By Molly Goggans, RD, LDN, CNSC
Many of you are cracking open the A.S.P.E.N. nutrition support core curriculums to prepare for the Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) exam. Whether you are new to the test or a seasoned examinee, there are many resources available from A.S.P.E.N. to help you prepare. To get started, I recommend that you schedule your test, create a study schedule, and stick to it! Try not to over schedule yourself — a study plan will keep you accountable to putting in the time to feel prepared. Give yourself enough time to cover all material before the exam date, especially if this is your first time taking the test or if you are a relatively new practitioner.
Both the A.S.P.E.N. Adult Nutrition Support Core Curriculum, 2nd Edition and the A.S.P.E.N. Pediatric Nutrition Support Core Curriculum, 2nd Edition have been recently updated and are valuable resources for preparing for the exam. I found these books to be an integral part of my study plan. I actively read both books, taking notes as I went to use for studying later. Each chapter in both the adult and pediatric curriculums have questions that quiz you on the material and provide explanations with the answers. The in-chapter quizzes and my notes made studying easier because I only spent time on information with which I was less comfortable.
A.S.P.E.N. also has 10 self-assessment modules designed to help professionals check their current knowledge in nutrition and metabolic support, identify areas that require further study, and refine their current clinical knowledge and practice to reflect recent advances. The online modules help you become more familiar with taking computerized examinations and each one provides 2 continuing education hours.
Another A.S.P.E.N. resource is the Nutrition Support Fundamentals and Review Course, which is offered as a preconference session prior to Clinical Nutrition Week and as a live, interactive distance-learning program. This course features top practitioners covering many areas of nutrition support and is beneficial to any new practitioner, first time CNSC examinee, or anyone looking for a good overall review. You might also consider A.S.P.E.N.’s online lecture series, Clinician’s Compendium to Nutrition Support Therapy, which is free to members and includes quizzes and case studies.
If you’re new to the exam make sure to familiarize yourself with the format of the test before your exam day. The CNSC exam is administered through the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification, which is an independent credentialing board established by A.S.P.E.N. Questions are updated every year, so you should expect an exam that reflects current practice. The test is up to 250 questions with a time limit of 4 hours, so pace yourself accordingly – don’t get hung up on one question. The candidate handout provides more testing information, including important dates and policies, a study outline and questions, and a percentage breakdown for testing information. Knowing what to expect for the testing format will help you feel more comfortable during the exam.
You are likely very well prepared to answer the questions and know the material. Often, the hardest parts of the test are simply getting used to the format, pacing yourself, staying calm, and being prepared. Good Luck!
The views expressed in this post are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of A.S.P.E.N.
