Version 6 is here (with brand new illustrations!) Fall 2026 study group starts June 29.

Pass the CNSC Exam with confidence.

Join over 350 dietitians who trust Edge Clinical Nutrition to help them pass the CNSC exam.

Get the study guide today

 Is this you? 

You're thinking about taking the CNSC Exam, but don't know where to start.

The CNSC Exam is extremely technical, and has no official study guide.

You get test anxiety, and are nervous about taking the CNSC Exam.

You have a good foundation in nutrition support, but lack the confidence to pass the exam without additional support.

You need to renew your CNSC certification, but need to brush up on exam content.

The exam has changed significantly in the past few years, and you don't have time to read the ASPEN Core from cover to cover.

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing

The CNSC Exam Study Guide

by Edge Clinical Nutrition

This comprehensive 100-page study guide and online course is expertly designed to help you pass the CNSC Exam with ease and confidence.

Say goodbye to overwhelming textbooks, boring webinars, and confusing case studies that only add stress to your study routine. This study guide and course answers all of your questions and maximizes your study time!
View curriculum sample

Get access to:

100-Page Printed Study Guide 

This resource follows the NBNSC content outline to a T, covers all 51 exam content categories, and shows exactly what you need to know for the exam.

12 Practice Exams 

Designed to mirror real-life questions, these will help boost your confidence, spot your weak areas, and crush the exam.

  This content is available in the bundle only.

Pediatric Notes

Focus only on the content you need to know for the CNSC Exam. This 10-page resource helps you make the most of your study sessions.

Newly expanded for the 2026 exams!

400+ Quizlet Flashcards

Perfect for memorizing essential numbers, terms, and concepts that come up on the exam. 

 This content is available in the bundle only.

Acid/Base Balance Module

 This lecture presents everything you need to know about acid/base balance in a clear & concise way. 

 This content is available in the bundle only.

Acid/Base Quick Reference Guide

Full-color reference guide designed for studying and clinical use, printed on a double-sided postcard.

 This content is available in the bundle only.

Fluid & Electrolyte Balance Module 

Three comprehensive video lectures covering fluid and electrolyte balance, including common IV fluids and hypo- and hypernatremia.

 This content is available in the bundle only.

Home Nutrition Support Module

 Learn about recent Medicare Part B updates, and criteria for home nutrition support in this informative lecture.

 This content is available in the bundle only.

21-Page Medications Quick Reference Guide  

This resource provides all the important medications you need to know for the exam. 

 This content is available in the bundle only.

PN Calculation Cheat Sheet (newly expanded)

Learn to calculate PN orders with my 25-page PN Calculation Cheat Sheet, which walks you through PN dosing, math, stability, and calculations for 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 CPN and PPN. 

I summarize PN order writing from the ASPEN Core, ASPEN PN Calculation Workbook, ASHP nutrition support certificate course, ASPEN conference, and more in this dynamic resource.

Finally "get" PN math. Learn a consistent method to avoid errors and calculate PN orders quickly and seamlessly. 

Plus, learn updates in lipids, multi-chamber bag PN, electrolyte dosing, calcium/phosphate solubility, and more.

This content is available in the bundle only.

NEW: Study Group ($89)

Get 1-on-1 study help, 3 live Zoom study sessions, access to bonus resources, videos, and more with my 14-week study group. Plus, get these brand new resources: a weekly audio companion so you can listen to exam content, a 100-page paper practice exam, and a live study session on math and calculations. 

This is an asynchronous group, meaning you can log in at any time and complete assigned work. The Zoom study sessions are scheduled at 5pm MST on weeknights. They are recorded. Group runs January-May for Spring test takers, and June-October for the Fall exam.

Meet Your Instructor

 
Sara Griffin, MS, RDN, CNSC is a currently practicing clinical dietitian specializing in critical care nutrition & nutrition support. 
She has precepted dozens of interns, and has received accolades for her precepting work.
Sara was selected as Colorado Dietitian of the Year, and has been nominated for an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Excellence in Practice award.
She holds her ASHP/ASPEN Nutrition Support Certificate, a clinical nutrition certificate from Duke University, and is a CDR-certified CPEU provider.

Explore Study Guide Contents...

 

 

 

 

 

There are 51 content domain and task statements on the exam

Other study guides simply provide a summary of the ASPEN Core, which isn't sufficient for studying any longer. The CNSC exam has physician-level, pharmacy-level and nursing-level competency questions. 

My study guide is not simply a "Cliff Notes" version of the ASPEN Core. In fact, because the ASPEN Core is organized so differently from the CNSC Exam Content Outline, relying on this alone will likely leave gaps in your studying.

For example, the ASPEN Core has a lot of emphasis on carbohydrates and very little emphasis on ethics, whereas the CNSC Exam has a lot of emphasis on ethics and very little content on carbohydrate metabolism.

My 100-page study guide provides detailed explanations of all 51 Content Domain and Task Statements, so you don't miss a single thing.

Part 1 | Clinical Nutrition Basics. 

Part 2 | Vocabulary  

Part 3 | Pediatric Notes

Part 4 | Nutrition Assessment  

Part 5 | Clinical Management

Part 6 | Process Management

Part 7 | Professional Practice

Part 7 | Professional Practice

Plus, get these new bonuses:

 

Medications Flashcards

 

Use these to memorize all the important medications you'll need to be familiar with for the exam.

What not to study

 

Don't waste time studying content you don't need to know. I've taken this exam multiple times, and tell you exactly what not to memorize in my pro tips section.

 

Free Gift!

 

Enjoy an adorable, limited edition sticker from Donut Season.

