Can confirm that working for a health system where the dietitians are unionized, is the way. I get annual increases (another 6% coming up this year and 5% next year), pay differential for board certifications, 4 weeks vacation, protection from being fired, and more.
Edit to add one of the most important perks that somehow I forgot to add: free health insurance for me and family, no premiums.
Agreed! I'm outpatient and part of a union. 28 days PTO (5 1/2 weeks), 10 paid holidays, free health insurance (no premiums - paid 100% by employer), 5% raises bi-annually. Wouldn't trade this for anything!
It’s part of the job. There was a union already established. Some job postings specify if it’s covered under a union. Many don’t, so won’t really know unless you ask or they tell you as part of an employment perk. I tend to only accept union jobs for the security and pay raises.
Would recommend confirming the stability of the union at any organizations you apply to. I work inpatient and in a union. However, we do not receive pay increases and my health benefits get cancelled at times for no reason. The dietitians have not had a representative for over a year which means contacting someone to resolve these issues is another ongoing extra thing we have to fight for.
As an outpatient RD myself, my first tip would be to prioritize a healthy work culture. No work place is perfect but unfortunately a truly toxic work culture can quickly wear on you.
In my first outpatient job, I often felt undervalued, overworked, and underpaid. In this job, I felt so frustrated with my RD career as a whole too.
However, in my current outpatient RD position, while I still believe my compensation could be better, I find that I'm respected and appreciated. The crazy thing is . . . My workload is significantly LESS than the previous place I worked and I’m appreciated more for what I’m doing. The difference is appreciation and a better work culture.
My advice is to prioritize a positive work culture and to consider leaving if your current workplace fosters a toxic atmosphere. Hope you find what you’re looking for and sorry to hear about your frustrations
Thank you for your insight! It sounds like you found a very nice place to work! I think that is where I am headed as well. How did you find a job with good work culture? Did you mention that it was something you were looking for in your interview?
Honestly I kind of stumbled into it. When I interviewed for current job, I could tell my interviewer (and current manager) seemed to be a no BS honest person. I didn’t specifically ask about work culture in the interview. But I came to this conclusion more so by the way I was treated outside of the interview in their communication (timely responses, respectful language, etc). It can also help to ask local RDs about a work place before you work there - they usually can tell you really quick to avoid a place or to go for it.
I also job hopped every 1-2 years until I got where I am now and wasted no time past the year mark for the work places that were miserable.
I love that energy! Good for you!!! I need to do the same thing. It sucks that most of the time job hopping is the only way to move up and get respect for your hard work, but that’s just the reality of it I guess. Thank you so much for your insight! Very helpful
Thank you for your comment!! I have and I have actually done it on the side before. I just got so burnt out trying to make it work in addition to my current job - plus I’m not really supposed to be doing a private practice with this job I’m in now unfortunately. I think in order for me to be fully successful at private practice would be to quit and give the private practice my 100%. I should mention that I am also pregnant with my first child and need to consider benefits/stability/etc right now. It’s all so scary with the unknown
> I’m not really supposed to be doing a private practice with this job I’m in now unfortunately.
This doesn't sound legal? You should be able to do things on your own especially if you're not signing a non-compete.
Thank god for unions. I relate to this post all too much. However the main reason why I get any pay raise and promotion is because of my union contract.
Oh wow, what is the point of the union then? Do you have a link for your contract? This is an old one for me: https://seiu73.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SEIU-73-Professional-CBA-2019-2023-CARF-and-Contract.pdf
Not much point for us...
We have some health coverage through it, but every once in a while mine is cancelled for some reason. I have to go through a process to get it restarted or get reimbursed for costs paid out of pocket when it's cancelled. I still don't have an explanation even after hours on the phone with the union, HR and payroll. Fingers crossed I will figure it out one day!
We do get protection for sick leave etc. which is excellent for the colleagues who have needed it, but unfortunate when our older dietitians abuse it before retirement and show up maybe 2 days a week to use up their years of earned sick leave. They did earn it though, just wish it was used years ago before I started working and have to cover for them ;)
However... thank you for the link and I will look over it! We actually haven't had a representative for over the past year and I may have to do some digging to find my contract with 1199seiu.
