Indiana University's campus in Indianapolis offers multiple options for students to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and for practitioners to advance their education. As food and nutrition experts, RDNs transform the science behind nutrition into powerful knowledge that helps people live healthier lifestyles.
RDN careers take you into health-care facilities such as acute- and long-term care, hospitals, and clinics—helping patients to live well through medical nutrition therapy. As an autonomous professional and valued member of health-care teams, you will be the primary person for providing nutrition prescription. You also may manage foodservice operations, overseeing purchasing and meal preparation, or managing staff.
Becoming an RDN can also take you into diverse fields. Potential pathways include sports nutrition and corporate wellness; community health and educational systems; public health services such as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); universities and medical centers; private practice, consulting, or food and nutrition industries; and research and development.
With an advanced degree, RDNs can become more autonomous in their careers, and valued members of collaborative health-care teams. Other health practitioners will benefit from a stronger scientific background in nutrition, enabling them to provide clients with credible nutrition information that complements their professional expertise. Surveys conducted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics demonstrate advanced degrees translate to higher salaries across disciplines.
