American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course Winter 2023

The Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course (Winter 2023) was a multi-week, live virtual course designed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). Unlike the organization’s annual conference, this course is specifically structured as a “boot camp” for clinical core competencies.
It serves as the primary review course for clinicians preparing for the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) examination. The Winter 2023 edition utilized a webinar series format, allowing attendees to participate in live lectures with Q&A sessions spread over several weeks in January and February, rather than a single compressed weekend.
+ What You Will Learn
The curriculum is mapped directly to the content outline of the CNSC exam. Key learning outcomes included:

Gap Analysis: Using the course to identify specific weaknesses in your knowledge base (e.g., pediatric calculations or acid-base balance) before taking the certification exam.

Competency Standardization: Learning the “ASPEN way” of practicing, which focuses on evidence-based guidelines that may differ from local hospital “habits” or older protocols.

Complex Calculations: Mastering the math behind parenteral nutrition (PN) osmolarity, fluid requirements for renal failure, and electrolyte correction factors.

Regulatory Compliance: Understanding the latest safety standards for labeling and administering EN and PN (based on ASPEN/ISMP safety consensus).

+ Event Details

Event: Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course (Winter 2023)

Dates: A series of live webinars held from January 25 – February 2023.

Example Dates: Fluids & Electrolytes (Jan 25), Parenteral Nutrition (Jan 26), Enteral Nutrition (Feb 1).

Location: Virtual / Live Webinar Series.

+ Who Should Attend

CNSC Candidates: This is the “gold standard” prep course for the spring testing window.

New Practitioners: Dietitians, pharmacists, or nurses with <2 years of experience in nutrition support who need a solid foundation.Fellows/Residents: GI or Critical Care fellows needing a crash course in writing TPN orders.+ Why AttendFaculty of “Legends”: The Winter 2023 faculty included the authors of the core textbooks, such as Phil Ayers, PharmD (PN Safety) and Ainsley Malone, MS, RDN (Malnutrition).Interdisciplinary Focus: The course is not siloed; pharmacists learn from dietitians and nurses learn from physicians, mirroring the reality of a Nutrition Support Team (NST).Cost-Effective Review: It is significantly cheaper and more focused than attending the full annual conference if your primary goal is simply passing the board exam or gaining baseline competency.  + Topics:Acid Base.mp4 Critical Care and Statistics.mp4 Enteral Nutrition (EN) and Home EN.mp4 Enteral Nutrition and Parenteral Nutrition Access.mp4 Fluids and Electrolytes.mp4 GI Disorders and Ethics.mp4 Nutrient Deficiencies and Malnutrition Assessment.mp4 Parenteral Nutrition (PN) and Home PN.mp4 Pediatric and Neonatal Nutrition Support.mp4