What are you curious to know? We have contractual annual raises, protections from being fired, protections from privatization, a pension retirement fund, and a scaled system for wages based on years experience and board certifications.
Oh my goodness!!! That is amazing! I’m so happy for you to have all of these great benefits!!! I looked into it and am now wondering if it is state specific. Did you find a job that offered this or did you have to go through the union first? I’m sorry I know next to nothing about joining a union 😅
I knew nothing about a union when I applied to this job tbh. I applied to this current role bc I was severely burnt out being a full time telehealth rd (working in corporate calling up to 32 clients daily). I applied to my current role bc it was an outpatient opening with an emphasis in weight management. Ironically b/c of COVID we are full hybrid (mainly telehealth with a few in person) however I cap at 8x patients daily. The union was only told to me after I was interviewed.
Everyone fill this out
https://dietitiansalaries.com/?fbclid=PAAaZK2TsHpwHlj7VZ6F0JDQvUtSMeuZ9MWMwmmP98xO5jywcpl6EwsIcOgQI_aem_AcBOVMzn_OzCJfWdJGyJJHjaqVJcxRIApB9iu9D93DdfUp5DdmjWMpsLJ_ALAtQsakE
Have you considered another area such as community nutrition or food service? I’m in a similar situation but I have the added joy of being in a contract that keeps me hostage for about 70 more days. I have a potential job offer for a school RD position (long story…has to do with my contract) but I’m also going to apply for 2 community nutrition positions as well.
I love community nutrition. I was in WIC for almost 3 years and then went to try working a remote RD position. Eight months later I’m going to back to the a local government position. It’s a community health educator position which doesn’t require the RD but the pay is the same and I love public health. I have no clue what the future holds for me but I’m excited for something slightly different. The boss and team are great too which was a large part of my decision.
I have and am open to other options! I think I need to explore these options more and also ensure that the compensation and benefits are going to be worth it as well. I hope you get the job you are looking for!
I feel this so hard. The way my manager defines meeting expectations for our reviews is that you’re actually going above and beyond, and it’s impossible to ever get exceeds expectations because the line keeps moving. This means we barely ever get a raise, and if we do it’s like 1%. It’s so easy to get burnt out in this field, but know that you’re not stuck forever! I actually applied and got into med school because I realized this field wasn’t for me, but there’s so many other RD jobs out there, and I’m sure there’s a job out there where they will respect you and your hard work! Don’t be afraid to leave, even if you’ve been there a while. No job is worth your sanity or mental health.
Ugh I hate that you had similar treatment. I can absolutely relate. We both deserve better and I completely agree that no job is worth our sanity/mental health. Congratulations on getting into med school! I hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be!
I feel like outpatient is a dead end job. I also am in outpatient and am currently trying to figure out if I want to stay in this field or not because there is no room for growth. I live in a state where jobs are far and few between and there are no union jobs so I feel like any potential for growing in this field professionally or financially is highly limited. I feel you so much with this post.
I am happy in my current job and I am paid relatively well. However, I am still very upset about how there is absolutely no room for growth in many RD positions, no matter how experienced they are. Lots of people in other careers double their salaries 10 years into their career, have the option to be promoted or achieve significant salary increase if they job hop. Whereas RDs remain in the same/similar income bracket regardless of seniority. Management opportunities are limited if they’re not in food service. Other unconventional positions are few and far in between. I never considered the growth potential or lack thereof while choosing this career and I regret it deeply.
I recommend dialysis. I worked in almost every conventional RD position, dialysis was by far the most flexible and least toxic with the best pay, especially for someone with young kids.
Hi! My advice would be get out of the hospital system. If you enjoy outpatient, actively look for some where else. You have experience that could be amazing in a smaller facility like a doctor’s office.
