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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dieticians or NHS staff opinions on job application please!

38 replies

TheHallouminati · 04/12/2022 18:33

I'd really appreciate any advice from someone who works as or with a dietician in an NHS setting please.

I'm considering applying for an Dietetics apprenticeship at my local NHS trust. After the first year in placement the applicant can enrol in University to undertake a remote learning degree to qualify as a Dietician.

In terms of the applicant requirements I tick all of the boxes:
I have the necessary qualifications and I have work experience in a patient facing NHS role (dispenser in a GP practice dispensary) amongst many other required and desired attributes.

There's a big sticking point however and the AIBU...

I'm morbidly obese with a BMI just over 40. I've lost 15 kg to get to this point and (in my opinion at least) I have a sound knowledge of nutrition and an interest in health (also requirements of the role). I know how to eat well and what a balanced diet looks like but I have struggled to adhere to that in the past. I'm working hard to improve my health and fitness and obviously lose the weight. The start date for the role is Spring next year and by then I'll be even further along with my weight loss and fitness. I'm also 36 and worry my age might be off-putting but obviously I'm more concerned about my weight at this stage!

Thing is, I loved my work in the GP practice: helping patients was what I lived for and I have always wanted to be in a position to make a more meaningful difference to people's quality of life. I really feel like I would be good in this role, given the training and tools.

Is it even worth applying or am I delusional? Will I get laughed out of the building?
AIBU to apply for an apprenticeship in Dietetics as an obese person?

OP posts:
theedgeofalorry · 04/12/2022 18:34

you won’t get laughed out of the building obviously but your patients will probably internally roll their eyes when you give advice

TheLostNights · 04/12/2022 18:36

Why would your age be off-putting?

bellac11 · 04/12/2022 18:36

As someone with a similar BMI I feel a lot more informed and reassured when given nutritional advice for me, when being informed of that information by someone similar to me.

It means that the advisor has a proper understanding of my needs and the struggle to lose weight (although not all dietician stuff is about losing weight).

ScottishBeth · 04/12/2022 18:39

I follow a few dietitians on twitter and they seem to have a very switched on and balanced attitude towards obesity. I think there's a possibility you could be seen as an asset. Why don't you see if you can find some in twitter and have a look at the British dietetics association? If that's what it's called.

underneaththeash · 04/12/2022 18:42

Honestly, I’d wait til you’re less heavy. I’m an optometrist and obesity is a significant contributor to poor eye health - almost every major ocular condition has obesity as a significant risk factor.
many of my patients have already been referred for weight loss therapy or advised by the doctor to lose weight and I’d say one of the biggest excuses is that the gp/dietician was significantly overweight themselves and consequently ‘what do they know’.
In 18 months time you’ll be a more effective clinician if you carry in with the weight loss. (In fact possibly more so than someone who hasn’t lost as much weight)

Original poster
TheHallouminati · 04/12/2022 18:43

TheLostNights · 04/12/2022 18:36

Why would your age be off-putting?

I wonder if they're looking for someone younger with it being an apprenticeship role. Historically they were always aimed at under 25s however I know that's changed somewhat now.

OP posts:
ProseccoOnIce · 04/12/2022 18:43

Weight management is only a small part of dietitian's role.

There's renal, mental health, paediatrics, gastrointestinal, strokes etc etc.

A little bit of empathy & good interpersonal skills go a long way.

Your weight, age, gender etc would be non-issues at the interview stage.

Original poster
TheHallouminati · 04/12/2022 18:46

Yes, that's exactly my worry.
Whether I'd be seen as an authority and in any position to give advice.
It's a shame that the issue is worn so visibly on the outside, when you talk to a psychiatrist you have no idea how well balanced mentally they are 😅

OP posts:
Awkwardusername · 04/12/2022 18:48

How old are you? If you’re 16-30, the Prince’s Trust offer specific NHS application form help in some areas, might be worth looking

1234IDeclareAPeanutWar · 04/12/2022 18:48

theedgeofalorry · 04/12/2022 18:34

you won’t get laughed out of the building obviously but your patients will probably internally roll their eyes when you give advice

You might but I bloody wouldn't.

Just like I didn't eyeroll my male gynaecologist out the window when I had a miscarriage, a cyst and ovarian torsion.

Or my make MW when I started bleeding in the second trimester.

OP, I'm a public health nurse who drinks wine beyond the recommended measures and is slightly overweight yet hands out daily advice on all of the above, and more besides!

If all of us in public facing NHS roles had to adhere to our own advice, there would be zero staff.

ZERO

Cookiedough41 · 04/12/2022 18:49

So weight management is a small part of dietetics. In my role in oncology the vast majority of the time it's about gaining weight ratther than losing and I think for most dietitians that will also be a big part of their role. We are seeing more patients who are malnourished due to cost of living and people can still be malnourished and obese! Apply. Good luck!!

