Goals, Objectives & Outcomes

Mission Statement

The Vanderbilt Dietetic Internship will provide a pre-eminent supervised practice program that is an excellent model for the preparation of knowledgeable, talented and compassionate entry level registered dietitian nutritionists delivering high quality nutrition therapy in the hospital and innovative nutrition programming within community based systems and healthcare networks.

Educational Philosophy

We train future practitioners through a lens of health equity and literacy; connecting food and nutrition knowledge to real-world situations.  Through reflection, hands-on-experiences and faculty-preceptor mentoring, interns learn to use their voices as leaders in diverse practice settings where food and nutrition advocacy matters.

Our competency- based curriculum builds from knowledge level to skill acquisition as interns progress from didactic classes to innovative supervised practice environments in disease management-health promotion settings.

The dietetic interns’ experience is both academically challenging and professionally rewarding.  Job skills developed are critical thinking, interprofessional teaming, evidence-based problem solving, and lifelong learning.

Program Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes

1. To prepare graduates that are competent entry level registered dietitian nutritionists in the core and concentration competency area of disease management/health promotion.

Objectives:

  • At least 80% of the program interns complete program requirements within 15 months (150% of the program length). ACEND requirement.
  • Of graduates who seek employment, 80% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation. ACEND requirement

  • At completion of program, 80% of interns will be “satisfied” with supervised practice experiences provided through Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Dietetic Internship Program

 

2. To provide a supply of competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists to influence the supply  and distribution of dietitians for Vanderbilt Medical Center and the nation.

Objectives:

  • 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing examination for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program requirement. ACEND requirement.
  • The programs one year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration examination within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%. ACEND requirement.
  • Within 12 months post program completion, 80% of surveyed employer respondents will be “satisfied” with the graduates’ preparation for entry level practice. ACEND requirement.

  • Within 12 months post program completion, 80% of surveyed program graduate respondents will be “satisfied” with preparation for entry level practice provided by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) dietetic internship program.

Program Outcomes

Results of goals and outcomes are available upon request by contacting Dianne Killebrew, Program Director at k.dianne.killebrew@vumc.org