Job opportunities in the field of dietetics continue to grow in a variety of areas including health care, sports nutrition, and public policy. Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) serve an integral role in each of these settings. The educational background and training provided prepares RD/RDNs to work among diverse populations with various needs.
Clinical Dietetics
As part of a healthcare team, RDNs educate and counsel patients about nutrition, provide medical nutrition therapy through assessment of nutritional needs, nutritional diagnoses, and an individual nutrition care plan.
Fields: hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient settings, military
Food Service Management
As part of the management team, dietitians plan and oversee everything from food purchasing and preparation to managing of staff.
Fields: schools, nursing home facilities, healthcare facilities, hotels, restaurants, colleges, day care centers, military
Business, Industry and Sales
Food firms need people with nutrition expertise for communications, consumer affairs, public relations, marketing, and product development.
Fields: sales and promotion, food industry, corporate wellness programs, marketing, supermarkets
Community Nutrition
As a member of the community health care team, RDNs work with the community to plan and coordinate community- wide health programs to improve their quality of life through healthy eating habits.
Fields: WIC, community gardens, community-based clinics, extension wellness programs
Private Practice or Entrepreneurial
Working in their own business or under contract with health-focused companies, RDNs may provide advice on services in nutrition care, sports nutrition or food service management.
Fields: food vendors, restaurant managers, nursing home residents, company employers, extension agencies, supermarkets, private clients
Sports Nutrition and Wellness Programs
Applying sports nutrition science to fueling fitness, sport and athletic performance, sports RDNs provide nutritional information for those seeking to achieve optimal performance.
Fields: colleges and university athletic departments, corporations, health care organizations, professional sports organizations, private practice, health and fitness centers, military
Public Policy
Registered dietitians work to assist in developing dietary recommendations or guidelines that benefit the public’s health and well-being.
Fields: local, state, or national government
Education and Research
Working closely with investigators and colleagues, RDNs implement, evaluate, and provide educational experiences for dietetic, medial, nursing or other allied health students.
Fields: clinical research centers in hospitals, academic centers