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Support bill S1941/A2933 for licensure of dieticians
(by JODI GODFREY - October 02, 2008)
As a registered dietitian, I learned very early in my career everyone eats, so everyone is an expert on food. However, we all know that eating right is easier said than done, and doing what’s right requires a diligent, ongoing effort.
New Jersey stands among only four states in the country that don’t license registered dietitians (RDs) as food and nutrition specialists. Yet, William Courson strongly opposes licensure for RDs as indicated in a letter appearing in the Sept. 18 issue of The Montclair Times.
A Google search shows William Courson to be an Ayurveda energy healer and herbalist. I suspect his opposition is rather self-serving and a bit defensive. Those who advocate against licensure for RDs tend to do so because they want to preserve their right to freely dispense nutrition advice with the same level of authority as those of us who have been specifically educated, trained and annually recertified to recommend diet therapies to promote health and prevent/manage chronic diseases.
I question the effectiveness of self-trained healers in advancing healthy school meals, and providing medical nutrition therapy, which are some of the skills RDs offer this community.
There are some 80 professions and occupations, including acupuncturists, chiropractors, and cosmetologists that are licensed to practice in New Jersey. Please let your state legislators know that dietitians deserve the same professional recognition that comes with having met rigorous standards of practice not matched by those with different qualifications.
In particular, call state Sen. Nia Gill (973-509-9241) to ask that she support the bill (S1941/A2933) to grant licensure to dietitians, since she has not made up her mind.
| Comments (2) |
On November 14, 2008, An Unidentified Member said:
Suzanne, a recent ammendment to the bill clearly states that masters and PhD's of clinical nutrition will be licensed and able to practice. |
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On October 30, 2008, Suzanne said:
I am in complete support of registered dietitians becoming liscensed, but I am NOT IN support of other individuals not being to give out nutritional advice. I feel this is a violation of freedom of speech. Many people have been trained in alternative methods of nutrition and this includes individuals with PhD's in clinical nutrition, and other advanced professionals that will no longer be able to give out nutritional advice. Individuals from New Jersey should be able to decide where they get their nutritional advice from.
Registered Dieticians, from my understanding, have been taught in scientific application, and does not include the alternative training that others in this profession receive. Registered Dieticians have been in charge of school and hospital menu's and I have not been too impressed. Also, I have personally worked with registered dieticians and have found alternative approaches to have worked better. I am sure individuals have benefitted from registered dieticians services, I just have not had this experience.
Again, I feel registered dieticians should be recognized and liscened for the training they have been through, but this bill also denies the right of others to practice giving nutritional advice and actually makes it illegal. I would suppport this bill IF alternative nutritional professionals could still practice. |
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