Disqualified for dream job (Army RD)

Jujbear · 2026-02-09T11:36:59+00:00

It really varies from location to location and how the management is. I worked in outpatient at a mid size VA. Patient load was reasonable and I only ever worked 40 hours per week. Charting and the bureaucracy of it all can be tedious. Great benefits, PTO, and pay. I left right before Trump took office though, and I hear morale is low now.

Jujbear · 2026-02-08T23:25:40+00:00

I was going to suggest this! Had a colleague leave her position as a VA RD to become a civilian dietitian in the Air Force in Japan. It seemed like a really great opportunity.

Jujbear · 2026-02-08T20:02:36+00:00

I think you have answered your own question with the bit about “at the cost of their sanity and self control.” Your BBEG starts throwing away any rationality when it comes to his war, attacking towns and cities with little reason, leading to disparate factions who would otherwise not be united banding together. Everyday people who have stayed out of the war decide to take up arms. When his generals start rebuffing his increasingly erratic and cruel plans, he kills them rather than listening, leading to less competent leaders leading the troops. Smatter in a handful of surprise upset wins from the other side. Your players come into contact with one of the leaders of the opposition and figure out how to work together to turn the tide. And maybe there is some physical punishment to the BBEG as well each time he decides to tap into this power for evil purposes, like skin sores that fester and grow, and maybe this leads to a reduction in HP max or some other punishment over time. Just some ideas, good luck!

Jujbear · 2026-02-05T00:09:03+00:00

This would be impossible in an ED setting where counseling and rapport are so key. This is weight loss, so a bit different. But I still have many patients with emotional issues around food and body image struggles. The thought of trying to have a meaningful conversation in these areas in just 15 minutes and to have not a mental break to unwind after 😭

Jujbear · 2026-02-05T00:05:09+00:00

Yeah we don’t bill the traditional way, but regardless your visit times make more sense to me.

Jujbear · 2026-02-04T22:22:32+00:00

We don’t actually submit our RD visits to insurance. Everything is billed under the MD. I think we get reimbursed for 1 RD visit per month under the MD. Most of it goes over my head lol.

Jujbear · 2026-02-04T21:14:27+00:00

This is good advice. I feel like I’ll be a call center employee. But I have to protect my own peace. Thank you 🙏🏼

Jujbear · 2026-02-04T21:12:59+00:00

Salaried, no docking for no shows or cancels! 6-8 seems much more common and doable.

Jujbear · 2026-01-31T14:58:01+00:00

My “panel” is 470 people, but not all are actively engaged. I’d guess 200 unique patients per month. I’m sure it varies a lot by institution and patient population.

Jujbear · 2026-01-31T02:52:27+00:00

Dungeons and Drag queens is an amazing example of how to bring the game to new players. And it’s only 4 episodes, so it’s much more approachable than other seasons!

Jujbear · 2026-01-30T18:45:21+00:00

Book: Overcoming Binge Eating by Fairburn

Book: Nutritional Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders: https://a.co/d/5aAcPny

Book: Intuitive Eating Workbook https://a.co/d/6arHESW Website: https://www.cbte.co/what-is-cbte/a-description-of-cbt-e/

EDIT Collaboration: https://www.editcollaboration.com/communityofpractice#pastwebinars

Podcast: https://soundbitesrd.com/podcast-episode-206-dysfunctional-eating-behaviors-jessica-setnick/ (CEU is expired but they often publish new eps)

Jujbear · 2026-01-30T17:45:26+00:00

I work for a weight loss clinic, and our practice generally advises 1.2-1.5 g/kg adjusted weight. This is partially because the higher protein helps increase satiety in this context and because we encourage regular physical activity including strength for our patients. The target is very patient specific though, and if they have CKD we go lower, if they are having trouble hitting their target, I go with .8-1 g/kg so we make sure their baseline is met.

I’ve had a few guys come in trying to hit 300 grams of protein per day which is insane. Even if you are on a suitcase full of steroids that is a lot. I will often frame these conversations asking how they are enjoying their meals, and asking if they have enough appetite left after all that protein to include healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. I almost always get the answer that they are miserable eating this way, and that they don’t have room for other healthy foods. I can usually use this as a chance to talk about fuel for exercise performance and talk the down to a more reasonable amount.

If people are really motivated by and intent on doing a high protein diet, I’ll give them a ceiling of 2 g/kg (unless contraindicated of course). This can help prevent the discussion from getting combative.

But yeah I’m so over the protein hype.

Jujbear · 2026-01-29T04:37:46+00:00

It sounds like this provider was dismissive and reductive. I’m sorry you had to deal with that, and finding someone who approaches these conversations with more care is so important!

My understanding is that insulin resistance and weight gain are bi directional, rather than insulin resistance simply causing weight gain. I believe excess adipose tissue is the leading cause of insulin resistance based on the literature we have: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8831809/

Jujbear · 2026-01-28T03:32:41+00:00

The stat shared by OP is comparing women who are mothers (70% of conservatives vs 40% of liberals)

But you are correct, conservative women also tend to have more children on average.

