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If you’re a dietitian working in long-term care, you already know…
This job can feel isolating.
You’re often the only RD in the building. You’re responsible for clinical decisions, survey readiness, documentation, high-risk monitoring, foodservice oversight — and somehow you’re expected to just “figure it out.”
And most of the time?
You’re doing it alone.
In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind why I created Clinical Nutrition Central — the only membership platform built specifically for dietitians working in long-term care, skilled nursing, and nursing homes.
This isn’t just another CEU library.
It’s practical, real-world support with:
✔ Exact wording for nutrition care plans ✔ Charting templates you can use immediately ✔ Survey & audit preparation guidance ✔ Documentation frameworks that show clinical reasoning ✔ High-risk tracking tools ✔ Step-by-step examples for real LTC scenarios ✔ A community of dietitians who understand this field
My mission is simple: To help dietitians feel less alone in practice — and more confident every single day.
If you’ve ever second guessed your documentation… If you’ve ever rewritten a care plan 5 times… If you’ve ever felt unprepared when survey walked in…
This episode is for you.
⚠️ Important: Membership pricing increases on March 1. If you join before then, you lock in the current rate.
This is your opportunity to become a founding member and grow with us as we build the largest and only comprehensive membership platform dedicated to LTC dietitians.
You don’t have to practice alone anymore.
🔗 Links & Resources:
👉 Join Clinical Nutrition Central (before March 1 pricing increase): https://clinicalnutritioncentral.com
👉 Explore more LTC dietitian resources: https://longtermcarerd.com
Feeling overwhelmed as a new Registered Dietitian —or just tired of chaotic days even after years on the job?
In this practical survival guide, Michelle Saari, MS, RD (with over 10+ years optimizing senior nutrition in skilled nursing and nursing homes), shares a realistic daily routine, mindset shifts, and proven hacks to prioritize residents, streamline charting, boost interdisciplinary teamwork, and prevent burnout.
Whether you're fresh out of internship navigating your first facility or a veteran RD ready to reclaim your schedule, you'll walk away with actionable steps to run your day smarter: from morning stand-up triage to batching PES statements, quick NFPE rounds, protected lunch breaks, and boundary-setting tips.
Episode Briefing + Links Mentioned
Intro & Why This Matters for LTC RDs
Mindset Shift: Compassion + Boundaries
Flexible Daily Routine Framework
Top Time-Saving Hacks (Charting, Prioritization, Teamwork)
Burnout Prevention
Quick Wins Encouragement & Next Steps
Link: Top 16 Time Saving Charting Tips
Ready to save hours weekly with ready-made tools? Join Clinical Nutrition Central at clinicalnutritioncentral.com ($19.95/month or $199.95/year—2 months free annually) for instant access to PES cheat sheets, resident trackers, evidence summaries, webinars, sample care plans, and a private community of fellow LTC RDs for fast peer support.
Subscribe now, leave a review if this helps, and elevate your practice—one efficient day at a time!
Are you a Dietitian that wants to know more about exactly how to do the nutrition focused physical exam?
In today's episode, Michelle breaks down exactly step by step how to perform the NFPE, the value of it, what to look for, and offers a free resource summary on what you need to look for.
Help to improve your skills and feel more comfortable performing the NFPE after listening to today's episode!
The following are links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-focused-physical-exam/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
Contact Michelle and get on the waitlist for the upcoming membership site by sending her an email at:
In this episode of Long Term Care RD, Michelle talks about WHY nutrition interventions stop working, specifically when patients have Dementia. She also covers:
If you want to sign up for the membership site waitlist, e-mail Michelle at [email protected] and let her know you want to be added to the waitlist!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com
https://longtermcarerd.com/ebooks/
Follow along with Long Term Care RD on:
What are you supposed to do when your nutrition interventions have all been tried and nothing is working anymore? How are Dietitians supposed to handle end of life? It's all in today's episode!
