The curriculum of the Baylor University Medical Center internship program meets the core competencies required by ACEND as well as Baylor University Medical Center’s program defined concentration competencies designed to provide the required knowledge and skills for entry-level practice. These competencies are taught on an individualized level utilizing a variety of teaching methods. The interns complete weekly rotations, special projects, and attend a weekly class or meeting throughout the year to augment the intern’s current knowledge and to prepare the intern for hands-on experiences. Participation in professionally sponsored activities is required (e.g. Northeast Regional Academy of Nutrition meetings). The program coordinates a Mentor/Mentee Program to provide each intern with a mentor for ongoing support and guidance during the year.
We also offer an optional nine hours of graduate credit through Texas Woman's University (TWU), located in Denton, Texas, upon completion of the internship. The credit is given for completion of the requirements of the internship with no additional coursework or university attendance required. Interns accepted into the program are contacted by a TWU faculty member regarding requirements for the GRE and obtaining graduate credit.
This program is designed to graduate students who have become entry-level professionals and who possess an advanced knowledge base, professional skills and the ability to think independently.
Program Goals
Our internship has three primary goals and six competencies related to the clinical nutrition therapy concentration, and these are evaluated annually. A detailed summary of the program's outcomes may be requested by sending an email to Susan.Roberts@BSWHealth.org.
Our Primary Goals
1. The program will prepare graduates to be competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists
- At least 80 percent of program interns complete the program requirements within 15 months (150 percent of program length).
- Ninety percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
- The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80 percent.
- Ninety-five percent of graduates will rate themselves "at or above" entry level 10-12 months after employment when compared with other dietitians who have graduated from dietetic programs.
- Ninety-five percent of employers indicate satisfaction with graduate’s preparation for entry-level practice by responding to a survey and rating graduates "at or above" entry level 10-12 months after employment when compared with other new dietitians who have graduated from dietetic programs.
- Of graduates who seek employment 80 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
2. The program will prepare graduates who demonstrate professionalism and continued learning
- Greater than or equal to 90 percent of employers responding to a survey will rate graduates as satisfactory or better for professional competence.
- Eighty percent of graduates responding to a survey are members of professional organizations.
3. The program will prepare graduates who demonstrate a commitment to community service.
- Fifty percent of graduates responding to a survey are involved in community service.
- Eighty percent of graduates responding to a survey indicate they are currently enrolled or plan to pursue advanced education.
Clinical/Nutrition Therapy Concentration Objectives
- Develop a foundation which fosters expertise in comprehensive nutrition care to diverse populations in a variety of settings, including neonates, children with special needs and transplant recipients.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of nutrition-focused physical assessment within complex populations including critically ill, transplant recipients, and children with special needs.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect measurable data, analyze research and document outcomes in the practice setting.
- Demonstrate the ability to locate, evaluate and analyze research results for a question related to nutrition therapy for a specific condition.
- Demonstrate a higher level of understanding of risks and benefits associated with enteral and parenteral nutrition therapies in specific conditions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the registered dietitian nutritionist in advanced practice skills, i.e. nutrition order writing and feeding tube placement.
