Hi everyone! My name is Meghan and I am a Region 1 intern (MA). I am currently in middle of my intermediate clinical rotation at Winchester Hospital (Winchester MA) and loving it! The beginning of winter has brought a lot of diverse and high acuity patients to the hospital, allowing me to further develop my knowledge and skills. I have had the opportunity to train in the oncology center and collaborate with the outpatient RD, ensuring continuity of care for our patients after they are discharged. I was also able to observe a modified barium swallow and study the patient’s x-rays, with the help of a speech pathologist, to recommend an appropriate diet order. I am looking forward to strengthening my MNT knowledge, recommendations, and patients’ experiences over the next three months!
Prior to starting my clinical rotations, I completed the majority of my community hours at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) working with their campus RD. While on campus, I was able to counsel students and staff on various nutrition topics, from general healthy eating to eating disorders to new onset diabetes. It was surprising to see how many individuals are unfamiliar with nutrition basics, highlighting a knowledge deficit and need for our expertise in this population today. Another responsibility of mine was manning the fueling station – educating student athletes on appropriate pre- and post- workout snacks, as well as meal composition and timing before performance. Throughout my time at SNHU, the RD and I were able to create some popular tabling events for the students, such as Sustainable Snacking and Farm to Table Apple Day. I had a wonderful community experience and was able to see a different realm of school nutrition that I was not expecting!
My advice to current and future dietetic interns: Don’t be afraid to ask questions/look things up! I am constantly researching conditions and their respective MNTs, as well as medication interactions. Our preceptors do not expect us to know everything regarding nutrition; they are there to answer questions and help for a reason. Asking questions shows preceptors your willingness to learn and prepares you to be a great RD!
Prior to starting my clinical rotations, I completed the majority of my community hours at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) working with their campus RD. While on campus, I was able to counsel students and staff on various nutrition topics, from general healthy eating to eating disorders to new onset diabetes. It was surprising to see how many individuals are unfamiliar with nutrition basics, highlighting a knowledge deficit and need for our expertise in this population today. Another responsibility of mine was manning the fueling station – educating student athletes on appropriate pre- and post- workout snacks, as well as meal composition and timing before performance. Throughout my time at SNHU, the RD and I were able to create some popular tabling events for the students, such as Sustainable Snacking and Farm to Table Apple Day. I had a wonderful community experience and was able to see a different realm of school nutrition that I was not expecting!
My advice to current and future dietetic interns: Don’t be afraid to ask questions/look things up! I am constantly researching conditions and their respective MNTs, as well as medication interactions. Our preceptors do not expect us to know everything regarding nutrition; they are there to answer questions and help for a reason. Asking questions shows preceptors your willingness to learn and prepares you to be a great RD!
