University of Manitoba - Human Ecology - Human Nutritional Sciences

Nutrition Month

Dietetic Internship Handbook

Applicant’s Handbook: 2012-2013

Introduction to the Handbook

This handbook was put together for University of Manitoba students who want to become Registered Dietitians. It will answer some of the questions you may have if you are considering, or are in the process of applying for a dietetic internship placement. The handbook may help you to anticipate the process of becoming a dietitian. Please note that the handbook is updated on an ongoing basis. Students are advised to check regularly for changes. Students admitted to Human Nutritional Sciences as of September 2007 or later are eligible to apply for pre-selection to the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program.

The following will be discussed:

What is a registered dietitian?
Where do registered dietitians work?
How much money does a dietitian make?
How do I become a dietitian?
What is a dietetic internship?
Are all dietetic internship programs the same?
How do I learn more about the internship programs available in Canada?
When does internship start? How long is it? Is it full time?
Do I get paid as an intern?
What qualities are internship directors looking for in an intern?
How do I apply for dietetic internships?
Who should I ask as a reference?
Where and when should I begin to prepare for an internship?
When do I apply?
What marks do I need to apply?
How can I improve the quality of my application?
When are the interviews?
Do all internship programs have interviews?
What questions are commonly asked during the interview process?
How can I improve my success with the interview?
How does the internship matching process work?
How does my preference for an internship program get considered?
When do I find out if I am matched with an internship?
What if I do not get chosen by an internship program?
What happens if I get accepted in a program?
How do I apply for second rounds?
How many times can I apply?
Are students who are accepted into MPP via the traditional route required to have prior research learning credit?

Also included are:

Appendix A:Common questions asked at interviews.
Appendix B:Permission to Access a Student’s File.

Please note that the information in this handbook may change without notification.

Remember that the process may change from one year to the next. The tips included in this handbook should be used as guidelines only.

Good luck with the application process!

1. What is a registered dietitian?

The title "dietitian" is legally protected in each province so that only qualified practitioners who have met specific education and practice requirements can use this title. The term “registered” dietitian refers to a person who is registered with the provincial regulatory body in the province where he or she is working. The professional designation RD, RDN, PDt or RDt (or the French equivalent Dt.P.) indicates a registered dietitian.

2. Where do registered dietitians work?

Most dietitians are health professionals who work within health promotion and disease prevention and treatment programs. Dietitians work in the areas of community, clinical, food service and research. Often these areas overlap, so it is important to gain experience in all areas. Major work settings include hospitals, long term care facilities, government, corporations, the food industry, and pharmaceutical companies. Some dietitians continue their education at the graduate level in universities to obtain a Masters or Doctorate degree. The graduate degree enables the dietitian to become a director of an internship program, teach at the university or engage in research related to food, nutrition and/or education.

3. How much money does a dietitian make?

The yearly income for a dietitian varies with education, experience, and work environment. Recently advertised positions range from $45,000 to $70,000 yearly. Most newly graduated dietitians start at the lower income range.

4. How do I become a dietitian?

To become a dietitian, you must graduate from an undergraduate program accredited by Dietitians of Canada (DC), and then complete one of the approved Dietetic Internship Programs or specific Master's programs across the country. The Human Nutrition Program in the Department of Human Nutritional Sciences at the University of Manitoba is accredited by Dietitians of Canada. After graduation from the internship, the final steps are to pass the Canadian Dietetics Registration Exam and apply to the provincial regulatory body for registered dietitian status.

5. What is a Dietetic Internship?

Internships (or more correctly, “dietetic internship programs”) are usually administered by health care organizations. Entry to internship programs is competitive. Students at the University of Manitoba have two options regarding a dietetic internship program:

1) Pre-selection with the Manitoba Partnership Dietetic Education Program. This option is available to students admitted to Human Nutritional Sciences in July 2007 or later. An application package for students eligible for pre-selection can be downloaded from the Human Nutritional Sciences web page through the Dietetic Internship link. There are currently 20 pre-selection positions available with the Manitoba program.

2) Application to a post-graduate dietetic internship program. This process involves completing application forms from Dietitians of Canada and submitting them to Internship programs by February 1st in the final year of your undergraduate program. You can apply up to 3 programs offered anywhere in Canada. As of 2010 the Manitoba Partnership Program will offer five post graduate dietetic internship positions.

