NAME: Elizabeth Tallent
Major: Dietetics
Expected Graduation: August 2015 (Dietetic Internship Graduation)
Where are you completing your internship?
- Jefferson County Public Schools (Food Service Management rotation)
- Louisville Metro Department for Public Health – Newburg Health Center WIC Program (Community rotation)
- University of Louisville Hospital (Medical Nutrition Therapy rotation)
What is your ‘typical’ day as an intern?
My days have been busy and exciting! It’s a full 8-hour work day, with lots of hands-on learning. Implementing what we've learned in class into real life settings has been challenging but exciting and helped build my confidence.
How are you using and applying classroom knowledge in your internship?
In particular, I used the Nutrition Care Process day in and day out during the Medical Nutrition Therapy rotation.
What is one key thing you have learned during your internship?
Be very organized and prepared. Keep up with assignments and needed documentation as you go. Give your all 100% of the time and have a positive attitude, because one of your rotations could end up as your future employer!
If you could share one piece of advice for other students who are preparing to complete an internship, what would it be?
Being at a Level I trauma center (University of Louisville Hospital) for my Medical Nutrition Therapy rotation has taught me how to use clinical judgment in addition to concrete guidelines. I have seen the importance of being kind and enjoying each day, because you never know what someone is going through or what can happen to change yours or a loved one’s life in a split second.
Additional Comments:
I was asked to speak at the 2015 Supervised Practice Program graduation on behalf of the Dietetics Internship class and I couldn't be more excited to share my experiences. What an honor. It's a good feeling when hard work pays off!