Course Series

FSNM Essentials

Explore the six FSNM Essentials courses below. Each course can be taken individually and are available for immediate enrolment.

AboutAvailable CoursesContact Us
FSNM Essentials: Professional development for skills with impact
Smiling chef in a light blue shirt and gray apron stands with crossed arms beside a smiling woman in a gray blazer in a modern kitchen.

Download the Information Sheet

Complete the form below and we'll send the information sheet directly to your inbox.

Name
Consent(Required)

Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare Essentials Courses

 

Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare Essentials (FSNM Essentials) is a collection of online courses, available for individual enrolment, drawn from CHA Learning’s recently revised and restructured Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare (FSNM) Program.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your existing skills or support your professional development goals, FSNM Essentials courses are an opportunity for you to focus your learning on the topics that matter most to you.

These courses are ideal for learners seeking focused professional development in specific subject areas. The FSNM Program, on the other hand, is a comprehensive educational pathway designed for those pursuing Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM) active membership.

Trying to decide whether FSNM Essentials or the full FSNM Program best matches your learning goals or needs? Our Learning Advisors are here to help! Click Here to connect with a team member today.

 

Why Take an FSNM Essentials Course?

  • Short, focused courses allow you to balance learning with your other priorities
  • Develop real-world skills and knowledge you can apply in healthcare food service settings from day one
  • Refresh skills and knowledge critical to your role
  • Flexible, self-paced study with up to four months to complete each course
  • Expert faculty provide individualized feedback
  • Enrol at any time
  • Affordable

 

 

FSNM Essentials Course Options

Designed to respond to the rapidly changing food service and healthcare environments, each of the FSNM Essentials courses helps food service professionals take their skills to the next level. These courses are sourced directly from the extensively revised FSNM Program which is delivered in partnership with Algonquin College and fully accredited by CSNM.

FSNM Essentials
Communication for Managers
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully online
Commitment 50 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

The greatest leaders of all time are great communicators. In fact, good communication is one of the most important skills for a leader to have. This course focuses on the communication required for a manager to be successful in leading their team and department.

Course Includes 

  • 3 units:
    • Managing through Effective Communications
    • Communication and Specific Situations
    • Business Communications and Technology
  • An engaging 1:1 assignment with your expert faculty. This component is highly rated by students who describe the interaction as extremely valuable.

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

FSNM Essentials
People-Centred Food Service
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully online
Commitment 70 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

This course introduces the foundational principles of people-centred care, with a focus on their application within food service and nutrition management. Learners will emerge with knowledge and skills to provide safe, respectful, and culturally responsive food services that enhance the patient/resident experience and contribute to quality care.

Course Includes

  • 4 units:
    • Person-Centred Care
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
    • Cultural Aspects of Food
    • People-Centred Meal-Service
  • An engaging 1:1 assignment with your expert faculty. In the supportive environment of this assignment, learners describe it as an excellent way to gain practical skills and get immediate feedback.  

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

FSNM Essentials
Introduction to Nutrition
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully online
Commitment 118 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

Understanding nutrition is essential for delivering effective food service in healthcare settings. This course introduces the fundamentals of how the body uses nutrients, how nutritional needs change across the lifespan, and how nutrition supports overall health and well-being.

Course Includes

  • 7 units:
    • The Human Body
    • Macronutrients
    • Micronutrients
    • Nutrition Requirements
    • Nutrient Composition of Food
    • Nutrition through the Lifecycle
    • Healthy Lifestyle

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

FSNM Essentials
Clinical Nutrition & Therapeutic Considerations
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully online
Commitment 70 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

This course provides learners with a foundational understanding of clinical nutrition within the context of food service and nutrition management. Learners will examine various disease states and the corresponding therapeutic diets used in healthcare settings. Key topics include the role of food and dietary modifications in managing chronic conditions, the use of nutrition supplements in clinical care, and the application of texture-modified diets to support nutrition.