A dietetic internship provides practical experience that is necessary for you to qualify as a registered dietitian. During the internship you will apply the knowledge you learned during your university career to practical settings. Programs are 40-50 weeks long and tend to have 2-3 week rotations. The rotations will include various client populations and learning experiences (e.g., general medicine, diabetes education, pediatric and geriatric care, community nutrition, menu planning, budgeting, quality improvement, and human resource management). In each clinical area you will learn to provide nutritional care (assess, plan and evaluate) to specific groups of patients/clients.

6. Are all dietetic internship programs the same?

Not all dietetic internship programs are the same. Most programs are general and give a balance of clinical, food service management and community nutrition. There are some programs that focus on specific areas such as pediatrics or community-based nutrition. However all programs do include experiences in all three areas described above. Often programs incorporate time for electives where you can put more emphasis on an area of particular interest.

7. How do I learn more about the internship programs available in Canada?

Copies of all internship brochures are kept in a binder in the General Office, Room 209, Human Ecology Building. These brochures are revised each fall. The binder can be signed out for a 2-hour period (or overnight after 4:00 pm). (Note that ANY student in ANY year of study may sign out this binder.) You can also find this information on the Dietitians of Canada web site or through links to individual program websites. You may wish to become a Dietitians of Canada Qualifying Member which will allow you access to a Student Network where students and interns can post articles. Some interns may post articles about their experiences that could give you the inside scoop. There is also a member-to-member discussion area where you can ask other members any questions you may have about internships or the process.

When you submit your application for Qualifying Membership you will have to send Dietitians of Canada the Member Education and Eligibility form which you can obtain on the DC website through their online registration process. In the verification section of the form you will be asked to provide the name of the program coordinator, Dr. Christina Lengyel.

A list of the Internship Programs in Canada is available on the Dietitians of Canada webiste.

Information sessions will be scheduled in Sept., Oct./Nov., and March. Please watch the notice boards in the Faculty of Human Ecology for dates and times. At one of these sessions you may be able to meet the Internship Manager of the Manitoba Partnership Program – the closest internship program. You may make arrangements before your fourth year of study to visit several places that offer internships and ask for a tour of the facilities. Contact the internship director for information and to schedule a tour.

8. When does internship start? How long is it? Is it full time?

Internship programs start at different times, ranging from September to October. You should check the start date for each program before you apply, to ensure that you will be available. Internships range anywhere from 40 to 50 weeks, averaging 45 weeks in length.

The internship is a full-time commitment. You must be available to work at least 40 hours every week. Additionally, you will need time to complete assignments, prepare for presentations, study for various rotations and work on projects. It is generally very difficult to hold another job simultaneously and so, it is not recommended.

9. Do I get paid as an intern?

This depends on the program to which you are applying. Some placements do give a small weekly stipend, but most do not. In fact, in some programs you pay an application or registration fee before you start. Most programs require that you become a student member of Dietitians of Canada and pay for professional liability insurance. Many programs (including the Manitoba Partnership Program) require a criminal records check, child abuse registry check, updated immunization records, Health and Accident insurance, and in most cases you will have to cover transportation and accommodation costs. In many ways the internship can be considered another year of full-time, intensive study.

Note that, you may be required to start paying back your student loans during this year. Special arrangements to postpone repayment for another year can sometimes be made with your banking institution. As an intern you may apply for Interest Relief. You must contact the National Student Loan Centre at 1-800-815-4514 to request an application for interest relief. An advisor from the National Student Loan Centre will conduct a pre-screening to determine if you qualify for interest relief. If you qualify, an application form will be mailed to you and you will need to submit information like income, expenses/resources, etc. You will need a letter from the internship program coordinator as well. Following completion of an undergraduate degree, there is a six month grace period where the student is not required to make payments on their loans, but they are however, required to pay the interest on the total loan debt. If their application for interest relief is approved then the student may be eligible for a six month of no payments/no interest. After the six month period, the student may rea-apply if they require a further six months as the government only issues this assistance for six month periods.

