Amazing experiences and unexpected challenges for a travel dietitian

Part 2 of 3 | Santa Fe, NM

If you’re the type who is invigorated by challenges, tackles them head on and loves adventure, traveling dietitian is the position for you!

For more than 19 months, Kelsey Sergison, MS, RDN has been on the road working as a traveling consultant dietitian for Dietitians On Demand. She’s had some amazing experiences and tackled some unexpected challenges along the way, too.

April 2017

After wrapping up her assignment in Marysville, Calif., Kelsey took a few weeks off at home. Meanwhile, a position opened up in Santa Fe, NM, so Kelsey submitted her application for New Mexico state license and started looking for housing. Within two weeks she had packed up her car and was on her way to Santa Fe to work as a clinical dietitian at a 200-bed hospital.

Kelsey was given a monthly stipend to use for transportation (she drove from California to New Mexico) and housing. She was able to find housing less than a mile from the hospital, which ended up being very handy.

“There was a massive snow storm in Santa Fe the day I arrived!” Kelsey said. “It was so fun to walk in the snow.”

As a California girl, Kelsey had never seen that much snow or even an icicle.

It snowed more than 6 inches of heavy, wet snow the day Kelsey started her contract dietitian assignment in Santa Fe.

May 2017

Clinically, Kelsey continued to gain confidence in seeing patients, and this particular facility gave her the opportunity to focus on diet education with her patients.

“It was so unique,” she said, “they didn’t rush diet education and actually encouraged it. That’s one of my favorite parts about being a dietitian, so even though it meant a busier day, I really enjoyed it.”

Outside of the hospital, Kelsey fell in love with Santa Fe’s food, culture, hiking opportunities and beautiful scenery.

This is Farmhouse, Kelsey’s favorite restaurant discovery in the area. It was about 1.5 hours from Sante Fe and the drive up went along the Rio Grande River, so it was beautiful. “I stopped multiple times just to sit and watch all the people raft down it,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey hiked at Tent Rocks National Monument. She said it was a beautiful hike, and she saw her first coiled rattlesnake!

Kelsey was lucky to find a few great friendships among the other RDs on staff at the Santa Fe hospital, including a colleague from Dietitians On Demand! They remain in touch today.

“All the dietitians I’ve worked with are different ages, different backgrounds and from different locations,” Kelsey said. “I’ve learned new practices and best practices for how to do things clinically and from a managerial standpoint. I feel so lucky to have learned something from each person along the way.”

Dietitians On Demand is a nationwide staffing company for registered dietitians, specializing in short-term, temporary and permanent-hire positions in acute care, long term care and food service positions. We cover a vacancy, FMLA, maternity leave, staffing shortages, and more. Check out our job openings, or request your coverage today!