Internship Spotlight: McKenzie Lawson

Name: McKenzie Lawson

Major: Dietetics

Expected Graduation Date: August 2017

Internship Location: Baptist Health Corbin in Corbin, KY (Medical Nutrition Therapy), TJ Samson Hospital in Glasgow, KY (Food Service Systems Management), Barren River Health Department in Bowling Green, KY (Community Nutrition)

Please describe your typical day as an intern:

Currently, I am completing my clinical rotation as a dietetic intern. A typical day for me would involve screening patients, visiting different units for education needs or general follow ups, and charting the status of patients based on my findings. I have the opportunity to conduct outpatient sessions and lead a nutrition jeopardy game with the adolescent unit.

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

Each day, I apply what I learned in the classroom about clinical judgment as I try to foresee how a patient will respond as treatment progresses. Also, I use concepts from class to make decisions regarding protein requirements, controlling important labs, and providing tube feeding recommendations.

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

Throughout my clinical rotation, I have developed a bed-side manner and the ability to respond appropriately to the patient's morale. This is a difficult concept to teach in a classroom but is incredibly important when considering your effectiveness as a dietician.

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

My advice for others would be to walk into your facility every day with a positive attitude! Be willing to learn and soak up all the experiences you can.