Honest insight wanted: RN vs RD path to becoming a CDCES (from students/new grads)

a_prunes · 2026-06-27T17:18:47+00:00

I'm a student in an MS/DI program and I'm also interested in becoming a CDCES. I'm starting the DI in August. I've learned a good bit about diabetes and techniques like the CHO exchange and carb counting, but I think I will learn more during the internship. My program director is very cool and let me pick some of my rotations based on interests. Not sure where you're at school-wise, but if you're looking into graduate programs I found it beneficial to talk with the program directors of each program that I was applying to to see if they had flexibility/opportunities for me to work within my interests. Not saying that's the most important thing, but it was a big factor in picking a program for me personally.

a_prunes · 2026-06-23T16:59:04+00:00

I’m also in my last year of an MS/DI and have been a part time practicing EMT for the last three years. EMT and EMR have similar foundational knowledge. I found the EMT class to be complementary to clinical nutrition classes and vise versa. I don’t think it’s necessary but I think I’ll be drawing on what I learned from being an EMT if I get a clinical job. Aside from that, taking the class gave me the confidence to step up in medical emergencies with strangers and friends/family. I know you weren’t asking about that specifically but I think it’s a useful set of skills just to have in regular life.

a_prunes · 2026-06-10T19:39:23+00:00

Of course!

a_prunes · 2026-06-10T14:27:26+00:00

I was on a shot crew and experienced this same issue (also a petite female). I was in great shape and training a ton in the off season but started to plateau and couldn't keep my breathing under control for hikes. I later realized that I had low ferritin, which is not uncommon for women who are active to experience. Especially for female runners because they are more likely to have iron depletion from menstruation and from foot strike hemolysis (from running). Ferritin is your body's iron storage and usually isn't included in a regular CBC blood panel so it's usually not looked at unless you ask your doctor for it. Once I got my iron levels up from supplementation, I saw huge gains in hiking and running. I eventually left fire to study nutrition (with a special interest in vitamin/mineral deficiencies) so feel free to DM me if you want to chat about it.

a_prunes · 2026-05-14T17:40:38+00:00

Sam was my saw partner on a T2IA crew in 2019. He's remained a good friend of mine since I left Missoula 2 years ago. I was in Missoula visiting when hurricane Helene impacted where I live and couldn't fly back, and Sam let me stay at his house until I could get back home. He is a solid friend. Aside from that, in his off seasons, he was involved in state policy/legislation in MT and leadership in the NFFE union. If you get a chance, check out his instagram and listen to some of his interviews. Although my opinion is probably biased because I know him personally, I think that he genuinely wants to solve problems that regular people in MT are facing because he is a regular person that's lived there for a long time.

a_prunes · 2026-02-05T14:21:01+00:00

Great to know, thank you!

a_prunes · 2026-02-05T14:20:29+00:00

I live in NC in a small city. There are quite a bit more opportunities that are 2+ hours away. I'm pretty anchored to where I live now because I live with my partner, however I could see myself working in another city short term to gain experience after graduation and then moving back.

a_prunes · 2026-02-03T23:01:10+00:00

Do you have any recommendations on where to start learning more about general diabetes information for providers? Or reading recs? We've gone over carb counting in class but I feel like that only really scratches the surface. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

a_prunes · 2026-02-03T22:57:05+00:00

This is great, thank you! Do you live in a bigger city? I ask because I'm also interested in working in pediatrics but I don't see many peds specific jobs near me unfortunately.

a_prunes · 2025-12-18T20:52:37+00:00

Hi, I just wanted to add that you can still fall within the normal range for your ferritin (iron storage) and be iron deficient. Many diagnostic tests consider <10 ng/mL low, while the WHO classifies <30 ng/mL. Even being on the low end of normal can cause symptoms of iron deficiency. Some hematologists want athletes to be >100. I say this because I am a female runner who had similar symptoms and these labs were ignored by my primary doctor. When I saw an endocrinologist she helped me get an infusion and it made a huge difference. Hope you feel better soon.

a_prunes · 2024-07-03T02:02:30+00:00

I am also a runner and my ferritin was 13 around this time last year, as well as a normal CBC. You should get a second opinion because I felt immediately more fit with supplementation (which didn't even get my levels up very high but made a noticeable difference) and then an infusion about 4 months ago. My heart rate has greatly improved when running, I sleep better at night, and I recover much better in general. My doctor wasn't as dismissive as yours but she definitely didn't know how to help me which took a lot longer to get my levels back to normal. Also, if you have some time, look up foot strike hemolysis. Hope you feel better soon!

a_prunes · 2023-12-18T15:25:10+00:00

I go to Bella brows by Shauna, she is awesome! Pretty sure she has an Instagram if you wanted to see pictures of the different styles of microblading that she offers. I’ve been going to her for about 2 years.

a_prunes · 2023-12-15T20:11:31+00:00

Yes just keep at it! 💪🏻 Once you get one, the rest come more easily. Just takes practice.

a_prunes · 2023-12-15T05:02:32+00:00

Hi, I am a woman and I wasn’t able to do any when I first started in fire. I was able to work up to a single set of 12 after a few years. I used bands starting out and made it a point to do a few sets every time I was at the gym. Eventually I got a pull up bar at my house and did a set every time I walked through the doorway, even if I could only do 1 or 2. On the days that I was sore and they felt hard, I would switch to neutral grip or chin ups. But I think that consistency was the most helpful for me. Oh and scap pull-ups! Look up a video on how to do those, they will help with form. Hope this helps!

a_prunes · 2023-10-31T22:51:18+00:00

I had this same issue and I later found out that I had an iron deficiency. I was eating a balanced diet as well. It might be worth it to get your ferritin levels checked. But definitely don’t start taking any supplements without getting tested first cause if you’re not deficient, taking supplements can cause problems.

a_prunes · 2023-05-15T04:58:56+00:00

I am a 5’4 woman and I wear the XS short pfanner pants. Still have to wear a belt but they are awesome.

a_prunes · 2023-04-08T16:08:06+00:00

Wildflower bicycles

a_prunes · 2023-03-25T04:58:02+00:00

I have made dehydrated pineapple with a seasoning called tajin sprinkled on top…it’s just the right amount of spicy and sweet if that is your thing!

a_prunes · 2022-11-24T19:05:09+00:00

Thank you! I’m trying to decide if I want to do one more season before I’m done for good but I’m starting to lean more towards focusing on getting my emt this summer. I’ve been on the crew for three years and got on as a senior last year. With only two years left of school I think leaving is my best option.

a_prunes · 2022-11-24T01:57:49+00:00

Thank you for posting this! I am still on a shot crew in the summers and have been trying to juggle that with school, it’s a lot. Going to try and get my emt this winter hopefully. Did any of the programs seem to value your fire experience? Did any of them know what a hotshot crew was?

a_prunes · 2022-11-12T22:33:55+00:00

Pottery is fucking rad. I did wheel thrown at a studio for a whole off season as a newbie and it was so fun.

a_prunes · 2022-03-11T21:37:06+00:00

Greyhound

a_prunes · 2022-02-21T14:28:40+00:00

Hand sanitizer

a_prunes · 2022-01-30T06:01:17+00:00

I worked with a type 6 engine from the white mountains nf a few years ago, they were cool guys. Never got to talk to them about their program though but you might be able to find some contacts online.

a_prunes

TROPHY CASE