Becoming a professional

[Theloose]

I am so fascinated by our food sensitivity journey, that I want to become a professional to help others. I'm trying to figure out the best educational route.

The elements I'm most interested in are:
nutrition (traditional foods perspective)
lactation
endocrinology

Things I'm not so interested in are:
homeopathy
NAET
muscle testing

I want something that's very science-oriented and well respected, but that is still open minded about alternatives. I'm thinking that multiple educational routes are likely the way to go - right now M.S. in Nutrition and IBCLC is in the lead. I'd really like to help people directly, but am open to being a researcher.

I already have a B.S. (engineering), and am in Silicon Valley. Relocation is not an option.

Any ideas?

[changingseasons]

Ooh- I'd love to tag along on your thread if you don't mind. I've also been thinking a lot about this lately. And everyone keeps telling me that I need to be a doctor instead of a lawyer (I'm in law school)... I've spent the past year researching this stuff, and feel like I have an obligation to help others through it too.

I am interested in:
- nutrition (from a healing perspective)
- homeopathy
- (not really interested in being a "doctor"... but if it would help me bring all my knowledge together and understand things better, I might consider ND)

Which I guess means probably a MS in Nutrition and then a separate homeopathy school, but I'm not sure. I'm in Seattle, and also can't (won't) relocate.

I wonder if there are any good online programs for nutrition and/or naturopathy and/or homeopathy- that would be the most convenient for me. Are you looking for online or classroom setting whoMe?

[Chinese Pistache]

Add me! I've been thinking about going back to grad school for Nutrition. From what I understand, you can get a nutrition degree without being a registered dietitian, but I think you need to be an RD to work in certain environments. I definitely think the world needs more nutritionists that understand multiple food allergies and at the rate these allergies are growing, it's going to be a very in demand career. Then again, I don't want to work a 9-5 job ever, so who knows?

[Theloose]

I'm leaning towards an online program, and I like the looks of the one at Huntington, but I'm worried about the lack of regional accreditation.

I'm also near Stanford, so if I could get in, that's an option as well. If I can figure out an appropriate degree.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

Then again, I don't want to work a 9-5 job ever, so who knows?

I think it might be possible to be a Nutritionist without giving in to a 9-5 career schedule. I'm not certain *how* that would work, but I can see it working.

I've been looking into "natural medicine" as a career option for so many years and keep putting it off. I started out considering nutritionist, which then got added to herbalist. Now that I'm learning more about homeopathy, I'm reconsidering the exact "medical science" I want to study.
I once had a dream of opening a natural medicine "research institute", and possibly hospital and co-operative care unit.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by JacquelineR

I think it might be possible to be a Nutritionist without giving in to a 9-5 career schedule. I'm not certain *how* that would work, but I can see it working.

I've been looking into "natural medicine" as a career option for so many years and keep putting it off. I started out considering nutritionist, which then got added to herbalist. Now that I'm learning more about homeopathy, I'm reconsidering the exact "medical science" I want to study.
I once had a dream of opening a natural medicine "research institute", and possibly hospital and co-operative care unit.

Yeah, I keep adding to my interests too. If only I didn't hate Bastyr so much... because they have a program that covers all those things AND they're local for me. But I still would rather have something online so that I can work whenever I have a free minute (read: while DD's sleeping )

[lil_miss_understood]

I seem to remember reading someplace (the I Took My Remedy thread?) that none of the online courses aren't accredited or something. Is that right? (I know, I could just pop back over there and look but I'm being lazy tonight. )

[changingseasons]

Yeah, I remember PB saying something about that, about how some are just degree factories. I think that some are accredited though. I'm too lazy to look too.

[Chinese Pistache]

The acupuncturist I used to see graduated from some school in Hawaii. It might be worth a move

[kjbrown92]

I was thinking about it from a nutritionist perspective as well. Almost like a "coach" or a "living resource". But I don't know how/where you'd advertise it so that you get to the people who need it.

[lil_miss_understood]

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

I was thinking about it from a nutritionist perspective as well. Almost like a "coach" or a "living resource". But I don't know how/where you'd advertise it so that you get to the people who need it.

In Mothering?

[neveryoumindthere]

Ok, I definitely belong here. I've been looking into this for years now.
Specifically looking into nutrition .I talked to my ND about it and she has a friend who is a nutritionist that can't find a job at all.currently, they teach cooking classes together (besides my ND having a thriving priactice) so that was kinda discouraging.

I'd love to go the ND route, it's just soo many years and so much $$ and like the OP, I'm not interested much in acupuncture, homeopathy or reiki. BUT, ND's are respected professionals and are at least taken seriously around here.
I'm more into 'nutritional healing' but not sure how to go about it.

