Dietetic Internship Program

James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center

The James J. Peters VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship was first established in 1946. After a period of closure during which a new hospital building was constructed, our program was re-established in 1982. Our program is known for producing highly skilled clinicians ready to immerse themselves within the healthcare industry and improve the lives of their patients through evidenced based interventions. The VA is the largest employers of dietitians in the nation and our internships offer excellent career opportunities, networking potential, and incentives.

During the program, students participate in a variety of intensive and immersive learning experiences including rotations in clinical dietetics, food service systems, clinical management, pediatrics/entrepreneurship and community nutrition. The hospital is affiliated with a numerous hospital, community, clinical, and institutional sites throughout the area.

The James J. Peters VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program

Two Options for Internship Programs

• A 16-month MS/DI Program. Supervised practice portion includes 49 weeks with concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) coupled with graduate coursework at New York University. Interns in the MS/DI must take a minimum of 19-graduate credits in Clinical Nutrition track at NYU during the supervised practice year and the remainder of graduate coursework completed in 1 additional full-time semester.

• A 12-month (49-week) DI Program with supervised practice in concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for applicants who have already or will complete their Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition or related field by program start. This option requires DI Director approval and is determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Additional information about these options are available in the "rotation" tab of this website. 

Sample Program Calendar 2024-2026 for more information.

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Why Choose The James J. Peters VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program

• Stipend-Dietetic intern will receive a stipend of approximately $24,000 awarded by Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), paid bi-weekly, for 49-weeks! There is NO additional tuition or processing fee paid to the JJPVA DI during their supervised practice. 
• Individualized Attention from Preceptors- During clinical rotations, you work one-on-one with an RDN who will challenge you to think critically but does not overwhelm you. The preceptors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, many with advanced level certifications, and take pride and care in precepting. 
• Professional Respect and Enhanced Scope of Practice-Registered Dietitians in the JJPVAMC can change and order therapeutic diets and are the only medical professionals in JJPVA who can order oral nutritional supplements (i.e. Ensure, Kate Farms) in the inpatient/outpatient settings. 
• Team Approach to Patient Care-Physicians and staff are receptive to our evidenced-based recommendations and collaboration. 
• Collaborative, Friendly Environment- The hospital staff welcomes questions and helps you feel at ease from the first day of the DI. Our interns form lasting friendships with one another. 
• Computerized Medical Records-Easy access your patient's medical record from your desk. 
• Dedicated Intern Office- Each intern gets their own desk with computer, High-Speed Internet Access- each intern gets their own desk. Interns may also have access to their own VA-issued laptop during the supervised practice portion of the internship. 
• Strong Program Statistics-including successful 1-year pass rate for CDR examination at 100%.
• Transit Benefits & Free Parking-The VA may contribute to a portion of your transportation costs if you take public transportation to work and do not live on-site. There is free parking at the VA for interns who choose to drive.
• On-site, co-ed housing for interns offered on a first come, first serve basis at a low monthly rate during the supervised practice portion of the internship.
• NYU Education- Our MS/DI program partners with NYU. We are structured to allow you to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition in just one additional full-time semester at NYU, one of the most well-respected universities in the country. NYU provides the benefits of a large university while the nutrition department provides personalized attention, allowing for a smaller school feel (the best of both worlds!).
• No GRE is required for JJPVA or NYU. 
• Possibility for Future VAMC Career-VA is one of the largest employers of dietitians in the country and it is the mission of the VA to train and hire those we have trained. Most of our RDs are graduates of a VA internship. 

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Graduation and Program Completion Requirements & Expectations

In order to qualify for successful completion of the JJPVA DI and to receive a DI Verification Statement, each intern is responsible for the following: 

• All dietetic interns must complete the scheduled 49-weeks of supervised practice experiences through a demonstration of entry-level ability in all ACEND-required competencies. No waivers of supervised practice rotations will be granted based on previous experience for any portion of their supervised practice program at JJPVAMC.
• Report for duty prepared to begin work at or before scheduled time.
• Attend each rotation fully prepared. Complete all assignments and projects by established deadlines. Satisfactorily complete each rotation.
• Complete 4 weeks of Applied Nutrition Practicum with an overall competent performance rating based on established criteria.
• Provide evidence of attending at least 15 continuing professional education credits (CPE) of conferences, in-services, case presentations, and debates (excludes graduate course work) during the 12-month internship. Every dietetic intern is required to attend at least 1 outside professional meeting (e.g. local dietetic association event) during the DI. 
• Attends all scheduled workshops, seminars, field trips, and class days during the DI. Make-up work is required for any missed days.
• Dietetic interns must complete and receive official conferral of their Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (or similar approved field) before a DI Verification Statement can be issued. Dietetic Interns in our MS/DI Option must complete at least 19 credits of graduate-level coursework in clinical nutrition at New York University (NYU) during the 12 months of the DI program and finish subsequent graduate coursework in one semester following supervised practice completion. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point-average of 3.0 for graduate coursework at NYU. Visit NYU Registrar for more information. Note: dietetic interns who hold a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (or similar approved field) prior to the start of the DI, will be considered as fulfilling their graduate degree requirement through an assessment of their prior learning and may receive a DI Verification Statement upon completion of the supervised practice program. 

Note: All trainees must be up to date on vaccinations for health care workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers | CDC and VA. Human resources, the program director and occupational health will provide any necessary forms for documentation that are required for employment. Exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination are considered on a case-by-case basis, and those with exemptions must comply with workplace safety protocols (i.e. appropriate masking and testing, when indicated). Possible vaccine exemptions cannot be determined prior to appointment. In certain circumstances, should vaccination status impact a trainee’s planned rotations, attempts will be made to adjust to provide the dietetic intern with alternative experiences to support their meeting of ACEND competencies.

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Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) & The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) + Dietetic Internship (DI) Pathway Process: 

To become a registered dietitian nutritionist, you will need to:

1. Earn a degree from an accredited dietetics program.
   1. The JJPVA DI Program requires an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) track with delivery of a DPD Verification Statement. The DPD provides all the prerequisite and core dietetics courses needed for preparation for the supervised practice portion of the RD training. Classes vary according to program, but in general, coursework covers subjects that may range from food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology and communication to science courses such as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry.
   2. The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In addition, CDR requires that individual’s complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).  For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: CDR Graduate Degree.
   3. The JJPVA DI requires your graduate degree to be a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition or similar related field. Interns may complete the JJPVA MS/DI Program or stand-alone DI only, if they have already completed a MS in Clinical Nutrition. JJPVA DI has a recency of education requirement. DPD verification statement or master's degree must be completed within 3 years of time of application.
2. Complete a supervised practice requirement.  In addition to the degree requirements, individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings. The supervised practice at JJPVA DI is Step 2.
3. Pass a national exam for RDNs. Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship at JJPVA and have met the master's degree requirements, will be eligible to apply to take the CDR's Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians to become credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). 
4. Meet requirements to practice in your state.  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: State Licensure.
5. Stay up-to-date in dietetics through continuing education. After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices.

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ACCREDITATION 

The James J. Peters VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program holds continued accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
120 S Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (312) 899-0040 or (800) 877-1600
www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Page Updated: December 2024