Physician Assistant might be a better nutrition career than Registered Dietitian

[@essmab2568]

Thanks for this video! And about the new requirements, it's so obvious that it's all about the money. Get you to pay for more schooling at their universities so they can pocket more money. SMH. But the PA route might be a great way to get to where I want to go anyways . thanks so much!

[@beliuye]

Thanks for the video. I'm considering joining a coordinated graduate program for dietetics. When you brought up the point about liking culinary arts and being a minimalist (me allll the way), that 6 figure PA route no longer sounded appealing. #KnowThyself

[@kookinit11]

Sounds like you have a good idea what you want out of school. Wishing you good luck with whatever path you choose.

[@lolab6770]

Thank you for doing this! I graduated with my MS in Human Clinical Nutrition but I don't want to be a nutritionist. When we were doing our clinicals, I thoroughly enjoyed the intake process and designing treatment plans, but I HATED the fact that we literally have no control over the full patient. Even my professor said that we should all get a PA so we could better help our clients and get paid more to do it. It's hard as I have to retake all of those science classes, but what's 2-4 years for at minimum an extra $50k/yr.

[@kookinit11]

Yeah its unfortunate, maybe in the future with the requirement for a masters degree, dietitians will have more order writing privileges. I know some states allow advanced practice dietitians to change nutrition orders on their own. If you do decide to go back for the PA I wish you good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[@SC-ry5dy]

Why will you have to retake your science courses? Wouldn't most courses not transfer over?

[@lolab6770]

@@SC-ry5dy there's a time limit on science courses. Most schools are 7 years and I was in undergrad in 2010.

[@smallcatbigmeow]

This is such a useful video for me because I’m debating between PA and Dietetics. I already received an offer for PA school but I’ve been thinking of taking the year off and applying for dietetics instead bc it seems like a less stressful job. I have no idea what to do

[@Lastdayone]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m a minimalist as well but the times of simply existing is getting tough . I’ve just happened upon the RDN field. I love the idea of whole person wellness. However, it’s a complete debt trap now. This definitely helps.

[@dismurrart6648]

Ty for the advice! Im in the preliminary stages of going back so i haven't cemented anything. Pa does appeal to me but tbh, idk if i even want to work with pts. Im thinking i might pursue a phd and do more research based stuff. A big reason is because i kinda hate when people come to me for advice and full on do the stupid. Tbh im in a position where my salary likely wont actually matter. That said, you're right, that pa salary is REAL tempting

[@kookinit11]

Yeah that was the tough part when I saw patients regularly. Most have a hard time committing to any healthy change

[@dismurrart6648]

@Kookin It I think I could do well in something like bariatric care because obesity is kinda my passion but I'm also great with data so research is also a good path for me.

[@andreac8015]

Thanks for this. I’m currently doing my Masters in Nutrition and have decided I shouldn’t continue.. I have most pre reqs done for PA.. I didn’t make it into a program my first cycle a couple years ago and I’m mad at myself for giving up so quickly.

[@oniboluwatife2222]

Wow congratulations

[@Lastdayone]

You still can try✨

[@dreaminbronze9189]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing & happy I found your channel. I'm a Holistic nutritionist...still considering if I wanna teeter into the clinical realm. I geek out on diabetes so PA is def intriguing

[@jellybun12]

Doing my masters here in Australia. PA is not really a recognised career as yet over here. Takes two years to get your masters here but thankfully it’s partially government funded. Dietitians don’t get paid much straight out of university here and we have unpaid placements at the end of our course, but end of the day you gotta do what you’re passionate about.

[@bryannajordan7814]

Thank you so much.

[@melindajones2259]

Not everything is about money, like you said. I’m a PA and RD trying to return to RD work. pA is a great masters and I got to study medicine, but I feel at home in the nutrition world, not the medical world. And I have it am honest shot, 7 years as a PA. What fill you is the most important thing.

[@kookinit11]

appreciate your point of view coming from a PA

[@wendepatrella2018]

How about a becoming a CDM and using both the CDM and RD to become a foodservice/nutritional director or even a dietary chef? You're eligibility should be easy to obtain to take the CDM test as well and alot of foodservice directors make a competitive salary as well. This is the route I'm taking while I become an RD and I'll be opening up my own private practice consulting and mixing dietary cooking for clients as well!!

[@kookinit11]

Yeah that's an option. I have a background in culinary arts so I already was in a foodservice/nutrition management position without the CDM. Most places prefer the RD over the CDM if you have foodservice experience. I'm looking to start doing some private consults as a side gig eventually as well.

[@wendepatrella2018]

@@kookinit11 that sounds like a plan!! If you are still looking for a better position, highlight the fact that you are an RD with all of the foodservice expertise that you already have! There are alot of nutritional/dietary corporate director and travel director opportunities out there for you. Also, I'd join a small association such as the the USPCA for personal chefs if you want to check that out. They're great, and awesome for marketing your services while you can make a Google business page to help promote your side gigs.

[@LoriStevensRD]

It is an option but every CDM I have ever worked with makes even less money than me as an RD. And they work so hard. They are the ones covering the kitchen on Sunday night when two people call out. I have been an RD for 17 years and I work where we have order privileges. I still consider this one of the biggest mistakes financially I ever could have made. I should have been a PA or an MD.

