Welp, it’s a wrap! I officially completed my Dietetic Internship this past week. I cannot believe how fast these last ten months went. Or that it’s over! It feels like I literally just started not too long ago. This journey that I embraced over the course of the year definitely was not easy, and there were times I felt like I wanted to give up. However, I gained such a great wealth of knowledge and the growth I saw in myself is remarkable. I would not change a thing reflecting back.

A year I ago I submitted my application to DICAS which stands for Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services. This is a grueling and dreadful application process one must go through in order to be one step closer reaching their dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian. For those of you who are not familiar with the process, if you want to become a RD, you must complete a four year degree in dietetics, and in addition to that you must apply to a dietetic internship. A dietetic internship is the last step you must go through in order to sit for the RD exam.  You must complete at least a minimum of 1200 hours of supervised practice and go through various rotations like food service, community, and clinical. The sad truth is that over the years it never got any easier. Unfortunately, the process became even more competitive and there is less than a 50% acceptance rate. If you get matched to a dietetic internship, consider yourself lucky. But honestly, when you are matched to a program be grateful. Many people would wish to be in that position you are in.

I vividly remember Match Day (Sunday, November 7, 2017). I was so anxious! It stinks that you have to wait a whole day anticipating whether you get accepted into a program or not. This was my second time applying. Believe it or not, it’s pretty common for most people having to apply more than once. I went to church that morning and I remember sitting in the aisle praying to God that he would open a door for me. This was my future and everything I worked so hard for over the years and the patience I had to gain led up to this very day once more. I humbly told myself throughout the day that no matter what the results were, God had a reason and I put my faith and trust in him. My family was over later that day for a get together at my house and it was hard to keep my focus. I kept telling myself “its okay, it’s okay,” trust God, everything will work out if you just trust in him. Once my family left, it was almost 7 p.m. and I would finally find out if I would officially have a chance to become one step closer becoming an RD. It was a few minutes before the results were in and I literally felt my heart starting to beat. Many thoughts started racing through my head like “okay what’s my plan B if this does not work, I am going to disappoint my family and friends if I fail to match again, I will be stuck working the same job for a while, etc.” As pathetic as it sounds I had to throw a wash cloth over my screen because I just could not handle the anticipation anymore. It was 7 p.m.! Results were in. I remember my dad looked at me and said “remove that cloth, stop worrying!” So I took the cloth off my computer screen and I my mouth dropped. I was matched to my first choice which was, The Be Well Solutions Distance Dietetic Internship in Solon, Ohio. I never felt such relief at that very moment. I felt a load drop off my shoulders. I could finally say RD2Be.

This was a major accomplishment for me. I know many people who go through this process can relate. It’s hard, competitive, and a lot of sacrifice. For me it was a whole other story. For those of you who do not know me quite as well, I was not the perfect student in school, as a matter fact I had many setbacks. In elementary school, I was tested and diagnosed with a learning disability. It was very hard and throughout my education I had to work harder than most to be successful. I had to be very organized, find different learning strategies, and be a strong advocate for myself. I even had to face external challenges. Sadly, I encountered situations where I I was told I would fail in life, or be unsuccessful and never reach my goals. Starting college, I was told I was unfit to go the RD route and should consider changing my major. I was even rejected by a professor saying that I would never get an internship. Sounds rough huh? Look I am not writing this blog post to make people feel bad for me. Because don’t. I am trying to say do not ever let any setback or a circumstance close a door you want to achieve in life. Nobody ever knows what you are capable of, including yourself. Everyone’s journey is different, and we all get to our destinations differently. It’s okay. What counts is that we get there and we don’t lack faith.

Reflecting back on my internship, I had many times where faith was challenged. It was definitely a roller coaster, a balancing act of life, and where a lot of professional growth developed. I remember I was challenged the most during my clinical rotation. I will admit, it was not my favorite because my heart was not into becoming a clinical dietitian. However, I learned so much coming out of it. Fortunately, I was able to complete my hours at the hospital I currently worked at the time. So I already knew the system, and the dietitians (who would be my preceptors). Sounds pretty chill, but the reality was, they did not know. Meaning I knew going into this rotation they would see a whole other side of me that I was not always proud of throughout my education. Such as my learning disability. Thankfully, my preceptors supported me A LOT throughout the entire rotation. I personally struggled most days having confidence in myself and I knew that they saw that in me. There were some mornings walking into the diet office where I thought to myself, “here we go again, me failing at other things, and making myself look bad in front of really smart dietitians.” Clearly my confidence was shot! Halfway during my clinical rotation, things started to change for me in a positive way.  Honestly, all the dietitians I worked with were all amazing. Everyone worked so hard and always challenged me to be my best. I had many ups and downs just like anyone else. I realized going through my rotation that I really had to work on my confidence in order to fully succeed. One night I remember after a long, and challenging day, I went home in tears and I thought to myself what is going to take! I just want to do well, I want to give back to the dietitians who care enough to see me succeed. These are people who actually care. I must say support was always key for me when I went through hurdles during my schooling. I did some critical-thinking and started doing a lot of self-reflecting. It suddenly happened where soon after I started making small gradual improvements. I made a routine where it involved me waking up wicked early, writing scripts to enhance my interview skills, and doing extra homework. It was a sacrafice, most days was not very easy, but I did it. Overall, I know I wasn’t perfect but I did it, and I am grateful for all the help and support from my preceptors, family, and friends.

All of my rotations were rewarding. I honestly cannot complain. All my preceptors were very knowledgeable, supportive, and very helpful. I would not be where I am today without them. 

I flew back for exit class/graduation this past week. As happy and relieved I was being done with the internship it was definitely bittersweet. These past ten months, and this entire journey will be something I will never forget. Why:

1.) I made close friendships with a group of interns spread out across the country. Ah I miss them all!

2.) I can say I took part in the very first graduating class for the Be Well Solutions Distance DI in Solon, Ohio.

3.) I made many amazing connections with Registered Dietitian’s in the Boston, area. F.Y.I.: If any of you are reading this, and you know who you all are, thank you for all that you did for me and taught me as your intern!

4.) I never thought I would have this chance or experience to have gone through the D.I. and looking back was very life changing and I learned so much!

5.) I am not the same person before I started the internship in January.

6.) I am ready to start my journey as a Registered Dietitian.

I could just sit here and type some more, but it is emotional looking back and seeing how much growth I have seen in myself. Sometimes in life when you look back, so much can change. Whether it is for the good or bad. Sometimes when you can just simply pause from all the chaos, and reflect back, you begin to appreciate things more.  This can relate to all of us. Ten months ago, or even a few years ago, I never thought I would be where I am today.

Here is a verse that holds true to my heart that sums up my journey, and as I look unto a new chapter moving forward in my career;

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

-I quote something a fellow intern of mine said that is very true: “We should not fear the next season of our life. That is exciting. This is a gift. We should be excited, eager, and grateful for what we have or will accomplish.”

Sometimes you have to go through the story book of life to get to where you are today. Always shoot for the moon and never let anything stop you from achieving your dreams. Opportunity is always knocking at the door. Is it easy, no. Is it worth it, yes!

What’s your story?

 

A few photos that the interns and I took together during Exit Class: