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Dietetic internship vs nutritionist

The differences between dietetic interns and nutritionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dietetic internship and a nutritionist. Additionally, a dietetic internship has an average salary of $64,038, which is higher than the $49,877 average annual salary of a nutritionist.

The top three skills for a dietetic internship include patients, diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy. The most important skills for a nutritionist are patients, public health, and wic program.

Dietetic internship vs nutritionist overview

Dietetic InternshipNutritionist
Yearly salary$64,038$49,877
Hourly rate$30.79$23.98
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs52,765698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a dietetic internship do?

In a dietetic internship, an intern primarily performs support tasks to gain industry insights and experience while under a dietitian's directives and supervision. Their duties typically include conducting research and analyses, gathering and analyzing data from previous projects and studies, participating in the development of new meal and nutritional plans, and assisting in food delivery operations. They also take part in assessing a patient's health and treatment plans, providing nutrition education as necessary. Additionally, an intern must produce regular reports and uphold the facility's policies.

What does a nutritionist do?

A nutritionist is a health professional who helps patients choose the right things to eat and advise them on the health effects of certain foods. By being experts in food and nutrition, nutritionists assess a patient's dietary habits and create plan menus for them. They usually work closely with patients who have medical issues such as diabetes or those undergoing chemotherapy. Nutritionists are also required to speak to students or employees about the importance of good nutrition and preventing health problems through proper foods.

Dietetic internship vs nutritionist salary

Dietetic interns and nutritionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dietetic InternshipNutritionist
Average salary$64,038$49,877
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $132,000Between $30,000 And $80,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Cargill
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between dietetic internship and nutritionist education

There are a few differences between a dietetic internship and a nutritionist in terms of educational background:

Dietetic InternshipNutritionist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorDieteticsDietetics
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Dietetic internship vs nutritionist demographics

Here are the differences between dietetic interns' and nutritionists' demographics:

Dietetic InternshipNutritionist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 15.8% Female, 84.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 9.8% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.9% Asian, 9.9% White, 65.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between dietetic internship and nutritionist duties and responsibilities

Dietetic internship example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with diabetes educator to achieve AADE accreditation for the diabetes education program and to provide education as an instructor.
  • Follow up with physician consults, educate patients on nutrition, and take part in IDT meetings and ICU rounds.
  • Complete clinical dietetic rotations which also include specialty rotations in pediatrics, kidney/liver transplant, oncology, and critical care.
  • Acquire excellent interdisciplinary communication skills through ICU and nursing rounds.
  • Communicate breastfeeding, proper infant feeding practices, and provide nutrition education to WIC participants.
  • Work alongside translators in culturally diverse environment to education patients on diabetes, hypertension and healthful eating.
  • Show more

Nutritionist example responsibilities.

  • Lead weekly nutritional education workshops on diabetes management, in addition to providing individual counseling.
  • Inspire patients to proactively manage their diabetes, to include administering insulin and taking prescribe medications.
  • Follow up in the out-patient GI clinic for tube feeding regimens, assessing growth and food allergies.
  • Establish clients via social media; maintain Facebook page.
  • Develop training table menus for all NCAA scholarship athletes and attend training table.
  • Provide complete instruction and advice to patients with diet-relate problems like diabetics, hypertension.
  • Show more

Dietetic internship vs nutritionist skills

Common dietetic internship skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Diabetes Education, 5%
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy, 5%
  • Oncology, 4%
  • Nutrition Assessments, 4%
  • Long-Term Care, 4%
Common nutritionist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Public Health, 8%
  • WIC Program, 7%
  • RD, 6%
  • Food Service, 6%
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy, 4%

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