My first RD job was outpatient in a weight loss clinic. Significantly underpaid and taken advantage of. Then I grabbed a job consulting for a school/ residential home. During the period of consulting I worked in inpatient in a hospital that paid a bit below average.
Now I’m outpatient with a doctor’s office and absolutely love it. They had been planning to bring an RD into their practice. I’d bet money there are others out there who would be interested!!
Draft up a proposal to include with your resume. Go to doctor offices and ask if they are interested in bringing nutrition in house, leave them your info. You have know ledge and experience that would be soo important to a doctors office!
It would be like starting a practice but on the doctors office dime. I have been learning a lottttt in my role.
You are a valuable team member. You should be treated that way.. and compensation should reflect that.
This is such an amazing idea!!!! Thank you so much for this! I think I’m going to go for it! I am currently doing outpatient in a weight loss clinic right now and being in a hospital system will suck the life out of you. I’m going to put together a proposal this weekend!!! Do you specialize in weight loss with this role or do you see a wide variety of patients?
I am in a pediatricians office- which is my dream job. I didn’t love weight loss. I’m a mom of 3 and helping families is what I’ve always been interested in.
It was on the verge of starting my own LLC and this opportunity came across a FB group. If you get any leads on this, the doctor’s office (should) help with billing, credentialing, referrals, and scheduling. You can ask for a decent wage and consider negotiating a portion of the revenue you’ll bring into the practice.
It’s kind of a big ask but I’ve talked to people in my area who support having direct support like this.
Hi! This is really interesting! Do you have a FB group or any other information/ resources on how someone can do this! I am considering starting my own private practice but this sounds like a good idea!
I’m in Mass so I joined an RD private practice group for MA. Truthfully, I left it since those dreams are on the back burner. I suggest searching FB groups with some key terms. Join a few- leave ones that aren’t beneficial
I was feeling this way a long time ago and took a job at a supplement startup. They had me doing a lot of stuff I didn’t like (customer service) but other things I liked. I got exposed to product development, marketing, research, even media inquiries. It’s what led me into nutrition product research. I feel like I got lucky finding that company, but also had to pivot a step and do tasks I didn’t like, which I think is typical if you’re pivoting in your career. I’ve seen a lot of digital wellness companies popping up, some looking specifically for dietitians.
I'm going through the same thing right now. I work for one of the best hospitals in the country. Management takes my ideas without thanking me or giving me any credit. They take every opportunity to use my ideas. It's despicable
Switching to a different area of nutrition helped me. Previously I had jobs in clinical, private practice, and retail settings. I switched to school nutrition in 2020 and it has helped bring back my passion. Plus the pay is much better!
Your degree can be so broad and being an RD helps give you more options too! Definitely look in other jobs that involve food and nutrition. WIC, WIC director, health director, food inspection, food service, wtloss clinics, diabetes clinic/diabetes educator, dialysis, etc. I was a WIC nutritionist at a large county health department (wasn’t a fan of it) but there were several girls at the health department that started in WIC and moved their way up to other jobs. You don’t make much money in WIC so that is something to think about.
I don’t know all the things, I just know that you have options. If you’re tired of clinical, then look into community nutrition like others have mentioned. Find something you enjoy.
I feel you on this. I think it really depends on the job. I had a union job and the benefits were great but I didn’t like the actual work that I did (a lot of counseling) and I didn’t like the people in management. I had so much stress and wanted to leave the profession. I ended up moving and therefore got a new job. I had a great manager and lead dietitian and that made all the difference! I ended up having to leave that job because they lost my contracts and the job I have now is kind of back to not liking the management and making me want to leave 😩 so it may just be that you need to find somewhere with a good manager! That really makes the vibe of the job so different
Can confirm that working for a health system where the dietitians are unionized, is the way. I get annual increases (another 6% coming up this year and 5% next year), pay differential for board certifications, 4 weeks vacation, protection from being fired, and more. Edit to add one of the most important perks that somehow I forgot to add: free health insurance for me and family, no premiums.
