Dietetic Internship Program
Overview
The primary goal of the Dietetic Internship Program is to assist you in making the transition from student to professional. This carefully crafted program combines both course work and practicum experiences designed to address knowledge deficits, to promote critical thinking and to provide opportunities to apply dietetic/nutrition theory to individual patients and management situations. During the course of this experience, you will discover your own unique gifts and talents and will determine the area of dietetic practice where you wish to begin your professional career
The Dietetic Internship Program is based at the Indiana University Medical Center. The Medical Center campus occupies some 85 acres located on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) approximately 1 mile from the center of Indianapolis.
Founded in 1918, the Dietetic Internship Program is the second oldest dietetic internship in the United States. The Dietetic Internship Program has graduated 1,460 dietitians over its 89-year history.
Past Dietetic Internship Program Directors include: M. Lute Troutt (1923-1948), president of the American Dietetic Association 1937, winner of the Copher Award 1963; Louise Irwin (1948-1961), winner of the Medallion Award, 1976; Arlene M. Wilson, RD (1961-1979), president of the American Dietetic Association 1973, winner of the Copher Award in 1987; Sheila Ward, DSc, RD (1979-1990) and Jacquelynn O'Palka PhD, RD (1991 to present).
In 1999, the Dietetic Internship Program was reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetic Education (CADE) and named a "model program." CADE awarded the Dietetic Internship Program the maximum period of re-accreditation possible - 10 years.
The Dietetic Internship Program is one of just 51 programs in the United States (total number of dietetic internships is 253) that provide an emphasis in advanced clinical practice and only one of 11 dietetic internships that provide an emphasis in food systems management.
The Dietetic Internship Program accepts 16 interns per year, is 10 months in length and utilizes 54 sites (hospitals, clinics, schools, and community, state and county agencies) with 154 preceptors in central Indiana. The five-year first time passing rate for the Dietetic Internship Program graduates is 86 percent (the national average is 81 percent) on the National Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Program Components
The Dietetic Internship Program consists of three phases: 1) Phase I Getting Started; 2) Phase II The Formal Dietetic Internship; and 3) Phase III Wrapping Up.
Phase I - Two weeks in length includes general orientation, required in-services and various testing and the start of formal coursework.
Phase II - 40 weeks in length includes formal course work, "Talk Back," professional development activities and the supervised practice experiences (rotations).
Formal courses include N 544 Medical Nutrition Therapy, 3 credits; N 563 Research Methods in Dietetics, 3 credits, N 591 Seminar in Nutrition and Dietetics, 1 credit and N 567 Management Issues in Dietetics, 1 credit.
Each intern is assigned to a variety of supervised practice sites where under the guidance of a registered dietitian or other appropriate professional they will participate in patient care, and other professional activities associated with the dietetic profession. Interns rotate from site to site. Includes a capstone five week experience (Special Experience) designed by the intern to meet individual learning goals and objectives. The capstone experience maybe completed in Indiana or out side the state.
Professional development activities include attendance at the Indiana State Dietetic Association Spring Meeting, exploration of various dietetic practice opportunities through special speakers, opportunity to attend various professional meeting of groups such as the Central Indiana Dietetic Association Meetings, Indiana Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and ongoing lecture series on campus.
"Talk Back" occurs on Monday mornings, when each intern reports on the activities of the previous week. These confidential sessions provide an opportunity for group sharing and mentoring.
Phase III - The final week in the internship includes the completion of the Commission on Dietetic Education required in-services and paperwork, final Dietetic Internship Program evaluation activities and participation in the Pre-orientation program for the incoming class of dietetic interns and their families.
Program Faculty
Jacquelynn O'Palka, PhD, RD
Internship Director
Professor of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
Chair, Nutrition & Dietetics Department
Sara Blackburn, D.Sc. RD
Internship Co-Director
Associate Professor of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
(Mary) Sue Brady DMSc. RD, FADA
Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics
Karyl Rickard, PhD, RD, FADA
Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics
Judith Ann Ernst, DMSc, RD
Associate Professor, Nutrition & Dietetics
Professional Staff
Approximately 154 registered dietitians and professional staff members interact with dietetic interns during the course of the program. Professional staff including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, speech pathologists, physical therapists, food service directors and managers, educators and public health professionals participate in the Dietetic Internship Program.
