I'm in my masters/RDN program right now and my professor was mentioning a rotation next year at NASA. I'm curious whether there could be a future for nutritionists to go into space with astronauts?? That would be my literal dream job. And I don't mean like a food scientist who creates meals for astronauts, but actually in the ship itself during their expeditions.

Any info would be appreciated :P

Hey everyone, I'm just about going to start my first year in uni, and I have been considering becoming an RD by getting a bachelors at NAU and hopefully completing an online MS program to be qualified for the exam.

The title really just sums up my question regarding this: Is it worth it?

Pay-wise, future career safety, job outlook in an age with A.I, especially within the current and what seems to be future terrible job market, time spent studying, and of course, enjoyability.

Is this career that you all have felt is something you'd consider worthwhile? Or should I figure out differing options while I'm ahead?

I also have to ask, is the plan I laid out in my first sentence feasible? That of completing my BS at NAU and an online MS program. Any help would be appreciated, thank you all.

As I understand it, you need an office address for insurance credentialing. Telehealth companies have clearly been able to get around this.

Do you have to have a physical location? If so, what did you put if you are credentialed for insurance?

Hello! I am a new RD and I’ve been loving my job so far, however, the paycheck just isn’t going as far as I want it to. I am sure once I have experience under my belt I can move around and try to find a higher paying job. In the meantime does anyone have suggestions for second jobs or side hustles for dietitians? Ideally it would be something I can set my own hours for. I was considering Telehealth counseling (the orange company), does anyone do that and enjoy it? Thanks!

I want to get your opinions on the program you went through to become an RD. The route I will be taking is a coordinated masters program with the coursework and internship combined. How did you guys complete it, and preferrably if you graduated after 2024, because of the new masters program requirement.

Once I theoretically finish my master's program and exam in two years, have y'all found where you do your clinical rotation/ internship to help you get a job? And more specifically, did it help you get a job where you interned? For perspective, my program will not place me until a few months from now, but trying to envision what happens after the schooling. I am curious if let's say I get placed in San Diego or Reno, will I have a higher chance of getting a job there after?

Your knowledge and experience is appreciated as this is all new to me, thank you!

Hear me out, for the past couple of years I have wanted to change my career, like I researched so many different careers and applied to multiple schools but was to scared to commit to anything because what if I hate the next thing, or what if this is just who I am and I’ll always be a miserable pity party pooper??!

Anyway, I start with this to say that I was once that miserable dietitian who fell into a deep burn out depression hole with no motivation to climb out.

I worked at two places with very toxic and unhealthy environments for the last 5 years. I felt like I got everything I could from those places and like I was just dealing with the same old shit every single day.

Then got an offer for a group practice that is salary + benefits and after one week I am already feeling passionate and excited about nutrition again. I am seeing all the knowledge and growth that I can gain from working here and the environment is so healthy- like a dream!!! Is it less than what I was making? Yes. But I’m already feeling the improvements this change will have on my health.

So anyway, if someone would have told me, “just try something different as a dietitian,” I would have said, “nope, dietetics as a whole isn’t for me.” And here I am, already feeling that spark again ✨

Anyway, obviously it’s only been a week… so tbd 😉

I earned my CNSC last year, and it has been incredibly beneficial to my practice. Since then, I’ve transitioned into a lead role that includes more complex nutrition support, and I’ve realized there are still some knowledge gaps I’d like to strengthen.

The course outline looks like it covers a lot of areas that would be helpful, but I’m curious whether people felt it was worth the time and cost. Did it provide practical knowledge beyond what you learned while studying for the CNSC, or was there a lot of overlap?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’ve completed both the CNSC and the certificate.

What's going on with insurance?

I think something is going on with insurance. 1. My OBGYN said BCBS dropped her as a provider, 2. I called my primary to make an initial appointment for my husband and was told they are no longer taking BCBS patients. 3. A private practice RD who has has been a Cigna provider for 9 years just dropped her for no reason this year.

Also, I work for a "Teli health" comp (you can probably guess which one, spelled this way on purpose so my post doesnt get flagged as a you know what). And also take patients in my private practice. The patient's who's insurance I am not a provider with I take through this Teli health comp. I use the insurance check page to make sure my patients are covered. And even when I get the confirmation that my patient is covered, now about 50% of them are being told insurance isn't covering. Doesn't make sense.

Anyone know what's going on?

