If you’re reading this you’re likely thinking about, are in the process, or are a Registered Dietitian. If you’re already an RD, congrats! You’ve made it! Students, I see you. I’ve been where you are, you’ll make it 🙂

For those of you in the thinking and planning stages, I have some things I want to share with you. Some from personal experience, some for talking with others in the field or making their way in.

Lack of Diversity

As of writing this article the current breakdown of Registered Dietitians is as follows:

Less than 20% of RDs are male. According to statistics provided by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, just over 3% of RDs are male. Almost 9% declined to say their gender.

There are just over 100,000 RDs here state side (or practicing under US law). 80% of them are white.

The remaining bits are broken down into American Indian, Pacific Islander, African American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, and Other.

Honestly, most people need to see themselves in an in order to think it’s possible. Most little black boys never thought to play golf until Tiger Woods dominated the sports. Little black girls only dreamed of playing professional tennis until Serena and Venus Williams took the sport by their racquets.

Access

In the field, we talk about social determinants of health (which we need to spend some more time on). This view point is easily transferred to access to education. Higher education is not cheap, and there’s no two ways about it. I have panic attacks about the amount of debt I’m in from higher education.

I was incredibly blessed to be able to “afford” going to college, and then graduate school. This opportunity is not always available or feasible to others.

Additionally, 1200 UNPAID internship hours in isolating and screams of privilege.

In case 1200 hours doesn’t mean anything to you, I will elaborate. 1200 hours for me came down to 8 months of unpaid work. Monday-Friday, 8 hours a day. And you’re strongly encouraged not work, as this “distracts from your ability to be an excellent intern”.

Affording not to work for almost a year, for many people just isn’t reality. Who’s paying rent? Utilities? Gas? Groceries? Other bills? Health Insurance? Unforeseen expenses?

Often times people end up relocating for their internship, who’s paying for that? It’s not cheap to move, let alone to another city or state.

1200 UNPAID internship hours in isolating and screams of privilege. Click To Tweet

Extinguishing Behavior

In psychology class we learn about behavior modification. You can reward positive behavior. Punish negative behavior. OR ignore behavior (neither reward nor punish), in hopes that no reaction decreases the behavior.

Changing these requirements without doing something to increase access extinguishes behavior.

Example: In the 8 months I was a dietetic intern I had exactly 0 preceptors who looked like me. Put plainly, exactly 0 preceptors who weren’t white females.

That got exhausting.

I still remember meeting my first black dietitians. It was like coming home, like talking with an aunt or an older cousin. Refreshing. Because without saying it, they knew. They understood the type of exhaustion and frustration I felt with the field.

Not All Hope is Lost

There are several things I’m looking forward to with the changes:

I’m looking forward to greater respect by other health and medical professionals.

I’m looking forward to demanding higher pay rates. We’re worth it. Trust me!

I’m hoping this shifts the field forward. My understanding of nutrition greatly changed between a BS and an MS. 

Quick Fix

If you’re a dietitian who’s in a minority, consider being a preceptor. If that’s not available, consider mentoring. That can be done remotely, or in person.

If you’re a student, save your money. Like every possible dime. Apply for every possible scholarship, even the ones you thought you weren’t “qualified” for. If my mom taught me nothing, “don’t tell yourself no, let them tell you no”.

Lastly, create a network. Use social media to find dietitians to talk to and figure out how they did it. That’s honestly what keeps me going. I recommend Diversify Dietetics. Send cold emails. I’ve reached out via LinkedIn and Instagram DMs. Just don’t give up.

This change should not count you out.

Today is the best day to change your life!