 5th
  year
• If accepted, these students may complete three
  consecutive practica throughout the summer, fall
  and winter after their graduation.

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What about 4th Year Students?

• 4th year HNU students who meet the eligibility
  requirements are invited to apply to the IDI
  program EVEN if they applied last year
• If accepted, they will complete the 3 internship
  practica consecutively

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Common Questions

• 1 How many internship spots are available?
• This differs each year depending on the
  availability of preceptors. Each year we have
  attempted to expand the program by an additional
  1-2 spots, however this is dependant on the
  supporters of our program.
• The IDI Coordinator will know in January how many
  spots will be available for that application year.

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Common Questions

• 2 Can I pick my placements?
• Input may be possible for PII and PIII, but NOT
  for PI as the placements are determined before
  the interns are selected
• Priority is given to placing interns in Nova
  Scotia with the preceptors that support our
  program. Options outside the Maritimes are
  becoming more and more limited due to several
  issues.

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Interns in Placement - Summer 2015
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Interns in Placement fall 2015Sport nutrition
Interns
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It All Comes Down to

• The Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Practice
  (ICDEP)
• Professional Practice Competence
• Research Competence
• Communication Collaboration Competence
• Nutrition Care Competence
• Population Public Health Competence
• Management Competence
• Accomplished through Performance Indicators and
  Enabling Activities

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Getting started

• JUST DO IT!
• Get started early
• Make and appointment with Laura!!
• Develop Resume
• Talk to possible references
• Work on your Portfolio, Resume and Cover Letter
• Speak with Interns and IDI Coordinator
• Scholarships available

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Key Dates2015/16

• Oct 9th IDI Graduate Application Package
  Review Preparation Tips
• Oct 21st Resume Cover Letter Workshop
• Nov 5th Intent to Apply Form Composite
  request must be in (including your resume
  cover letter)
• Nov 9th Portfolio Workshop
• January 6th Putting Internship package
  together
• January 29th Application package submitted
  (Graduate Package Feb 1st)
• Mid February Informed of interview
• End of February - Selection Committee screens
  and conducts interviews
• March 10th IDI Coordinator informs ALL
  applicants of application status via email
• Within 3 days applicants must return signed
  letter of acceptance

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Check out the HNU Website

• http//sites.stfx.ca/human_nutrition/
• Follow us on Facebook!
• http//facebook.com/stfx.idi
• and
• http//facebook.com/STFXstudentathletenutrition

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Bulletin Boards in JBB
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Questions?

• Laura Reid, MEd,PDt,CDE
• IDI Coordinator
• JBB 247
• 867-5039
• lreid_at_stfx.ca