Jessica Salgado Nutrition 409 October 7, 2013 Reflection: Rady Childrens Hospital / Rocio Hernandez Rady hospitals is a nationally

acclaimed health system that provides excellent care to our youngest generation. This health system also encourages clinical research and is a strong advocate in child care today. Its also the largest hospitals in California and 6th largest hospitals in the United States that provides exclusive medical care to children of all ages. Rady is not just dedicated to pediatric care but provides learning experiences for future pediatric physicians and provides innovative pediatric clinical research to the world. The large facilities also includes 475 beds and has provided care to approximately 155,600 children in 2012 (1). This pediatric health facility is unique because it has the only trauma center in the region and provides medical care to approximately 82% of children in San Diego, Imperial counties, and southern Riverside area. Its also affiliated with research organizations such as UC San Diego, the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, The Scripps Research Institute, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, and Sanford Health, which together all contribute to renewed clinical research across the globe. It also has numerous dietitians on staff that specialize in different areas such as oncology, neonatal care, GI disorders, diabetes, urology, respiratory disorders, and orthopedics (1). Registered Dietitians that work in pediatrics settings such as Rady Children Hospital play a crucial role in children nutrition and development. They are responsible for constructing and assessing nutrition plans and procedures for infants and children, from neonatal ages up to 21 years of age (2). These type of RDs can work in setting such hospitals, clinics, community

centers and school systems. They may work with a variety of professionals like doctors, nurses, or physician in a hospital or clinic setting and with school officials and government agencies in a school or community settings. Their goal is to construct and put in to action special nutritional plans for children. Some of the responsibilities and duties in the hospital and clinic settings include meeting with children and their parents and develop special programs or suggest diet modifications for children with chronic diseases or weight management program (3). This job also requires proficient communication skills and the ability to work with others as a group. As well as having exceptional listening skills in order to address patients, parents, and family members questions and address their concerns (4). In this type of setting it is common to encounter family members, especially parents that are defensive or over protective about their childrens nutritional status or nutritional needs and/or about other sensitive stressful situations; so knowing how to maintain a composed outlook will help significantly when providing delicate and important instructions and advice to the patients family members about their children (4). Rosio Hernandez has been working at Rady for over 6 years. One of the things that I learned on this field trip is that working in a setting with children can be extremely stressful but also at the same time very enjoyable. She explained that RDs that work in these type of settings have to provide medical care for certain amount of patients per day and sometimes it is not possible due to the fact that youre still working on a pervious patient plan or theres limited resources. One of the barriers you must face is dealing with defensive or stress out parents, she said that you might have to learn how to approach and talk to them so that they are calm and relaxed to make the child experience that much better. Some of the other things she mentioned is that with this career also comes enormous amount of responsibility because you dealing with

other peoples children and as a RD you must make the best decision for that child condition and based on clinical research. She greatly emphasized that you must always be able back up what you are documenting at all times and that doctors and physicians will always ask you questions, so it is crucial to look up all types of information online or in text. I also observed that she really loves her job and is something she is really passionate about. She mentioned that this job is bitter sweet because you are working with younger population and its extremely heart breaking to see them pass way or grow up and not see them again. As a future RD I feel like I might be interested in pediatric nutrition because it seems exciting and refreshing to learn about children nutrition. I feel that in most of my classes we mostly talk about nutrition care in regards to adult and chronic diseases, so I would want to see and experience pediatric cases in regards to nutrition and see how I can improve their health. Children are also more moldable, like Rosio said and would love to work with a population that is motivated to change some of their habits. I also would love work with kids because it gives you room to be creative and be goofy, its always fun to work with children and try to make them feel better. One important thing I learn from this field trip is that RDs have a monumental effect on child development and wellbeing. I believe that this can be the most gratifying part of this career knowing you positively impacted young child life.

References 1. Who we are. Rady hospital website. https://www.rchsd.org/aboutus/whoweare/index.htm. Accessed on October 1, 2013. 2. Pediatric nutritionist. Education Portal website. http://educationportal.com/articles/Pediatric_Nutritionist_Salary_Duties_and_Requirements.html. Accessed on October 2, 2013. 3. Chong MF, Lawson V M. Clinical paediatric dietetics. Br J Nutr.2008; 99(6):1395. 4. Radbone, L. Clinical pediatric dietetics. J Hum Nutr Deit.2008; 21(1):93-104.