INTRODUCTION TO DIETETIC INTERNSHIP Laura Reid, IDI Coordinator

TO BECOME A DIETITIAN YOU NEED TO: Graduate from an accredited Nutrition degree program (i.e. StFX BScHNU) Complete an accredited dietetic internship program Successfully complete the national registration exam (CDRE) = RD or PDt!!

DIETETIC INTERNSHIP ROUTES Through StFX, during and following BScHNU:  StFX IDI Program After StFX BScHNU (apply in 4 th year):  Graduate Dietetic Internship Programs  Master Degree with Dietetic Internship Programs

GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS Atlantic Canada (Halifax, Moncton, St John’s) Ontario Manitoba Compete with students from across Canada Info on websitehttp://dietitians.ca

GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS Application process through Dietitians of Canada website Selection process fee Individual program application fees may also apply Can choose 3 programs to apply to Have 3 years after graduation to apply

MASTER DEGREE WITH COMBINED INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS No limit to how many you can apply to Do both your Master in Nutrition degree and dietetic internship Different focus depending on the program

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE STFX INTEGRATED DIETETIC INTERNSHIP (IDI) PROGRAM Laura Reid, MEd, PDt IDI Coordinator

WHY IDI AT STFX  To open more doors to the dietetic profession  To integrate academic learning with experiential learning  To add a “training” component to the strong education you get at St FX

WHY IDI AT STFX  To work with dietitians in the region to build a stronger profession  To meet the service needs of our region  To offer an alternative to graduate internships

IDI HONOURS CONVERSION The IDI Program is now an Honours conversion program What does this mean?  Interns will graduate after 4 th year with Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition (BSc HNU).  Complete their internship enrolled in the IDI Honours Conversion  BSc HNU major degree will then be converted to an honours with IDI degree when IDI is complete  NS students are now eligible for NS student loans while in IDI!

THE INTERNSHIP Three (3) fourteen (14) week placements including an Orientation program after the successful completion of 3 rd year of studies: Practicum I – First of May to mid August Complete 4 th year of studies Practicum II – First of May to mid August Practicum III – First of September to mid December

TYPICAL BREAKDOWN FOR EACH PRACTICUM PI  1 week orientation  5 week food service/management  5 weeks community  4 weeks nutrition assessment/clinical PII  7 weeks food service/management  7 weeks community PIII  weeks clinical  PII & PIII sequence may switch

WHERE ARE PLACEMENTS ?  The majority of our placements are located Nova Scotia.  We do have some placements in other areas of Atlantic Canada  Must be willing to relocate within Atlantic Canada if necessary, and be aware you may not get to pick your location (placements may not be at home)  *Some placements require a vehicle

WHO SHOULD APPLY?  Intent to apply by end of second year HNU  March 30 th deadline –hand in to Department Chair at the Main Office  Formal Application in third year. Course sequence equivalent to the established academic requirements for the HNU Program (see academic calendar for more details).

WHO SHOULD APPLY? Wanted: Super Keen IDI Machines! ARE YOU… - self-directed - flexible - open communicator - caring - team player - independent

WHO’S WHO?  IDI Coordinator – Laura Reid( JBB-247)  My role is to advise you throughout the application process  External Advisory Committee (13 members)  Selection Committee (one external member + 2 external dietitians; or 3 dietitians)  Preceptors – Dietetic professionals who supervise IDI Interns during a placement

CURRENT IDI INTERNS 6 completing their final internship practicum (PIII) this fall 2 in their second practicum (PII) and entering their final PIII in January 2 intern in their first practicum (PI) 7 completed PI this summer and are back for their 4 th year of study

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY… GRADES:  Overall average of 70%  And an overall average of 75% in HNU courses

WHAT ARE THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS? At the earliest, students may commence internship after completing the 3 rd year course sequence AND HNU 356  Completed all 1 st and 2 nd year HNU courses and currently taking 3 rd year course sequence

PRIOR TO BEGINNING IDI (REQUIRED FOR PRACTICUM I)  Food Service (HNU 356)  Communications (HNU 235)  Nutrition Assessment (HNU 351)  Nutrition in Chronic Disease Prevention & Management (HNU 352)  Community Nutrition (HNU 365)  Research Methods (HNU 385)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PRACTICUM II  Must complete other required courses & HNU 456, Food Service System Management before progressing to 2 nd practicum

PLEASE NOTE!  HNU 356 & 456 are required to apply for all dietetic internship programs (in addition to our HNU degree course requirements)

WHAT ABOUT TRANSFER STUDENTS AND 5 TH YEAR HKIN STUDENTS?  Students who have not completed the required course sequence by the end of their third year may apply for the IDI program in their 4 th or 5 th year  If accepted, these students may complete three consecutive practica throughout the summer, fall and winter after their graduation.

WHAT ABOUT 4 TH YEAR STUDENTS?  4 th year HNU students who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to apply to the IDI program EVEN if they applied last year  If accepted, they will complete the 3 internship practica consecutively

COMMON QUESTIONS #1 How many internship spots are available?  This differs each year depending on the availability of preceptors. Each year we have attempted to expand the program by an additional 1-2 spots, however this is dependant on the supporters of our program.  The IDI Coordinator will know in January how many spots will be available for that application year.

COMMON QUESTIONS: #2 Can I pick my placements?  Input may be possible for PII and PIII, but NOT for PI as the placements are determined before the interns are selected  Priority is given to placing interns in Nova Scotia with the preceptors that support our program. Options outside the Maritimes are becoming more and more limited due to several issues.

INTERNS IN PLACEMENT - SUMMER 2015

INTERNS IN PLACEMENT FALL 2015 SPORT NUTRITION INTERNS

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO… The Integrated Competencies for Dietetic Practice (ICDEP)  Professional Practice Competence  Research Competence  Communication & Collaboration Competence  Nutrition Care Competence  Population & Public Health Competence  Management Competence Accomplished through Performance Indicators and Enabling Activities

GETTING STARTED… JUST DO IT!  Get started early  Make and appointment with Laura!!  Develop Resume  Talk to possible references  Work on your Portfolio, Resume and Cover Letter  Speak with Interns and IDI Coordinator  Scholarships available

KEY DATES 2015/16 Oct 9 th – IDI & Graduate Application Package Review & Preparation Tips Oct 21 st –Resume & Cover Letter Workshop Nov 5 th – Intent to Apply Form & Composite request must be in (including your resume & cover letter) Nov 9 th – Portfolio Workshop January 6 th – Putting Internship package together January 29 th – Application package submitted (Graduate Package: Feb 1 st ) Mid February – Informed of interview End of February - Selection Committee screens and conducts interviews March 10 th – IDI Coordinator informs ALL applicants of application status via Within 3 days – applicants must return signed letter of acceptance

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QUESTIONS? Laura Reid, MEd,PDt,CDE IDI Coordinator JBB