New Online Course Meets Ethics Requirement for RDs & DTRs

By Gina Ulery, MS, RDN, LDN

Responding to a recommendation from the Academy Board of Directors, on May 9, 2011, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) voted to require that RDs and DTRs complete a minimum of 1 CPEU of Continuing Professional Education in Ethics (Learning Need Code 1050) during each 5-year recertification cycle in order to recertify. This requirement will be effective starting with the 5-year recertification cycle which ends on May 31, 2017, and will be phased in over a 5 year period for each recertification cycle.

Professional Development Resources has developed a 1-hour online course to meet this requirement:

Ethics for Registered Dietitian NutritionistsEthics for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists is a 1-hour online continuing education (CE, CEU, CPEU) course addressing the ethics of practice in nutrition and dietetics and satisfies the requirement of the Commission on Dietetic Registration that RDs and DTRs complete a minimum of 1 CPEU of Continuing Professional Education in Ethics (Learning Need Code 1050) during each 5-year recertification cycle in order to recertify. The practice and business of nutrition and dietetics grow and change but ethical practices remain paramount regardless. Potential situations arise that require a review of what the ethical solution(s) should be. This course includes real-life scenarios so you can utilize the profession’s Code of Ethics to identify these ethical issues and come up with solutions and ways to avoid unethical behaviors. Course #10-60 | 2014 | 10 Pages | 7 posttest questions

This online course provides instant access to the course materials (PDF download) and CE test. Successful completion of the online CE test (80% required to pass, 3 chances to take) and course evaluation are required to earn a certificate of completion. You can print the test (download test from My Courses tab of your account after purchasing) and mark your answers on while reading the course document. Then submit online when ready to receive credit.

About the Authors:

Catherine Christie, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND, FPCNA, is Associate Dean, Professor, and Nutrition Graduate Program Director in the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida. She is a Past President of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Cathy is co-author of four books including The Latino Food Lover’s Glossary, Fat is Not Your Fate, Eat to Stay Young and I’d Kill for a Cookie. Dr. Christie is also Editor of theManual of Medical Nutrition Therapy. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Fellow of the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association and Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Christie earned her Ph.D. from Florida State University and served for six years as the Chairman of the Dietetics and Nutrition Council, which regulates the nutrition profession in the state of Florida. Dr. Christie is the recipient of several awards and/or certifications including Florida’s Distinguished Dietitian, Florida Dietetic Association Outstanding Service Award, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award, and the Excellence in Practice Award for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Susan Mitchell, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND, is a nutrition consultant in digital and traditional media and communicates evidence-based health messages thru social media, radio, TV, video, and print. ?She also provides continuing education for health professionals through speaking, webinars and written articles/courses. Along with Dr. Christie, Dr. Mitchell is co-author of three books, Fat is Not Your Fate, I’d Kill for a Cookie, and Eat to Stay Young and is a contributing author to Macmillan Reference USA’s Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Distinguished Florida Dietitian, Dr. Mitchell earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee and taught nutrition and health science at the University of Central Florida for over 8 years. She serves on the University of North Florida’s Department of Nutrition & Dietetics Advisory Committee and the advisory board of Family Circle magazine. Drs. Christie and Mitchell have taught the Preventing Medical Errors in Dietetics Practice 2-hour course for over six years at the annual Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics meeting.

Professional Development Resources is a CPE Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR #PR001). CPE accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of provider programs or materials. Professional Development Resources is also a provider with the Florida Council of Dietetics and Nutrition and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635).

Breaking News: New RDN Credential Now Available for RDs

Registered Dietitian NutritionistJust in time to celebrate Registered Dietitian Day 2013: The Academy’s Board of Directors and the Commission on Dietetic Registration have taken a historic step: Registered dietitians now have the option to use the credential “registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).”

Why did the Academy take this action? In short, because members asked for it. In 2010, the Academy began exploring the option of offering the registered dietitian nutritionist credential. It was supported by participants in the 2011 Future Connections Summit and most recently by the Council on Future Practice in its 2012 Visioning Report. The recommendation was shared and discussed in the House of Delegates at the Fall 2012 meeting. The 2013 joint meeting of the major organizational units (Commission on Dietetic Registration, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Council on Future Practice, Education Committee, and Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors DPG) supported moving forward.

We know that all registered dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The new RDN credential positions and promotes you front and center with consumers, increasing recognition and public understanding of both terms: “dietitian” and “nutritionist.” This action will more accurately reflect who we are and what we do.

A branding program is under way that will strengthen and differentiate a respected brand. The plan will also help educate consumers and other health professionals, building further awareness of your unique capabilities and rigorous credentialing requirements.

Adding “nutritionist” to the registered dietitian credential is consistent with the inclusion of the word nutrition in the Academy’s new name. It also communicates to everyone the broader concept of wellness and prevention that are part of practice for many RDs.

Legal counsel determined that adding the optional RDN credential will not affect state licensure or other regulations. Many state licensure/certification laws already reference the term nutritionist (e.g., LDN or CDN).

To be clear: The RDN credential is offered as an option to RDs who want to convey the nutrition aspect of the credential to the public and to other health practitioners. Use of the RDN credential is optional and totally up to you.

Your CDR 2013-2014 registration identification card will reflect both the RD and RDN credentials. If you choose, you can start using the RDN credential today!

More information about the new credential is available at www.eatright.org/RDN.