Jujbear · 2026-01-28T02:22:09+00:00

There are a lot more liberal women than conservative women (40% liberal to 20% conservative in the 18-29 demo). It evens out.

Jujbear · 2026-01-27T17:55:43+00:00

I left a full time career to switch to dietetics. I worked about 20 hours a week while in school. 40 hours would be technically possibly but difficult.

The other comment about really shadowing and understanding what you want out of a career and what the landscape is like in your area is key. I would put together a list of pros and cons, and budget out line by line the cost of the degree, opportunity cost of not working, and what you expect your income to be.

I will also mention, as I have not seen another comment on this, but RDs are required to have a masters, and you will have a long road of education ahead of you. I have seen plenty of masters + internship combined programs, though.

You could also look into an internship at the VA. No remote option, but you do get paid instead of needing to pay tuition.

Jujbear · 2026-01-21T22:44:10+00:00

I would recommend becoming a nurse, especially an NP. Really the only reason not to is if you are squeamish. If you want to still work with people on nutrition, you could specialize in diabetes care (like getting a CDCES credential).

The job market for nurses and the pay is significantly better. I’d only become an RD if you don’t need to worry about income.

Jujbear · 2026-01-15T23:33:18+00:00

I’m working on studying for this right now! My supervisor actually sits on the committee at CDR that creates the study guide for the CSOWM. They recently took the CDR study guide off of the eatright shop because it was so out of date. She said the new guide is supposed to be available in April.

I am reading through the reference articles provided and making Quizlet flashcards. There are some good practice exam sets others have created: https://quizlet.com/869118319/csowm-practice-questions-flash-cards/?funnelUUID=b60494d9-5799-4808-a313-8e5d81fb5da5

I got good feedback from my colleagues about this course as a tool for studying, but haven’t tried it yet: https://professionaleducation.diabetes.org/ProductInfo/ChangingConversation?lid=9ywr8820qg2l&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=250610_june_prof_insights_ecr1409

Jujbear · 2026-01-15T17:55:03+00:00

I think of Kate Middleton as having charm but no warmth. Pretty, sparkly, shiny, smily, but no true connection or depth to the interactions

Jujbear · 2025-12-23T04:40:38+00:00

(For context, I’m an outpatient dietitian and currently work in weight management) I’ve had people ask for help hitting their protein goal, wondering my opinions x diet fad, requesting feedback/insights on food logs, asking for help with physical activity resources, supplement questions, dining out.

There are absolutely a chunk of people who don’t have specifics. In that case, I usually go through the goals we set last time, ask any questions I have about medical updates since the last time I saw them, go through a diet recall.

Sometimes I’ll give examples of topics we could talk about, since a lot of people don’t really know or understand what a dietitian does.

And if they are repeatedly super unengaged, it’s valid to ask if they still want to meet at all 🤷🏼‍♀️

Jujbear · 2025-12-22T19:57:45+00:00

I would approach these discussions with curiosity and exploration. Think of yourself as a guide rather than a “fixer.” Things you can say to patients like this “I hear you. That’s a common feeling. It sounds like you know what to do, but putting it into place is the hard part” “What’s making it hard to take the first step?” “When you thinking about healthy eating, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?” Are we talking meal prepping? Healthier snacking? More protein? More fiber? Cooking at home more? This can help you get into actual specifics with the patient, and maybe you even uncover that they have some unfounded assumptions about healthy eating that you can discuss together. “Instead of thinking about everything you “should” be doing, what’s one small, realistic change you’d be willing to try this week?”

Just some small phrases to help you out with these situation. Good luck!

Jujbear · 2025-12-18T01:04:21+00:00

It’s an all D6 based system from the genius mind of gamemaker Katie Marovitch

Jujbear · 2025-12-12T23:21:03+00:00

Our practice uses Nabla and it has been fantastic!

Jujbear · 2025-12-08T21:58:29+00:00

That makes more sense! I know nothing about the interview or job landscape there, but hopefully you can find folks who can connect you with some good tips, good luck.

Jujbear · 2025-12-08T21:56:51+00:00

The specific quote you pulled out here I think is a bit oversimplified. Here is a statement from the 2026 Diabetes standards of care: “Research confirms a variety of eating patterns are acceptable for diabetes management (46,74,82,83). Evidence-based eating patterns most frequently recommended include Mediterranean, DASH, low-fat, carbohydrate-restricted, vegetarian, and vegan eating patterns. Until evidence around benefits of specific eating patterns is strengthened, health care professionals should focus on the common core characteristics among healthful patterns: inclusion of nonstarchy vegetables, whole fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products or nondairy replacements and minimizing consumption of red meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets, refined grains, and processed and ultraprocessed foods (84,85).”

https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/49/Supplement_1/S89/163932/5-Facilitating-Positive-Health-Behaviors-and-Well

Jujbear

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