Are Nutrition Courses worth doing

francomcdaddy

A few questions.

Thinking of doing a nutrition course. I want to do a decent one with credentials, not some quick online course.

Has anyone tried or is a former student with these guys
http://www.instituteofhealthsciences.com/courses/

They seem to do a diploma course and certificate course, anyone been through it. Is it tough going or easy in relation to assignments and projects.

Secondly anyone who did a nutrition course and set up as a nutritional therapist. How are you finding it, is there enough work outthere for a one person consultancy.

I just want to get an idea if this is a right move for me.

Translation

I've also been looking into this course recently. They have an open day on the 7th July where you can visit the college and get some more information about the courses. I'm going to go.

Would also be great to hear if anyone else here has studied with them.

I'm actually stuck between a few different courses now. I am really interested in the nutrition and diet part of things but also very interested in some of the natural therapies out there too. I thought this course might allow for some education on all parts.

What do you guys think?

francomcdaddy

I'll probably go also! It's a hard one to decide on the IHS looks to have the best website for information and what I'm looking for. I just want someone to say I've done it and it well worth it to push me over the finish line.

I've looked at the other 2 main providers but me senses are telling me these guys have the best course. I might go for the certificate first rather than the diploma.

I posted few comments on a few other forums just looking for an independant testimonal from former students.

By the way some great articles and recipes on the blog there. Well worth a read if you have time.

danlen

From what I've heard there are people who have qualified from universities after completing 4 year undergrad degrees in nutrition who are finding it hard to get work!

Seems to indicate the job prospects are pretty bleak in Ireland at the moment. (not to say that it cannot be done!)

Transform

danlen wrote: »

From what I've heard there are people who have qualified from universities after completing 4 year undergrad degrees in nutrition who are finding it hard to get work!

Seems to indicate the job prospects are pretty bleak in Ireland at the moment. (not to say that it cannot be done!)

agreed - similar to all those courses pumping out 'qualified' fitness instructors, personal trainers and life coaches.

Might be good to look at the possibility of a job after the course and how much you would be paid for it before you hand over a big wedge of cash

Sweded

Yes.. These courses can definitely help you getting a better nutrition for your body. They not compulsory as you can get proper nutrition if you have a balanced diet.

RacoonQueen

I studied that ITEC diploma in diet and nutrition for complementary therapists as part of a sport therapy course. Didn't go to half my classes, didn't study, blagged the exam on what I knew anyway and made up my case studies.

Got a distinction.

It is unlikely that you will get a job anywhere with this qualifiction alone (maybe with Tony Quinn or such like). I would imagine that your employment opportunites are next to nothing unless you become self employed or work in a clinic where you are effectively self employed. You need a four year degree, at least, to get a job in hospitals or clinics.

Apply yourself, study, work hard and make more of it that what is needed to pass and you can combine it with other qualifications eg personal training to become a good personal trainer. Granted, this course might have a lot more scope to it but the ITEC diploma doesn't take much effort to do well in.

We were told in college that we couldn't actually work as nutritionists from this diploma, do the genearl public know the difference between a dietician, nutritionist and nutritional therapist? Seems with the NTOI website that people are working as nutritional therapists from it? Surprised that people can get insured to give what is essentially medical advice for some clients off a part time diploma.

Gorod

Hi,

I have been thinking about doing this course and wondered if anyone went ahead with it and if so, had any feedback, positive or negative?

Thanks

nearlythereacca

I am finishing up the certificate course and now transferring onto the diploma, I love the course. They have an open day this weekend I think. PM me if you want any more info.

Gorod

Thanks for that nearlythereacca , yeah I'm going to the open day on Saturday, I'm really looking forward to it! I've been talking about doing it for long enough now!

stauntj

i did a nutrition course with one of the competitors. there are no jobs out there especially for nutritional therapists, usually only ones that are created. If you go into this, know that you are either doing it for your health and the health of your family or you are a self starter, able to set yourself up, self promote ,advertise, that kind of thing and see people on a one to one basis. It would ideally be a premises with low overheads and you would specialise in something that would give people reason to knock on your door. Alternatively you could probably use the qualification to get in to a health shop or perhaps supplement company but neither would pay particularly well.

If you want to do a course in nutrition, I recommend you find out the following:

1)Who lectures for them regularly and can you sit in a class to check them out. I did this, only to find out their star lecturer was to quitting at the end of the year and was replaced by someone with poor lecturing skills. Worry less about lecturers with degrees coming out the yin yang and more about lecturers who are capable of 'teaching' and helping you understand nutrition and connect the dots in a complicated emerging science.

2) What do you want to obtain from the course? If its clinical skills, look for a course with sufficient clinical hours.

3) Is there any cooking involved or cooking tips? Something I found lacking in my course was incorporating the information into everyday cooking. For instance, I think most people know they should eat more fish, particularly the oily fish, but if its not enjoyable to eat or they don't know how to cook it properly then its not sustainable, so any college that incorporates cooking into the class would be a major plus in my opinion.

Hope this helps any future viewers.