You’ve probably heard it before: “You have to spend five years in clinical before you branch out.” We’ve heard it a thousand times, and honestly, we think it’s BS! The idea that Registered Dietitians have to “do their time” between school and their desired career is an outdated, confidence-killing cliche, and we want to see it dismantled.
In this episode, we talk about the expectation for RDs to “earn their stripes” before pursuing their desired careers. We explain how that expectation hurts the nutrition and wellness industry as a whole, and how it holds RDs back from reaching their full potential. We also share our own experiences and how we built our confidence at the beginning of our careers.
What’s in this episode:
- Our experience with the expectation that RDs have to “earn their stripes” in clinical [1:13]
- How this pressure placed on RDs impacts the nutrition and wellness world as a whole [3:39]
- Why we believe the “RD” behind your name is more than enough to qualify you for work outside of a hospital [6:38]
- How to develop your confidence in your skills no matter your specialty [11:27]
- The value of mentors and community throughout your career [17:04]
- Making shifts in your career, and why it doesn’t mean you have to start over [20:15]