Awkwardusername · 04/12/2022 18:49

Oh sorry I’ve just read the full post! 🤦🏽‍♀️

TheGoogleMum · 04/12/2022 18:50

Some patients I work with see a dietician to help them maintain weight (treatment affects their appetite and can become uncomfortable to eat) so it won't all be about losing weight

Original poster
TheHallouminati · 04/12/2022 18:50

underneaththeash · 04/12/2022 18:42

Honestly, I’d wait til you’re less heavy. I’m an optometrist and obesity is a significant contributor to poor eye health - almost every major ocular condition has obesity as a significant risk factor.
many of my patients have already been referred for weight loss therapy or advised by the doctor to lose weight and I’d say one of the biggest excuses is that the gp/dietician was significantly overweight themselves and consequently ‘what do they know’.
In 18 months time you’ll be a more effective clinician if you carry in with the weight loss. (In fact possibly more so than someone who hasn’t lost as much weight)

I appreciate your honesty and the kindness with which you offered it.
I would hate for my weight to undermine anyone's progress.
These apprenticeship opportunities don't seem to come up very often though, especially in my area. I've been looking a while so whilst I would ideally wait until I'm at a healthy weight I'd hate to miss my shot at it.

OP posts:
LafayetteCwenchinglyMcQuaffen · 04/12/2022 18:55

Go for it OP. The Dietetics I work with look after children with disabilities who are tube fed, nothing to do with being overweight.

As PP have said, if I were seeing a Dietician for weight management support, I would feel a lot more comfortable speaking to someone who has personal experience, than a young skinny person who has never had to worry about their diet!

ThirdTimeIsTheCharm · 04/12/2022 18:56

GO for it. And walk the talk and later, you will be able to use your own experience with your patients and clients. As some point, you having experienced how hard it is to get to a healthy weight in our food environment will be an asset.

In the meantime, passion and drive , will be your main argument for your application. Use your weight to your advantage: after working with patients, you have come face first to the implications of weight for long time health and have decided not only to lose it, but also to make a career out of it.

TerryOrange · 04/12/2022 18:57

Surely even if you go into tube fed children, the basis of dietician work is healthy eating and that how we eat is important. So morbidly obese, while I respect your willingness for our NHS, I think you should lose weight first

Original poster
TheHallouminati · 04/12/2022 18:58

Cookiedough41 · 04/12/2022 18:49

So weight management is a small part of dietetics. In my role in oncology the vast majority of the time it's about gaining weight ratther than losing and I think for most dietitians that will also be a big part of their role. We are seeing more patients who are malnourished due to cost of living and people can still be malnourished and obese! Apply. Good luck!!

Thanks for your insight.
This is what I'm thinking when justifying applying.
I've seen lots of patients with oral cancer or dysphagia through my work in pharmacy and how these conditions affect their overall health. And dispensed many, many scripts for people with deficiencies and malnutrition for so many different reasons. I've gotten hold of drugs in different forms for those who can't take regular tablets. I anticipate that a large volume of the people I'd see would not need advice on weight loss but rather need help getting adequate nutrition during times of ill overall health.

OP posts:
LafayetteCwenchinglyMcQuaffen · 04/12/2022 19:03

TerryOrange · 04/12/2022 18:57

Surely even if you go into tube fed children, the basis of dietician work is healthy eating and that how we eat is important. So morbidly obese, while I respect your willingness for our NHS, I think you should lose weight first

But OP is losing weight.

The opportunity might not be there when she's down to a healthy weight.

ShandaLear · 04/12/2022 19:03

This could work to your advantage in the personal statement section (I’m not an NHS person so I don’t know the application format) but saying that you developed an interest in becoming a dietician through all the reading and research into the relationship between diet and health you did as part of your own ongoing weight loss journey and how this has inspired you to help others.

Stomacharmeleon · 04/12/2022 19:29

I worked with a specialist nurse for nutrition and a dietician because of my crohns, short bowel and dumping syndrome. I now have cancer in the mix.

My nutritional nurse had a gastric band just before covid and I can honestly say I have never treated his advice or help in any other way than it's meant. He has been a good friend to me and tbh his struggles have meant he empathises with me. Although different. His wisdom is well received in whatever shape it comes from :)

You have done well and will continue to do so. Apply and good luck x

IDontWantToBeAPie · 04/12/2022 19:48

Your age is fine. Apply by all means, by the time you qualify you could be down to a healthy weight and have the experience of being overweight to boot. A great mix.

However don't apply if you don't think you can get to a healthy weight. Patients won't listen if you don't practice what you preach.

ProseccoOnIce · 04/12/2022 19:57

Are people seriously suggesting that OP reduces her BMI from 40 to less than 25 before applying for the role?

What absolute nonsense!

Dietitians generally advise a 5-10% weight loss (from starting point).

NHS interviews are scored based on competencies, knowledge, skill's & experience for the role.

Weight, age & anything else will be irrelevant.

underneaththeash · 04/12/2022 20:05

ProseccoOnIce · 04/12/2022 19:57

Are people seriously suggesting that OP reduces her BMI from 40 to less than 25 before applying for the role?

What absolute nonsense!

Dietitians generally advise a 5-10% weight loss (from starting point).

NHS interviews are scored based on competencies, knowledge, skill's & experience for the role.

Weight, age & anything else will be irrelevant.

Yes - for the reasons I’ve already given.

ProseccoOnIce · 04/12/2022 20:12

@underneaththeash - I'm a clinician & NHS recruiter - what you are saying is absolutely not true.

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