Week 1, Year 2

First week done of my last year as an intern, I was really glad to get back to school and see everyone again.

After all my summer homework, I feel as though I have been in school for months. We had modules to complete for our clinical rotations this semester that covered nutrition therapy for various disease, such as cancer, pulmonary conditions, AIDS, bariatric surgery, etc. These took up a lot more time than I had originally anticipated, but I know getting a basis for some of these conditions will help me out over the semester.

Tuesday was spent in meetings from 9:30 AM to about 6:15 PM, and surprisingly every minute of them was filled with information. I had previously thought 8 hours of information would be way too much time, but I could not have been more wrong.

Wednesday we had a test that was over the modules we completed over the summer as well as the information we learned the previous semester. We were all nervous, but I think I did ok, however grades haven't come back yet. :/

Thursday was my first day at my hospital site for the semester. It was a deja vu moment, as I have previously worked at my facility about 4 years ago. Some of the people are the same, some are not, but I didn't think anyone would remember me, it was so long ago! A few people did remember me!

For some reason that morning, my stomach would not quit making noises, and no I did not have gas. I ate my normal breakfast, followed my normal routine, but it just decided it wanted to make "hunger" noises all morning long. (I hope you know what I'm talking about, the sound your stomach makes when you're hungry, grumbling and rolling) I wasn't hungry, I'm thinking it was just nerves, but it was embarrassing and of course very noticeable because the office the dietitians work in is a pretty quiet one.

Somehow, two years in a row, I do something embarrassing. I must be great at making first impressions!!

But besides all of that I am really excited for this semester because I definitely want go the clinical route as an RD. My preceptors are easy to get along with, nice and extremely helpful so I know I'm going to learn a lot over this semester. I hear this is the hardest semester of the Coordinated Program, so I am also slightly anxious, but as they say "this too shall pass."

~Brittani


"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." ~Colossians 3:23

How To Be A Registered Dietitian

I have been living in the nutrition/dietetic student mode for almost 10 years now and have realized that many of you don't know what it takes to become a Registered Dietitian, so I figured this was a good time as any to give a brief breakdown of the requirements.

To become a Registered Dietitian requires two steps:

Step 1: Receive a Bachelor of Science Degree from accredited university

Step 2: Complete a 1200 hour Supervised Practice Program (aka Internship)

Seems simple right?! Well considering it took me almost 3 years to secure an internship, it's quite the contrary.

There are two ways to complete these requirements.
Option One: Coordinated Program: this entails completing the internship hours while also completing your Bachelor's Degree
Option Two: Complete Bachelor's Degree and apply for internships after graduation

I highly recommend if you plan to be a RD, choose Option One!! It will be more work at the time, but less headaches later as I have come to realize.

I originally enrolled as an option two graduate during my first round at TCU, completed my Bachelor's Degree and applied to internships. Applying to internships is not like applying to graduate school, it is based on a computer matching program that occurs twice a year.

To be matched for an internship you send in your application to all the internships you are interested in, this could be 1 location, 5 locations or as many as you wish. Once your information is submitted, you rank each internship you applied to as 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, etc. This is where the computer "matches" you to your location, as the individual internships rank you as well: top choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, etc. however many rankings they have. On match day, you will log into your account and either get instructions to contact you matched internship or a message stating you were unmatched, this day could be awesome or depressing. Essentially if you rank the internship the same way they rank you, you've matched. Congrats!!

Supervised Practice/Internships are offered on their own or in combination with graduate school. Some locations offer Master's Degrees with completion of internship hours, this usually is about two years, and some offer graduate school credit with internship completion and others are solely internship hours, these are only about a  year. Almost all programs are unpaid, so you are paying to work for them. Hooray!

Now for my take on this computer matching system... I don't think it works quite that simply, my theory is that you are only matched if the internship you rank 1st choice also ranks you in their top tier, and I say this because statistically only 50% of applicants are matched each round. (statistics from www.eatright.org) So 50% of students that complete their Bachelor's Degree are stuck in limbo to either try again next round or go for Plan B.

(As a side note, the internships receive over 100 applications for typically only 8-12 spots.) There are just not enough internships available for students.