Pass the CNSC Exam with confidence

with my CNSC Exam Study Guide

 Learn relevant content 
Don't rely on old, outdated study guides. Pass the CNSC Exam on your first attempt with up-to-date information reflecting latest exam content.
Make learning fun
 Say goodbye to boring slide decks and dense textbooks and start your journey to passing the CNSC Exam with my dynamic approach, designed for the modern learner. My combination of physical, printed materials, full-color study guide, video lectures, flash cards, and a group study session will set you up for exam day success.
Learn from an educator and nutrition support expert
 Developed by a seasoned nutrition support expert, educator, and 2-time CNSC. I provide real-time advice during your study journey. You can always reach out to ask questions!
 
“I got [another study guide], but I got frustrated because it was basically just a statement based without explanation/rationale. I need to know the reasoning and explanation in order to tie everything together...while there was a lot of content, it didn’t support my actual understanding of the processes. I really appreciate your modules, occasional videos, supplemental info, and Quizlet. It feels more like a course vs “here’s all the info, now figure it out yourself”. Also your printed binder is much appreciated!!!” - 2025 study guide student
 

Don't settle for an incomplete study guide filled with statement-based material that still requires you to do your own research, reasoning and rationale to tie it all together.

This study guide was reviewed by seven Subject Matter Experts, with deep expertise in diabetes, critical care, pediatrics, renal, bariatrics, critical care nursing, and more.

My products have helped dietitians all across the US, in Hawaii, Guam, and 9 countries: Canada, Singapore, the UK, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

This is for you if...

 

 You feel overwhelmed by the exam and need a study guide that simplifies complex concepts and saves you time.

✅ You understand that a "Cliff notes version" of the ASPEN core won't cut it, and you want to ensure you study the entire NBNSC Content Domain & Task Statement outline, so you don't miss a single area.

 You're sitting for your recertification and want to maximize study time and ensure you pass. 

✅ You're taking your recertification, but you've been working in a niche area for the past few years, and you're worried about exam content you haven't touched in a long time.

✅ You need current, up-to-date practice exams.

✅ You don't remember a thing from your statistics class!

✅ You want to know what not to study, so you don't waste your time.

This is NOT for you if... 

  You are not yet qualified to take the CNSC Exam and need more foundational knowledge in clinical nutrition [grab this freebie to find out if you're ready to start studying for the CNSC Exam].

 
You are not yet fluent in tube feeding and parenteral nutrition (PN) calculations and can't write a tube feeding or PN order on your own [complete the Nutrition Support Skills Course first, then jump into CNSC exam study. Save $129 when you purchase both].

❌ You’re looking for a free, basic resource and aren’t willing to invest in a comprehensive study guide that’s designed to save you time.

❌ You prefer a slow-paced, one-size-fits-all study approach and don’t want the flexibility to study at your own pace.

❌ You prefer traditional, dense textbooks and don't mind spending countless hours wading through irrelevant material.

❌ You're not planning to work in clinical nutrition, and don't need resources for your job.

Power Pack

$1120

𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘕𝘚𝘊𝘴

 Includes:

  • 23.5 CPEs, including 1 ethics credit
  • Over 12 hours of video lectures
  • 4 Competency Quizzes
  • 111-page starter binder with full-color copies of course contents 
  • 170 clinical vocabulary terms
  • Labs Quick Reference Guide
  • 8 Case Studies with video answer keys
  • Tube Feeding Calculation Cheat Sheet
  • Expanded 25-page PN Calculation Cheat Sheet
  • 21-page Medications Quick Reference Guide
  • 4-page Diabetic Medications Quick Reference Guide
  • Acid Base Balance Module (2-page quick reference guide + full-color post card + practice exam)
  • Medicare Part B Updates Module (video + practice exam)
  • Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Module (3 video lectures covering everything from types of IV fluids to water balance to hyper and hyponatremia)
  • Refeeding syndrome and ICU resources
  • 15-page Energy, Protein & Fluid Needs resource (including pediatric guidelines)
  • Everything in my CNSC Exam Study Guide Bundle
  • 14 weeks of guided CNSC study in my study group
  • Access until you pass - free extended access to the CNSC Exam course, flashcards, practice exams, and online components until you pass the exam. Not ready to start studying just yet? No problem! Complete the course first, and move on to study for the exam whenever you're ready.
Buy Now

Study Guide Bundle

$550

𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴

Includes:
  • 100 pages of targeted exam content covering all critical areas of the CNSC exam in a 3-ring binder
  • 400+ Quizlet flashcards 
  • 12 practice exams
  • Expanded 25-page PN Calculation Cheat Sheet
  • 21-page Medications Quick Reference Guide
  • Acid Base Balance Module (video  lecture + quick reference guide cards + practice exam)
  • Medicare Part B Updates Module (video + practice exam)
  • Fluid and Electrolyte Balance Module (3 video lectures covering everything from types of IV fluids to water balance to hyper and hyponatremia)
  • Free sticker from Donut Season 

Note: this offer does not include instruction on PN calculations. If you are not already fluent in enteral and parenteral orders and cannot yet calculate tube feeding and PN orders from scratch (no apps, spreadsheets, or help from pharmacy!), buy the Power Pack). There is a lot of math on the CNSC exam, and the Study Guide assumes clinicians are able to calculate PN orders independently. 

Buy Now

Study Guide Basic

$450

𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨-𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘕𝘚𝘊𝘴

Includes:

  • 100 page printed study guide covering all critical areas of the CNSC exam 
  • Designed for clinicians sitting for their 15-year or 20-year or 25-year recertification exam who are fluent in all aspects of nutrition support (adult, pediatric, critical care, NICU, home nutrition support, oncology, GI, etc.)

This offer does not include access my signature resources (Acid/Base Balance cards, Medications Quick Reference Guide, PN Calculation Cheat Sheet), or access to digital content (practice exams, flashcards, video lectures). For access to these items, purchase the bundle. 

Buy Now