I had a great past couple weeks in my cardiology rotation. I had the opportunity to meet and work alongside an inspirational RD who is not just a clinical dietitian but also an outstanding community leader who holds leadership roles in numerous organizations including the local dietetic association. Of course I also learned how to plan and educate patients about heart healthy diets, make notes in the charts of patients, and do nutrition assessments on patients with CHF.One of the main things I have learned is that nutrition care is hardly one-dimensional. Although a patient may come into a hospital with the initial diagnosis of chest pain and shortness of breath, they may also have diabetes, renal failure, cognitive impairment, trouble chewing/swallowing; the list goes on. When assessing a patient, it is important to look at the “big picture” and not just the diagnosis that the patient was admitted with. This is especially important when completing a case study.
Case studies are some of the best opportunities to learn during clinical rotations. They give you the opportunity to apply all the information you learned in your MNT classes to a real-life scenario. Scanning charts and comparing lab values made me feel like a detective; it was up to me to figure out where the patient was nutritionally deficient and what nutrition interventions were needed to restore their health.
One tool that was especially helpful was my MNT book from college. This book is filled with so much detailed information that was helpful when completing my cardiac case study. If you are planning on completing an internship I would definitely recommend resisting the urge to sell your MNT book at the end of the year and hold onto it as it will prove to be a valuable tool during your internship.
Question (to other past/present dietetic interns): What other resources have you found to be helpful during your dietetic internship rotations?
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