The aims of this study were to identify 1) the prevalence of impostor phenomenon among RDs in the United States, 2) if impostor phenomenon differs by highest degree earned, and 3) if imposter phenomenon differs by years of working experience as an RD. Impostor phenomenon was identified in 76% of Registered Dietitian participants, with no significant differences in highest degree attained; however, impostor phenomenon was more prevalent in those with less than 5 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics.
Among our respondents, 23.3% demonstrated few impostor characteristics, with over 76% reporting at least moderate impostorism. Among those experiencing impostor feelings, 44.7% reported moderate, 25.6% frequent, and 6.4% intense impostor phenomenon. Although we cannot directly compare our results to others because no previous studies of impostor phenomenon in RDs exist, researchers have identified high levels of impostor phenomenon in other health care professionals. Among physician assistant students and recent graduates, 50% of female respondents and 25% of male respondents reported feelings of impostorism.(19) In a pilot study of students entering a nursing program with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, 70% of participants were identified as having impostor phenomenon.(5) Among family medicine residents, 1 study found that 41% of women and 24% of men reported impostorism.(13) Thus, it appears that a higher proportion of dietitians may experience impostor phenomenon than new practitioners in family medicine, physician assisting, and nursing.
Because impostor phenomenon was initially identified in high achieving women(1) and 92% of nutrition professionals credentialed by the Commission in Dietetic Registration are female,(23) this study explored differences in impostor phenomenon among RDs with different highest levels of education. In the current sample, no statistically significant differences were found. Despite the conventional belief that more degrees equate to greater achievement, one could argue that anyone who successfully navigates the educational pathways to becoming a Registered Dietitian, including passing the registration examination, is a high achiever. While statistical differences of impostor phenomenon categories by highest degree earned were not identified, there are still notable findings. Among those with a bachelor degree as the highest educational level, over 80% exhibited at least moderate impostor phenomenon. That number decreased to over 70% of people with a doctoral degree, which is still an alarming percentage. Between 40–50% of respondents in each educational category reported moderate impostorism. No respondents with a doctoral degree reported intense impostor phenomenon experiences. All participants reporting a doctoral degree had at least 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics, and our results indicate that impostor phenomenon is inversely related to experience.
The third aim of this study explored differences in impostor phenomenon among those with various years of experience as a dietitian. The highest levels of impostor phenomenon were identified in people with less than 5 years of experience, with the mean impostor phenomenon score incrementally decreasing with each increase in years of experience category. In those with less than 3 years of experience, “frequent” – the third category of impostor phenomenon – had the highest frequency. Among those with 3 to 39 years of experience, moderate impostor phenomenon was most common, representing over 40% of respondents in all categories except those with 5–9 years of experience. Few impostor characteristics only represented the majority in those who reported over 40 years of experience. Another notable finding is that no one with 15 or more years of experience reported intense impostor phenomenon experiences. When initially identified as a construct, impostor phenomenon was thought to be self-perpetuating.(1) Prata and Gietzen,(19) in their study of physician assistant students and graduates, found that impostorism decreased in graduates with 3–5 years of experience, contradicting previous beliefs about the concept. Their decrease is similar to our findings of decreasing impostor phenomenon with time and experience. In the book Outliers, Gladwell(24) identified that it takes a person 10,000 hours to become an expert in an area. It is possible that new practitioners carry impostor feelings as they enter the field, and that impostorism decreases as they approach and achieve expert levels of practice. However, moderate impostorism seems pervasive as originally identified by Clance and Imes.(1)
The response rate to our survey was low at only 9%, with a response rate of less than half of that of the 2019 Compensation and Benefits Survey which had a similar population.(22) Despite statistically significant differences in gender identity in our sample, gender breakdown is similar to other reports of US RDs.(22, 23) Our sample had slightly higher rates of people reporting a master’s degree (60.5%) and similar rates of doctoral degree (2.6%) as those completing the Compensation and Benefits Survey (50% and 3%, respectively).(22)
Differences between our respondents and the respondents in the Compensation and Benefits Survey were also noted in primary work position and years of experience. A much smaller percentage of our respondents reported working in acute care/ inpatient settings. A smaller percentage was also noted in those reporting working in food and nutrition management. Larger percentages of respondents in our survey reported working in ambulatory care, long-term care, community, and consultation and business. More of our respondents reported less than 1 year, 1–4 years, and 10–19 years of experience.(22)