Preparing for your certification exam? ASPEN offers a wide range of resources to help you prepare. Browse the resources below to see which are best for your learning style.
Books
 The ASPEN Adult Nutrition Support Core Curriculum, 3rd Edition Editor-in-Chief: Charles M. Mueller, PhD, RD, CNSD. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2017. This comprehensive book addresses the principles of nutrition support and nutrition support recommendations for selected medical and surgical conditions. It’s completely rewritten and includes updated guidelines, “Test Your Knowledge” practice scenarios and questions. See table of contents and details. See table of contents and details. |
 The ASPEN Pediatric Nutrition Support Core Curriculum, 2nd Edition Editor: Mark R. Corkins, MD, CNSP, SPR, FAAP. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2015. Focuses on the pediatric patient and the importance of nutrition to the growth and development of children. It is written with an interdisciplinary, evidence-based approach and is designed to meet the educational needs of all involved in the nutrition care of pediatric patients. |
 ASPEN Enteral Nutrition Handbook, 2nd Edition Editors: Ainsley Malone, MS, RD, CNSC, FAND, FASPEN; Liesje Nieman Carney, RD, CSP, LDN; Amy Long Carrera, MS, RD, CNSC, CWCMS; Andrew Mays, PharmD, CNSC. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2019.
A comprehensive resource on how to safely and effectively care for patients receiving enteral nutrition. The handbook includes recommendations from the 2016 ASPEN Safe Practices for Enteral Nutrition, and a new chapter on preparation, labeling, and dispensing of enteral nutrition. |
 ASPEN Parenteral Nutrition Handbook, Third Edition Editors: Phil Ayers, PharmD, BCNSP, FASHP; Elizabeth S. Bobo, CNSC, MS, RDN, LDN; Ryan T. Hunt, MD, PhD; Andrew A. Mays, PharmD, BCNSP, CNSC; Patricia H. Worthington, MSN, RN, CSC
This new edition is updated with the latest ASPEN safety consensus recommendations and clinical guidelines. It features comprehensive information to help practitioners safely, effectively, and confidently care for patients receiving parenteral nutrition. |
Online Learning Programs
ASPEN Self-Assessment Program
This online self-assessment program is module-based, meaning you can work with ease in one content area or in many. Purchase the entire program or only the modules you need. Each module has 45-60 questions and includes a pre-test, syllabus, and post-test on the questions answered incorrectly. A practice test of 100 random questions from all modules is included with purchase of the full program.
Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course
The Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course is offered as a preconference course prior to the annual conference and is also offered as a live and interactive distance learning program that will span over eight weeks each summer. The Nutrition Support Fundamentals Course divides topics into core subjects, areas of major emphasis for practice and the certification examinations, and specialty subjects. This course will include a broad overview of the core subjects including GI physiology, nutrition assessment, parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition. The review of specialty areas, such as pediatric nutrition support, statistics, home care, critical care and drug nutrient interactions, is intended to hit the highlights of the subject. Don’t miss this invaluable review of nutrition support therapy!
Guidelines and Standards
ASPEN's Clinical Guidelines, Standards of Practice, and Safe Practices provide clinical advice to the health care professional administering specialized nutrition support for adult and pediatric patients in the hospital or home. These documents are available online in the Clinical Practice Library and in printable format for both members and Library subscribers. Access the Library.
Supplemental Resources
ASPEN offers a variety of additional resources that may be helpful as you prepare for a certification exam. Please visit ASPEN online store to browse the resources currently available.
Suggested Studying Strategies
Disclaimer: The references listed above may be of some help in preparing for the examinations offered by the NBPNS, BPS, or NBNSC. The list does not attempt to include all acceptable references nor is it suggested that the certification examinations are based on these references.