University of Nevada, Reno Expands Dietetics Training Pathways to Strengthen Nevada’s Public Health Workforce

A newly expanded graduate training pathway at the University of Nevada, Reno aims to address the ongoing shortage of registered dietitians by preparing more highly trained nutrition professionals to serve communities across the state.

UNR recently launched an online 18-month Master of Science in nutrition with a dietetics specialization that combines graduate coursework with 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. The program responds to updated national accreditation standards that now require future registered dietitian nutritionists to complete both a master’s degree and extensive supervised practice before sitting for the national credentialing exam.

This expansion comes at a critical time for Nevada. Although the number of dietitians in the state has increased substantially during the past decade, Nevada still remains below national workforce averages, especially in rural and underserved communities where access to nutrition counseling and preventive care is limited. According to the 2023 Health Workforce in Nevada report, some rural regions have only one provider for every 9,000 residents.

Nutrition plays a central role in cancer prevention and survivorship. Research consistently shows that maintaining a healthy diet, achieving a healthy weight and reducing obesity risk can help lower the likelihood of developing several cancers, including colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers. Registered dietitian nutritionists are also essential members of oncology care teams, helping patients manage treatment side effects, maintain strength during treatment and improve quality of life after diagnosis.

The importance of expanding Nevada’s nutrition workforce closely aligns with goals outlined in the Nevada Cancer Plan 2026–2030, particularly efforts focused on prevention, health equity and improving access to supportive care services. Increasing access to credentialed nutrition professionals can help strengthen statewide efforts to reduce cancer risk factors tied to obesity, food insecurity and limited access to healthy foods.

UNR’s program is already demonstrating strong outcomes. Graduates from the most recent cohort achieved an approximately 92% first-time pass rate on the national registered dietitian nutritionist exam, significantly exceeding national averages, which have recently remained in the low-to-mid 60% range. Many graduates have already accepted positions with hospitals, Veterans Affairs facilities and community health organizations.

The program’s statewide partnerships also help strengthen Nevada’s broader healthcare infrastructure. Students complete clinical training at major healthcare systems and community-based programs throughout Reno and Las Vegas, including hospitals, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs and SNAP-Ed initiatives. These placements expose future dietitians to populations experiencing food insecurity, chronic disease burdens and limited healthcare access.

For Nevada communities facing high rates of obesity, diabetes and diet-related chronic disease, expanding the nutrition workforce represents more than a workforce development initiative. It is an investment in prevention-focused healthcare that can help reduce long-term healthcare costs while improving quality of life for residents statewide.

As healthcare systems increasingly recognize nutrition as foundational to disease prevention and treatment, Nevada’s efforts to expand training pathways for registered dietitian nutritionists may help strengthen cancer control efforts for years to come.

Source: UNR. This article created with the assistance of AI and edited by NCC staff. This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.