NDA

By: Nikki Nies 

The Board of Director’s recently announced the establishment of the Nutrition and Dietetics Associate (NDA) title. This is fairly recent news.  A breakdown of how this decision was made can be explained by AND’s very detailed explanation provided below:

• Due to the competitive nature of dietetic internships, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) will recognize the efforts of baccalaureate DPD program graduates with the NDA title.  Annually, there are approximately 2,000 baccalaureate graduates who complete DPD programs, but have not been matched to a dietetic internship.
• A new ACEND-accredited Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) was created  in January of 2012 for unmatched students, but due to a shortage of preceptors and supervised practice positions to support the ISPP, the implementation of NDA’s is hoped to provide  graduates to the path of RDs, not DTRs has lead us to this present day title addition.
• Results from the Dietetics Workforce Demand Study, which looked at workforce trends and man power demand emphasized that in the future, students

“will want more assurance that nutrition and dietetics education leads to immediate and sustained employment.”

• Will  provide NDAs access to needed credible food and nutrition resources and services
• Ratio of RDs to American population is 1:8,000. NDAs will help bridge the gap, while providing credible, evidence-based food and nutrition information
• Will connect NDAs with the nutrition and dietetics profession and AND
• Will elevate NDAs in the marketplace–in comparison to Board Certification in Holistic Nutrition, Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Certified Supplement Nutritionist and/or Certified Nutrition Specialist
• NDA Program participants could provide support for future graduate degree-prepared RDNs
• Will be able to support and elevate RDNs
• 81% of survey respondents stated participation in a NDA Program would provide competitive market advantage in the future
• Will be able to assist in emphasizing overall wellness and prevention to the general public in supermarkets, wellness centers, WIC, the community and/or in school nutrition programs
• Will help recognize the distinct roles and education of Bachelor’s degree versus DTR credential

The NDA Program named derived from a survey given to nutrition and dietetic students, asking  their impression of various titles and perceived value.  After evaluating the data was collected and voted on, the Board of Directors emerged with the NDA title.

Any questions or concerns about the NDA Program can be directed to: Diane Moore Enos, MPH, RDN, FAND, Vice President, Professional Development and Assessment, at nda@eatright.org, or 800/877-1600, ext. 4837.

An application for the NDA Program is based on the outcome of the Ad Hoc Task Force report to the Board of Directors, which could be available as early as August 2014.  So, if you’re interested, be on the look out for this application!

Sources: http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/content.aspx?id=6442480931