Affiliations
Several hospitals are located on or near the campus. They include Wishard Memorial Hospital (a city-county hospital recently listed among the top 100 U.S. public hospitals), the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Hospital and Outpatient Center, and LaRue Carter Psychiatric Hospital, which is state-owned and located about five minutes from IUPUI.
Riley and IU Hospital separated from the School of Medicine in 1997 to join Methodist Hospital of Indiana in forming Clarian Health Partners. Located approximately two miles from IUMC, Methodist Hospital provides additional significant educational opportunities to IU nursing, medical and allied health students, residents and dietetic interns.
Clarian Health's hospitals, including Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University Hospital, and Methodist Hospital of Indiana, currently record approximately 1 million in- and out-patient visits per year. The affiliated hospitals - Wishard, Roudebush, and LaRue Carter - together handle another 1 million patient visits each year. This enormous patient base provides a broad range of superb clinical educational opportunities.
In addition to the hospitals and facilities near campus, the Dietetic Internship Program has active affiliation agreements with other hospitals, extended care facilities, clinics, schools and community services throughout central Indiana. Depending on interns in the program and current situation at each particular site, the number of interns scheduled for a site or whether the site is in use by the program may vary from year to year. The Dietetic Internship Program deliberately recruits facilities throughout central Indiana to minimize intern travel time. The Program schedules to minimize travel time and thus expense to interns as much as possible.
For the final special experience rotation of the Dietetic Internship Program, the program may utilize sites outside of the regular program schedule. Affiliation agreements exist that cover sites in surrounding states and throughout the country. Individual intern experiences are negotiated and contracted with these sites on an as needed basis.
All dietetic internship preceptors are volunteers and receive no compensation from the Dietetic Internship Program. Continuing education credits are provided by the Dietetic Internship Program through the Seminar in Nutrition & Dietetics course scheduled every spring at no charge to participating sites. The Program provides ongoing support and education for all preceptors and is careful to schedule interns at times and in numbers acceptable to the preceptors.
Support Services
IUPUI is one of eight campuses of Indiana University and includes two Purdue University schools. The campus offers more than 240 degrees provided by 20 different schools. Its 29,000 students represent 49 states and 125 countries. IUPUI includes the only medical and dental schools in the state and the nation's largest nursing school. IUPUI is among the nation's 10 largest sites for graduate professional education.
IUPUI has an extensive array of learning resources that are available to the Dietetic Internship Program. The Indianapolis campus provides state-of-the-art electronic technologies for instructional design and distance learning. There are facilities for special classroom set-ups and video production. Much of the downtown campus has wireless (WiFi) technology available for intern and faculty use. The university is part of the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS), a consortium of universities in the state that provides distance learning programs at more than 300 locations around Indiana.
Community outreach campus facilities are also available for program use. These facilities include meeting rooms, audiovisual support and computer- equipped classrooms. The outreach facilities are electronically connected to the main downtown campus.
The Dietetic Internship Program utilizes classroom space in the School of Nursing, Coleman Hall and other campus facilities to deliver classes and conduct Phase I activities for dietetic interns. The Glendale Community outreach campus is also used for Phase I and meetings. Conference rooms are available in the Riley Outpatient Clinic Center, Ruth Lilly Medical Library and in Coleman Hall for Dietetic Internship Program use. The IUPUI campus provides a Career Guidance Center that provides workshops and programs on topics such as interviewing, resume development, and so forth. These services are available to dietetic interns. The Dietetic Internship Program invites speakers from the Career Guidance Center to discuss these topics and make interns aware of the services available to them free of charge. Dietetic interns are eligible for free or low cost counseling services through Counseling & Psychological Services [CAPS]. CAPS offers 12 free counseling sessions per calendar year after payment of a one-time $10 application fee. If interns are referred to CAPS by the program, services are free. The professional staff of psychologists, counselors and graduate-student interns can assist with a wide variety of personal concerns. Services are confidential, available to all IUPUI students, and available weekdays and by appointment during evening hours. The Dietetic Internship Program utilizes this service almost every year usually for anxiety counseling - particularly for test anxiety.
