Internship Spotlight: Nasreen Omran

Name:  Nasreen Omran

Major:  Dietetics

Expected graduation date:  August 2018

Internship Location:  UK Good Samaritan Hospital (Lexington, KY)

Please describe your typical day as an intern: 

As a dietetic intern in the hospital, I started my day off by completing a screen. I searched through the hospital's admit list looking for individuals with possible nutrition problems. After completing the screen, I would check out the consult list. This list is of people who need to be seen by a dietitian and were being referred by a physician or nurse. Often times, the people on the consult list met requirements for the malnutrition screening tool, had food restrictions, or needed artificial nutrition. After looking at both the consult and screenings, the patients were divided up and I would see my own patients! I would see the patient and then work with them and the medical team in order to make recommendations for supplements or artificial nutrition. Sometimes if the patient had diabetes, I would educate them on how to manage diabetes through diet. I also provided diet education on low fat diets for patients with pancreatitis. When I was not seeing patients, I was leading nutrition groups in the behavioral health unit.

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

As an intern, I was able to use skills I learned in the classroom with my patients. I was able to use knowledge from my medical nutrition therapy rotation when I was educating patients on diets using evidence based knowledge. I was also able to use skills I learned in counseling classes as I educated patients often about their dietary habits. I learned to be an active listener and show empathy.

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

It is important to be confident in your skills! You are the expert!

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

Take every opportunity as it comes. Become a “Yes” person. The more you experience, the more fulfilling your experience.