Nope, it's not a guest blog -- I took the RD exam today and I passed which officially makes me a Registered Dietitian. I am so relieved, mostly that I can stop studying! Once that initial relief wears off though I'm sure I'll be able to better contemplate the fact that passing this exam is the final step on a three year long career change. Reflecting on those three years, there were so many people that made such a big difference and while many of them may not see this blog I'd like to say a big THANK YOU (and I'll make sure to tell them individually as well).
The journey started three years ago when I was working as an editor at a publishing company. I began thinking about a career in dietetics, but I'd never been much for science classes growing up, so I wasn't sure I could do it. I looked at the list of required classes and thought 'well, I guess I'll start with Bio 101 and if I pass that I'll keep going.' I knew I could always go back to publishing if it got too hard and with that safety net I kept taking class after class after class... until I found that I had completed my Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) certification from Simmons College.
Probably the two most stressful days of my life thus far have been during this journey. The first was the night that I found out whether or not (and where) I got matched to a dietetic internship. There were several options: I could be placed in Minnesota, Boston, or New Orleans, or I might not have gotten matched. My heart was pounding as I kept hitting refresh, waiting with thousands of other hopefuls across the country to find out my fate. I was so fortunate to be matched to the Simmons Dietetic Internship and be able to stay in Boston with all of my friends and support system.
The other stressful day was today. After taking the exam I awaited my results with my heart pounding, not knowing if I had finally completed this stage of my training or if I had more studying to do. Upon finding out that I had passed I finally stopped shaking, but all of that heart pounding adrenaline definitely made me cry (which really confused my mom when I called to tell her the good news - since I hadn't even told her that I was sitting the exam today!).
I don't know where the path leads from here, but I feel confident that with this credential I will find a way to fulfill my goal of helping people lead healthier, happy lives.
-Katrina S, RD
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