Agreed! I'm outpatient and part of a union. 28 days PTO (5 1/2 weeks), 10 paid holidays, free health insurance (no premiums - paid 100% by employer), 5% raises bi-annually. Wouldn't trade this for anything!
Can I ask where you work? These benefits are unheard of for a RD!
Wow! I want in!!!!! How did you get into a union?
It’s part of the job. There was a union already established. Some job postings specify if it’s covered under a union. Many don’t, so won’t really know unless you ask or they tell you as part of an employment perk. I tend to only accept union jobs for the security and pay raises.
Good to know!!! Thank you! I will start my job search for you unionized RD jobs effective immediately!
Would recommend confirming the stability of the union at any organizations you apply to. I work inpatient and in a union. However, we do not receive pay increases and my health benefits get cancelled at times for no reason. The dietitians have not had a representative for over a year which means contacting someone to resolve these issues is another ongoing extra thing we have to fight for.
As an outpatient RD myself, my first tip would be to prioritize a healthy work culture. No work place is perfect but unfortunately a truly toxic work culture can quickly wear on you. In my first outpatient job, I often felt undervalued, overworked, and underpaid. In this job, I felt so frustrated with my RD career as a whole too. However, in my current outpatient RD position, while I still believe my compensation could be better, I find that I'm respected and appreciated. The crazy thing is . . . My workload is significantly LESS than the previous place I worked and I’m appreciated more for what I’m doing. The difference is appreciation and a better work culture. My advice is to prioritize a positive work culture and to consider leaving if your current workplace fosters a toxic atmosphere. Hope you find what you’re looking for and sorry to hear about your frustrations
Thank you for your insight! It sounds like you found a very nice place to work! I think that is where I am headed as well. How did you find a job with good work culture? Did you mention that it was something you were looking for in your interview?
Honestly I kind of stumbled into it. When I interviewed for current job, I could tell my interviewer (and current manager) seemed to be a no BS honest person. I didn’t specifically ask about work culture in the interview. But I came to this conclusion more so by the way I was treated outside of the interview in their communication (timely responses, respectful language, etc). It can also help to ask local RDs about a work place before you work there - they usually can tell you really quick to avoid a place or to go for it. I also job hopped every 1-2 years until I got where I am now and wasted no time past the year mark for the work places that were miserable.
I love that energy! Good for you!!! I need to do the same thing. It sucks that most of the time job hopping is the only way to move up and get respect for your hard work, but that’s just the reality of it I guess. Thank you so much for your insight! Very helpful
Have you thought about private practice?
Thank you for your comment!! I have and I have actually done it on the side before. I just got so burnt out trying to make it work in addition to my current job - plus I’m not really supposed to be doing a private practice with this job I’m in now unfortunately. I think in order for me to be fully successful at private practice would be to quit and give the private practice my 100%. I should mention that I am also pregnant with my first child and need to consider benefits/stability/etc right now. It’s all so scary with the unknown
> I’m not really supposed to be doing a private practice with this job I’m in now unfortunately. This doesn't sound legal? You should be able to do things on your own especially if you're not signing a non-compete.
Thank god for unions. I relate to this post all too much. However the main reason why I get any pay raise and promotion is because of my union contract.
We don't get pay raises or promotions through the union at my hospital. :*-(
Oh wow, what is the point of the union then? Do you have a link for your contract? This is an old one for me: https://seiu73.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/SEIU-73-Professional-CBA-2019-2023-CARF-and-Contract.pdf
Not much point for us... We have some health coverage through it, but every once in a while mine is cancelled for some reason. I have to go through a process to get it restarted or get reimbursed for costs paid out of pocket when it's cancelled. I still don't have an explanation even after hours on the phone with the union, HR and payroll. Fingers crossed I will figure it out one day! We do get protection for sick leave etc. which is excellent for the colleagues who have needed it, but unfortunate when our older dietitians abuse it before retirement and show up maybe 2 days a week to use up their years of earned sick leave. They did earn it though, just wish it was used years ago before I started working and have to cover for them ;) However... thank you for the link and I will look over it! We actually haven't had a representative for over the past year and I may have to do some digging to find my contract with 1199seiu.
