12 Biggest Benefits of Being a Private Practice Dietitian

No matter how you discovered your passion for nutrition, the decision to be a Registered Dietitian was probably not a hard one! It’s an incredibly rewarding career path that allows you to make an active difference in people’s lives in a way that’s permanent, holistic, and remarkably effective no matter a person’s health goals. However, many RDs get into traditional positions in the nutrition industry and struggle to find joy and fulfillment. 

Even though it’s gotten a lot better over the years, the nutrition and dietetics industry isn’t always the most respected, leaving many RDs feeling overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated in their 9-5. Plus, the red tape and corporate structure can really prevent you from making the impact you want. This is why many RDs decide to open their own private practice! 

12 Biggest Benefits of Being a Private Practice Dietitian 

You may be nervous to take this step yourself, but private practice dietitians reap a ton of benefits from going out on their own. So, today, I’m going to walk you through some of the biggest advantages of opening your own nutrition private practice. I hope this motivates you to take the leap and make your dreams a reality! Here’s more on how to become a private practice dietitian. 

What Is A Private Practice Dietitian?

Private practice Registered Dietitians are nutrition entrepreneurs who operate their own independent practice. They offer personalized nutrition counseling and services directly through clients, without going through a hospital, clinic, or other facility. These RDs have broken away from the limitations of traditional employment to pursue their true passion and make a bigger impact. 

What Are The Benefits Of Being A Dietitian In Private Practice? 

Control your schedule. 

One benefit of being a private RD is the ability to control your own schedule. There’s no one that sets your work hours but you, giving you a lot of flexibility! This can allow you to reach unique demographics, work fewer hours, take frequent vacations, or just coordinate a schedule that suits your lifestyle best. 

Cut your commute.

The average commute is nearly 30 minutes long. An hour a day in the car is not only a time sink, but it’s also expensive! Add harsh weather into the mix and you have an all-around hassle. Most private practices are online, reaching their clients through telehealth, so this can be a big advantage of having your own nutrition business! 

Only take the clients you want. 

Niching down as a private practice dietitian will be an important part of your entrepreneurial journey. Not only is it good for business, but it allows you to really focus on the potential clients YOU want to help. It’s one reason having your own practice is so fulfilling! Whether you have dreams of specializing in sports, eating disorders, pediatrics, oncology, or something else, a private practice allows you to follow your passions. 

Use your own methods to help clients. 

Rather than following a formula and system that you may or may not agree with at a clinic or hospital, a nutrition practice of your own allows you to create the program. This means you can use methods and techniques that you believe in, rather than conforming to an established and potentially dated structure. 

Boost your income potential without salary caps. 

The average dietitian makes about $70,000 a year. Despite significantly improving the long-term health of many, registered dietitians (RDs) remain underpaid, and the industry is not given the recognition it deserves for its potential. However, with your own practice, there isn’t a middleman between you and your clients, allowing for much greater income potential! Plus, you can set your own rates and pursue passive income sources to continually level up your nutrition business. 

Diversify your revenue streams. 

Speaking of income sources, when running your own business, you aren’t limited to just the standard nutrition counseling sessions. You can diversify your revenue streams with unique service offerings, monthly memberships, courses, ebooks, and more. You can really get creative and reach greater revenue potential! 

Ditch some of the administrative burdens of clinics. 

Red tape, procedures, paperwork . . . clinics and hospitals can have a lot of layers of administrative busywork that can suck all the fun out of being an RD. In a private practice, you’ll still have procedures, but it won’t be nearly as extensive and tedious as a traditional healthcare or corporate setting! 

Live wherever you want. 

If your private practice is online, you won’t be bound to any set location. You can move wherever you want in the world (assuming there’s internet access). This allows you to travel, be close to family, or just fulfill your dreams of living somewhere special without worrying about employment. It’s INCREDIBLY freeing! 

Maintain a solid work-life balance. 

Work-life balance can be really difficult in the healthcare field, especially when low pay is a factor. It can have you working long hours or working a second job. Plus, the mental load of the job on top of feeling underappreciated can be a lot to take. But, when you have a private nutrition business, you are in control and can establish true work-life balance. 

Of course, entrepreneurs can struggle with boundaries as well, but remember how important your own health is and set firm boundaries for yourself in your new endeavor! 

Make a genuine impact on people’s lives. 

You can and do make an impact on people’s lives in any RD role. However, when you are running your own business and charting your own path, your mission is clear! No one can stop you from pursuing goals and affecting the world of nutrition in a big way. The freedom of your own practice offers so much more opportunity! 

Be your own boss. 

We’ve all had unpleasant bosses but not anymore! When you become a private practice dietitian, you no longer answer to anyone. You’re your own boss! This can relieve a lot of the mental burden and frustration of the nutrition industry, and instead you can trust your own training and instincts. 

Develop entrepreneurial skills and realize your full potential. 

You are brimming with potential, but not every traditional RD position empowers you to be all you can be. But, successful private practices offer exactly that! Your confidence will soar as you develop entrepreneur skills, make a bigger impact, generate more income, help more people, and establish a thriving nutrition practice. You deserve to fully understand your worth and reap the benefits of your incredible talent! And, you can do all that as a private practice dietitian! 

There are so many benefits to going private as a Registered DIetitian! 

There are lots of reasons to open your own online private practice as a Registered Dietitian. For many, it’s by far the best way to embrace your passions, talents, and training and develop a career that’s fulfilling and has true longevity. Of course, it’s not as simple as launching a website or making a social media post. The entrepreneurial journey is an intimidating process! Worried about taking your private practice online? See our other post to help you with the biggest challenge for most businesses when going online.

And, to help you along the way and boost your chances of success, I recommend you look into nutrition business coaching! A Dietitian Business Coach like me can help you with the specific challenges and opportunities that come with a private nutrition practice. Whether you’re dealing with how you can start accepting insurance or how you can acquire more dreamy clients, I’m there for you with years of wisdom and insight! If you think coaching might be right for you, take this quiz. I’ve helped hundreds of RDs just like you build a thriving online practice, and I can get you there too! Let’s make it happen!