You Are Not an Impostor: The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Impostor Phenomenon

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Jul;53(7):625-630. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.02.008. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Abstract

Impostor phenomenon (IP) interferes with the desire for taking advantage of career opportunities and pursuing career advancement. There is robust literature describing the effects of IP in other health care professions, yet an absence of research exists on IP within the nutrition and dietetics profession. This perspective will explore why nutrition and dietetics professionals may experience IP, specify what might be done to mitigate the negative effects of IP, and describe future research directions. Impostorism is an understudied phenomenon that could have significant implications for the profession of nutrition and dietetics on an individual and systemic level.

Keywords: career advancement; impostor phenomenon; impostor syndrome; job satisfaction; mentorship.

MeSH terms

  • Dietetics*
  • Humans
  • Nutritionists*