The power of in-person dietetics mentoring

By Lori Tiede

For registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in training, one of the most valuable connections to form is with a mentor. While virtual resources and online networking have their place, face-to-face mentorship provides unique benefits that can shape a dietetic student’s path to becoming a successful dietitian.

The supervised practice experience—also known as an internship—is a core part of the training a University of Washington student receives in the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (GCPD). During an internship, students are assigned a mentor, a practicing professional called a dietetic preceptor, for each of their six rotations. The preceptor guides the student through completing the job duties expected of a nutrition professional in their position. Depending on the setting, tasks include providing patient care, performing management functions, and participating in public health planning.  The preceptor supervises the intern’s work as they engage in dietetic practice. 

The value of the in-person practice experience cannot be overstated, according to GCPD Program Director Anne Lund. 

“On top of performing the tasks expected of entry level RDNs, our interns observe how nutrition professionals engage with a variety of disciplines, learn how the organization runs, and get to experience the work culture.  Forming these deeper relationships with practicing nutrition professionals has led to many job offers after graduation,” said Lund.

Some key benefits of in-person mentoring

Hands-on learning and skill development

Dietetics is a field that thrives on practical application. Whether it’s learning how to conduct nutrition assessments, providing patient counseling, or developing meal plans, real-world experience is essential. In-person mentors offer students the chance to observe, practice, and refine their skills in live clinical, public health, and food service settings—something that can’t be fully replicated online. Preceptors are the ones that actually teach students how to develop clinical judgement.

To explain the vital role preceptors play during the internship, Lund said, “Evidence based guidelines, research articles, and textbooks are great classroom based learning tools, but we haven’t figured out how to develop case studies with as many permutations of diagnosis, social economics status’, cultural practices, facility resources, and care team expertise as you’d find on an actual clinical floor. Our students need to be immersed in these experiences to develop clinical judgement and function as a nutrition professional.”

Building professional confidence

Stepping into the world of nutrition and dietetics can be overwhelming, but having a mentor to guide, encourage, and provide feedback makes all the difference. In-person mentors help students navigate challenges in real time, fostering confidence in their decision-making and patient interactions.

Stronger networking and career opportunities

Personal connections often lead to career opportunities. A mentor can introduce students to key professionals, internships, and job prospects that might not be accessible through online networking alone. Meeting face-to-face allows students to leave a lasting impression, making them more memorable when opportunities arise.

Emotional and professional support

The dietetic journey is demanding—from rigorous coursework to the dietetic internship and RDN exam. Having an in-person mentor provides not just academic and professional guidance but also emotional support, reassurance, and motivation. A strong mentor-mentee relationship can help students stay resilient and passionate about their career path.

For students, the mentorship, guidance, and hands-on training they receive from working with a preceptor gives them the nuanced, practical experience necessary to thrive in a dynamic and evolving profession. 

Meet our preceptors

We caught up with two preceptors who regularly work with our GCPD interns to learn more about their experiences as mentors. 

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How long have you been a preceptor?

I have been precepting for four and a half years.

Briefly describe a typical day for a dietetic intern completing a rotation with you.

In my opinion, rotating through the adolescent medicine clinic is equal parts challenging and invigorating. Interns who work with me can expect to primarily work with adolescents (age 10-18) being treated for eating disorders who are at risk for medical instability. Our work is highly collaborative with the interdisciplinary team which includes medical providers, social workers, nurses, medical assistants, and therapists. Each day starts with a team huddle before seeing patients who typically come in for back-to-back appointments with the medical provider and dietitian. Interns start their rotations in an observatory role before gradually taking on discrete parts of the visit and eventually leading visits from start to finish. Each intern’s rotation is individualized to meet their specific needs. I am deliberate in striking a balance between supporting and challenging learners in a manner that promotes growth and builds their confidence, equipping them with the necessary skills to qualify for an entry-level position. As a result, I can feel confident endorsing interns as they apply for their first positions post-graduation.

How do you see your role as a preceptor contributing to the professional development of dietetic interns?

When I became a dietetic preceptor only months after becoming a dietitian myself, I followed in the footsteps of the preceptors I admired most who were always humble and curious. As a dietetic intern who was also a career changer, I was intimidated that I had such limited clinical experience and often felt out of my depth. My wonderful mentors helped me appreciate how my professional background was a strength. I had a wealth of work experience in different fields which allowed me to bring a fresh perspective in clinical spaces and shaped me into a more well-rounded dietitian. I now see vulnerability as a superpower; being transparent about my knowledge gaps models lifelong learning and humility, which are crucial in such a dynamic field. As a preceptor, I encourage resourcefulness and experiential learning by working in collaboration rather than directing, which also facilitates a mutually enriching learning environment. I strive to highlight interns’ strengths and build their confidence to take risks and speak up. Dietetics is a field that is historically underappreciated and undervalued– training future dietitians to be bold and confident builds our collective power which is vital for demonstrating our value and leadership in health care and public health.

Can you share an example of a rewarding experience you’ve had as a preceptor that highlights the importance of this role?

Seeing the interns I have trained accept their first positions as dietitians and become my colleagues is so exciting for me. I think about all the things I learned from my preceptors and the ways their legacy lives on with me, and I find it extremely humbling and rewarding to consider that might be the case for the interns I precept. Dietetic interns: keep in touch with your preceptors, we love to see your careers grow!

A student who worked with McCoy as a mentor before graduating in 2023 shared the following about her experience:

“I valued every moment I was able to learn from Casey. My time in LEAH and working in the Adolescent Medicine Clinic was the most rewarding part of my entire graduate degree and internship at UW.  Because of Casey’s guidance, I have gained a valuable set of skills in the field of adolescent health and will carry those skills with me for the rest of my career”.

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I’ve precepted over 45 interns during the past 15 years 

Briefly describe a typical day for a dietetic intern completing a rotation with you.

The day or week is roughly split into thirds:

• Rounding.  “Rounding” is similar to an inpatient hospital setting. We visit with staff at the schools to get their feedback. We address personnel issues and assess equipment for repair. We network with other school staff (teachers, principals), students, and school district administrators (superintendent, business office).
• Administrative work. School nutrition operations have many programs within the overarching program of feeding students good tasting and healthful food. We apply for programs, monitor the programs, and repeat that constantly. We purchase food and supplies, hire staff, facilitate equipment repair or replacement.
• The future. We spend time working to move the department forward. We test recipes, we apply for grants, we train staff, we improve all of the meal programs. But we dedicate time to improving the services we provide and adding new services.

How do you see your role as a preceptor contributing to the professional development of dietetic interns?

I have worked in several fields within the larger nutrition field: clinical, management, informatics, research, food service. I like to share information from all of those areas so that interns can have a broader picture of their career options.

Can you share an example of a rewarding experience you’ve had as a preceptor that highlights the importance of this role?

I often get asked to give guidance on open positions that past interns are applying to or get asked for professional recommendations. It is rewarding to help interns during their internship, but also afterwards so that my knowledge and experience can be passed on to younger professionals. That makes me feel like I am making a positive impact.

A student who worked with Atkinson as a mentor before graduating in 2023 shared the following about her experience:

“My experience working with Ben and the ASD was fantastic! I loved the hand-on nature of the position, which kept me engaged and excited. I also loved learning about how state and federal policy translates into food programs within our schools. It was especially interesting to me to learn about what Ben and his team are doing to increase the use of local foods and products in school meals”. 

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Learn more about practice experience in the UW Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics.

February 26, 2025