COVID-19 may change the routine of your dietetic internship program. One dietetic intern provides advice so you can stay on track to become an RD!

Gina Grace, a previous Get Matched Course client and current distance dietetic intern recently shared her experience living through COVID-19. Novel Coronavirus has changed where and how we work, with many of us working remotely- even dietetic interns. Gina is no exception, but she is using this time working from home as an opportunity to succeed. Below you’ll find Gina’s top tips for staying on track throughout this uncertain time.

Get up and get learning.

As Gina explains, “As much as I want to sleep in every day until 10 am, I have to remind myself I still have an 8 hour day ahead.” While it can seem enticing to sleep in and pretend you are on summer vacation, remember that you are still required to make your routine work! Gina suggests getting dressed out of your pajamas and sitting at a desk, away from the television. These are two simple, but important, steps in getting into a routine that helps you stay on track academically.

Find opportunity in the nerves.

When Gina was first alerted that her dietetic internship rotations would be transitioned to home, she felt “nervous and disappointed.” However, Gina reports that after switching her mindset and finding opportunity she is, “feeling calmer and grateful that I am still able to continue my internship experience despite everything going on.” Some ways Gina has used COVID-19 as an opportunity to advance her passions include participating in more webinars and virtual meetings. These have helped her learn more about growing a private practice and an online voice. Plus, many webinars are free to register for! These are just two examples of the many ways to use working from home to our advantage.

Final Thoughts

Gina encourages you to take it one week at a time. This too shall pass.

A Bonus Tip from Jenny

I’m not a dietetic intern, but have been trying to put myself in your shoes. I think that if I was in this situation, I would try to find solutions to my problems and get creative. For example, if I wasn’t able to do my clinical rotations then I would look for a preceptor in another hospital that could take me for a later month (once hospitals can accept interns again), and present this alternative to my director. Yes, I might have to finish later, but now I have a clinical rotation lined up. Many programs aren’t able to do this for all of their interns, so I suggest you do it for yourself! 🙂

P.S. All Access Dietetics is taking virtual dietetic interns for elective, concentration, and wellness rotations. Email Jenny Westerkamp if interested in doing supervised practice hours with us – jenny@allaccessdietetics.com. We really, really want to help during this crazy time!