Hi everyone! My name is Yennie Lo, and I am a Sodexo distance intern from the San Francisco Bay Area. Currently, I am half way through my clinical rotation at the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. It has been a wonderful experience as all of the RDs here are incredibly encouraging and supportive of my learning experience.
One of the most memorable things that I have done so far was to teach a nutrition class at our behavioral health unit. Often times, as soon as people hear the words “behavioral health”, they get very anxious about interacting with the patients there, let alone spending an hour teaching a class. But to me, being able to work with them was an amazing learning experience.
During my first class, we only had 5 participants. Within five minutes, two people walked out. One person kept on asking unrelated questions; and another was constantly walking in and out of class. It was definitely the most challenging class I have ever handled, but undeniably one that taught me the most. When working with a vulnerable population, it is very important to learn not take things too personally. Don’t let a bad experience scar you for life!
Since this is designed for inpatients, it is actually a great time for us to interact with them, or even use it as an opportunity to do some nutrition assessments! For those who refuse to talk to us one-on-one, these classes can provide them with tips on how to eat healthier and therefore, help improve their mental health status.
Everyone in the field of dietetics is an educator of some sort. What is the most amazing about teaching is that it is never a one-way learning experience. Not only are the participants learning new information and skills from you. You are the one learning from them as well! Each time you deal with a different kind of participant, make sure to stop and think how you can better interact with them the next time around.
So here is my question to you-- how would you handle a person in class who is constantly challenging you and attempting to take over the class? Perhaps one who is constantly testing you, or one who is attempting to educate the class about his/her “perfect diet”.
Big thanks to Jennifer Nani Glass, RDN, for giving me the opportunity to lead one of her classes!
One of the most memorable things that I have done so far was to teach a nutrition class at our behavioral health unit. Often times, as soon as people hear the words “behavioral health”, they get very anxious about interacting with the patients there, let alone spending an hour teaching a class. But to me, being able to work with them was an amazing learning experience.
During my first class, we only had 5 participants. Within five minutes, two people walked out. One person kept on asking unrelated questions; and another was constantly walking in and out of class. It was definitely the most challenging class I have ever handled, but undeniably one that taught me the most. When working with a vulnerable population, it is very important to learn not take things too personally. Don’t let a bad experience scar you for life!
Since this is designed for inpatients, it is actually a great time for us to interact with them, or even use it as an opportunity to do some nutrition assessments! For those who refuse to talk to us one-on-one, these classes can provide them with tips on how to eat healthier and therefore, help improve their mental health status.
Everyone in the field of dietetics is an educator of some sort. What is the most amazing about teaching is that it is never a one-way learning experience. Not only are the participants learning new information and skills from you. You are the one learning from them as well! Each time you deal with a different kind of participant, make sure to stop and think how you can better interact with them the next time around.
So here is my question to you-- how would you handle a person in class who is constantly challenging you and attempting to take over the class? Perhaps one who is constantly testing you, or one who is attempting to educate the class about his/her “perfect diet”.
Big thanks to Jennifer Nani Glass, RDN, for giving me the opportunity to lead one of her classes!
