Aloha! My name is Kesha Dunn and I am an intern in Honolulu, Hawaii as well as an online URI master’s student in dietetics. I am currently finishing up my very first week of the dietetic internship in my food service management rotation. I also have recently returned from the Denver orientation, and I have to say that the orientation gave me a lot of the tools and resources necessary to get started with my rotations.
I will be completing my food service management, patient services management, as well as clinical rotations at the same health care facility here in Honolulu. Being a distance intern, it is extremely important to be self-motivated and organized in order to arrange each rotation in a way that will be not only advantageous but fun! When I walked in on my first day, right off the bat I understood the importance of creating a game plan to accomplish every objective and to be self-directed as operations will continue on whether you’re along for the ride or not.
In just five days I have participated in various in-service meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, production meetings, observed ordering, inventory, sales, deposits, tray testing, and more. I am also fortunate to be present during a new menu roll out for the patient room services. In fact, I will be responsible for creating a menu resource book containing the new menu item recipes, nutritional facts, and step by step preparation guides in order to provide consistent products to our patients.
I am already blown away at how valuable a dietitian’s contributions are in all parts of a health care facility. From ordering products to collaborating in creating menu items to being a voice in improving interdisciplinary care, dietitians have their hands in it all! If you are looking to apply for a dietetic internship, or are ready to begin one, my advice to you is to come in with an open mind eager to learn everything you can about the dietetics field. You will be amazed, just as I am, at how dynamic the role of a dietitian is. And remember that the internship is YOUR time to learn and be creative in what you are passionate about. Make it fun!
I will be completing my food service management, patient services management, as well as clinical rotations at the same health care facility here in Honolulu. Being a distance intern, it is extremely important to be self-motivated and organized in order to arrange each rotation in a way that will be not only advantageous but fun! When I walked in on my first day, right off the bat I understood the importance of creating a game plan to accomplish every objective and to be self-directed as operations will continue on whether you’re along for the ride or not.
In just five days I have participated in various in-service meetings, interdisciplinary meetings, production meetings, observed ordering, inventory, sales, deposits, tray testing, and more. I am also fortunate to be present during a new menu roll out for the patient room services. In fact, I will be responsible for creating a menu resource book containing the new menu item recipes, nutritional facts, and step by step preparation guides in order to provide consistent products to our patients.
I am already blown away at how valuable a dietitian’s contributions are in all parts of a health care facility. From ordering products to collaborating in creating menu items to being a voice in improving interdisciplinary care, dietitians have their hands in it all! If you are looking to apply for a dietetic internship, or are ready to begin one, my advice to you is to come in with an open mind eager to learn everything you can about the dietetics field. You will be amazed, just as I am, at how dynamic the role of a dietitian is. And remember that the internship is YOUR time to learn and be creative in what you are passionate about. Make it fun!
