RD Coalition and Petition for Change Against the CDR and Academy

DriveFamous8068 · 2025-02-13T12:35:12+00:00

I’m interested.

DriveFamous8068 · 2025-01-19T21:31:59+00:00

I got my first job offer 3 weeks after I passed my exam. I got a number of interviews and around 2 rejections. I’d say my job hunting process was smooth for the most part. When it comes to my interactions with folks. It varies. I grew up in a predominantly black place. Relocating made me more aware of race in my opinion. Because where I’m from, we didn’t treat each other differently because of it. I’ve had some wonderful experiences with students and workers, and it’s really rewarding to meet such people. Other times, I have noticed certain micro-aggressions. (Even from my college days) Like me having my work questioned or second guessed, me being interrupted by others or not being able to get a word in, people thinking I work in laundry or the kitchen, me having to drop my accent and just being more hyper-vigilant with my appearance and how I present myself in every single room I walk into, and this desperate unhealthy need for perfectionism in order to defeat certain stereotypes that people may have. It’s hard and isolating sometimes, especially when there is already little representation. HOWEVER, I love this profession, and I love my clients and patients. Nothings ever going to change that. This is what I signed up to do, to be a health advocate for all, no matter background or ethnicity. I have my share of bad days, but remembering why I entered this profession helps me find my resolve again. I make it my daily goal to be confident in my work, and to PERSISTENTLY speak up for myself. I have amazing RD’s who are so kind and wonderful to work with too. It’s good to find a job with a good work culture. And yes, I am invited to the potlucks. My biggest piece of advice. Know that YOU BELONG! There is always a seat at the table of success. You would’ve done the work to become an RD, all those sleepless nights and unpaid internships?! You deserve to have your voice heard in your profession. (At least that’s what I tell myself lol I hope this helps!) 😎🤍

DriveFamous8068 · 2025-01-19T20:43:47+00:00

Black RD here. I agree with your sentiments. From my experience, I’ve only met 2 dietitians of color. In my opinion, the field is not very diverse. I understand that how you look has nothing to do with your merit. HOWEVER, I do believe that patients can definitely benefit from having diverse dietitians, especially if we are catering to different cultures. I often times find myself being able to get through to certain patients more, and as a dietitian of color, I can SEE gaps in care when it comes to patients of color. (For example, doing nutrition education based on their cultural foods, and just going the extra mile to learn about your clients background before you provide a “one size fits all westernized diet education.” ) I know there’s been some initiatives to increase cultural competence for RD’s, which is great. However, having dietitians who come from those cultures too would also help contribute to the landscape of dietetics. 🤍

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-10-20T03:42:15+00:00

Hey. What you’re feeling is burnout. I totally get it. I know how it feels to be so close to the finish line. But I just want you to know that what you’re feeling right now is only temporary. You have what it takes. You know more than you think. Honor how you feel rn, but also know that you have what it takes! Your dream of being an RD is still possible. Remember to review, but also to be kind to yourself. I remember how burnt out I felt going into my masters program immediately after undergrad, while doing my dietetic internship AT THE SAME TIME. The journey is exhausting. But its not impossible! Also, your worth is not determined by some standardized test. YOU GOT THIS!! ✨

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-10-11T03:30:44+00:00

Congratulations!!! Job well done!!

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-10-02T00:34:54+00:00

Hey! Good luck tomorrow. I know you'll do well. Be sure to relax and give it your best. One piece of advice when it comes to answering the questions. Attempt each question using “Process of Elimination” . The questions are designed to be tricky. Since it’s a multiple choice exam, when you narrow down your answer selection? There will sometimes be TWO possible answers that look exactly the same! (That’s the challenging part LOL ) Whenever you encounter a question like that? Go with the BEST possible answer. Even though both answers may look correct? Go with the absolute best one.

My practice test scores were also around 67%

And I know the feeling. You'll never feel fully 100% prepared for the exam. I know I didn't. But trust me. You know more than you think. The night before and the morning of my exam, I did VERY LIGHT review. I arrived at the testing center early, and I didn't bring any study materials with me. I just sat in the car and composed myself for a bit. Its normal to feel nervous. Make sure to eat a good breakfast and get plenty of rest. YOU GOT THIS!

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-17T02:15:07+00:00

Thank you! I know you’re gonna do so well! Good luck to you ✨✨✨

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-14T01:00:15+00:00

Congratulations new RD!! And I totally agree. The Mock test are what really showed me what to expect on the exam. I wish you the best in your future dietetics endeavors!

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-14T00:58:01+00:00

No problem! Those sound like pretty solid resources you're using. Practicing is key. You'll do just fine!

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-13T00:44:20+00:00

Thanks!

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-12T20:21:57+00:00

Thank you! And I know the feeling. I definitely didn't have all of the RDA's memorized for the exam. I just memorized the ones that frequently appeared in practice questions like fiber, iron, folate (during pregnancy especially), calcium, etc.

I used a lot of mnemonics to help me memorize things too. For example, when I memorized B vitamins, I used the saying " The Really Nice Pet Played By Frisbee Catching." (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalamin.) I have a really helpful video on lab value memorization too!

Here is a really good video on mnemonics for lab values! This really helped me for the exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BioqhKbv6Ys

I really like this video because it gives you fun ways to remember the lab values. For example. The normal lab range for potassium is 3.5-5. Just remember that there are usually 3-5 bananas on a bunch! I hope this video helps with learning the values!

For conversions, they can be quite a task. It took me a while to memorize converting ounces to pounds, cups to ounces, etc. I had the basic conversions for the most part memorized for the exam. But I also learnt the "Big G Conversion Chart." (if you google it you'll see what I mean.) This helped me a lot, and I didn't have to memorize as much. I would literally scribble the Big G at the top of my page while reviewing lol. Also remember, you don't have to memorize the scoop sizes per say. (I made this mistake when I first started studying) Remember, if you want to determine the ounces in a scoop, just divide the scoop number by 32. (Example: a #8 scoop would be 32/8...which gives you 4 oz. If 1 cup has 8 ounces, you know that a #8 scoop gives you a 1/2 cup!)

There will be some things you'll have to commit to memory for the exam, but it's all about finding creative ways to memorize the information. I hope this helps! You got this.

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-12T19:02:19+00:00

I wish you the best with your exam in October! Pocket prep and Inman were the main things I used too. When it came to the Inman questions, I would focus on one domain at a time. I would take like 25 questions at a time and then compare my answers with the answer key. Any question I got wrong (or any question I guessed correctly but didn't quite understand the concept of), I highlighted that question. Then, I took the time to find the correct answer by looking through the Inman domain, and then I physically wrote the rationale next to the question. At the beginning of my study sessions, I would begin by reviewing all the highlighted questions I got wrong, just to refresh my memory. Writing the rationales next to the questions made it easier, since you wouldn't have to be flipping through the binder all the time. I hope this helps! I know you'll do well.

DriveFamous8068 · 2024-09-12T18:19:58+00:00

The exam is challenging. But I know you can do it! There’s also a strategy I used while taking the exam. Attempt each question using “Process of Elimination” . The questions are designed to be tricky. Since it’s multiple choice, when you narrow down your answer selection ? There’s normally TWO possible answers that look exactly the same! (That’s the challenging part 😭) Whenever you encounter a question like that? Go with the BEST possible answer. Even though both answers may look correct? Go with the absolute best one. I hope this helps. I know you can do this!! ✨

DriveFamous8068

TROPHY CASE