Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (315) 899-0040 ext 5400
Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend

We are approved to accept 6 interns.

The process of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) requires a completed bachelor’s degree (will advance to a master’s degree in 2024) granted by a US regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent, completion of an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), completion of an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship (DI) and/or Coordinated Program (CP)  with a minimum of 1000 supervised practice hours, which will award the student with a verification statement, and successful passage of the national credentialing exam set by the Commission on Dietetics Registration and state certification/licensure as applicable. The Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship fulfills the supervised practice step of the process and can accommodate eligible interns to complete a Master’s degree at the college/university of their choice while completing the internship program.

As a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, you are eligible to apply for the Connecticut Dietitian/Nutritionist (CD/N) Certification. Click here for information regarding licensure in other states

You are invited to come to our open house to learn more about our Dietetic Internship program, meet preceptors, administration, and our current interns.

The next Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1^st, 2023 from 2-4pm

Please contact the Program Director for any additional virtual open house opportunities or for a one on one exploration call.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship Program is to adequately prepare entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists in a diverse, multi-disciplinary, and community-based setting, by providing a patient centered, quality supervised practice experience.  The program is structured to develop teamwork skills, to improve and enhance the health and well-being of the community, and to understand and utilize technology in healthcare.

Program Goals & Objectives

Goal #1: The program will prepare entry level registered dietitian/nutritionists to function as members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, in the clinical, community or the food service arena.

• 83% of surveyed program graduates will rank the NVH DI as preparing them “adequately” upon graduation for entry level practice.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
• 83% of program  graduates  take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion
• At least  80% of program interns complete the program requirements within 12 months (150% of the program length)
• Of graduates who are employed in the field of dietetics, at least 60% will hold positions in which they serve as part of an “interdisciplinary team.

Goal #2: The program will supply the workforce with competent entry-level registered dietitian/nutritionists

• Of graduates who seek employment, 70% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation
• 80% of returned employer surveys, will rank graduates working in the field of dietetics as “adequately prepared” for entry level practice.
• 95% of graduates employed in dietetics who respond to the alumni survey will rate themselves as “adequately prepared” for their first position.

Outcome data available upon request

Application Process
Candidates interested in the Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship Program must meet the following requirements.

Admissions Procedures
Deadline: February 15

In preparation for CDR’s 2024 Master’s Degree requirement*, the Nuvance Health DI will admit either: 

Option A.

Candidates that have a completed Master’s degree prior to the start of the internship, the intern must provide proof of completed Master’s degree via official transcripts from the degree granting institution that show degree awarded and conferral date.

OR 

Option B.

For interns currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program with intent to complete during internship, interns must provide proof of enrollment in Master’s Degree with documentation from the Master’s degree program showing the intent to complete within 100% –  150% of program length (ie degree plan from academic advisor).

AND

1. • Original verification statement from an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics
   • 3.0 GPA or higher
   • Applicable nutrition courses must have been completed within the past 6 years
   • GRE not required
   • All selected interns will sign a Memorandum of Agreement during orientation to follow all Nuvance Health DI policies and procedures.
2. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR’s Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR’s website: cdrnet.org/graduatedegree
3. CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship program at Nuvance Health are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.

Application fees

• $50 – Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) (additional applications are $25 each)
• $80 – NVH DI application fee
• $55 – D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service

1. Complete an online DICAS application and include the following:

1. Personal statement (see Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship handbook for more details)
2. Declaration of Intent form/Verification statement (obtain from your didactic program director)
3. Three letters of reference addressing your qualifications for a supervised practice program
4. Official transcript from each college/university attended

2. Mail in Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship application fee.

A $80 program fee is required to process and review your application. This fee is separate from fees for the DICAS or D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service. Check must be postmarked by DICAS deadline.

Make check payable to “The Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship” and include the supplemental application.

3.Send check to:

Danbury Hospital c/o Diane Jadoonauth
Nuvance Health Dietetic Internship Program
Food and Nutrition Dept
24 Hospital Ave
Danbury, CT 06810

4. Register with D&D Digital Online Dietetics Internship Matching Service.

You must register with D&D Digital to participate in the nationwide matching service used by most internship programs. This allows you to make priority choices for your internship programs which you apply. There is a $55 computer matching fee through D&D Digital.

Selection Process
Top applicants will be interviewed in early March through Zoom via the internet.  The interviews are conducted by the Dietetic Internship Director and a panel of preceptors from the program.  The interview will last approximately 15 minutes.  The panel will ask general questions regarding your experience and skills.  Nuvance Health is an equal opportunity institution with respect to both education and employment

Following acceptance to the Internship program the student will receive:

• A welcome letter with additional information about the program
• A list of pre-program assignments
• A list if requirements including medical and drug testing, background check and medical and auto insurance

Internship Application Fees

DICAS Fee……………………………….….   $50.00

D & D Matching Fee……………………….… $55.00

NVH DI Supplemental application fee   …….…$80.00

The internship will provide free parking, meal vouchers ($400), registration fee to the Jean Inman Review course ($385) and registration fee for the Connecticut State Academy Spring meeting ($70).

Financial aid is not available

Graduation & Program Completion Requirements

The Dietetic Internship verification statement is granted only under the following circumstances:

1. The dietetic intern has demonstrated competence as an entry-level practitioner through satisfactory completion of all scheduled supervised practice rotations with a two (2) or better on all competencies and has maintained the professional and ethical code of conduct expected.
2. The dietetic intern has completed all required assignments satisfactorily as assessed by the preceptor and/or DI director grading of learning modules, case studies and projects.
3. The dietetic intern has met the minimum amount of 1,000 hours of supervised practice.
4. The dietetic intern has met all financial obligations.
5. The dietetic intern has met all requirements of the program within 150% of program length which is equivalent to 12 months.
6. The dietetic intern has provided proof of a completed a Master’s Degree via official transcript within 150% of the program length which is equivalent to 12 months.

For interns successfully completing the program and receiving signed verification statements, the program director will submit the on-line computerized registration eligibility application for each intern to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for verification of eligibility for the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists. This will occur within one week following the Intern Pinning Ceremony. Interns should receive an email confirming registration eligibility form CDR approximately two to three weeks following Director’s submission to CDR. Following registration through successful completion of the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists, state laws for licensure or certification may be required for practice. Information can be found regarding licensure laws per state by clicking HERE.