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

Ok, I definitely belong here. I've been looking into this for years now.
Specifically looking into nutrition .I talked to my ND about it and she has a friend who is a nutritionist that can't find a job at all.currently, they teach cooking classes together (besides my ND having a thriving priactice) so that was kinda discouraging.

I'd love to go the ND route, it's just soo many years and so much $$ and like the OP, I'm not interested much in acupuncture, homeopathy or reiki. BUT, ND's are respected professionals and are at least taken seriously around here.
I'm more into 'nutritional healing' but not sure how to go about it.

I'm with you on the nutritional healing thing. That is a bummer about the nutritionist, but I guess it's good to know. Maybe that would make it worth it to do the ND.

[changingseasons]

I was just looking over the Bastyr website at their nutrition programs (as much as I hate them, they're the only local option for me and I was just curious what they had). In the MSN (Master of Science in Nutrition) program, they state:

Graduates are eligible in some states for certification as nutritionists with a limited scope of practice.

Does anyone know what that means? Is there another degree that nutritionists/dieticians get besides a MSN? I'm curious what the 'limited scope of practice' means too... maybe I will give them a call. What else does a person do with a MSN degree other than be a nutritionist?

They also have a MSNCHP (Master of Science in Nutrition and Clinical Health Psychology) which sounds kind of interesting. Says:

A 3-year graduate program leading to credentials to practice as a nutritionist and licensure as a mental health counselor. .... fully integrated mind-body approach to human health.

I'm really trying to weigh my options right now. I know that I have no interest in being a doctor, with all that entails (touching people, looking inside their mouths, ears, etc, etc...) but I know that having the ND gives you a lot more freedom to practice and help people. So I just don't know... I also know that I don't have the energy or time to do a full-time program, especially if it's a classroom setting, so that's something else I have to weigh. As far as I know, you can't do an ND program online.

[kortner]

So, I haven't looked too much into this option because it's not my main interest... I don't think I have quite the brain for it like you do, CS! In any case, I thought there must be something through the WAP foundation re: education, and through the Wise Traditions conference 'sponsorship' links I found this: http://www.hawthornuniversity.org They have several different programs I see, though again, I haven't really checked them out thoroughly because I don't know what to look for! What do you think?

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by kortner

So, I haven't looked too much into this option because it's not my main interest... I don't think I have quite the brain for it like you do, CS! In any case, I thought there must be something through the WAP foundation re: education, and through the Wise Traditions conference 'sponsorship' links I found this: http://www.hawthornuniversity.org They have several different programs I see, though again, I haven't really checked them out thoroughly because I don't know what to look for! What do you think?

Thanks for that link! I'm looking at the website right now- it looks pretty interesting. They even have some free audio learning stuff!

[neveryoumindthere]

the Nutrition Consultant looks good. I read through it, the only thing I hesitate on is the part that says you can't diagnose or treat symptoms etc.
That *is* partly what i want to do. I think what i love most is the putting together the puzzle pieces aspect of it all, ykwim?

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

the Nutrition Consultant looks good. I read through it, the only thing I hesitate on is the part that says you can't diagnose or treat symptoms etc.
That *is* partly what i want to do. I think what i love most is the putting together the puzzle pieces aspect of it all, ykwim?

Just fyi...noone can diagnose but an licensed doctor, just like noone can prescribe but a licensed doctor. You dont' need to "diagnose" anything to help people! You simply have specific language that you need to use. "The symptoms you have are consistent with those of an overgrowth of candida" or, "what you are experiencing sounds very much like hypothyroidism." And then, "biotin has been shown to be extremely effective when used along with probiotics to help relieve the symptoms of candida." Or, "iodine is something that has been found to be quite helpful for those who have symptoms of PMS, fatigue, food allergies and anger which also tend to happen in people with low functioning thyroids."

You have now told them what their symptoms look like and made suggestions for things that can help without either diagnosing or treating. Viola. You just can't ever say, "you have a yeast overgrowth and an underactive thyroid and I am giving you this to treat that."

As a consultant you offer your advice and make suggestions. Quite easy, really. You can put the pieces together as long as you know your boundaries. And if you're going to get technical, even though doctors can diagnose and treat (prescribe) they have a ton of "boundaries" too. HTH!

BTW in any program like that you would be taught all of this. You will generally have an actual class is legal guidelines for unlicensed practitioners.

[neveryoumindthere]

nak

that is how i understood 'diagnose'. I misread it to mean I wouldn't even be able to do that.
thank you for clearing that up.

are you a nut'l consultant or other healthcare practitioner? just curious :

[changingseasons]

PB- Do you have any recommendations for online holistic nutrition programs/schools?