[@wendepatrella2018]

@@LoriStevensRD some make more depending on prior experience

[@niagay711]

awesome video! tysm!!!!

[@devaneyroldan5677]

Thank you 😊

[@kookinit11]

No problem

[@lookupjackkruseonyoutube]

Would you say the same process could be repeated for Nurse Practitioner? Gets twice as much money, similar schooling, and can get the CNS certification

[@kookinit11]

You would have to become a registered nurse and get a BSN before you can become a nurse practitioner so this would not be a good route if you want to focus on nutrition. You would not get any of the nutrition classes that you would get studying for a dietetics or nutrition bachelors which could then be used to become a PA.

[@priyadharshiniboopathe5693]

I finished my bsc in nutrition and dietetics now I'm doing msc in clinical nutrition i really like this course and what I'm studying but as for career I think it's not worth it unless you are a chief dietetian, I just feel lost I wanna service people and get some respect trust me in india dietetian is not a part in many hospital atleast not in my place and nobody really respect them it's quite depressing is there anything I could do or should I just hang on I'm thinking about going some companies side like food research something?

[@kookinit11]

Yeah generally dietitians get little respect in healthcare in the United States also. Dietitians are required in hospitals but we have few privileges compared to a nurse or physician assistant. This is partly why I like foodservice since I rarely have to deal with other healthcare professionals. Food research sounds good and something I also want to do but you probably need a food science background. But if you really want to do clinical work, I would recommend you switch to physician assistant masters since you would get more respect and money. Wish you the best with whatever path you choose.

[@priscillayeboah4867]

Hi, I have a question? I’m also in city colleges finish my requirement to go the nutrition program?? But I’m confused since they are now requiring masters, do you think I could do my bachelors in nutrition and go for my masters as a physician Assistant? Will that work? And earning masters in physician assistant? I will need to write the exams for PA and RDN as well? That’s will be a lot of studying? What do you think I should do??

[@kookinit11]

@@priscillayeboah4867 your nutrition bachelor's should be able to get you into the PA masters. If you like clinical nutrition just do the PA masters and become a PA. To be a RDN you will have to do a dietetic internship or nutrition masters with internship, which I would avoid if clinical nutrition is what you want

[@priscillayeboah4867]

@@kookinit11, oh ok! Thank you so much for the quick reply, I do appreciate!

[@savesoulsnotgold7867]

This help me a lot do you know what I need to study diabetes

[@kookinit11]

As in what type of schooling? I would probably become a physician assistant then work towards the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) credential. You will likely work with a lot of diabetes patients as a PA since it is such a common disease in the West

[@isaiahreno]

I SWEAR I HAVE BEEN CONTEMPLATING between RDN and PA, and this video pops up in a search? 😳

[@kookinit11]

They are always watching. Either way, hope the vid helped

[@isaiahreno]

@@kookinit11 thanks, I gotta question: I live in florida, and do you think that I can get my RDN accreditation and go to PA school with the same bachelor's?

[@kookinit11]

@@isaiahreno I'm not a PA but generally you can. Just make sure you have the right lab classes for science classes. RDN bachelors generally require all of them. Also working in healthcare would make your PA application stand out.

[@robertocuevas2755]

the yodeling thing is crazy, who allowed that?

[@kookinit11]

yeah kinda crazy where all these masters degrees and credentialing is going

[@burtnation1357]

Do you have to go to med school for PA

[@kookinit11]

no, med school is for getting an MD which is a doctorate level degree

[@paulbrian808]

Hey man, im also an RD, in what setting do you work in?

[@kookinit11]

Right now I'm working in school nutrition

[@paulbrian808]

@@kookinit11 interested I’ve had a rotation like that during my internship. Is it for the state? I’m currently doing all my work in clinical nutrition. If it’s for the state is the pay based on like a grading scale?

[@kookinit11]

@@paulbrian808 Yeah I think all state jobs are on a graded scale

[@RayofAsia]

Thank you for this video; my end goal was PA but always loved the dietician aspect( but also love the clinical setting).But thank you so much for stating that money isn't everything. I think people need to realize you get paid more because the responsibility of a PA. Also you are able to take less time off since you are in a higher position. You really need to take everything into consideration before making a decision(not just the moolah !)

[@kookinit11]

Glad I could help. Wish you the best in your future career

[@roseg1333]

Are you based in CA?

[@kookinit11]

Nope, in TX

[@roseg1333]

@@kookinit11 ok thanks for the clarification ☺️

[@autobotdiva9268]

2024 will require a masters degree to increase entry level job reqirements......bye

[@kookinit11]

yeah pretty ridiculous since I don't see any pay increases in sight

[@wendepatrella2018]

Try getting another major as the masters

[@autobotdiva9268]

@@wendepatrella2018 not doin a masters program period

[@wendepatrella2018]

@@autobotdiva9268 oh ok. The PA program is a masters program. You're highly encouraged not to work during its length of 2 years due to all the intense rotations.. also, its like 100k just to go, but regardless, there's alot of programs out there, just do your research! Good luck to you!!