Mission, philosophy and goals

Mission

Our mission is to produce highly competent professionals capable of providing excellent service to a variety of constituencies in a highly technical, constantly changing world.

We 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 allow them to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to function with competence and independence in entry-level dietetic positions.
  • Broad-based training experiences which allow our interns 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 our program, our intern graduates are eligible and prepared to take the registration examination for dietitians. Successful passing of the examination enables our intern graduates to realize their professional goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Philosophy

Our program maintains an educational philosophy that emphasizes and adheres to our school-wide mission of providing excellence in teaching and a learning environment that challenges students.

We provide:

  • All interns challenging, mentored experiences to apply their acquired didactic knowledge to relevant nutrition-related clinical, food service, managerial and community situations.
  • A curriculum that meets an intern's ability to address the rapidly changing and controversial issues confronting the health care arena today.
  • Experiences that emphasize the importance of the interdisciplinary approach in patient care and the contribution nutrition professionals make to the health care team.

Therefore, our 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

Our program acknowledges that dietitians play an increasing role in the health care arena. Thus, our goals focus on assuring that the program:

  • Poduces 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
  • Recognizes the need for diversity in the profession

Goal 1

Our 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:

  1. Program completion for program options:
    1. M.S. Dietetics Specialization: At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 27 months (150% of planned program length).
    2. Graduate Prepared: At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 9.375 months (150% of planned program length)
    3. Student Identified: At least 80% of interns complete the program requirements within 9.375 months (150% of planned program length)
  2. 50% of graduates will respond to our post-Dietetic Internship Survey, verifying that they were employed in the State of Nevada upon completion of their internship.
  3. Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
  4. 80% of employers will rate program graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice as “Satisfactory” or higher. 

Goal 2

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

Objectives for Goal 2:

  1. 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 RDNs is at least 80%.
  2. At least 80% percent of program graduates take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
  3. 80% of employers will rate program graduates’ preparation for entry-level practice as “Satisfactory” or higher.
  4. The program’s mean first attempt Food system and Management Scaled Score (PFMSS) will be 75% or greater of the National’s mean first attempt Food Service and Management score (NFMSS)
  5. 80% of interns will rate the training experiences / preceptors as “3=average” or “4=above average.”
  6. Of graduates who seek employment, 75% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.

Goal 3

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

Objectives for Goal 3:

  1. 20% of interns providing personal characteristics data identify themselves as being non-white, or white with Hispanic ethnicity, or male, or report English as their second language.
  2. 80% of graduates will respond with “yes” that they had the opportunity to work with culturally diverse populations in their internship rotations.