Dietetic Internship Program
VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System - Program Information
Program Information
The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Dietetic Internship Program has candidacy accreditation of a Dietetic Internship by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995
Phone: 312-899-5400; 1- 800-877-1600, ext. 5400
Fax: 312-899-4817
https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend
Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is accomplished by one of several pathways. The educational steps include:
- Complete a minimum of a bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the organization that administers the exam, will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the RD exam. More information is available on the CDR website.
- Complete an ACEND®-accredited supervised practice program (Dietetic Internship) at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
- Pass a national examination administered by CDR. For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR's website.
- Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration
- Completing the VASNHS Dietetic Internship Program, along with completing a master’s degree, will make you eligible to sit for the RD Exam.
Note: While state interpretations of statutes may vary, it is ACEND's considered opinion that the program meets the educational requirements for dietetics licensure and certification in all states. However, completing an ACEND accredited academic program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure or certification as a dietitian in any state. Individuals should review their state's licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license. More information about state licensure and certification can be found at this link: http://www.cdrnet.org/licensure
Nevada licensure information is available at https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Dietitian/Dietitian_-_Home/
For more information, see https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and advancing-education/information-for-students
Information for Applicants:
The VASNHS Dietetic Internship Program will accept a maximum of four trainees annually. The program contains two admissions tracks. Track one (1) will admit only individuals who have official transcripts and a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) and have earned at least a master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) or will earn a master’s degree before program start date. Track two (2) will admit individuals with official transcripts, a DPD or FDE verification statement, and who will be concurrently enrolled in the University of Alabama's online MS in Human Nutrition program.
The Dietetic Internship Program Director reviews all submitted applications and scores them according to the established criteria. Top ranked applicants will be interviewed, and the selection committee will complete final rankings. The VASNHS Dietetic Internship will participate in the DICAS application process.
Track 1: Internship Only
Track 2: Combined Master’s Degree/Dietetic Internship. The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System has a partnership with the University of Alabama for an online Master of Science in Human Nutrition. Read an overview including courses, credit hours, application requirements, and tuition costs at https://ches.ua.edu/nhm/ms-in-human-nutrition/. For more information, contact the Human Nutrition program director, Dr. Tiffany Hylton, RD, LD at tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.
Admissions Requirements:
- Applicants MUST be a US citizen to apply for the VASNHS Dietetic Internship
- Males MUST have registered for selective service or be exempt to be eligible to apply to this program. If matched to our program, males will be required to provide verification of their status through Selective Service Online Registration Search
- A minimum cumulative and DPD GPA of 3.0
- Completion of all requirements for the DPD from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics must be completed within the past three (3) years.
- If the date on the DPD Verification Statement is more than three (3) years prior to the starting date of the internship, the applicant must take or have taken 9 graduate credits in dietetics-related coursework within the last one (1) year at a university with an ACEND-accredited DPD or Coordinated Program (CP). One course in Medical Nutrition Therapy is required.
- Track 1: Earned master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or Foreign Dietitian Education program (FDE) by VASNHS Dietetic Internship program start date. Track 2: Admission to University of Alabama MS in Human Nutrition program. Prospective interns interested in the MS + DI option MUST apply to the University of Alabama's MS in Human Nutrition by January 15, 2025 to be considered.
- Admitted intern must pass a background check by the entry date
Application Information:
Our program participates in the Spring DICAS application. Applications must be received and completed in DICAS by January 15th, 2025 at 11:59pm (Eastern Time).
- Submit application at Dietetic Inclusive Central Application Service (DICAS). Portal will open August 2024.
- Resume or CV
- Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) transcripts demonstrating completion of all prerequisites
- An original, signed copy of the DPD Verification Statement must be provided to the Internship Director before the beginning of the program
- Track 1: Official transcripts from earned/in-progress master’s degree program. Track 2: Evidence of application to the University of Alabama MS in Human Nutrition program.
- Three letters of recommendation. Two should be from college professors/instructors and one from a work supervisor. Please choose individuals that can adequately assess your abilities to perform in a dietetic internship and as a Registered Dietitian.
- Work and/or volunteer experience indicating exposure and commitment to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
- Personal statement (up to 1,000 words) answering the following questions:
- Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
- Why are you interested in the VASNHS Dietetic Internship program?
- Discuss experiences that have helped to prepare you for your career,
- What are your short-term and long-term goals?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?
- Candidates for admission will be scheduled for an interview with our selection committee via face-to-face or virtual interview (to be scheduled following review of complete application)
- DD214 form if you are a Veteran
VA Southern Nevada Health Care System
About the Hospital
The VA Southern Nevada Health Care System (VASNHS) serves over 240,000 Veterans throughout southern Nevada and has over 3,000 employees. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center and seven community-based outpatient clinics serve Veterans in Las Vegas, Pahrump, and Laughlin, NV. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that trains healthcare professionals in 38 degree and certificate programs.
