The dietetic internship is an 11-month generalist program of post-baccalaureate study accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association (CADE). The address and telephone number of CADE are 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-4876. The program is designed to give theoretical and practical experience in medical nutrition therapy, community nutrition, nutrition research, and food service management.
Candidates must possess the ability to participate in a multifaceted program. This includes strong personal motivation for library and seminar work; initiative to become involved and contribute to all aspects of patient care; willingness to teach; and an interest in research.
We at the Brigham and Women's Hospital are firm advocates that the graduate who successfully completes the accredited dietetic internship, can face his/her future with justifiable confidence and self-assurance. Leadership comes to those who who achieve professional competence, adaptability, and who have a perceptive mind.
Classes, seminars and field trips are combined with the clinical experience to provide greater depth and learning in all areas of dietetics. Joint classes with other Boston internships are held monthly to provide insight into the specialties of the other hospitals.
The geographic location of Brigham and Women's Hospital — across the street from the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health; adjoining Children's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Center; and within walking distance of the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospitals — provides interns with opportunities to attend lectures, rounds, clinics, and conferences conducted by leaders in their fields. Harvard University's Francis S. Countway Library of Medicine also adjoins the hospital and is available for study and reference work.
Mission Statement for the Dietetic Internship
The Brigham and Women's Hospital Dietetic Internship is committed to providing the highest quality training in order to prepare interns who will function competently, creatively, compassionately, and collaboratively in a dynamic health care environment.
To further define the BWH internship's mission, goals have been established that reflect the ends toward which the Program's resources will be directed. The Program will:
Goal 1- The program will prepare graduates to be competent entry-level dietitians.
Outcome measure –1
Over 5 years, graduates achieve at least 95% pass rate on the Registration Exam.
Outcome measure-2
Within 12 months of program completion 80% of graduates will have passed the registration exam and obtained employment relating to dietetics.
Outcome measure-3
All interns will complete the program requirements and achieve a satisfactory rating for the clinical, community, and food service competencies on the Intern Evaluation Forms.
Outcome measure-4
Employer surveys will provide feedback that rates 90% of graduate work performance as good or excellent.
Goal 2- Through encouragement, motivation, and support, internship director and staff will ensure that Dietetic Interns will complete the internship within 100% of the time planned for completion.
Outcome measure-1
90% of dietetic interns will complete the dietetic internship within a 11 month period of time.
Outcome measure-2
Dietetic interns indicate on Rotation Evaluations, 90% satisfactory or better scores with respect to motivation and support by preceptors.
Outcome measure- 3
100% of all at risk students are identified after an unsatisfactory rotation evaluation.
Goal 3- The program will inspire graduates to utilize their nutrition knowledge to help their communities.
Outcome measure -1
The Dietetic Interns will be involved in nutrition education/counseling in the community.
Outcome measure-2
At least 20% of graduates will be involved with nutrition education/counseling in the community.
Outcome measure-3
Dietetic Interns will indicate on Alumni Survey that 20% participate in one or more community activities.
Goal 4- The program will provide qualified entry-level dietitians to practice at Brigham and Women’s Hospital who will support the education of the next class of dietetic interns.
Outcome measure-1
20% of graduates will be selected for positions at BWH.
Outcome measure-2
Within 6 months of being hired the BWH graduate RD’s will precept interns.
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Dietetic Intern Rotations
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- Clinical Rotations (17 weeks)
- General Medicine or General Surgery
- Metabolic Support Service
- Hematology/Oncology
- Cardiac Surgery/Transplant or Cardiac Medicine
Renal/Dialysis/Transplant
- Medical or Surgical Intensive Care
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (optional)
- Specialty Rotations (10 weeks)
- Dana Farber Cancer Institute — 5-week experience
- Children’s Hospital — 2-week pediatric experience
- General Clinical Research Center — 3-week experience
Special Rotation of Your Choice — 2-week experience
- Food Service Management (7 weeks)
- Purchasing
- Tower Food Service and Patient Catering
- Food Service Production and Distribution
- Catering/Cafeteria
- Ambulatory Service / Community Rotation (8 weeks)
- Obstetrics
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Nutrition Consult Service
- Ambulatory Diabetes Center
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Brookside Family Health Center
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Staff Relief - (3 weeks)
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Dietetic Intern Class Days
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- Class days are held every Monday.
- 2 Mondays/month classes are held at Brigham and Women's Hospital, which include attending lectures at Harvard School of Public Health and speakers from the Department of Nutrition, Medicine, and Allied Health Fields.
- 1-2 Mondays/month classes are held at other Boston Internships, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, Mount Auburn Hospital, Simmons College, Boston University, and Frances Stern Nutrition Center, Tufts University.
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Application Procedure
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- Katherine McManus, MS, RD, LDN
- Director, Department of Nutrition
- Director of the Dietetic Internship
- Department of Nutrition
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- 75 Francis Street
- Boston, MA 02115
- The completed application packet must include:
- Completed application form. The Brigham and Women's Dietetic Internship uses the Dietetic Internship Program Application and Reference forms found at http://www.depdpg.org. (Dietetic Educators of Practitioners -DEP website).
- Transcripts and records of courses and grades.
- Verification Statement by faculty advisor of completion (or intent to complete) academic requirements for the American Dietetic Association Didactic Program in Dietetics,
- A two-page maximum typed letter of application, which highlights your achievements, interests and goals.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Application fee of $65.00. Make check payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Nutrition.
- All applicants to Dietetic Internships must participate in computer matching. Applicants should request instructions and a mark/sense card to prioritize their DI preferences. Applicants should request this material from an ADA-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics or from D & D Digital Systems. This request should be made to allow turn-around time for submitting by February 15th postmark deadline. There is no charge for this material; however, there is a $50.00 charge for computer matching that is due with the applicant's prioritized ranking.
Address requests to:
- D &D Digital Systems
- Suite 301, 304 Main Street
- Ames, Iowa 50010
- phone: 515 292-0480
- fax: 515 663-9427
- email: DND@netins.net
General Information
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- 11 month program.
- 2 starting dates.
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1st week of August
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1st week of October
- 12 dietetic interns selected each year
- On program completion, graduate is eligible to take the Registration Exam for dietitians.
- 9 holidays per year.
- 1 week vacation.
- Meals provided by hospital.
- Housing information is provided by the Internship Director, who will aid interns in making their own housing arrangements.
- Work hours vary with requirements and activity of the unit to which the intern is assigned. The intern hours will be similar to those of the preceptor to whom she/he is assigned. Due to the professional nature of the internship, extra time may be required to complete assignments and projects.
- Intern stipend of $4500.00 per year.
- Cost of program:
- Housing and parking are very expensive. We recommend not bringing a car.
- Housing costs vary but an estimate for a 4 bedroom apartment is between $2500-$3000/month.
- Public transportation is recommended and with the hospital subsidy of 40% the average transportation cost is $12.00/month for city travel.
- Health insurance is supplemented by the hospital and can vary from $10-$15/week. If you are under 25 and can be covered by your parents' insurance the hospital reimburses you $75.00 monthly.
Dietetic Intern Tours
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We recommend that you visit Brigham and Women’s Hospital. This will give you an opportunity to meet and talk with our staff and interns to help you determine if our program is of interest to you.
We would be happy to schedule you for a tour from November through February, every Friday at 2:00 PM.
Please call, write or e-mail to make an appointment for a specific tour. You may call us at
617-732-5577.
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