The ultimate resource list for Nutrition grads: CPD
Hello to you, nutrition student, new graduate, or interested party. Welcome to the ultimate list of Nutrition graduate resources. When I came out of university there was a distinctive lack of resources/available for new graduates, much has changed since then. So I wanted to create a resource that reflects all the things I wish I’d had available to me when I was a new graduate. This post is specifically focused on continual professional development (CPD) detailing what it is, where to find it, and how to record it - enjoy!
Some background
Continual professional development (CPD) is a requirement of the Association for Nutrition (AFN). It’s your responsibility as a registrant to maintain, improve and broaden your knowledge and skills of nutrition after graduation.
Over the course of three years after registration ANutr’s are required to complete 30 hours of CPD a year covering the 5 competency areas.
Core competency 1 - Science - related to the scientific basis of nutrition
Core competency 2 - Food Chain - related to the food chain and its impact on food choices
Core competency 3 - Social/Behaviour - related to food in a social or behavioural context
Core competency 4 - Health & Wellbeing - related to how to apply the scientific principles of nutrition for the promotion of health and wellbeing
Core competency 5 - Professional conduct - related to professional conduct and the AfN’s code of ethics.
Any activity outside of the normal scope of your daily role from which you can aim to either learn or develop professionally counts as CPD. It should be a mix of activities within your specialist area of work to develop the depth of your knowledge and skills in this area.
CPD is not just formal learning such as webinars and conferences. It also includes things you may do outside of work, professional conduct, and public engagement.
These could be within your job/work life such as presentations and employee development that is typically beyond the scope of your paid role. Equally, professional activities such as the delivery of training, workshops, and involvements in professional bodies. Things like attending webinars, conferences, and training days. Reading articles, books, reviews, and documentaries.
A key aspect of any CPD you undertake is the quality of the reflection you do. This could look like describing what the activity was, the duration, evidence, why you did it and what you intend on doing with it next as well as the core competencies that it covered. There is no set way to record CPD but useful tools include excel spreadsheets, word documents or uploading to the AFN website.
Where do I find it?
Regular webinars & Short courses
Free live & on-demand webinars and journal clubs. Covering a variety of topics, delivered by professionals in their field.
Live and on-demand webinars from the nutrition society covering a variety of topics.
Live and on-demand webinars covering a wide variety of topics.
Variety of live and on-demand webinars for nutrition graduates.
A great site for a variety of free and paid courses, with many universities and training organisations including nutrition focused modules.
Variety of free short courses on topics such as inflammation, fertility and genetics.
Online courses from the Rowette institute in topics including Assessment of Nutritional Health, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition and Metabolism and Nutrition and Health Through the Life Stages.
St Mary’s University Twickenham
Offering additional short nutrition courses to further develop in a number of fields.
Learning and development platform for nutritionist and dietitians to advance and refine their existing skills.
Book, Journal clubs & Twitter chats
Nutrition society journal club (NSJC)
Monthly 1-hour sessions open to Nutrition Society members which focuses on a recent research paper.
My Nutri Web Journal Club
Focusing on tools and techniques to help you appraise research publications.
Facebook groups
A group dedicated to nutrition graduates sharing discussions, jobs, advice, CPD and more.
Group of nutrition professionals, students and graduates. An open forum, focusing on support and interaction. Also, providing monthly nutrichats, virtual events focusing on specific themes and topics as well as providing a space for networking.
UK Nutrition Student Mentoring
A facebook group set up to provide informal mentoring to nutrition students and recent graduates, run by Pixie Turner (RNutr) and Hebe Richardson (ANutr). Sharing jobs, CPD, facebook lives for professional development and to ask questions.
Alinea Nutrition Education Hub
A group for the Alinea Nutrition Education Hub community to discuss research, ask questions, develop critical appraisal skills and learn from each other.
Peer support group for fellow UK based non-diet professionals to share information, resources and encouragement.
Facebook groups, meetings and talks for your local AFN region.
Group for students, graduates and professionals to discuss topics relating to HAES, non-diet approaches and Intuitive eating.
A community of health professionals exploring weight inclusive practices with the Health At Every Size paradigm and Non-Diet approaches, run by Fiona Sutherland.
Nutrimote: The Remote Nutrition Hub
A group for remote nutrition professionals, moderated by Maeve Hanan. For networking, sharing information and resources.
Intuitive eating & HAES
Variety of training resources on topics such as body image, nutrition counselling for eating disorders and eating disorders and digestive disorders.
The Mindful Dietitian: Fiona Sutherland
Variety of online learning opportunities focusing on body-inclusive practice. Topics include eating disorders in sport, body image and mindful eating .
Clinical Practice
The Food Therapy Centre on Teachable
Courses supporting students and new graduates in a variety of topics and areas you may encounter in clinical practice.
Live webinars and study days specifically designed for those working with clients with disordered eating or eating disorders.
6-part course series aimed at nutrition professionals covering fertility and nutrition.
Eating well for menopause professionals
Course designed to inform nutrition professionals of the impacts of menopause.
Food Industry and Public Health
Recipe Analysis training - Susan Church Nutrition
One-day course held twice per year specialising in food labelling legislation, food composition data, step-by-step guide to recipe analysis. As well as multiple practical exercises including a food preparation task and nutrient calculation.
Variety of live webinars specialising in nutrition analysis. They also provide a one-day course run by nutrition analysis software Nutritics. Focusing on best-practice guidance for recipe calculation and compliance with food law.
CLB Nutrition - Nutrition and Health Claims for Nutrition Professionals and Food Businesses
3-part webinar looking at EU/UK Nutrition and Health Claims legislation with case studies and up to date advice on navigating the law.
The institute of food science and technology (IFST)
Webinars and events covering food science and nutrition. Topics are wide ranging but can include aspects of food safety and allergen management to the gut microbiome. Additionally, they also host conferences for members looking at topics with expert panelists in more detail.
Royal society of public health
Lectures, conferences, seminars, webinars and training programmes focusing on public health. Many are open to professionals and the general public as well as some which are exclusive to RSPH members.
Study days, webinars and resources focused on research and insights into gut health for healthcare professionals.
Scientific and educational information for healthcare professionals. Resources, webinars and videos led by experts in the gut health area.
A real variety of resources focused on plant-based diets, sustainability and other health related topics.
Group networking and mentoring
A group of industry nutrition professionals coming together three times over the year for networking and conferences.
A network of nutrition consultants who work on a self-employed basis. With two meetings held a year and an electronic networking service to its members.
UK Nutrition Student Mentoring
A facebook group offering informal mentoring to ANutr’s and nutrition students from Pixie Turner RNutr.
Career development
Zoe Griffiths RNutr - How to get a job in nutrition
Monthly course covering hints, tips and resources to get the job you want.
The Health Nutritionist - Freelance Nutrition Academy
Variety of training available to support freelance nutritionists and nutrition consultation training.
From Nutrimote and Glowing Potential, a practical guide to providing online consultations for registered dietitians and nutritionists.
1-1 nutrition consultation training including interactive sessions, case studies and small group discussions.
Build your business school - Alex O’Kell & Shannon Western
Eight week course to build an online wellbeing business.
How to establish a successful freelance nutrition business
Course covering starting a freelance business, income streams, accounting and legalities.
A note on individual mentoring / supervision
Finding a mentor or supervisor can be challenging as an ANutr. Having support from someone with more experience than you is an important part of development as a nutritionist. Many nutritionists offer mentoring and supervision so a good tip is to find someone who has a career/job you’re most interested in and contact them directly. Additionally, Zoe Griffths has put together a great list of mentors for ANutr.