10. What qualities are internship directors looking for in an intern?

Internship directors are looking for people who have leadership abilities, can work in a team environment, good communication skills, problem-solving skills and self-confidence often gained in student activities or other job experiences. They want people who have a solid understanding of the basic sciences, physiological function of the body, characteristics of food and nutrition and who are able to apply their knowledge in different situations. The directors of individual internship programs may ask for evidence of specific qualities or skills that you can address in your cover letter. Read the program brochures carefully to determine what qualities are important to highlight.

11. How do I apply for dietetic internships?

In late October or early November, an information session will be scheduled to discuss the post graduate or "traditional route" internship application process. The application process will be explained. The time and location will be advertised to students.

Application packages are available to all University of Manitoba students:

You can e-mail Glenda Parsons at glenda.parsons@ad.umanitoba.ca or maria.knaus@ad.umanitoba.ca. Use your regular email as Maria will maintain a list to contact students as new information arrives.

Packages are also available through the Dietitians of Canada website.

In the package you will find a Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program form:
This form confirms that you have met or will meet DC’s academic requirements by the end of the academic year. Complete 4 copies of this form in case you later apply for a second round placement. Fill in your name, the degree(s) you have completed or will be completing, the name of the university/ies at which you completed or are completing your degree(s) and the date(s) of your graduation. Submit the forms BEFORE DECEMBER 6 to the Human Ecology General Office. These forms will be signed by the Director of the University Dietetics Program or designate and returned to you in early January.

The application package for those eligible for pre-selection is available through the Human Nutritional Sciences web page (Dietetic Internship link). Please note that the forms in this package are different from the Dietetians of Canada application package.

You must also sign and hand in one copy of the “Permission to access student’s file” form

12. Who should I ask as a reference?

You need to provide references from 3 different people. At least one reference should be from an academic who is familiar with your work, and one should be from a registered dietitian who is a member of Dietitians of Canada. Other sources of references are employers and/or supervisors from your volunteer work. The reference is given on a “Confidential Report”, a form used to rank your qualities, such as dependability, initiative, organizational skills, leadership qualities, time management and analytical abilities. You will need a copy of this form with an original signature for each application package (i.e., 9 Confidential reports if you are applying to 3 internship programs). Your referee should place the report into an envelope, seal and sign across the seal. Copies of the Confidential Report forms are included with the Application Package.

13. How should I prepare for an internship?

You can start preparing for your internship as early as your first year by compiling a skills profile. This involves taking a job (work or volunteer) that will assist you to acquire identified skills. Appropriate volunteer opportunities are often posted on the bulletin boards, especially on the first and fourth floors of the Human Ecology Building. They are sometimes announced in class. Another resource is to contact Student Employment Services at the University of Manitoba (474-9456). They can provide advice to help you build an excellent skills profile. Below are examples of ways to enhance your internship application.

Develop management potential:
Volunteer as a team-leader, project manager or committee chair. Work as a supervisor, coordinator or instructor.

Develop food-related skills:
Prepare food (kitchen worker, dietary aide, camp cook, soup kitchen, home care worker). Serve or distribute food (cafeteria worker, restaurant server, food bank volunteer, Meals on Wheels volunteer). Teach food preparation (cooking classes, community kitchens, product demonstration).

Develop written and oral communication skills:
Provide advice, counsel or information (peer counsellor, mentor, tutor, staff help lines). Promote services and products (information booths, displays). Develop educational resources (pamphlets, manuals, videos, puppets). Give presentations as a volunteer speaker. Write articles for newsletters, community papers, etc.

Develop interpersonal skills:
Work as part of a workplace team, volunteer group, student committee. Provide service to customers, clients or residents. Work as an animator or tour guide. Orient new students to university.

Develop an ability to be self-directed:
Seek out volunteer opportunities. Take advantage of learning opportunities that are available. Balance school, work, volunteer and family activities effectively.

Take part in volunteer activities:
Examples include: Osteoporosis Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Women’s Health Clinic, Healthy Start for Mom and Me, Canadian Diabetes Association, Human Ecology Students' Organization, University of Manitoba Food Bank, University of Manitoba Peer Advisors, Winnipeg Harvest, Heart Smart Program, Young Parents Group of Fort Garry. Many hospitals have volunteer coordinators who can help you find a volunteer activity.

