Reviving Off the Vine Nutrition: Four Years Later
Long time, no see – Let’s catch up!
Where We Left Off
My journey began with Off the Vine Nutrition as a platform to share insights from my evolving career as a Registered Dietitian. Starting during my Dietetic Internship, I continued sharing through studying and passing the RD exam, and navigating job hunting for my first RD job in 2019. However, soon after starting my first clinical Registered Dietitian job, the demands of the transition and learning curve prompted a necessary hiatus from my blog.
What I’ve Been Up To
My first job was as an outpatient oncology dietitian for nearly three years. After reflecting on the experiences from my Dietetic Internship, I had, three criteria that guided my job search:
Work Setting: I aimed to work in an outpatient setting, a goal I achieved. While 90% of my job was in the outpatient setting, I gained exposure and experience covering our inpatient units and the ICU, cultivating a well-rounded skill set in my first clinical job.
Specialization: Specializing in a field really fulfilled my drive to be continuously learning and staying up-to-date with the latest research and recommendations. Having that specialty be oncology provided a rewarding avenue for growth.
Impact: Making a meaningful difference for patients was so important to me, as that was a main driver to switching careers to become a Registered Dietitian. In an outpatient setting, with extended appointments and the opportunity to follow patients throughout their treatment, I could witness firsthand the positive impact I was able to make.
After almost three years, and a global pandemic, I felt compelled to explore new horizons. In the spring of 2022, I embraced a role in public health consulting, transitioning away from direct patient care and dietetics. Now, I contribute to the practice transformation space, supporting the safety net community. While change can be unsettling, this shift has proven immensely rewarding, marking a new chapter in my career.
Moving Forward
A year and a half into my current role, after overcoming the learning curve of this new career path, I'm eager to revive my blog. It has always served as a creative outlet for me, and now, more than ever, it will reconnect me with my nutrition and dietetics roots. I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions on topics you'd like to explore with me in the comments below.
If you’ve been here since the beginning, thanks for sticking around!