Course Includes 

  • 6 units:
    • Nutrition Considerations in Long-Term Care
    • Nutrition Supplements
    • Texture Modified Diets
    • Gastrointestinal Conditions
    • Modified Diets – Diabetes
    • Modified Diets – Diseases of the Heart, Kidneys, Liver, and Gallbladder

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

FSNM Essentials
Nutrition Screening and Care Planning
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully online
Commitment 70 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

This course introduces the structured application of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and the essential components of nutrition assessment, screening, developing care plans, and monitoring outcomes while working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Key topics include culturally competent communication, nutrition counselling, motivational interviewing, and appropriate referral practices.

Course Includes

  • 4 units:
    • Introduction to the Nutrition Care Process
    • Nutrition Assessments, Screening and Client Communications
    • Documentation and Ethics
    • Care Planning, Implementation, Evaluation and Quality Monitoring
  • An engaging 1:1 assignment with your expert faculty. In this assignment you will apply your understanding of the nutrition care process in a conversation with your faculty. You will receive immediate feedback and faculty will share their expertise.  

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

FSNM Essentials
Menu Planning and Quantity Food Production
View course details and enrolment information
Stand Alone Course
Format Fully Online
Commitment 66 hours
Complete In Up to 4 months
Prerequisites None
Cost $550
Enrol Now

This course examines the role of FSNM through the full menu planning to implementation process, from considering dietary needs, cultural values, and budget constraints to applying recipes, costing, and production systems. You’ll learn how to design inclusive, sustainable, therapeutic and emergency menus in healthcare settings. Finally, you’ll gain skills in recipe standardization, production forecasting, and portion control, ensuring that meals served are person-centred, safe, nutritious, and consistent.

Course Includes

  • 4 units:
    • Introduction to Menu Planning in Healthcare
    • Menu Planning Process and Considerations
    • Menu Planning for Healthcare Settings and Community
    • Quality Food Production

This course is available for individual enrolment and can be taken on its own without enrolling in the FSNM Program.

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Whether you’re exploring a specific FSNM Essentials course or trying to determine which option best aligns with your career goals, our Learning Advisors can help. Reach out to discuss your learning needs and get guidance on selecting the right course for you.

 

Contact Us

FSNM Essentials Quick FAQ's

  • Are the FSNM Essentials courses available for individual enrolment?

    Yes. Each of the 6 FSNM Essentials courses is available for individual enrolment. Learners may enrol in one or several at the same time. Note that the 4-month timeline to complete your course(s) begins when you enrol. If you enrol in several courses at the same time, they will have the same 4-month course completion date.

  • Do I need to complete an application for any of the FSNM Essentials courses?

    No. Learners may enrol in and begin their learning immediately.

  • Can I achieve completion of the FSNM Program through the FSNM Essential courses?

    No. Application for and acceptance in the full FSNM Program is required to achieve the FSNM certificate. Completed FSNM Essentials courses would be considered for PLAR based on specific factors and assessment at the time of application.

  • What will I achieve when I complete an FSNM Essentials course?

    At the completion of an Essentials course, you will receive a certificate of completion issued by CHA Learning.

  • Can I achieve an active CSNM membership if I complete Essentials courses.

    No, CSNM active membership is available via the FSNM program pathway.

  • Do I have to be in a management role in food services to take an Essentials course?

    No, the Essentials courses can be taken by those in food services, at any role level.

View our CHA Learning FAQ page

“The course was clear and easy to understand. The lessons were organized in a way that made it simple to follow, even when the topics were new for me. I also liked that everything connected to real work in food service, so I could relate the content to what I see in healthcare settings. Overall, it felt practical and useful for my learning.”
—,
“I appreciate how the course connected the material to real workplace situations. The content was practical and easy to apply to my day-to-day responsibilities. I also found the units to be well organized, which made it easier to follow along while balancing full time work.”
—,

Related Programs and Courses

Food Service and Nutrition Management in Healthcare Program

 

Are you an employer looking to train a group?
Partner with us for your team’s professional development.

LEARN MORE

Why Choose CHA Learning

With over 70 years of history as a healthcare non-profit, online learning is all we do. Tens of thousands of professionals have graduated from our programs and gone on to positively impact the health system. Our healthcare experts and faculty coaches are industry leaders. Our team provides exceptional support and truly cares about your success. Learn more about us.

CHA Learning Info To Go

Need information about our programs you can take anywhere?
Download our brochure.