Internship Mission, Philosophy & Goals

Mission

The mission of University of Nevada, Reno's Dietetic Internship Program is to produce highly competent professionals capable of providing excellent service to a variety of constituencies in a highly technical, constantly changing world. The program will provide a qualified and diverse group of interns the opportunity to realize their potential in the broad and diverse domain of dietetics by providing them with mentored training opportunities that will allow them to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to function with competence and independence in entry-level dietetic positions.

The program will provide broad-based training experiences which will allow the intern to apply their didactic knowledge in a variety of management, clinical and community settings resulting in attaining the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the ACEND 2022 Core Competencies for the Registered Dietitian. Upon completion of the internship program, the intern graduates will be eligible and prepared to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians. Successful passing of the examination will enable them to realize their professional goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.

Philosophy

The University's Dietetic Internship Program maintains an educational philosophy that emphasizes and adheres to the school-wide mission of providing excellence in teaching and a learning environment that challenges students. The program provides all interns challenging, mentored experiences to apply their acquired didactic knowledge to relevant nutrition-related clinical, food service, managerial and community situations.

The program strives to provide a curriculum that meets an intern's ability to address the rapidly changing and controversial issues confronting the health care arena today. The program provides experiences that emphasize the importance of the interdisciplinary approach in patient care and the contribution nutrition professionals make to the healthcare team.

Therefore, the program stresses training for interns that enables them to gain skills in articulating their vital role as an advocate in promoting and maintaining the nutritional status of a patient in hospital and community settings.

Goals of the Dietetic Internship Program

The Dietetic Internship Program acknowledges that dietitians play an increasing role in the health care arena. Thus, the goals focus on assuring that the program produces competent, well-trained professionals, is attuned to diversity issues that impact the delivery of nutrition services, appreciates the impact diversity has on health issues in society and recognizes the need for diversity in the profession.

Goal 1

The program will attract well-qualified applicants and produce graduates prepared to practice competently in entry-level dietetics positions that address the ongoing and evolving health care demands of Nevada and the nation.

Objectives for Goal #1:

• At least 80% of program students will complete the program requirements within 11 months (150% of the program length).
• 50% of interns will respond to the UNR Post DI Survey verifying that they were employed in the State of Nevada upon completion of their internship.
• Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• 80% of employers will rate graduate’s preparation for entry-level dietitian as “Satisfactory” or higher.

Goal 2

The program will provide mentoring and educational experiences that foster diversity of experiences and successful internship graduates.

Objectives for Goal #2:

• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. 
• 75% of the program graduates will attain a passing score in Food and Nutrition and Food Service System Management greater than or equal to the National 1st Attempt Score.
• 80% of graduates will rate the training experiences/preceptors as “3=average” or “4=above average”.
• Of graduates who seek employment, 75 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Goal 3

The program will promote diversity and provide interns opportunities to work with culturally diverse populations.

Objectives for Goal #3:

• 20% of IP graduates providing personal characteristics data will identify themselves as non-white,or  white with Hispanic ethnicity or male, or report English as their second language.
• 80% of intern graduates will respond with "yes" that they had the opportunity to work with culturally diverse populations in their internship rotations.