The difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist is already a significant source of public confusion, and now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is adding yet another term to the mix. Registered dietitians (RD) may now refer to themselves as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) with immediate effect. There is no difference between the practice, background, or skill set of an RD and an RDN, and this new title is optional. The Academy claims that the modification is intended to serve as a reminder to the public that “All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.” But lets back up first….
I have covered this before, but here’s a quick recap. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are nutrition specialists who have fulfilled the requirements to be granted the legal designation of “RD.” Do not assume that all nutritionists are RDs, even though some RDs may consider themselves nutritionists. Almost anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist” in many states, regardless of training or experience. Requirements to become an RD include:
Personally, I believe that “Nutritionist” is a much better description of the practice of nutrition, but due to the lack of regulation in this field, I prefer to be referred to as a dietitian. I put a lot of effort into becoming a dietitian rather than merely a nutritionist, so I’m happy that my title reflects that. I don’t have a strong opinion about the new title, but I think that by making it optional, the Academy is creating divisions where there aren’t any.
Licensure is an entirely different can of worms. By obtaining a license, which is state-regulated, dietitians are recognized as state-regulated nutrition professionals. The letters “LD” or “LDN” are added after the letters “RD” (or “RDN”) in the title of a licensed dietitian (for instance, Jane Doe, RD, LDN). There is no difference in meaning between LD and LDN. While some states, like Texas, use LD, others, like Massachusetts, use LDN, Since only licensed dietitians are permitted to practice medical nutrition therapy and are accepted as providers by insurance companies, JCAHO, and other regulatory bodies, many employers demand that dietitians obtain licenses.
The debate that licensure is merely a tactic used by the Academy to reduce competition for RDs has recently been sparked by the persecution of a non-licensed blogger who provided nutrition counseling, despite the fact that licensure is in place in many states. However, the Academy views licensing as safeguarding public health and establishing a minimal level of training and experience. There should be licensed dietitians, as was so beautifully stated in a recent article, “just as there are licensed physicians and dentists, whose license ensures they’ve met a rigorous set of standards.”
What is an RDN?
The same as a registered dietitian, an RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist. The RDN credential was added by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2013, giving dietitians the choice to use either the RD or RDN title.
Being an RDN is significant because it emphasizes the importance of nutrition to wellness and treatment in these professionals’ training. This distinction is crucial because while all nutritionists are dietitians with training in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, not all nutritionists are dietitians. In some states, individuals without formal education or certification may use the title “nutritionist.”
What is an RD?
A registered dietitian (RD) is a specialist in food and nutrition and how they affect leading a healthy lifestyle. They have extensive knowledge of the food pyramid, calorie intake, food quality and freshness, portions, eating habits, and eating patterns.
To obtain their RD credentials and be able to legally practice, dietitians must obtain a bachelor’s degree, complete an internship, and pass an exam. The majority of RDs are employed in the healthcare industry, and their job titles may include clinical dietitian, community dietitian, consultant dietitian, or management dietitian. This credential was first established in 1970.
RD vs. RDN
Dietitians’ educational and training requirements, as well as their job responsibilities, are essentially the same because they can use the RD and RDN credentials interchangeably. However, because it demonstrates their level of expertise in nutrition, many dietitians and their employers prefer to use the RDN designation. The following are some points where an RD and RDN differ from one another:
Job duties
RDs and RDNs both instruct individuals and groups about food, nutrition, and healthy eating. Their responsibilities might include:
People with medical conditions that diet and nutrition can help manage or improve may be worked with by RDs and RDNs. Additionally, they can assist those attempting to recover from substance abuse or eating disorders. They work together to make diagnoses and create treatment plans with medical and mental health professionals.
Work environment
The majority of dietitians work full-time in clinical, administrative, or research settings. They might put in some weekend and evening hours to meet with patients who are only available then. An RD or and RDN can work for:
Some dietitians may work for themselves, acting as consultants or managing a business or clinic where they can consult with and evaluate patients.
Skills
Dietitians must possess the abilities to evaluate patients’ needs and design custom diet plans. These include:
Requirements
To earn their credentials, RDs and RDNs must satisfy the same educational and training requirements. These include:
RDs and RDNs must complete at least 75 hours of continuing education every five years after becoming certified in order to maintain their credentials. Additionally, they have the option to become board certified in areas like sports dietetics, gerontological nutrition, obesity and weight management, oncology nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and renal (kidney) nutrition. Some dietitians pursue a doctorate or master’s degree in order to advance their education.
RDs must hold a license in order to work in Texas. To become a licensed dietitian (LD) or licensed dietitian nutritionist (LDN), applicants must pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam and submit an application for a state license. These license titles can be used interchangeably, just like RD and RDN credentials.
Salary and job outlook
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RD…RDN… Nutritionist… What?!?!?!
FAQ
Is RD and RDN better?
Although the terms “registered dietitian” (RD) and “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) mean the same thing, there is a small distinction between the two. The title “nutritionist” was added to RD in order to cover a wider definition of wellness as well as the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
When did RD become Rdn?
The RDN credential was added by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2013, giving dietitians the choice to use either the RD or RDN title. Being an RDN is significant because it emphasizes the importance of nutrition to wellness and treatment in the professional’s training.
What is the difference between RD and LDN?
The RD marks someone as a Registered Dietitian. The abbreviation LD or LDN stands for Licensed Dietitian (Nutritionist), indicating that the practitioner has a valid state license to practice.
What is an RD degree?
Registered Dietitian Career Overview. A qualified nutritionist who has met the stringent educational and professional requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) is known as a Registered Dietitian (RD).
