Featured PMDip Alumni - Katie Nieuwhof, RD
What prompted you to pursue the Ryerson PMDip Dietetics program?
I knew I wanted to be a Registered Dietitian, and the Ryerson PMDip program seemed like the best opportunity to help me get there. I valued that the program consisted of a 1-year internship with various rotations that provided hands-on, practical experience to prepare me for my future career as a dietitian.
Why did you select SickKids Hospital PMDip over other programs?
I was, and still am, very interested in the pediatric population. Children are curious, smart, impressionable, funny, and a huge pleasure to work with. Nutrition at a young age is vital for growth and development and also establishes a foundation for healthy eating behaviors and nutrition knowledge later in life. It is extremely rewarding to help and support children as well as shape their knowledge and perspective on food and nutrition from a young age. I also value that SickKids Hospital is a world-leading and reputable teaching hospital that is known for its research and excellence in clinical practice.
What experience and education did you have before entering the program? (what was your background before you entered the program?)
I have always had an interest in and passion for food, nutrition, health, and well-being. I am grateful that I am able to pursue this passion with a career as a Registered Dietitian. Prior to Ryerson’s PMDip dietetics program, I completed my BASc. in Applied Human Nutrition at the University of Guelph.
Describe your experiences in the program:
The program was challenging in many ways, but it was also a very enjoyable and manageable experience. The most challenging part was grasping the medical knowledge of each new clinical area when first starting a new rotation. I spent many evenings researching and learning new concepts, terms, diagnoses, medications, and so on. I found that showing up each day prepared and ready to learn created a positive learning environment that helped me succeed.
I really enjoyed the practicality of the program. To see the concepts that I had learned in my education performed in a practical setting helped tie everything together for me. I also really enjoyed the relationships I built with my fellow students, preceptors, and the supportive members of the interprofessional team.
Describe how your preceptors supported your training throughout the program.
My preceptors were of the utmost importance in shaping my training and education throughout the program. They supported me in many ways including educational sessions, sharing relevant resources and research, building my knowledge and clinical skills, and making me feel comfortable in interacting with the interprofessional team. They created a positive learning environment by being open to questions, giving constructive feedback, and ensuring that I was on track to meeting my learning goals and competencies.
Describe your current workplace setting and how the PMDip program prepared you for this role.
I am currently working as a Clinical Dietitian at SickKids Hospital in the Bone and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy program. The various clinical rotations and education sessions throughout the PMDip program built my knowledge, skills, practice, and clinical judgement. The many hours of training and learning from my dietitian preceptors prepared me well to enter this role feeling confident and well equipped.
What advice would you offer a student who was considering applying to the PMDip program?
If you want to be a Registered Dietitian and value practical, hands-on experience, then this program is for you! If being a clinical dietitian is of particular interest, this program offers multiple clinical rotations to build your knowledge and skills in clinical nutrition and prepares you well for entry level RD positions in a hospital setting. If you decide to pursue this program, my biggest piece of advice is to work hard and gain as much as you can out of every rotation and from each preceptor!