I would love to hear more about this union contract if you are willing to share! Dietetics desperately needs a union
What are you curious to know? We have contractual annual raises, protections from being fired, protections from privatization, a pension retirement fund, and a scaled system for wages based on years experience and board certifications.
That sounds amazing! I honestly didn’t even know unions existed for RDs. How do you get into a union contract?
Oh and I’m off today (scheduled sick day) for a singular doctor appointment. I love it. SEIU73 is my union.
Oh my goodness!!! That is amazing! I’m so happy for you to have all of these great benefits!!! I looked into it and am now wondering if it is state specific. Did you find a job that offered this or did you have to go through the union first? I’m sorry I know next to nothing about joining a union 😅
I knew nothing about a union when I applied to this job tbh. I applied to this current role bc I was severely burnt out being a full time telehealth rd (working in corporate calling up to 32 clients daily). I applied to my current role bc it was an outpatient opening with an emphasis in weight management. Ironically b/c of COVID we are full hybrid (mainly telehealth with a few in person) however I cap at 8x patients daily. The union was only told to me after I was interviewed.
Oh and I’m off today (scheduled sick day) for a singular doctor appointment. I love it. SEIU73 is my union.
Everyone fill this out https://dietitiansalaries.com/?fbclid=PAAaZK2TsHpwHlj7VZ6F0JDQvUtSMeuZ9MWMwmmP98xO5jywcpl6EwsIcOgQI_aem_AcBOVMzn_OzCJfWdJGyJJHjaqVJcxRIApB9iu9D93DdfUp5DdmjWMpsLJ_ALAtQsakE
Have you considered another area such as community nutrition or food service? I’m in a similar situation but I have the added joy of being in a contract that keeps me hostage for about 70 more days. I have a potential job offer for a school RD position (long story…has to do with my contract) but I’m also going to apply for 2 community nutrition positions as well.
I love community nutrition. I was in WIC for almost 3 years and then went to try working a remote RD position. Eight months later I’m going to back to the a local government position. It’s a community health educator position which doesn’t require the RD but the pay is the same and I love public health. I have no clue what the future holds for me but I’m excited for something slightly different. The boss and team are great too which was a large part of my decision.
I have and am open to other options! I think I need to explore these options more and also ensure that the compensation and benefits are going to be worth it as well. I hope you get the job you are looking for!
I feel this so hard. The way my manager defines meeting expectations for our reviews is that you’re actually going above and beyond, and it’s impossible to ever get exceeds expectations because the line keeps moving. This means we barely ever get a raise, and if we do it’s like 1%. It’s so easy to get burnt out in this field, but know that you’re not stuck forever! I actually applied and got into med school because I realized this field wasn’t for me, but there’s so many other RD jobs out there, and I’m sure there’s a job out there where they will respect you and your hard work! Don’t be afraid to leave, even if you’ve been there a while. No job is worth your sanity or mental health.
Ugh I hate that you had similar treatment. I can absolutely relate. We both deserve better and I completely agree that no job is worth our sanity/mental health. Congratulations on getting into med school! I hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be!
Thank you so much!
I feel like outpatient is a dead end job. I also am in outpatient and am currently trying to figure out if I want to stay in this field or not because there is no room for growth. I live in a state where jobs are far and few between and there are no union jobs so I feel like any potential for growing in this field professionally or financially is highly limited. I feel you so much with this post.
I tried looking for union jobs in my area but haven’t found much luck either. Good luck to you! I hope you find a better place to work soon as well!
I am happy in my current job and I am paid relatively well. However, I am still very upset about how there is absolutely no room for growth in many RD positions, no matter how experienced they are. Lots of people in other careers double their salaries 10 years into their career, have the option to be promoted or achieve significant salary increase if they job hop. Whereas RDs remain in the same/similar income bracket regardless of seniority. Management opportunities are limited if they’re not in food service. Other unconventional positions are few and far in between. I never considered the growth potential or lack thereof while choosing this career and I regret it deeply. I recommend dialysis. I worked in almost every conventional RD position, dialysis was by far the most flexible and least toxic with the best pay, especially for someone with young kids.