14. When do I apply?

The due date for the post graduate applications to reach Dietitians of Canada and the Internship Directors is usually by February 1. Remember that it takes time to update resumes, write personal letters (and essays, if required). You also must allow the people who are writing you a reference adequate time to fill out the forms and return them to you. So give yourself plenty of time to get your application package together. Many students begin to work on their application in November.

The following timelines should be considered when applying:

Mid-October: Dietitians of Canada release application packages (a hard copy is available from the General Office, Human Ecology.) You can download a copy of the application from the Dietitians of Canada website. You can email Glenda Parsons or Maria Kanus to receive the application package.
October-November: Dietetic information sessions in the Faculty of Human Ecology.
November: Prepare documents for your application. Remember to contact your references well in advance - some may be away during December and/or January.
December 4: Registration access for the Internship Selection process will be available at: www.dietitians.ca/internshipmatch. A fee which includes GST must be paid by credit card at the time you register (no other form of payment is accepted).
Before December 6: Submit 4 copies of the completed Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program form to the General Office. Fill in your name, the degree(s) you completed or will be completing and the date(s) of your graduation. Sign and attach a copy of a “Permission to access student’s file” form. Submit this to the General Office, Human Ecology.
Early January: Once the fall term marks are in the system, order your transcripts from the Registrar's Office, 400 University Centre. Official transcripts are required for each application (so do not open the envelope to examine the transcript). Transcripts cost $10.50 each and can be ordered for next day pick-up. SRO can be reached at 474-9423.
Before January 15: Pick up your signed "Confirmation of Completion of Academic Program" forms.

February 1: Deadline to enter personal profile and three choices of internship programs into the registration system. Deadline for applications to reach Internship Directors.
February 28: Deadline for changes to your ranking preferences.
March 16: An email on or shortly after this date notifies all applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful of the results of the selection process.
April 30: Due date for application for second rounds.

15. What marks do I need to apply?

Most programs have an academic performance requirement of a GPA of >3.0 over the last 2 years (last 60 credit hours) of your program. Note: Manitoba Partnership Program looks at the degree specific G.P.A. Some programs, however, require a higher GPA and some use a cumulative GPA. An average grade of 75% is considered good, and anything above that is better. A few people who have averages between 70-75% obtain internships, but these people have strong work experiences and exceptional communication skills. Someone with an average below 70% should probably look at other options besides an internship. Check the information provided by the program(s) where you are applying carefully on this point.

Not all internship programs put the same emphasis on marks. High marks do not guarantee getting an internship position and lower marks do not mean you will not get an internship position. Most internship selection committees look at the balance of experience, academic performance and your self-presentation in your application package and/or interview. If you are concerned about your marks, contact the internship director for the specific breakdown as shown in the following example.

One program awards the following weights to the different attributes (maximum 100):

Academic rating: 20
Resume: 30
Letter: 10
Confidential Reports: 20
Interpersonal Skills Report: 20.

16. How can I improve the quality of my application?

Read the brochures of the specific programs you are applying to carefully:

Do they tell you what qualities they are looking for? In your letter you must highlight how you developed and/or are developing these qualities.
What format do they want for the personal letter? ( 1 or 2 pages, single or double spaced, etc.)
Do they want something extra, like a practicum report?
If you do not meet the criteria that the internship director is looking for (e.g. a type of experience or a mark in a specific course) contact the director to ask about it. It may not always be an exclusion criteria.

Letter:

In your letter highlight or explain your experiences and skills and why you think you would fit into their program.

Highlight what you learned/developed from your volunteer/work experience.

All styles and formats can be used - there is no wrong or right way to do this! Everyone has strengths (highlight these in your letter) and weaknesses. Point out the transferable skills you have learned even if your experiences are not nutrition-related.

Articulate why you are applying to their internship program. What sets this specific program apart from the others – Is it the community focus? The specific specialties that the institution is known for? Is it because you talked to someone who went through the program and got a feel for it?

Include your short- and long-term goals.

Use the spell checker on your personal letter and resume.

Have someone read your resumé and personal letters to catch sentences that do not read well and any spelling mistakes that the spell checker missed.

Make sure you sign your personal letter.

Be sure to individualize your cover letter. Use the name of the internship director (Updates will be on the Dietitians of Canada web site, or you can always call the internship director.) Double-check to make sure you have addressed each application to the correct program.

Transcript:

You need an official transcript for EACH program.

