hellokittypink

Yes, you are right there are not alot of nursing positions that deal directly with nutrition. Cardiac rehab, DM educators and nutrition support may be the only positions. I am pretty sure there are very few jobs in these areas. Most hospitals at least in my area of the country are eliminating or severely cutting back staff. The RNs in those positions were had many years of experience. I am an dietitan and an RN. I switched fields because I was tired of trying to teach pts all day their diets and they couldn't care less. It was frustrating and boring.

Where is your externship? My hospital has a medical progressive unit (MPCU). It is a step down unit for pts that are not ready for the regular medical floor but are not sick enough for the medical ICU.

I was a Regirstered Dietitian for ten years before I went back to school for nursing. I can honestly tell you I love both professions. Nurses and dietitians work together but probably not enough. My experiences as a dietitian have been in large teaching hospitals, a dialysis center, drug research and teaching. My only problem with being a dietitian is that it does not pay very well. Don't expect to make more than 40,000 something a year ever.... Yes, that is right. To be a dietitian you need an undergraduate degree (so 4 years of university study) and a masters and or an internship. All and all it is about 5-6+ years of school. I have been a nurse for 2 years now and have really enjoyed it. It is hard work both mentally and physically. It took me 5 years of schooling including pre-reqs and a BSN. Money wise, I make more than 40,0000 and can be home with my kids when they need me. The hours are strange but they work for our family. I work 7p-7am x3 a week in the medical ICU in a large teaching hospital. You may want to shadow both a nurse and a dietitian to make your decisions. Hope that info helps...

I could not resist and had to respond. I am an RD and just graduated from nursing school. For many years I wondered as an RD if I should go into nursing, physician assistant, OT, PT, pharmacy etc. I tried to get into pharmacy school and did not get in the first time. After I had my first baby, I started taking classes to get into a nursing program. Two babies and 5 years later, I have my BSN and am working on a med/surgery floor in a 900 bed teaching hospital. So far, I love it. The money not much different than being an RD but I will be able to do so much more with the combo of RD/RN. BTW, many of my RD friends have left the field and have gone into nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant. I don't hate being an RD and sure the hours are great but there is no respect, no money and it got really boring. I still work as a prn RD and work as an RN in the same hospital. Scrubs one day and lab coat some other days. How cool is that? Best of luck!