If you want to be on the waitlist for our upcoming membership site, simply drop me an e-mail with your name at:
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/end-of-life-a-dietitians-essential-education/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/end-of-life-nutrition/
Are you caring for someone with late stage dementia and they aren't eating?
Are you unsure of what you should be doing?
Then this is the episode for you! Find the balance between whether it's end of life or there are nutrition management tips that you can implement. Find the most effective tips in managing dementia and how to get them to eat again!
Links mentioned in the show:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/
https://longtermcarerd.com/late-stage-dementia-not-eating/
https://longtermcarerd.com/high-energy-high-protein-diet/
https://longtermcarerd.com/the-top-5-foods-a-dementia-patient-needs-to-eat/
https://longtermcarerd.com/listoffingerfoodsfordementiapatients/
Find out how a Registered Dietitian recommends finding the delicate balance between Dementia and eating sweets. Do you give in and let them eat all the sweets they want? In this episode, a Dietitian dives into how to offer a balance in order to maintain health, reduce malnutrition, and still give healthy meals.
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/dementia-and-eating-sweets/
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-reference-guide/
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/dementia/
Are you a Dietitian that feels short on time?
Do you wish you knew how to chart faster?
Then you need the FREE Nutrition Care Process Form from Long Term Care RD and this episode will tell you exactly how to use it!
Links mentioned in the show:
https://longtermcarerd.com/nutrition-care-process-form/
https://longtermcarerd.com
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/long-term-care-dietitians-resource-bundle/
There's new research suggesting that Citrulline is a great wound healing alternative, but what exactly does it do?
Why is there new research recommending it?
Find out all the latest information and more!
Links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/twc/utilizing-citrulline-efficient-arginine-supplement-wound-healing
https://longtermcarerd.com/category/wounds/
Find all the links mentioned in today's episode:
https://longtermcarerd.com/product/virtual-dietitian-meeting/
https://longtermcarerd.com
From the publisher's feed
Discover the power of nutrition with the Long Term Care RD podcast—your go-to resource for Registered Dietitians thriving in skilled nursing, nursing homes, and long-term care or ANYONE…
Hosted by Michelle Saari, MS, RD—a seasoned clinical dietitian with over a decade of experience optimizing nutrition for older adults—this podcast delivers practical, evidence-based strategies you can implement right away to improve resident outcomes and streamline your workflow.
Each episode breaks down real-world challenges in senior nutrition: from mastering the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) and writing bulletproof PES statements, to managing unintentional weight loss, dysphagia with IDDSI, pressure injuries/wound healing, frailty, sarcopenia, probiotics, dementia feeding strategies, end-of-life care, and more. You'll get actionable tips on assessments, interventions, charting hacks, interdisciplinary teamwork, survey prep, and avoiding burnout—tailored specifically for LTC and clinical RDs working with complex caseloads.
Whether you're a newer RD building confidence in long-term care or a veteran looking to save hours each week, tune in for:
Episodes are concise, engaging, and perfect for commutes, rounds, or lunch breaks—because your time matters.
Ready for more support? Check out our membership website @ Clinical Nutrition Central (clinicalnutritioncentral.com), our membership site starting at just $19.95/month. Get instant access to exclusive cheat sheets, PES templates, evidence summaries, webinars, resident trackers, care plan samples, monthly new content, and a private community of fellow LTC RDs for peer support and fast answers.
Follow along at longtermcarerd.com, on Facebook/Instagram @longtermcarerd, and subscribe now to elevate your practice and make a real difference in residents' lives.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts!
This version builds on your current descriptions (e.g., "Discover the power of nutrition... Elevate your practice with insights and practical tips...") while expanding it with specifics from episodes and your resources. It positions the podcast as educational, supportive, and directly linked to your membership for conversions.
Listen now and transform your approach to long-term care nutrition!
Find more information at: https://longtermcarerd.com
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @ longtermcarerd
Pinterest @ longtermcarerd
Contact Michelle via email: [email protected]