Nutrition and Dietetics

Overview

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (BND) program at the University of Newcastle are able to experience a taste of rural dietetic practice by completing aspects of their professional practice education within the UDRH Northern NSW area.

Coursework

The availability of nutrition and dietetic coursework in a flexible delivery mode in 4th year means that students will be able to complete aspects of their final year academic coursework while based in Tamworth. Students based within the UDRH area will be able to access texts, computers and other resources locally.

About the Placement Options

Professional Practice Placements

2nd year community placements
4th year clinical, community and food service placements
4th year elective - Independent Professional Practice placements

A range of practical placement options may be experienced across the following sites:

Tamworth
Armidale
Taree
Moree
Gunnedah

Clinical Placements

Clinical placement opportunities for 4th year nutrition and dietetics students are available at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital (TRRH). The Dietetics Department has a team teaching approach to clinical dietetic placements. The team teaching approach has been developed for the first 5 week clinical placement and it is designed to enhance student learning. Students involved in the team teaching placements will work with a team of two to three students to facilitate and enhance their learning.

Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital offers a wide range of clinical experiences for students. Dietetics staff provide services to individuals and run group programs for cardiac rehabilitation, diabetes and healthy eating. Opportunities exist for students to be involved in specialist dietetic services that are provided, which include renal and diabetes. An outreach dietetic service is also provided to outlying towns on a regular basis.

Community Placements

Many exciting opportunities exist to be involved in community based student projects which may involve working closely with local schools, Indigenous communities, various community groups and other health professionals.

Food Service

In the UDRH area there is a Dietitian working with the Hunter New England Area Health Service in food service management. These placments may involve projects that evaluate food service practices.

Independent Professional Practice (IPP)

This elective is available in the 4th year of the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics program at the University of Newcastle. This course offers students an opportunity to experience an additional 4 week placement in a variety of settings. Local dietitians are invited to offer IPP placements.