IUPUI Libraries
IUPUI has five distinct libraries that work together to support students, faculty, and the broader community. The University Library covers a wide range of academic disciplines, from liberal arts to science, engineering, and technology. This collection contains over 600,000 volumes and 4,500 subscriptions to current periodicals. The Library has more than 600 general and graduate study carrels, 30 group-study rooms, and class and meeting rooms, including a 100-seat auditorium.
The dental, art, law, and medical libraries contain specialized collections reflecting their respective curricula. The IU Catalog system (IUCAT) is available at all campus libraries. An interlibrary loan service connects the IUPUI libraries with the university libraries at Bloomington and West Lafayette, as well as other libraries throughout the country.
The Dietetic Internship Program faculty and interns utilize the Ruth Lilly Medical Library more extensively than other libraries found on campus. The Ruth Lilly Medical Library serves the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.
The library collection focuses on authoritative literature in biomedical research and clinical practice. The library contains more than 260,000 books and bound journals with current subscriptions to 2,078 journal including over 60 in the area of nutrition and dietetics. Online access, on campus and remotely, is available for 2,451 medical and scientific journal titles including more than 40 in the Nutrition & Dietetics area. Online access is also available to over a 100 medical and scientific textbooks.
More than 70 online databases are available for faculty and intern use both on campus and from remote locations. The library provides document delivery services and interlibrary loans, literature search services, technical support for electronic media, training sessions and outreach services.
University Information Technology Services (UITS)
UITS provides tools and services that support the dietetic internship. Computing tools include central computing services and hundreds of Internet-connected workstations, all equipped with current software and accessible to dietetic interns and faculty. Connecting these resources is a high-speed network that links computers of many types and sizes in a complex, interactive web. The UITS offers classes and online tutorials to assist dietetic interns, staff and faculty with software. Hands on classes on topics such as electronic mail, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, Web development, and more are also available. STEPS noncredit classes are free for dietetic interns. These classes provide beginning and in-depth instruction on subjects of special interest and importance to interns in their academic work.
Student Technology Centers (STCs), located in several buildings on campus are available for intern use. These facilities, which support both Intel- and Macintosh-based platforms, are open and staffed with consultants many hours each week, including a 24-hour STC. A wide variety of software and media equipment is available in the STCs, giving dietetic interns convenient access to popular computer applications, the Internet, and audiovisual technologies.
Dietetic interns receive Network IDs that give interns access to the computer systems maintained by UITS at IUPUI. With a Network ID, interns can create various computer accounts, change the passwords for their accounts, dial into the IUPUI network from off campus, choose their preferred e-mail address (the address that corresponds to the account where they want to receive their messages), and more. Interns can log into Student Technology Center computers, as well as use Oncourse, IU's online course environment. The Student Technology Center located in the School of Nursing building is heavily used by dietetic interns.
Indiana University has several Software License Agreements with different software companies, including Microsoft. These Software License Agreements allow Indiana University to distribute software at a discounted, educational price. Many software applications maybe downloaded without cost from the UITS website. Dietetic interns are able to access this software for their home computer systems.
Application Forms
Please click on the links below to access Dietetic Internship Program application forms.
Application Instructions
Application Form
Recommendation Form
Dietetic Internship Program Course Descriptions
SHRS N567 - Management Issues in Dietetics(1 credit)
Course Description
This course provides an exploration of selected management topics at a graduate level.
Course Objectives
- Following the completion of this course, the dietetic intern will be able to:
- Implement the processes of staff recruitment & selection and progressive discipline.
- Describe various management styles and implement appropriate coaching and counseling techniques for employees.
- Understand Joint Commission - the organizational structure, purpose, and evolution, and how this relates to nutrition services.
- Understand and implement the Performance Assessment Improvement (PAI) process and how this relates to nutrition services.
- Implement the requirements of federal acts and governmental regulations related to Personnel policies.
SHRS N544 - Medical Nutrition Therapy (3 credits)
Course Description
This course studies the physiological and biochemical alternations that occur during disease states, their effect on nutritional requirements and methods of providing nutrients.
Course Objectives
- Following the completion of this course, the dietetic intern will be able to:
- Understand the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs.
- Understand the digestion/absorption of nutrients in the GI system
- Appreciate the impact of gastrointestinal surgeries and disorders on the function of the GI tract.
- Understand the appropriate use of enteral and parenteral feeding and the selection of appropriate formulas and supplements.
