Rebecca Heys, Student Dietitian, University of Chester

I chose to become a dietitian because I love food and I love science. Nutrition and food science has always interested me and been an area that I have wanted to gain knowledge on. There is so much curiosity for me about how food can do so much to our bodies and how it helps us to function. Dietetics is a great place to not only help patients but also continuing learn and progress on your professional development.

I am currently on placement in the acute, community and paediatric settings at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. I have seen and assessed so many patients with all kinds of nutritional needs and conditions. My role involves assessing the patient’s nutritional status and how we can put a care plan into place to improve this with a dietitian. 

The picture you can see me in here was taken when I had an opportunity to be involved in the allergy testing clinic.

The best thing about being a dietitian is seeing your patients improving and thriving because of the care we provided. Seeing a patient get better and no longer need our input is bitter-sweet but means that our care has helped them. Dietitians are supportive, they are caring and they want what is best for everyone.

Ella, Student Dietitian, University of Chester

My name is Ella and I’m a student dietitian currently on placement at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I’m in my second year at the University of Chester studying BSc Nutrition and Dietetics.

I’ve always been a keen 'foodie' and passionate about leading a healthy and active lifestyle from a young age but never really knew how I could put this passion into practice. The word ‘dietitian’ didn’t enter my life until around the age of 14, when I was introduced to the profession during a nutrition lesson at high school. I was in awe of how important their role was and continues to have in all aspects of healthcare. From then on, I knew that being a dietitian was the only job for me.

During my time at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, I have had the opportunity to work with an excellent team of dietitians in all types of specialist areas such as critical care, stroke, cardiology, gastroenterology, haematology and paediatrics - just to name a few! I already feel like a valued member of the team and I have learnt so much. This has improved not only my knowledge and understanding of dietetic practice, but my self-confidence too.

I think the best outcome about learning to become a dietitian is that you have the advantage of seeing how different dietitians work using various methods and techniques in multiple settings. This provides an environment to experience different areas of interest and select your favourite behaviours from each dietitian to implement in your own practice.

Shaun, Student Dietitian, University of Chester

I’m a student dietitian at the University of Chester currently undertaking my final placement at Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.

After witnessing health inequalities and misinformation for years, I wanted to help people to live a happy and healthy life for as long as possible. I also wanted to be able to interact with people on a daily basis because they make every day unique.

I speak with service users on wards or in clinics to undertake dietetic assessments so we can work together to establish tailored care plans. As a student, I also shadow other professionals frequently to gain more experience of the care process and how to improve my own practice.

Why should you become a dietitian? To make a difference to people in need and to have a truly special and rewarding career.