As we approach the new year, it's time to spice up your professional journey and take your nutrition expertise to the next level! Continuing education is the secret ingredient to staying fresh, expanding your knowledge, and unleashing your full potential as a nutrition provider (sorry, I’ll try to stop with the food puns). Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out on your journey, planning your CEs is critical. If you don’t, you’ll be doing last-minute Tuna of the Sea CE’s like a friend of mine. Yes, that does exist.

In the world of nutrition, knowledge is like a swirling vortex of information, constantly evolving and shifting with each new scientific discovery. Nutrition is, after all, a very young science compared with other areas of scientific study. As professionals in the field, we must embrace the idea of continuous learning to stay ahead of the curve, although this sometimes feels like you’re trying to constantly catch up! Gone are the days when we could rely solely on what we learned in school, after all, each new nutrition book published and Netflix food documentary released means more clients asking your thoughts about the new developments. Let’s dive into the importance of embracing lifelong learning in nutrition, recognizing that what we once thought to be true may change as scientific evidence evolves.

If you’re in graduate school, you have at least 17 YEARS of experience being a student. And yet, going back to school as an adult can be a struggle. With all the extra responsibilities that come with adulthood, you’re likely to feel a little like a juggler, constantly tossing balls in the air that you hope to catch later. Balancing assignments, deadlines, meetings, and a personal life requires top-notch management skills. And on top of that is the whole “career change” thing that brings with it an extra level of complexity. Let’s talk about how to manage.

As a nutrition provider who has ventured into the world of health coaching, I have experienced firsthand the transformative impact of supporting clients on their wellness journey. I’ve also had my fair share of clients that struggle with behavior change, in short, they are stuck! Join me as we uncover practical strategies utilizing a coaching model to guide our clients towards breakthroughs and success.

As CNSs, we are passionate about helping others lead healthy lives. We advocate for self-care, balance, and stress management for our clients, but how often do we apply these principles to ourselves? In the midst of our busy schedules and demanding workloads, it's easy to neglect our own well-being and fall victim to burnout. Recently, my therapist asked me how I would respond to a client who was feeling overwhelmed by ALL THE THINGS just like I was. I said well, perhaps they need to find space for reclaiming some joy and maybe consider curating all the things so they do less? She looked at me. And I realized that I had WALKED INTO THAT ONE! Jeez.

Health coaching has emerged as a valuable tool for supporting individuals in achieving their health and wellness goals. As the demand for qualified health coaches continues to rise, nutrition, therapy, and allied health providers have chosen to add a coaching certification to their already existing scope of practice in order to distinguish themselves in the field. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of obtaining a National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC) certification, emphasizing why it is the gold standard for providers who already have an established scope of practice.

Studying for the CNS exam is challenging, especially as an adult learner. The pressure to perform well can trigger anxiety, making the studying process overwhelming and stressful. But fear not, dear reader! In this blog post, we will delve into effective strategies to help you handle anxiety and navigate the CNS exam journey with confidence and success. So, take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea (may we suggest an adaptogen like holy basil or lemon balm?), and let's conquer board exam anxiety together!

In the realm of nutrition practice, one of the most significant challenges faced by professionals is helping clients make lasting behavior changes. While providing accurate information about healthy eating is essential, it often falls short in producing sustainable results. I know you’ve seen this a time or two :) That's where the power of health coaching comes into play. Incorporating health coaching techniques into nutrition practice can be a game-changer, allowing professionals to guide and support clients in creating lasting behavior change. In this article, we will explore how health coaching skills can revolutionize nutrition practice and empower clients to achieve their health goals.

Embarking on a career change can be both exhilarating and challenging. For Sarah, a CNS candidate, transitioning from another field to nutrition was a dream come true. However, the unfamiliar territory and comparing herself to her peers and seasoned professionals led to a sneaky feeling that she just didn’t know enough. In this blog post, we will explore Sarah's journey and the strategies she employed to overcome her self-doubt, ultimately finding her voice and confidence as a competent and capable CNS.

Embarking on a career change can be both exhilarating and challenging. For Sarah, a CNS candidate, transitioning from another field to nutrition was a dream come true. However, the unfamiliar territory and comparing herself to her peers and seasoned professionals led to a sneaky feeling that she just didn’t know enough. In this blog post, we will explore Sarah's journey and the strategies she employed to overcome her self-doubt, ultimately finding her voice and confidence as a competent and capable CNS.

By far, the hardest and most valuable training I ever took in the last decade was in motivational interviewing for nutrition providers. We met in person in a classroom in Chicago, and ripped off the bandaid, learning skill after skill and then immediately applying them in practice with each other. We couldn’t make a single suggestion THE WHOLE WEEKEND, and weren’t allowed to do any nutrition education either. What we were allowed to do was to pull out interventions from our partners, discovering what they wanted to do to better their health. I remember coming to this workshop with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. How could a communication technique make such a profound difference in my practice? Little did I know that I was about to embark on a journey that would revolutionize the way I interacted with my clients and ultimately transform their lives.

Embarking on your Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) can be an exciting endeavor, filled with promises of personal growth and career advancement. However, as anyone who has delved into the realm of lengthy certifications can attest, the path to completion can be a challenging one. Fear not, dear reader, for we shall navigate this arduous road together, with a dash of levity to lighten the load.

The Hard Truth About Career Changes (And How to Crush Them!)

If you’re like many others embarking on a career change to nutrition, you’ve seen how chronic disease and elusive symptoms can affect your life, and the lives of all those around you. You know how important nutrition is to feel better, and you want to help other people in their own journey to health and wellbeing. But the hope and excitement of this new career is mixed with trepidation and uncertainty, much like trying to make dinner while balancing on a tightrope! I’d like to share the secret sauce that has worked for me, and other CNS candidates that I’ve worked with.

Announcing Nested Health Coach Certification, a new option for nutrition, therapy, and allied health providers to add health coaching to their current practice.