And I was that 50% rejected for three years as I applied, reapplied and reapplied again to be matched for an internship. Strike 3 you're out!!! I was already on my way to completing my teaching certificate (my plan B) when I got the phone call to apply for TCU's Coordinated Program. No computer matching required! AMEN!! I am one of the lucky few, as unfortunately many Nutrition and Dietetic students are unable to complete the second requirement to be a RD.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has recently become aware of this situation and is trying to come up with a solution. One problem is that there is a novel's worth of paperwork to complete just to be a preceptor/supervisor. To start up a new internship program is a huge task and encyclopedia series worth of paperwork and red tape. So it seems they want to expand the possibilities, but not make it easier for individuals to offer more availability. (just my opinion)

Their current alternative option they are working on is called ISPP (Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway). The student will submit their application to the currently 9 schools participating and if accepted, will line up their own supervisors in their area to complete the 1200 hours. This is new program launched September 2011 and I'm interested to see the turnout and how successful it is.

To any of you interested in this career path get good grades, network, be involved, network, volunteer, good luck, and did I say network? I love my field and feel extremely honored and blessed to be where I am now and if you're willing to put in the effort go for it. Networking is how I got to be where I am, by keeping in touch with my TCU professors, which is why I can't stress enough the importance of it. I am one lucky girl. Rah Rah TCU!!!

~Brittani

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." ~Proverbs 23:18

One of my favorite verses and so appropriate:

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Summer Vacay!!!

So it hasn't been all work and no play over my last summer break as a student. (This post has nothing to do with school by the way, just a fun one, with lots of pictures)

Earlier in the summer we went to visit my parents in Austin over Memorial Weekend. Did some shopping, sleeping, floating in the pool, played with my cats, and ate at the Oasis one night. Check out our view!!

Hanging out before the sunset



Davis and Mom



Me and Mom



Andy, Me, Davis (can't you tell He's ExCiTeD to be there)



 Later in the summer we went to the Annual Summer Mummers in Midland.

One of my favorite activities! You get to watch a melodrama, be almost as loud as you want to, drink and get to throw this stuff EVERYWHERE!!!

By the end of the show you are basically swimming in popcorn out the door. I Love It!!! My arms were sore the next day from throwing bag after bag after bag, but totally worth it. It's amazing what little crevices those buttery oily boogers will find their way into...

(sorry, not many pictures, didn't want to get the camera gross from popcorn)

Two days after that, we were on our way to Las Vegas to celebrate my Mother In Laws birthday!! She was surprised with a limo to take us from the airport to the Wynn Hotel. Of course the food is my favorite part of the trip! We had the privilege of eating at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill



Mango and Spice Crusted Tuna Steak



 




Chocolate Pretzel Tart

  For MIL's actual birthday we went to Botero at the Wynn (Steakhouse). It was delicious!!

Appetizer: Seafood Extravaganza

Happy Birthday Kay!!

 

Ice Cream and Chocolate Lollipops



Smores Doughnuts (Amazing!!)



Our last trip of the summer took us to Costa Rica for a family friend's graduation celebration. (Congrats Claire!) It was beautiful! Bright green everywhere (compared to the brown I'm used to Texas) and very relaxing. I had the opportunity to zip line though the rainforest, which was awesome!! (highly recommend if you get the chance) We swam, ate, relaxed and I got to use what little of my spanish I remember, which isn't much. Our time there flew by way to fast, but a great trip to end the summer on.



The view flying in



The view from the lobby, look at all that green!



These guys were everywhere and they were HUGE





This was waiting for me at check in :)





I would say a very successful and worldly summer :) I can't believe it's almost over as I start back Monday the 20th. Hope you all had wonderful summers and didn't melt in the Texas heat!!

~Brittani

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdnened, and I will give you rest." ~ Matthew 11:28







Halfway There!

One more semester down and I am halfway to completing the program and becoming an RD!! Woohoo!!

The year has been over for a little over a month now and time has flown by. (I feel like I say that every post, but it's true!) Our Class Pictures: 

Coordinated Program Junior Year, Class of 2013!!

Yay, Go Frogs!!



Overall it was a good semester, I had a lot of fun working at the hospital and especially the site swap weeks. I kept an open mind throughout, even though I knew it was not what I wanted to do. This semester definitely confirmed my preferences for when I am looking for jobs. Being foodservice management focus entailed ALOT of business, which is not my cup of tea. Thankfully that's my husband's specialty, so he helped me many a time through the semester.

