As you lace up those stylish foodservice shoes, head into your program with a plan for how to “fuel” yourself along the way so that you don’t hit the wall and falter halfway through! Consider the following questions:

How can I plan ahead so that I continue to eat well, giving my body what it needs to function optimally? 

It can be tempting after spending 12 hours at a hospital to scarf down a bag of cheese puffs or some stale leftover doughnuts. Yet many of us know we won’t feel or operate our best if this is a daily pattern. With a little forethought, balanced eating during the week can happen. Purchase nutritious, ready-made foods, batch cook on the weekends and stock up on frozen fruits and vegetables to ensure that there always are healthy options close at hand that require minimal effort.

 How can I structure my day to ensure I have time for adequate rest?

Your internship may mean getting up much earlier or staying up much later than usual. As many of us are well aware, there is an increasing body of research linking poor sleep with poor health outcomes, and certainly, none of us feel fantastic operating on only a handful of hours of sleep. Figure out how many hours you need to feel your best and count backwards from your alarm time. Scale back a half hour further to allow for “getting ready for bed” activities, and this is your new bed time.

What relationships matter most to me and leave me feeling supported and rejuvenated?

As your commitments increase, free time and going out with friends may feel like a distant memory. Don’t cave to the pressure to eliminate social plans in order to accommodate your growing “must-do” list. Friendship and human interaction play a vital role in maintaining a positive mindset, which will carry you through the added stress of the internship. 

What activities or hobbies keep me level-headed? How can I structure my schedule so I still have time to do them?

​Just as food, sleep and relationships matter in our internship “fueling” plan, so do activities that bring us joy. Whether it’s hitting the gym and working up a sweat, poring through a romance novel or spending time in the kitchen creating a masterpiece, write your favorite de-stressing hobby into your planner like it’s a critical assignment. Allotting time for your passions allows you the mental space to regroup and attack whatever is next with renewed vigor and attention.

If you have ever run a marathon, you know that nourishment, rest and a cheering squad are pieces of the puzzle for a successful race. Similarly, your dietetic internship is both a physical and mental challenge where all these principles apply. By entering your program with a mental and physical “fueling” plan, you will be prepared to make the most of the experience.

The post The Dietetic Internship: Self-Care Strategies to Get You to the Finish Line appeared first on HealthStylz.

Nervous about where to start? Here are three suggestions for forging connections and setting the tone for effective interdisciplinary collaboration during your internship.

Ask to Shadow Other Practitioners

Depending on the work environment, speech therapists, wound care nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, teachers, public relations managers, coordinators and technicians may be accessible. Let them know you are curious about their job and would love to spend some time with them if they are willing. Many will be flattered and the worst thing they can say is no! The more you understand about other roles, the more effective you will be at knowing who to contact when something outside your scope of practice arises.

Ask Questions and Offer Contributions

Whether in hospital rounds, meetings or even waiting in line for your morning coffee in the cafeteria, have the courage to introduce yourself, ask a question that has been on your mind or share an observation you think might be important. Many of us carry the “I’m just an intern” mindset when, in truth, we actually have a lot to offer.  Asking a nurse how a specific ventilator operates or suggesting to a physician that a patient may benefit from targeted vitamin supplementation can encourage these disciplines to view you as a fellow team member who is intelligent and engaged.

Make Yourself Visible

Some environments tend to encourage holing up in a windowless cubicle or office — fight the urge! Spend as much time as you can on hospital floors, walking by offices, in the cafeteria or other public spaces where your coworkers spend time. Attend meetings and rounds even if they are not a requirement. This will offer you more opportunities to interact and engage.

While those interning in a large academic medical center may already have plenty of contact with pharmacists, residents, fellows, physicians and nurses, dietetic interns in community hospitals or other settings may have to work a little harder to make these connections. Still, if you put in the time and effort to practice interdisciplinary interaction, your confidence and communication skills will grow and make you even more competitive for whatever job you pursue following your internship.

The post 3 Ways Dietetic Interns Can Gain Interdisciplinary Experience appeared first on HealthStylz.