Five Qualities a Registered Dietitian Should Have
- Compassionate Thinker
- Problem Solver
- Good Listener
- Flexible
- Communicator
Many colleges and universities across the country offer bachelor’s degree programs for future dietitians and nutritionists, but it’s important that prospective students look at the characteristics of a successful registered dietitian before enrolling in any of those programs. These characteristics help these healthcare professionals as they work with their clients to discuss their nutritional needs and promote new ways of thinking about food and healthy eating. The best students in a bachelor’s degree program or working on their master’s degree in nutrition will already have these characteristics or develop them as they complete their dietetic internship. Some bachelor’s degree programs for dietitians and nutritionists also include a coordinated program for students to complete their dietetic internship and supervised practice through the degree program as they work toward their dietetic registration.
1. Compassionate Thinker
One of the top skills that a successful registered dietitian has is that he or she is a compassionate thinker as they discuss healthy food choices. Many people do not seek out a registered dietitian on their own. They only make an appointment after getting a referral from a doctor. Doctors often recommend that patients speak to a dietitian and go through medical nutrition therapy after suffering a stroke or a heart attack and after a recent diagnosis of diabetes or other medical condition. Dietitians must think compassionately and understand clients to help build a better relationship with them as they provide valuable insight and discuss food and nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
2. Problem Solver
College students may not think that dietitians and nutritionists need to have good problem-solving skills until they see what those professionals do during their internships. When a new client schedules an appointment, he or she may not want to follow a new diet. Clinical Dietitians must know how to use nutrition science to perform a nutrition assessment, look critically at problems and come up with effective solutions. They must possess important analytical skills as well as soft skills to help people receive the information. A registered dietitian is responsible for finding solutions to some of the issues that patients face such as not having access to fresh produce or money for buying food, living in a home that lacks a proper stove and oven, or other food and nutrition issues. As they work to educate patients regarding food, nutrition, and meal planning, some dietitians even develop their own educational materials to help their patients make healthy food choices. Those working as management dietitians work to solve problems in a larger organization such as in food service settings. They also must work well with other healthcare professionals. In a clinical setting such as a hospital, the dietitian may perform nutritional assessment, diagnose health status, and help patient with meal plans. Patients needing diabetes education may see a dietitian in private practice to help them problem solve and take better care of themselves. Critical thinking as they counsel clients is a must, and many dietitians need to cooperate within a multidisciplinary team.
3. Good Listener
Dietitians and nutritionists can sometimes function as counselors for their clients as they listen carefully and provide valuable nutrition education. A new client may feel frustrated about a recent diagnosis and want to vent those frustrations to others. Someone with a new diabetes diagnosis may also feel scared and worried that he or she cannot stick to a new diet plan. One of the most successful characteristics that a registered dietitian can have today is the ability to listen to clients without passing judgment as they provide medical nutrition therapy or general health education. They cannot simply tell clients what to do because they must also explain why their suggestions are the best options. Dietitians working in sports nutrition management must listen to athletes nutrition concerns and problems and help find solutions after doing nutrition assessments with them. Community dietitians working in public health clinics often must educate patients, help them to make healthy choices, and help them make meal plans that will work for them. Listening skills when working in patient care and helping them with their dietary issues and overall health is a needed skill.
4. Flexible
According to labor statistics at BLS.gov, dietitians must do residencies and/or supervised training internships as part of their studies. During their internships, many students learn that the most successful dietitians are all flexible. They may need to be flexible in terms of the hours they work and the clients they see. While some offices are open during standard hours such as nine to five, other dietitians may work for hospitals or in food service settings during shifts in the middle of the night. This lets them work with patients arriving at the ER with serious problems. Nutritionists often work in an office, but patient care can take many forms that require flexibility. Sometimes they may even come up with nutrition plans while working with athletes in the locker room.
5. Communicator
Another quality that all successful dietitians share is that they are all good communicators. They must work with patients and clients in the same way that a doctor would. New patients will likely have questions about their medical conditions and nutrition care process, and want someone who can answer their questions and soothe any worries and concerns. Dietitians may also need to work with the loved ones of those clients too. The client’s family and friends will likely want to know what they can do to help. Dietitians must also explain the risk factors of not following a healthy eating plan. Dietitians working in pediatric nutrition must communicate well with the patient’s family as they seek nutrition services for their child. Working in a variety of nutritional programs requires flexibility. Communication and speaking skills in conjunction with marketing skills can improve their opportunities as well as their patient’s care.
Some other skills that are important to be successful in the field of dietetics includes research skills, resourcefulness, and organizational skills. Dietitians often have skills and passion for physical fitness. Motivational skills come in handy when helping clients overcome barriers to improving their health through nutrition. Many skills are acquired along the way, but being a compassionate thinker that listens well, can solve problems, is flexible and an excellent communicator are undoubtedly the most important characteristics that will directly impact the level of success attained by a nutritionist.
FAQ
What are some of the professional organizations for dietitians and nutritionists?
If you are interested in finding out more about this exciting field, check out these professional organizations that serve dietitians and nutritionists. Professional organizations provide career guidance and education information, certification information, continuing education and networking opportunities. Some professional organizations for dietitians and nutritionists provided information on bachelor’s degree programs in the field, as well as coordinated programs that provide needed supervised training.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
American Nutrition Association
National Association for Nutrition Professionals
American Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition
American Council on Science and Health
How is the job and salary outlook for dietitians and nutritionists?
According to U.S. labor statistics, employment projections and job outlook for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations in the United States. The projection is for about 5,600 openings each year over the decade. Many of these expected openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or leave the labor force for any reason, including retirement. The median salary in this field was $61,650 in May 2021. The median salary is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,640 as dietitians. Nutritionists work in a variety of settings with the highest paying wages for dietitians in May 2021 were those working in outpatient care centers, followed by those in government agencies, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree will be required in the near future.
MPH staff, Updated December 2022
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