Instructor in a lab coat presents a model to a group of medical staff seated around a conference table.

Strengthening Clinical Nutrition Teams Amid an RDN Shortfall


Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are critical to healthcare, providing medical nutrition therapy and improving outcomes across clinical and community settings. But a growing shortage is emerging as program enrollment declines while demand rises.

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The Workforce Crunch

The U.S. is projected to need more RDNs, yet new graduates entering the field have dropped by 32% in recent years. This has led to a staggering 44% workforce gap, creating difficulties in recruitment, longer hiring times, and increased reliance on temporary staffing. Rural areas and competitive job markets face the biggest hurdles, while burnout and work-life balance issues impact retention.ext

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Innovative Solutions from Sodexo 

To combat these challenges, Sodexo began to rethink nutrition care delivery by leveraging the full potential of all nutrition and dietetics professionals. Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) and Certified Dietary Managers (CDMs) have the credentials to support RDNs with patient screening, nutrition education, therapeutic diet provision, staff training and monitoring, and performance improvement.
  • Two figures representing a doctor and patient with medical symbols above them.

    Expanded roles for NDTRs and CDMs

    Redefining job descriptions to include more clinical responsibilities, patient education, and quality improvement work.

  • Two medical professionals discussing nutrition with a carrot on a tray.

    Team-based care models

    As part of Sodexo’s Clinicia™ offer, clinical teams work collaboratively, allowing RDNs to focus on complex cases while NDTRs/CDMs handle foundational nutrition care. 

  • Mountain path leading to a peak with a flag inside a circular emblem.

    Career development

    Creating clear pathways for NDTRs and CDMs to advance toward RDN credentials, supported by academic partnerships and training programs.

Real-world Impact  

Sodexo teams at a large health system in Pennsylvania recently had the opportunity to put these strategies into action, showcasing the vital role of NDTRs across both acute and ambulatory care settings.

  • Outpatient Weight Management: When the Lifestyle Coordinator position was filled by an RDN, turnover was high due to underutilization of advanced clinical skills. Assigning the role to an NDTR (under the supervision of an RDN) resulted in improved job satisfaction, reduced turnover, and allowed RDNs to engage more deeply with complex patients.
  • Rural Hospital Care: An NDTR filled a long-standing clinical vacancy, completing initial nutrition screenings and patient education (under the supervision of an RDN). This resulted in increased patient assessments by the RDNs and more focused time to manage the nutrition care of higher acuity patients effectively.

Bottom Line 

By empowering NDTRs and CDMs to practice at the top of their skills, Sodexo’s innovative staffing model strengthens nutrition care and helps overcome industry-wide workforce shortages. This collaborative approach ensures RDNs focus on advanced clinical care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.  

Build a Stronger Nutrition Team Now

RDN shortages are putting nutrition care, patient outcomes, and staff wellbeing at risk. Our team-based model helps you expand NDTR and CDM support, refocus RDNs on high-acuity care, and improve retention and efficiency. Contact us to explore what this approach could look like in your organization.

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References  

  1. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Dietitians and Nutritionists. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Modified August 28, 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
  2. Program Enrollment Trends 2000-2024. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/files/eatrightpro/acend/about-acend/acend-data/program-enrollment-trends
  3. Supply and Demand for Dietetic Internships since 1998 (Includes Preselects). Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 16, 2025 https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/files/eatrightpro/acend/about-acend/acend-data/supply-and-demand-for-internships-chart
  4. Revised 2024 Scope and Standards of Practice for the Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered. Commission on Dietetic Registration Scope and Standards of Practice Task Force. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.cdrnet.org/scope
  5. CDM/CFPP. Certified Dietary Manager/Certified Food Protection Professional. Scope of Practice. Certifying Board for Dietary Managers (CBDM). Published June 2025. Accessed September 16, 2025. https://www.cbdmonline.org/docs/default-source/legacy-docs/docs/scope-of-practice-15.pdf