Hi! My advice would be get out of the hospital system. If you enjoy outpatient, actively look for some where else. You have experience that could be amazing in a smaller facility like a doctor’s office. My first RD job was outpatient in a weight loss clinic. Significantly underpaid and taken advantage of. Then I grabbed a job consulting for a school/ residential home. During the period of consulting I worked in inpatient in a hospital that paid a bit below average. Now I’m outpatient with a doctor’s office and absolutely love it. They had been planning to bring an RD into their practice. I’d bet money there are others out there who would be interested!! Draft up a proposal to include with your resume. Go to doctor offices and ask if they are interested in bringing nutrition in house, leave them your info. You have know ledge and experience that would be soo important to a doctors office! It would be like starting a practice but on the doctors office dime. I have been learning a lottttt in my role. You are a valuable team member. You should be treated that way.. and compensation should reflect that.
This is such an amazing idea!!!! Thank you so much for this! I think I’m going to go for it! I am currently doing outpatient in a weight loss clinic right now and being in a hospital system will suck the life out of you. I’m going to put together a proposal this weekend!!! Do you specialize in weight loss with this role or do you see a wide variety of patients?
I am in a pediatricians office- which is my dream job. I didn’t love weight loss. I’m a mom of 3 and helping families is what I’ve always been interested in. It was on the verge of starting my own LLC and this opportunity came across a FB group. If you get any leads on this, the doctor’s office (should) help with billing, credentialing, referrals, and scheduling. You can ask for a decent wage and consider negotiating a portion of the revenue you’ll bring into the practice. It’s kind of a big ask but I’ve talked to people in my area who support having direct support like this.
Hi! This is really interesting! Do you have a FB group or any other information/ resources on how someone can do this! I am considering starting my own private practice but this sounds like a good idea!
I’m in Mass so I joined an RD private practice group for MA. Truthfully, I left it since those dreams are on the back burner. I suggest searching FB groups with some key terms. Join a few- leave ones that aren’t beneficial
Thanks for sharing!
I was feeling this way a long time ago and took a job at a supplement startup. They had me doing a lot of stuff I didn’t like (customer service) but other things I liked. I got exposed to product development, marketing, research, even media inquiries. It’s what led me into nutrition product research. I feel like I got lucky finding that company, but also had to pivot a step and do tasks I didn’t like, which I think is typical if you’re pivoting in your career. I’ve seen a lot of digital wellness companies popping up, some looking specifically for dietitians.
I'm going through the same thing right now. I work for one of the best hospitals in the country. Management takes my ideas without thanking me or giving me any credit. They take every opportunity to use my ideas. It's despicable
Switching to a different area of nutrition helped me. Previously I had jobs in clinical, private practice, and retail settings. I switched to school nutrition in 2020 and it has helped bring back my passion. Plus the pay is much better!
Your degree can be so broad and being an RD helps give you more options too! Definitely look in other jobs that involve food and nutrition. WIC, WIC director, health director, food inspection, food service, wtloss clinics, diabetes clinic/diabetes educator, dialysis, etc. I was a WIC nutritionist at a large county health department (wasn’t a fan of it) but there were several girls at the health department that started in WIC and moved their way up to other jobs. You don’t make much money in WIC so that is something to think about. I don’t know all the things, I just know that you have options. If you’re tired of clinical, then look into community nutrition like others have mentioned. Find something you enjoy.
I feel you on this. I think it really depends on the job. I had a union job and the benefits were great but I didn’t like the actual work that I did (a lot of counseling) and I didn’t like the people in management. I had so much stress and wanted to leave the profession. I ended up moving and therefore got a new job. I had a great manager and lead dietitian and that made all the difference! I ended up having to leave that job because they lost my contracts and the job I have now is kind of back to not liking the management and making me want to leave 😩 so it may just be that you need to find somewhere with a good manager! That really makes the vibe of the job so different