Transcripts can be obtained from room 400 University Centre at the Registrar's Office. The transcripts cost $10.50 each, and should include 1st term marks and list 2nd term courses. If you are still taking courses, make sure that the first term course marks are entered before ordering.

They usually can be picked up the next day (after 1 pm). Phone: (204)474-9423 for recorded information on the process.

Confidential Report:

Part of your application is getting 3 (three) different people to fill out Confidential Report Forms rating you on different skills and qualities. At least one of the three referees must be a member of Dietitians of Canada, and one must be an academic.

Ask for 3 (three) copies of the report from each referee, and have each one signed. The signed reports must be given to you in a SEALED envelope, with the signature of the reference over the sealed flap of the envelope. The Confidential Reports can be photocopied as long as each report has an original signature.

Make sure your references know you well and can speak positively about your accomplishments.

Take the time to let them know what you have done that they might not have actually witnessed.

Provide them with a copy of your transcript, resumé and the reason you are asking them for a reference.

Try to get references from people who can talk about different things that you have done.

Give your references enough time to fill out the forms and get them back to you.

Getting to know your professors is another good idea. Try to participate actively in class by volunteering your opinion; asking questions or visiting during office hours so that you stand out more to them, and they can learn more about your personality.

Another Resource:

Ask Student Employment Services (tel. 474-9456) to help you. You can attend workshops on resume writing, or you can make an individualized, 30 minute appointment to improve your skills in resume writing, obtain a critique of your letter, have a mock interview or obtain help to job search. Do this as early as possible because they get very busy.

17. When are the interviews?

After you submit your application to the three internship programs (around February 1), you will have to wait for the internship sites to look through and score all the applications. Some internship programs have interviews with selected applicants in-person or by phone. If your package meets their criteria, they may contact you to ask you to do an interview – usually in February. Interviews may be held during Reading Week – so plan your vacation wisely.

18. Do all internship programs have interviews?

No, some internships base their decision on the material received, (e.g. Manitoba Partnership Program does not ask for an interview). When applying to a program, check to see if they conduct interviews.

19. What questions are commonly asked during the interview process?

Some places want to see if you keep your cool when you are put on the spot. They want people who already have the skills and the knowledge, but just have not had an opportunity to apply them in a professional setting. They are looking for people who do not need a lot of training and who can adjust to a new situation quickly. Some places may ask you clinical nutrition questions. They may not necessarily be looking for a perfect answer to the question. They most probably want to know if you have the skills to figure out a reasonable answer. Refer to Appendix B for examples of questions that students are commonly asked at their interviews.

20. How can I improve my success with the interview?

Try in advance to find out who is on the interview panel, and what type of interview to expect.
Try to go through a mock interview. It is a good way to find out about your own distracting habits (and work on that…)
Student Employment Services (tel. 474-9456)) has numerous resources for preparing for interviews.
Think about some good questions to ask about the placement before you get there. It shows that you have given the internship some serious thought. You can ask about application numbers, where previous interns found employment, how quickly they were employed, types of research projects, etc.

Feel free to make a closing comment – something you feel they should know about you.
Arrive at the interview site well in advance.
Bring a book to read during the wait.
Smile
Be confident. The fact that they invited you for an interview shows that they liked your application.
If you have more that one interviewer make sure that you connect with each one.
If you are having a phone interview, don’t just wear casual clothes. Wear something that makes you feel at least a bit professional – but comfortable as well.
Relax and be yourself. Many internship coordinators realize that you are nervous and may ask you a few ”small talk” questions about weaknesses that you have and how to deal with them.
Act like a professional.
Shake the interviewers’ hands when you meet them – even if they do not initiate the handshake. Shake hands at the end of the interview as well and thank them for their time.
Send a thank-you note (if you feel comfortable doing so).

21. How does the internship matching process work?

Dietitians of Canada matches applicants with internship programs based on input from both the applicant and the internship director.

How do Internship directors rank applicants?

Usually internship directors have a committee to help make this decision. Some of them will give scores to each application, and then use the scores to rank applicants for their position. They rank more students than the number of positions, because with the matching, they do not receive all the students they rank. If the internships have a large number of placements (e.g. 21) they might rank from 1 to 7 three times rather than ranking applicants from 1 to 21. This gives them a fair chance to get the students they rank highest.

