Established in 1940, the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship is a 50-week, full-time professional educational program. During the course of a 50-week period, each dietetic intern applies theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to the hands-on, clinical setting in an acute care university hospital. Educational experiences are provided in Clinical Dietetics, Ambulatory Nutrition and Food Service Systems Management. The emphasis of the educational experiences is in Nutrition Therapy. The Dietetic Internship is administered and supervised by experienced registered dietitians at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Department of Food and Nutrition.
During the program year, dietetic interns are scheduled to rotate through major units in the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Department of Food and Nutrition at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, the Allen Hospital, Lower Manhattan Hospital, Lawrence Hospital, Westchester Behavioral Health Center, and Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. In these settings, interns learn, practice and assume all the varied responsibilities required of an entry-level dietitian. At least 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experiences are provided. Classes, lectures, meetings, field trips, specialty area assignments, and projects supplement educational experiences in the clinical units. Qualification for graduation from the Dietetic Internship Program includes successful completion of all clinical unit assignments, written assignments, examinations, special projects and oral presentations. Dietetic interns also must fulfill their graduate degree requirement (completion of a graduate degree prior to matriculation into the dietetic internship program or completing a graduate degree within a reasonable timeframe after completion of supervised practice as per ACEND) prior to receiving their DI Verification Statement.
Upon completion of the Dietetic Internship requirements (successfully completion of all internship experiences and conferral of a graduate degree), graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the credentialing examination for Dietitians and apply for active membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program prides itself on the success of our dietetic interns. Our program consistently achieves a pass rate of at least 95% for the credentialing examination for Registered Dietitians within a year of program completion. Completion of the Dietetic Internship Program also meets the experience requirement for certification in dietetics-nutrition by New York State.
Mission
The mission of the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program, an accredited professional educational program, which offers post-baccalaureate training in Nutrition and Dietetics with a focus in Nutrition Therapy, is to provide the dietetic intern with educational experiences that are reflective of the evolving practice of Nutrition and Dietetics. Upon completion of the Dietetic Internship Program, the graduate will understand evidence-based, compassionate, culturally competent, cost-effective, and ethical practice and will be able to assume all of the varied responsibilities generally required of a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist in an entry-level position.
Goals and Outcome Measures
Program Goal One: Prepare dietetic intern graduates to be competent entry-level Registered Dietitian/Nutritionists.
Outcome Measures for Program Goal One:
At least 95% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship survey will describe the overall preparation that they received in Clinical Dietetics during the Dietetic Internship Program at least at a satisfactory rating; at least 90% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship survey will describe the overall preparation that they received in Food Service Systems Management and Ambulatory Nutrition during the Dietetic Internship Program at least at a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey).
At least 80% of students complete the program requirements within 18 months (150% of the program length).
90% 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%.
Of graduates who seek employment, 95% are employed in Nutrition and Dietetics or related fields within twelve months of graduation (1-year post-graduation survey).
At least 95% of employers responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship Survey will indicate overall preparation of graduates for assuming their present job responsibilities as at least a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey sent to employers).
Program Goal Two: Provide dietetic intern graduates with a foundation for professional development and leadership.
Outcome Measures for Program Goal Two:
At least 90% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship Survey will describe the training that they received in leadership, including preparation to precept students in health care, during the Dietetic Internship Program as at least a satisfactory rating (1-year post-graduation survey).
At least 90% of graduates responding to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Post-Dietetic Internship Survey will indicate participation in professional development activities such as advanced degree and/or advanced certification programs (3-year post-graduation survey).
Outcomes data is available upon request by contacting Catherine Zymaris, MS, RD, CDN, CNSC, Program Coordinator of the Dietetic Internship Program, at [email protected].