- Understand the effects of hypermetabolism, inflammation and chronic undernutrition on nutrient requirements.
- Understand fluid, electrolyte and acid base balance as applied to medical nutrition therapy.
- Recognize common physical signs and symptoms indicative of nutrient deficiencies.
- Understand the special nutritional requirements of children in both well state and to be aware of unique challenges presented by common medical conditions.
N563 - Research Methods in Dietetics (3 credits)
Course Description
This course studies research methodology utilized in dietetics. This course includes critique of the dietetic literature and preparation of research proposal.
Course Objectives
- Following the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the role of ethics in nutrition research.
- Understand the importance of statistical methods in research studies.
- Explain the differences between case studies, epidemiological, outcomes, clinical trials, animal models and quality of life as well as retrospective and prospective studies.
- List the strength and limitations of various types of studies.
- Critically review nutrition and dietetic literature.
- Prepare a letter of intent for a RFP (Request for Proposal)
SHRS N591 - Nutrition & Dietetic Seminar (1 credit)
Course Description
To explore issues in contemporary nutrition; to foster group discussion; to encourage applications of ideas to daily nutrition and dietetics practice; to provide continuing education credits for interested registered dietitians and other health care professionals.
Course Objectives
- Following the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the potentially beneficial effect of foods, supplements and nutrition interventions as it applies to contemporary nutrition issues and health.
- Critically evaluate the current research for contemporary nutrition issues.
- Discuss the impact of contemporary nutrition issues on consumer health practices as well as its role in clinical nutrition practice.
- Critically evaluate both verbally and in writing, the topics presented.
DIP Supervised Field Experience
Phase1- August 2007 General Orientation and Preparation for Field Experiences- 2 weeks
Phase II- Dietetic Internship Field Experience Rotations (September-June)-37 weeks
Food Systems Management - 12 weeks
Food Systems Core Experience* - 9 weeks – Clarian (6), Hancock (2), Johnson (2), Veterans Administration Hospital (2), Wishard (2), Columbus (2),
Extended Care/Rehabilitation Experience -3 weeks – Lockefield Village (6), Lakeview Manor (4), Westminster North (4) North Willow (2)
Clinical Nutrition -13 weeks
Clinical Block I – 4 weeks Columbus (2), Johnson (2), Community South (2), Hancock (2),
Hendricks (2,) Riverview (2), Ortho Indy (2), La Rue Carter (2)
Clinical Block II - 6 weeks University (4), Methodist (4), Wishard (4), St. Vincent’s (2), VA (2)
Diabetes – 2 weeks - St. Francis (4), Clarian (10) Johnson (2)
Pediatrics - 1 week – Riley/Methodist/Community (Peds) (16)
Community Nutrition -7 weeks
Week 1 - WIC - Marion County Public Health (6), Johnson County (5), Shelby (5)
Week 2 & 3 - Community Clinics - Various Sites (16)
Week 4 & 5 – Indianapolis Area Township Schools Experience (16)
Week 6 – Community Week III Multiple Sites (16)
1 Day (T) Home delivered meals, Congregate Feeding - CICOA the Access Network
1 Day - (W) Food Borne Safety Officer - Marion County Public Health
1 Day (TH) Cathedral Kitchen; YMCA
1/2 Day (F) YMCA after school program (PM)
1/2 Day (F) Health Fair Project Westside Health Fair (8); IUPUI Faculty and Staff Health Fair (8) *discussed in Monday class
Week 7–GCRC (General Clinical Research Unit – University Hospital) – 1 week - (16)
Special Emphasis Experience 4--5 weeks (16) - Rotation selected and developed by Intern; may include American Dietetic Association Annual Meeting (FNCE) (optional -- 1 week)
Other Experiences - 5 weeks
Make-up Week (includes 2 days for completion of missed rotations days or projects)
Professional meetings 3 days: (16)
Indiana Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 1 day (Saturday)
Indiana Dietetic Association (IDA) Spring Meeting 1 day
Department of Foods and Nutrition (Purdue University) Research Update 1 day
CIDDA or similar local meetings (multiple evening meetings)
Vacation - 3 weeks -Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year’s
Phase III- Wrap up week and Graduation (~ June 16-20, 2008)-1 week
* Rotation Name, followed by sites (abbreviation if used on Schedule), () no. of interns assigned/year