22. How does my preference for an internship program get considered?

You may apply to three different programs and you may be accepted by all three. You will be notified by the internship programs as to your acceptance or non-acceptance. Dietitians of Canada has a web based system that allows students who have been selected to choose the program that they wish to accept. You will be provided with access to the system by Dietitians of Canada when you apply for internship, and have completed the online registration for the internship match.

23. When do I find out if I am chosen by an internship?

All applicants will receive notification of the results of the Internship Selection through a personalized email on March 17th.

24. What if I do not get chosen by an internship?

Remember that each year, across Canada, about half of the students who apply for internship are successful. On a yearly basis, 30 to 40 students in Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Human Ecology apply to dietetic internship programs. The success rate has been 60%-75% for our graduates, 10% to 15% higher than the national rate.

If you are not accepted in the first-round, you can apply again during the second round. There is no additional charge to do this and often internship directors will forward your materials if requested. You can also get some relevant work experience and try again the next year. Many graduates find that a year of experience between graduation and internship is particularly useful for career planning and saving money.

25. What happens if I get accepted in a program?

As soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after receiving your letter, you must phone the internship director of the program that has accepted you with your response, then return the acceptance form to them immediately (by mail or fax).

26. How do I apply for second round?

After the first round, a list of internship programs with positions will be made available from the Director, University Dietetic Program. This information will also be posted on the Dietitians of Canada web site . You can only apply to one of these positions. An application package must be put together and sent to the internship director by the due date - generally April 30.

27. How many times can I apply?

You may apply up to three years after you have graduated. After three years, you must apply to an accredited university program for a review of your transcripts and recommended updating (usually one half course) before you can apply for an internship program again.

28. Are students who are accepted into MPP via the traditional route required to have prior research learning credit?

Students who wish to apply to MPP through the traditional route will not be required to have a research course for prior learning credit. MPP would prefer that these students have taken Senior Thesis but this is not a requirement. MPP and the research dietitian will make arrangements for a three week research experience for these interns.

29. Appendix A

Questions frequently asked at interviews.