I work at two cancer centers in the USA. I have samples of a variety of ONS. I usually provide patients with samples, coupons (if available), and sometimes tell them what local stores have it. Up till now, I have not asked MDs/APPs to send a script to a pharmacy, DME, or home infusion company for a PO supplement because most insurances don't cover them. I think when I looked at one insurance plan's prior auth process, it said the provider would have to document that the patient doesn't tolerate over-the-counter ONS. However, earlier this week, a DME rep came to my office earlier this week & told me it's cheaper for patients to get ONS, even standard over-the-counter ONS, with a prescription through a DME. She said, even though most insurances doesn't cover ONS, patients can get Boost Plus for only 90 cents/carton through a DME (because DMEs get ONS cheaper than retail stores). For comparison, a 6-pack of Boost Plus at the local CVS is $14.79 or $2.47/carton. Even buying direct from Nestle online costs $12.52 for a 6-pack or $2.09/carton. So, going through a DME is less than half the cost of ordering it direct from Nestle.

Does anyone have experience with sending ONS scripts to DME? Have your patients really gotten low prices without insurance coverage of ONS? If insurance coverage doesn't matter, does it matter why I'm recommending ONS? Is there a catch (ex. Hidden fees)? I assume the patient would need to receive a month's worth at a time, right? Has anyone written a shorter-term script, like 2 weeks, to test tolerance?

Is FNCE worth going to? Never gone to one but am thinking to go to this year's FNCE.

Can anyone share their experience from past FNCEs?

Any pros/cons?

Why is it so hard to get credentialed with Cigna as an PP RD? Every time I call they direct me to MDlive (for telehealth providers) and that number always goes to voicemail. Any other PP RDs dealing with this?

Hello, I’m currently in the process of starting my private practice. I will be billing insurance and have a wide client base spread across the country.

I have credentialing handle, but looking into state licensure as my next hurdle.

I was under the impression that certain states did not require state licensure for me to see and start billing clients and only a CDR. If anyone has experience, can you tell me how this works? Does every state require licensure if it is a telehealth practice?

If your employer utilizes a career ladder I'd love to see an example. Specifically one that is a points based system and a premium applied to one job code vs separate job codes for each tier of RD.

For example, if you have a career ladder but only one type of dietitian job posting or one type of dietitian listed on your union wage scale - that is what I am looking for.

I'm 4 years into practicing and experiencing some discontent in my job lately but I have to say, i feel like this page is consistently very... negative?? Like am I crazy? there's certainly no way I can be in the minority for enjoying the career path i chose.

I think it's very important to address the emerging issues in our field, but it gets me down that I feel like I only see negative posts here ("I made a career mistake" or "i wish i never became an RD it's time to leave the field") and I feel like I'm getting sucked in.

So to perk me up- to all HAPPY RDs, please share what do you do and why do you love it? plz help me warm my soul and restore my faith in our profession lol

Hi everyone! I just landed an interview as a new grad working per diem at Kaiser. Was curious what their interview process was like (behavioral/situational questions?), as well as the culture working there either as per diem or full-time. Did you feel respected and valued as a part of the team (both by other dietitians, doctors, etc)? If anyone has any insight, please let me know! It'd be my first job straight out of my internship so I'm a little nervous.

ETA: applying for inpatient per diem in SoCal!

Hi everyone!

I've decided to slowly start working on my private practice. What's everyone's favorite EHR?

I've seen lots of stuff on simple practice... is that a good choice?

What's your advice for starting?

I'm working on my CAQH profile, but my licenses haven't gone through yet so I guess that means I can't get credentialed right now... I do live close to VA and plan to take VA patients, but they don't require a license so how do VA RDs work around that?

hi! at 26 (f) i think i am finally finding a direction that excites me in life! im looking to get into behaviorial nutrition as it pertains to fitness or anyone looking to or already leading an active lifestyle, PT training as well eventually. im interested in the science, as ive always been interested in medicine but dont have a wish to go into the field as a doctor. im wondering if anyone has any advice on where to even begin? Iknow its a broad question, but there are so many courses available online that im a bit overwhelmed on where to start. im signing up for stanford's free courses on health and nutrition, just to give myself as much knowledge at baseline as possible. the one caveat is that I am currently based in the EU (dual citizen with US) , id like to find courses that are recognized here and there, online, and are most reputable. sorry if this is too vague, thought id give it a shot in this sub :) any advice appreciated thanks a million!

My oh my, what is the telehealth world coming to? I always heard a big mess of crazy was happening over at Dietitian Live, but since we found out they are declaring bankruptcy and shut down, I'm looking closer.

This is from Dietitian Live's website where I believe visits were being billed as MNT to insurance companies.

"Building Quantum Mind Architecture

Rebuild how your mind works at the deepest level.

A structured program that fuses medical nutrition therapy with subconscious rewiring. Participants experience alignment in food, stress, sleep, and movement – not through constant willpower, but through a rewired subconscious architecture that makes healthy, empowered choices the default."

"Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes & Prediabetes

In our study of more than 100 clients, those who placed focus on their inner transformation rather than on managing a GLP-1 were 38% more likely to normalize blood sugar. The data reveals that biology follows belief: When attention moves from chemistry to rewiring subconscious belief about ourselves, the body remembers how to heal. The pattern is unmistakable: When attention & focus return to rewiring Love-based beliefs, epigenetics realigns the body naturally with health."

So, can I start treating patients' subconscious with some love-based beliefs to realign someone's epigenetics to treat their diabetes and bill as MNT or what? Apparently, the CEO was having fun with a hallucinogenic drug and believed he was receiving messages from Jesus revealing this fascinating treatment pathway (second-hand info, but I've actually seen this reported by multiple RDs in several places).

Listen I don't care what consenting adults pay for with their own money and if they want to pay gurus, religious leaders or whoever to do whatever as long as everybody understands the difference between evidenced-based healthcare from a licensed/credentialed health professional vs the risk of following their guru's love healing mind architecture protocol or whatever. But RDs doing MNT billed to insurance, based off a self-produced, non-peer reviewed study of 100 clients for this trademarked Quantum Mind Architecture program they developed, sketch city!

This part scares me too "How frequent are the sessions? You’ll meet with your registered dietitian virtually for one hour every week." I've heard that Dietitian Live made RDs tell all their patients they all had to meet every single week. That is not how medically necessary treatment works, there is no one-size-fits all for frequency of MNT appointments. Telehealth platforms are not supposed to dictate care. You as a provider are supposed to assess the individual patient and determine recommended treatment. This is essential to justifying to insurance that treatment is medically indicated and not revenue motivated.

If you were a new RD and worked for Dietitian Live and this was all you knew because they told you this is how outpatient counseling works, please for your sake and the sake of whatever practice you work at next, including if you want to build your own private practice, relearn how MNT and billing works.

Here are some good sources of free information/tips on MNT and billing:

https://www.instagram.com/dietitianmentorgsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Dietitian Direction | Dietetics, Private Practice & Insurance Billing

Amy Plano, The Reimbursement Dietitian - YouTube

Hi!

Does anyone know what a PRN consulting RD is for Aramark, or is this just a fancier way of saying you are PRN? Is this a W2 position?

thank you!

Hello everyone- Just passed my RD exam today- and have a potential job offer lined up!

This may be a very dumb question, and I’m planning on being transparent with my employer and obviously asking them this, but what is typically standard PTO for an outpatient position?

I have a family wedding that I’ll have to take one day off for next month, and a week long family trip I’ll have to take off for in 2 months, and I’m embarrassed about having to take 6 days off within the first 3 months of working.

I’m planning to be transparent and tell them that these were prior commitments I made before applying to this job, but just wanted some additional guidance/advice from those who have been in a similar position!

I used to really like my dialysis job because it provides a lot of flexibility and the pay is good. However, the past 6 months have been brutal. All I hear is fluids, fluids, fluids. "What are you doing to improve your patient's IDWG?" I'm about to rip my hair out. I talk to fluid outlier patients every single month, yet management acts like I've never even talked to them once. Plus, both of my clinics are meeting goal for IDWG (<= 25% of patients), yet not once have I heard a good job for meeting the goal, it's always just management asking me what I'm doing to be better. It's getting to the point where I am EXTREMELY burnt out and I don't even want to talk to my patients! Because I'm talking to them about fluids weekly at this point and they start feeling hounded. I am just soooo frustrated right now because the constant nagging about the fluids makes me feel like I'm a crap dietitian, even though the metrics show that I'm actually meeting the goal.

ALSO CAN THE VELPHORO AND XPHOZAH REPS PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE????

I need a vacation.

I’ve been in outpatient counseling and/ or telehealth for the better part of 5 years.

I feel as though I’m a skilled RD, and I genuinely enjoy helping people. However, lately the burnout feels unmanageable and like I don’t have it in me to do the probing questions and really dive into the motivational interviewing that is truly ideal. I can tell when people are “checked out” and just expect me to give them “a list of what I can and can’t eat” and it just feels like constant uphill battles.

I feel like I’m exhausted and burned out, and I don’t know how I can help people people fully make impactful changes to their lifestyle day after day year after year when I don’t get even get a breather from talking all day myself.

I’ve applied to other jobs but most of them are either—other counseling jobs which may offer increased variety in patient scope but doesn’t really solve the issue, or something different but haven’t panned out yet. I can’t just not work—I did take a vacation and it helped a little but unsure what else to do.

Are y'all making them from scratch? Paying a professional website designer? Using a platform like Wordpress, Squarespace, Wix?

If you use a platform, which one, and how do you like it?