ASPEN Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course Winter 2023

ASPEN 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 Attend

• Faculty 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.

• 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