How can I ues my Nutrition Degree with a Nursing degree

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Does anyone have any helpful advice for me? :idea:

I am getting my Nutrition degree at NYU and I may continue into the internship after graduation to become a Registered Dietician, because with just a Nutrition degree, you are not very useful.

However, I really want to become a Nurse. So I am confused as to how I can make this Nutrition degree useful, especially if I get an R.D. Does anyone know of anyone who has combined these two together. I don't think I'd be paid more as a nurse for having a Bachelors in Nutrition correct?

Please share stories.. .advice.. anything!

Many thanks..

:)

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Well, you could be a nurse who knows a whole lot more about nutrition than the rest of us ... :)

But, seriously, you may get some different answers from other folks (I hope so :) ), but I've been in nursing for >20 years and have never encountered anyone or any position that involved combining nutrition and nursing. There's just no real overlap between what nurses do in healthcare settings, and what nutritionists do. And you're right, your nutrition degree will not benefit you financially any more than any other nurse with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.

If you looked long and hard enough, you might find a facility that would want to hire you to fill both roles (in order to save money -- kill two birds with one stone), but is that something you would really want to do? A facility that would be open to doing that would be pretty heavily into cutting corners, if you catch my drift ...

I don't mean to be mean or critical at all, just curious, but, if you "really want to become a nurse," why are you getting a nutrition degree instead of a nursing degree? Was this a recent decision?

One thought -- if you do decide to pursue a nursing degree, you will probably already have several of the science requirements completed, from your nutrition studies.

Best wishes for your journey. :balloons:

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Thanks for the reply Elkpark.

I'm curious if it's possible to just be a nurse, and possibly do private practice as a dietician on other days. Am I trying to accomplish too much? does that sound insane?

The reason I decided to not transfer into nursing is because I am already finishing up my degree and I've spent so much money on it.. that it would mean alot to finish it.. I just REALLY don't want it to go unused cause then it would have been a poor investment.

As for using Nutrition in the nursing field, I assume Nurses work with Dieticians from time to time. I don't think I'd want to work in a hospital as a nurse and a dietician because they both would require a lot of hours I assume. That's why I mentioned private practice. ..

Any more comments are really appreciated!

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Of course there is no reason why you couldn't hold dual licensure, and work full- or part-time as an RN and also work part-time or consult as a dietician. Lots of healthcare facilities, group homes, schools, children's camps, etc., are required to have consulting dieticians (as opposed to employing a full-time dietician), who work v. limited hours in that capacity.

When you initially asked about "combin(ing) these two together" I figured you were asking about nurses who specialize in nutrition, or some other way of combining both roles in one job. Lots of us have part-time jobs "on the side" that have nothing at all to do with nursing. :)

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Really Elkpark? I didn't know that since nurses work so many hours. I didn't think it was possible to hold a part time position on the side. Cause my heart is now in Nursing, but I don't want to throw Nutrition out the window. So thats why I want to maybe just do private consultations on the side...

Thanks for your comments Elkpark.. They have really helped! :)

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sgm228 -

Hi! I'm pretty much on the same boat you are on this one.. I'm currently in school to get my Nutrition Science degree with an interest in nursing. I've thought about it too and I just decided to finish and get my nutrition degree (might as well right?) cause of all the time and investment I've put in so far..

But I'm planning on maybe doing an accelerated or normal BSN program after graduating, more school but I think its worth it. I think it'll be nice to have a nutrition background while in nursing :)

Happy to know there's someone like me who wants to pursue nursing while studying nutrition :)

Sooni

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I would imagine with those two degrees you would make a terrific diabetes educator nurse...

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off the subject ---- what about culinary arts and nutrition? mixing a nutrition degree with a diploma or associate degree in culinary arts? ALSO isn't nutrition closely related to medical science especially when you have patients on soft diets or specialized diets due to illness?

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This is such a great post! I also have a BS in Nutrition and now want to pursue nursing. I decided to get a 2nd BS in Nursing and I'm so excited...I dont think Nutriton was a waste of time at all cause I still love it, but jobs are limited in the field and Nursing is definitely more secure...Good luck!

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off the subject ---- what about culinary arts and nutrition? mixing a nutrition degree with a diploma or associate degree in culinary arts? ALSO isn't nutrition closely related to medical science especially when you have patients on soft diets or specialized diets due to illness?

That is what my sister has....an AS in culinary, a BS in culinary nutrition and she just completed her dietetic internship to allow her to sit for the RD test.

It all depends on what the OP really wants to do.

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Hey Everyone!

So.. 4 years after my original post..

I graduated in 2007 with my BS in nutrition. I took a few pre-reqs post graduation to fancy up my classes. Proud to say I am finally in nursing school :)

I just want to say that I have found my nutrition degree to be SO HELPFUL. It has definitely given me an advantage in my nursing courses. Many exams I've taken have been full of nutrition questions which helped me score "easy" A's!

As for being a Diabetes Nurse Educator.. I have received similar feedback from other nurses. Not sure if it's something I'll look into, but I'm definitely glad that I have nutrition as my first degree!

Good luck everyone!

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Hey Everyone!

So.. 4 years after my original post..

I graduated in 2007 with my BS in nutrition. I took a few pre-reqs post graduation to fancy up my classes. Proud to say I am finally in nursing school :)

I just want to say that I have found my nutrition degree to be SO HELPFUL. It has definitely given me an advantage in my nursing courses. Many exams I've taken have been full of nutrition questions which helped me score "easy" A's!

As for being a Diabetes Nurse Educator.. I have received similar feedback from other nurses. Not sure if it's something I'll look into, but I'm definitely glad that I have nutrition as my first degree!

Good luck everyone!

Thank you so much for coming back to tell us what happened! Your combination of specialties is excellent and I'm sure you will not be sorry you did it. My guess is that you will be able to have a good income from the nursing and you will find your satisfaction with the nutrition.

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