Tell us about yourself. (Generally, their first question)
If you had to choose one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
Name one thing that really makes you angry?
What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
Aside from your family, who do you consider a role model in life?
What steps did you take to find out about this particular internship program?
What are your expectations from this internship?
What steps will you take to meet these expectations?
What skill do you feel you need to improve in before or during the internship? Do you have a plan on how you will improve this skill?
You have been accepted into the internship and it is your first day of your clinical rotation. What steps would you take to prepare for that first day?
Explain a situation where you made a decision without fully understanding everything about the situation and how did it work out for you?
What was your favourite course in your undergraduate degree? What was your least favourite?
Can you tell us about a time when you had various deadlines that you had to meet and how you managed to complete the tasks?
When something unexpected arises, how are you able to adjust?
Oftentimes RD's will develop new and exciting ideas/programs and the get the ball rolling. Can you tell us about a time when you took initiative for something on your own, withough being told to do it?
In life we often encounter times when we deal with difficult people. How do you deal with difficult people?
In a group setting how do you set goals?
Can you tell us about a time when you received constructive criticism and it was warranted? How about a time when it wasn't warranted?
Explain a project in which you weren't necessairly appointed the leader but you took the lead in. What challenges did you face?
You are doing rounds with a physician, nurses, etc. They physician points out that you have made an error in the tube flesh levels. What do you do?
You are at the beach with friends when you see a patient that you did outpatient counselling with for her anorexia. She comes over and says hi and your friends ask you who she is. What do you say to them?
What does client-centred mean to you?
You are well into your clinical rotation of your internship and you are doing clinical-staff relief. This means you have the pager, and if a dietitian is needed, you will be paged. The same day, you have your research project presentation. Ten minutes into your presentation, you get a page, what do you do?
Explain how you would do a complete adult assessment when developing a nutrition care plan.
What three things you would find important to include in a nutrition care plan for an individual with CVD?
I was presented with hypothetical situations and asked what I would do. They included:
- A palliative care patient's family is angry at the hospital about the quality of the food served and has contacted the local newspaper. When you enter the patient's room to speak to the family they become very angry and confrontational. What do you do?
- You are seeing and HIV positive patient. According to the chart the patient has not been taking his/her medication for the past 6 months because they cannot afford it. The patient is also looking into alternative form of treatment. What do you do?
- You are going to be presenting a seminar that covers a wide range of disciplines. Before you make the presentation you ask an expert in one of the disciplines what he/she thinks of the presentation. The expert feels that you have not presented the information accurately. What do you do?
- You are going to be presenting a seminar that covers a wide range of disciplines. Before you make the presentation you ask an expert in one of the disciplines what he/she thinks of the presentation. The expert feels that you have not presented the information accurately. What do you do?
- You are the manager of food service and one of your employees approaches you and says that he/she had observed another employee not washing their hands after using the washroom. What do you do?
I was asked to think about one volunteer or employment position and then asked some of the following questions:
1. What would I have changed?
2. What were some of the challenges of the position? What did you do about them?
3. What skills did I learn from the situation that will help me in my internship?
Give at least one example where you have received constructive criticism. How did you react to this and what did you do?
With the role of dietitians changing in the future what step would you take to ensure that you are up to date with the current knowledge available?
Think back to your very first job. What lesson have you carried forward from that position?
What is one thing you are passionate about?
What valuable skills do you have and how will you contribute to our internship program?
Where do you see the field of dietetics in 5 years?
Tell me about your experiences as part of a team?
What would your friends/colleagues say about you?
Where do you see yourself five years from now? What are your career goals?
What do you think some of the challenges in food service are?
How do you think your values and beliefs will affect you as a dietitian? or
What values and beliefs are you bringing to the profession and how will they affect your work?
What was your worst communication experience and how did you deal with it?
What are some reasons you chose this particular internship?
What do you perceive is the role of a dietitian?
Why do you think you would be a good dietitian?
What are the future roles of dietitians?
What are some examples of academic or work experiences that enabled you to develop leadership skills?
How do you perceive your role within a group or team setting?
Provide an example of your involvement in group work from one of your courses. What did you learn from this experience? What did you find to be challenging?
What influenced your decision to apply for the dietetic internship program? Why dietetics?
Who would you consider to be a role model in your life and why?
Explain a research topic that you worked on in one of your nutrition courses, and how would you apply what you learned to professional practice?
What are some things you would include in a nutrition care plan if you were counselling an outpatient with hypercholesterolemia? General patient oriented issues apply in addition to foods etc. So think about patient-dietitian interactions?
How would you assess an elderly woman with glaucoma who is in hospital for surgery, and is suspected by the nursing staff to be at risk for malnutrition?
How would you deal with a patient who is unwilling to listen to you and refuses to accept a modified diet plan?
How would you provide nutrition support to a cancer patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and is unable to eat?
What do you consider to be your strengths and your weaknesses?
How do you manage your busy schedule with other activities and your private life?
How do you handle stressful times? Provide an example of a time that was particularly stressful, and how you handled it.
What are your long-term professional goals?
How will this dietetic internship enable you to meet those goals?
Describe your ideal job setting and where you would like to be working five years from now.
Describe one goal that you recently set for yourself and achieved. What steps did you take to reach the goal?
What information/advise would you provide to an elementary school teacher that called you because she/he was concerned about the unhealthy lunches and snacks that the children were bringing to school?
Provide an example of your self-direction in learning something new.
What do you think is your key quality that you will bring to our internship program?
What are your expectations from this program?
What is the difference between dietitians who work in community, clinical, or food service areas?
How would your friends describe you?
How do effective listening skills help a dietitian?
Why is it important to be a member of Dietitians of Canada? Why is it important to be a member of a dietetic regulatory body?
Our internship program has partnerships with several facilities. Which facility would you be most suited for and why?
You are working in the capacity of a food service manager. You are given a set of tasks and asked to prioritize the list.
Should prenatal programs be made available to all SES classes? Justify your answer?
What types of information would you share with the public about genetically modified foods?

The following resources are acknowledged and were used to compile this document:

Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition (2003) Dietetic Internship: Applicant’s handbook University of Guelph.
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences What does it take to get an internship University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences Internship Program Web site: Faculty of Human Ecology, University of Manitoba.
Department of Human Nutritional Sciences Question students have been asked in interviews Unpublished document.
Dietitians of Canada (2004) Internship Application package.

30. Appendix B

Permission to access Student’s File