My name is Ariel Easton and I’m currently a region 7 intern in Pensacola, FL. I’m originally from Toms River, NJ and traveled to Florida to stay with family while I completed my internship. I’m currently living in Pensacola, FL completing my clinical rotation at Baptist Hospital. However, I wasn’t originally going to complete my clinical rotations here at Baptist Hospital. I was first assigned to Jupiter Medical Center, in Jupiter, FL. At Jupiter I was able to complete my food service management, clinical nutrition management and patient services rotations. During this time, I started to form relationships with the kitchen staff and enjoyed completing my Retail and Wellness Marketing project with their kitchen staff. At the end of my first week of clinical in Jupiter I was made aware that due to COVID-19 the hospital had decided to suspend all students for the next two weeks. Unfortunately, this is not what happened. As the pandemic was declared, I realized that I wouldn’t be returning to Jupiter Medical Center anytime soon. The freedom I had to return home to be with my family during these trying times is something I’m so grateful for. I had support the whole time from my directors and talked on the phone with them about my best options at that time. That support made a world of a difference. Although I knew eventually I would get to complete my internship, it felt like everything I had worked so hard for had been ripped away from me—similar to the way the rest of the world was feeling in one way or another. All my preceptors were convinced this wouldn’t go on for longer than that, and I said goodbye thinking I’d see them again soon. During my time off-site from clinical rotations, I was able to complete many assignments, attend webinars, and worked on case studies to keep moving forward with the internship. I also worked with a private practice dietitian who does virtual nutrition coaching. I was able to learn the ins and outs of private practice from the comfort of her home.
My directors were continually trying to find a new site for me to complete my clinical rotations as it became clear that Jupiter wouldn’t be having students back any time soon. Luckily, Baptist Hospital was willing to take me right after their last intern was finished. I came into the hospital nervous knowing that I would immediately be jumping back into clinical after being out for so long. Once I was back in the hospital and seeing patients, I felt like I finally knew this is exactly where I was supposed to be. Baptist Hospital has 3 ICUs and 1 ICU step down unit, which made me nervous initially. By the end of my first week there I loved it and wanted to learn more, so I decided to change my concentration to MNT.
Baptist Hospital also has outpatient services for weight loss and bariatrics, oncology, CHF and cardiac rehab. So far, I have interned with the weight loss dietitian. Starting this week, the outpatient RD will be allowed to see patients in person again for the first time since March, and I will get to join her and counsel patients. The outpatient setting thus far has been very interesting to experience since it’s very different from the clinical hospital setting. I will also be working with the weight loss dietitian to make educational materials on mindful eating and doing a small presentation on the importance of mindful eating as well which I’m very much looking forward to.
The flexibility of this internship made such a difference during these difficult times, and so did the support I received from my directors. I still have multiple assignments and hours to complete, but I will get there. I know at the end of it all, with some additional studying of course, I will be well equipped to take the RD exam!
Baptist Hospital also has outpatient services for weight loss and bariatrics, oncology, CHF and cardiac rehab. So far, I have interned with the weight loss dietitian. Starting this week, the outpatient RD will be allowed to see patients in person again for the first time since March, and I will get to join her and counsel patients. The outpatient setting thus far has been very interesting to experience since it’s very different from the clinical hospital setting. I will also be working with the weight loss dietitian to make educational materials on mindful eating and doing a small presentation on the importance of mindful eating as well which I’m very much looking forward to.
The flexibility of this internship made such a difference during these difficult times, and so did the support I received from my directors. I still have multiple assignments and hours to complete, but I will get there. I know at the end of it all, with some additional studying of course, I will be well equipped to take the RD exam!