I will definitley miss the people at my site. It was a good group of personalities that all worked together really well. And those chefs impressed me with their talent.

Next semester is mainly in a hospital setting as well, but with a different focus, it's our clinical rotation. I am looking forward to working more with patients one on one and provide education and counseling. We will also be working at a dialysis center, diabetes clinic and long term facility. This is more of what I want do as a Registered Dietitian, so I am excited to get back to school. I hear this is our most difficult semester, so I may be holed up in our study or at the library the majority of the time studying/completing units.



Still have MNT on the brain, saw this at a Midland Boutique and of course thought of NJ tube feeding

For the remainder of my summer break, along with working, I have quite a bit of homework/studying to do. This is to help us prepare for the upcoming semester since some of the nutrition information we haven't learned yet in class. (Example: nutrition and cancer, respiratory care, and wound care) Also we have to take a test the first week back in class over some of the information. Woohoo!!!

I must recommend this one blog I have become a loyal reader to. http://www.pbfingers.com/ I came across this blog from the crazily obsessive website Pinterest Julie, from Florida writes daily about workouts, healthy foods, books to read, and she has really motivated me to live a healthier lifestyle (not that I don't live a semi healthy lifestyle, I am studying to be a Regsitered Dietitican, so I have the food part down). Its a good reference tool for workout tips, and she's a really good writer. I'm hooked.

Copyright: Peanut Butter Fingers http://www.pbfingers.com/

Hope everyone is having a good summer! Just to make you slightly jealous I will be here in a week :)

But more about that later... :)

~Brittani

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:4

Site Swap Weeks

Over the past couple of weeks I had the opportunity to partner up with one of my fellow Coordinated Program classmates and show her around my site for a week and the following week she showed me her semester internship site.

The two sites could not have been anymore different.

During the week at my site, a hospital, we were able to deliver patient trays, take cookies to patients recovering from joint replacement surgery, taste test different nutritional supplements, help prepare food for an event and set up for the event taking place on the Friday.

Taste testing the nutritional supplements was an interesting experience. We tried all the available ones in stock, including the thickened liquids. Glucerna, Suplena, Ensure, Boost, Ensure Enlive, Boost Breeze, Thickened water, thickened apple juice and thickened milk. For the most part they tasted good, chocolate was our favorite flavor, the Enlive tasted like apple juice but had a very dark color, the Breeze tasted like super sweetened Kool-Aid, and the thickened liquids had a very interesting texture. But at least we have an idea for clinicals what to suggest to patients who need supplements.

During that week, much of our focus was on the event being held on that Friday, Doctor's Day. The hospital was hosting a lunch to thank all of the doctors for their hard work. It was an Italian Garden Theme with a Pasta Station, Carving Station, Cheese, Meats and Crackers, Dessert station and various Italian themed foods. The best display was an ice carving of a Gondola one of the chefs made in the kitchen, to hold the shrimp and oysters. They are truly talented chefs working at the hospital!!

Cutting the ice with a chainsaw



Before



The finished Gondola

The week spent with my partner was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed being able to see a site/facility so different from mine. It is cafe and catering company and most of the week was spent making deliveries to various locations throughout Fort Worth. Several of them were made to TCU campus and it was fun being able to be out and about during the work day. (I am so used to being indoors with fluorescent lighting) We also helped prep several dishes at the cafes for the deliveries and cafe service.

Of course I got to try some of their food, and my favorites were their chicken salad and of course the macaroni and cheese. YUM!!!

Tuesday was interesting, it was reported approximately 12 tornadoes touched down in the DFW area, but we had finished our deliveries before the storm really hit!! When our day was up, we made a run for the car in the torrential rain pour, it wasn't letting up anytime soon, so we got soaked, but we were laughing at the insanity! Luckily we missed most of the real damage from the storms.

Wednesday night we catered an event in Fort Worth. We helped set up the location: tablecloths, napkins, silverware, glasses and desserts, and throughout the event assisted in clearing dishes and replenishing food on the buffet line. I knew it was going to be a late night, and at the beginning I was slightly anxious about working such a large crowd, but the time flew by and everyone attending the event was very polite. (I honestly have no prior table waiting experience, so this was first real crack at it!)

I wish I could see every one's site and how they function, but there is definitely not enough time in one semester. That being said I am super glad I was partnered up with my partner! Overall it was great experience both weeks.

