Name: Anna Roe

Major: Dietetics

Expected Graduation Date: August 2017

Internship Location(s): Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky, Kenton County Schools in Fort Wright, Kentucky, Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Kentucky

Please describe your typical day as an intern:

As a dietetic intern at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, my morning begins by screening new admitted patients for possible nutrition needs. From the list of patients, I collect information about their current and past medical conditions. Then I am able to meet with these patients to ask them further questions and perform a nutrition-focused physical exam in order to identify their dietary needs. All of the acquired information provides the framework to create and carry out a nutrition care plan tailored to each individual patient. This may include a variety of interventions, ranging from a specific diet order to a feeding tube placement.

Some days I may venture to the diabetes clinic for half of the day and assist in outpatient appointments. This time is dedicated to providing individuals and their families or caretakers with encouragement and resources to live the healthiest lifestyle possible while controlling their diabetes. After a care plan has been established or an appointment completed, all information is entered into the online charting system to input progress notes in the patient's medical chart.

How are you using and applying classroom knowledge in your internship?

Each day I am sharing information with patients that I learned in a medical nutrition therapy class. This may be in the form of creating a handout, counseling patients using techniques and tools learned from dietetic counseling classes, or performing calculations for enteral feedings. It's incredible how well my classes have mimicked real life scenarios and prepared me for my dietetic internship.

What is one key thing you have learned during your internship?

You have the power to positively impact everyone around you, whether it be by sharing a smile or offering to help with large tasks. Your energy can introduce you before you even open your mouth, and I found how beneficial it is to carry a positive and helpful attitude through every moment. That positive energy can really change the mood as you work with an individual or even an entire room of people. Sharing a smile and having positive energy creates a wonderful atmosphere for everyone.

If you could share one piece of advice for other students who are preparing to complete an internship, what would it be? 

Be excited and say yes to new things, even if you feel a little out of your comfort zone. Most preceptors know how much their interns can handle and want you to succeed. Even if you don't carry out a project or assignment perfectly, you can come out of the situation with even more knowledge than you had before.

Anna Roe