Alright, alright. This post needs to happen because I just can’t contain it any longer.

 

Of course, the natural progression would be that once I finished my internship I would get a job and be gainfully employed soon after. Well, in the abyss of being finished with my supervised practice hours but not yet passing the RD exam, this was proving to be a bit more difficult to accomplish.

Most facilities will not hire someone until they have passed their RD exam and, if the state requires it, has their licensure (which Florida requires, basically this means I just pay another X-amount of dollars to be licensed as a dietitian - which aids in protecting our credentials even more). I actually had my resume sent right back to me from a number of open-positions simply because I did not meet the minimum requirements of being a registered dietitian, so even interviews were hard to come by.

I did not let this stop me. Just as I was determined to take that exam once and only once, I was determined to get that full-time job and get it fast. Aside from studying, I also spent a lot of time perfecting my resume and submitting my information to any open positions that I could find. Most of the time I would send in my resume and just assume I wouldn’t hear anything. Of course I followed up on my applications, but a lot of that amounted to nothing, just because I hadn’t yet taken the exam.

Long story short, one of the applications I submitted was a success. I landed myself an interview for a clinical position - which was perfectly schedule just days after I passed the exam - which then turned into a second interview - and then an offer! And I accepted.

 

Before you even ask, yes I’ve been working at the eating disorder treatment center, and yes I absolutely love it.. love love love it. However, right now there is not an opportunity for me to become full-time.

SO! Right now, I’ve accepted a position as clinical dietitian at a hospital, and will remain employed at the eating disorder facility on an as-needed basis.

I know that in the end, this is probably the best situation I could ever find myself in. Diving into doing what I need to do (working clinical - looks good on your resume for-ev-er) and getting my feet wet with doing what I want to do (eating disorders).

Honestly, right now nothing has hit me yet. I hadn’t even quite come to terms with the fact that I actually passed the RD exam, and now this. It doesn’t feel real. I can’t explain it but I feel like I’m living in a dream. Like tomorrow I’m going to wake up, and none of this is going to be real.

Instead of trying to convince myself, I’m just going to roll with it and be proud of myself… whatever that even means.

 

 

 

Somebody pinch me.