Just a few more weeks and I have one year of my internship completed!!

~Brittani

"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." ~Proverbs 27:9

Middle of Semester 2

We have recently been studying pharmacology and nutrient-drug interactions in my clinical nutrition class and a few things have stuck out to me. Whenever we discuss the medication Levodopa (L-Dopa) used for Parkinsion's disease it reminds me of the line in "Harry Potter" with the wingardium leviosa spell.

And we have been introduced to a medication derived from the always controversial marijuana plant, Marinol. Mainly used for cancer patients to increase appetitie, decrease nausea and give a euphoric feeling. Of course we all get a good laugh at this.

And our intestine lining have been compared to happy sea urchins sucking nutrients out of the food we digest.

And of course things like this now stick out to me:

Working at the hospital this semester with foodservice has given me some insight with patients attempting to "cheat" the diet order system and not be compliant with the diet best selected for them. We had a patient who needed to be on a low sodium, heart healthy diet, but refused and would choose instead to order chicken fingers, hamburgers, french fries, and multiple desserts. We also had a patient request to be on a "diet" menu and chose all the dessert options available. I assume they felt better about doing this since it was a "diet" menu.

One of my units that I recently completed involved taking physical inventory of the food and supplies. Part of inventory was done in the freezer, and brrrr it is cold in there, especially for more than 5 minutes. While literally "chilling" in the freezer, I was taking notes and realized the ink in my pen had frozen and I was unable to write. Proof that those walk in freezers are no joke and now I see why pencil is used instead of ink.

On a side topic, my husband and I just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary! We stayed at the Gaylord Texan and were upgraded to a suite!!! (Sweet!!) It was so much fun and felt like a mini version of the honeymoon all over again. And of course, as tradition goes, we took a bite of our one year old wedding cake, and shockingly it was good!! Either the cake holds up really well, or I just did a really good wrapping job. (3 layers of saran wrap, 2 layers of foil and 2 airtight freezer bags.)

Up next: Site Swap!!!

~Brittani

"Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine." ~ 1 Timothy 5:23

1st Semester Down

Happy Belated 2012 New Year!!! Wow, time has flown since my last post!

Woohoo!! One semester down, three more to go.

Overall it was a fun, hectic, and crazy semester. At times I really disliked being at so many locations throughout the semester, sometimes multiple places in the same day, but other times it was nice because if I didn't like the focus or the work, I knew I wouldn't be there for a long time! I was able to get my hands into several nutrition fields in just a matter of a few months: gardening, consulting, cooking and teaching. I really enjoyed working in small groups too because I got the know the other girls in the program really well and I am thrilled to be a part of this group. All of the girls in the program are wonderful and we all get along really well which I am very much appreciative of.

We had a holiday party to celebrate completeing the first semester of internship and I can say we know how to have a good time! That was a blast.

This semester is a COMPLETE opposite of last semester, just look at my schedules in comparison...


Previous Fall Semester



Current Spring Semester


I am at one location for the entire semester, which I have been enjoying so far. However, I am by myself, no groups (sad). There are units to complete each week, but I am essentially my own boss and decide which unit I want to focus on and what tasks to complete. It is structured, but not nearly in as much detail as the fall. The focus is foodservice management and I am working at a hospital in the medical district of Fort Worth. I had the opportunity to work with the chefs in the kitchen last week and they amazed me with their talent. They have all worked at many different locations, but have all worked in foodservice, some have backgrounds at Country Clubs and a couple of them have worked at TCU before!

They showed me some cool tricks with food:


Potatoes made to look like mushrooms



Potato Flower Bouquet!

 And they let me try almost any food they create! Yumm! I had mushroom ravioli the other day and pesto bruschetta with goat cheese, capers and tomatoes. All delicious and I know I am going to gain weight eating all the food, but it is SOOO good and defnitely not what hospital food used to be! They are impressive.

Mmmmm Pesto Bruschetta

On a side note, over the winter break I donated a foot of hair. This is my second time to donate and I feel good being able to do something for others.


Before



After

 I am excited to see what else this semester brings and will keep you updated! In about a month I will be celebrating my one year wedding anniversary with my dear husband. Hooray!! We made it! (Hahaha, love you!!)

~Brittani


"That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God" ~Ecclesiastes 3:13