Hello! My name is Karina Rico and I am a region 12 intern at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, California. I am currently in my first week of my advanced clinical rotation. It has been an experience I will never forget because being an intern during the COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming, but it has also taught me that staying positive and being flexible is key to being successful. Everyone at the hospital has a lot going on, but the dietitians have stayed calm and supportive towards me, despite all the work they have. At this point, I have worked with all the dietitians on staff and I have learned so much from each one. I am grateful that I can complete my clinical rotation in person and get the experience I need to meet all the required competencies.
In the beginning, I was intimidated by other members of the healthcare team because I was not sure how to effectively communicate with them. I have slowly gained my confidence in communicating and I am able to obtain pertinent information regarding patients. I am also more comfortable making recommendations and communicating them with the nurses. I look forward to having more interaction with the doctors in my upcoming critical care MNT rotation.
One of my favorite things to do as an intern is diet education for Spanish speakers. I provide them with nutrition education based on their newly diagnosed disease or one that they have had for years. The most common so far have been diabetic and heart healthy diets. I know it can be intimidating when they have language as a barrier so I find it fulfilling to be the one that can communicate with them and answer any questions that they have.
I have so much more to look forward to in the advanced clinical rotation and I’m excited to work with the ICU dietitians during critical care MNT.
In the beginning, I was intimidated by other members of the healthcare team because I was not sure how to effectively communicate with them. I have slowly gained my confidence in communicating and I am able to obtain pertinent information regarding patients. I am also more comfortable making recommendations and communicating them with the nurses. I look forward to having more interaction with the doctors in my upcoming critical care MNT rotation.
One of my favorite things to do as an intern is diet education for Spanish speakers. I provide them with nutrition education based on their newly diagnosed disease or one that they have had for years. The most common so far have been diabetic and heart healthy diets. I know it can be intimidating when they have language as a barrier so I find it fulfilling to be the one that can communicate with them and answer any questions that they have.
I have so much more to look forward to in the advanced clinical rotation and I’m excited to work with the ICU dietitians during critical care MNT.
