Best Free & Paid Online Courses for Nurses

Stay updated with the best free and paid online courses for all stages of your nursing career. Whether you're in school or a seasoned professional, continuous learning is key!

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Whether you're still in nursing school, freshly graduated, or a decade into your nursing career -- the learning never stops. Nurses must fulfill various Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) requirements to remain eligible for nursing licensure renewal. 

To help new and tenured nurses alike, we have compiled a resource of the best free and paid online courses for nurses!

It's important for nurses to be aware that the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has recently updated the terminology from Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) to Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) hours. Therefore, you may see Continuing Education Unit (CEU), CNE, and NCPD used interchangeably, as they are equivalent. One learning hour equals one contact education hour.

Best Free Online Courses for Nurses

Asking and Advocating for What Nurses Need 

In response to workplace concerns, Capella University and the ANA are offering the essential online course "Asking and Advocating for What Nurses Need" for free in 2024. Developed after a survey revealed that 31% of nurses feel underheard at work, this course equips you with the necessary tools to advocate effectively for significant improvements in your workplace. The program covers strategies for influencing federal law, engaging with regulatory processes, and actively participating in grassroots efforts. Particularly vital in today's challenging work environment, this course empowers you to apply these skills daily and enhance both your professional and personal satisfaction.

See You Now: Focus on Mental Health

Mental health is critical to overall well-being, especially for nurses who face high stress and emotional demands. Featuring the 'SEE YOU NOW' podcast series, this course explores innovative approaches to mental health in nursing. By addressing the stigma around seeking support and highlighting effective strategies for managing burnout and stress, this course is essential for enhancing your mental health and fostering a supportive work environment.

See You Now: Focus on Health Equity

Understanding health equity is crucial for your role as a professional nurse. Through the 'SEE YOU NOW' podcast series, you'll learn about innovative solutions nurses use to address health equity gaps in their communities. You'll hear stories about efforts to identify and support human trafficking victims, advance Black maternal health, create virtual health screenings for homeless shelters, and partner with faith-based organizations to build trust and break barriers. This course will expand your knowledge and provide practical approaches to promote equitable access to care, inspiring and empowering you to be part of the solution.

See You Now: Data - Technology Driven Care 

Understanding how data and technology can enhance patient care is crucial as a nurse. The 'SEE YOU NOW' podcast series provides practical insights into the transformative impact of these tools in healthcare. You'll learn about the use of digital health and social media for managing chronic conditions, integrating AI into clinical workflows, leveraging real-world data in research, and preparing for public health emergencies. These episodes will equip you with the knowledge to improve patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and address health disparities, making this course highly relevant to your practice and professional growth.

The Concept of Infection Control

In collaboration with the ANA and the CDC's National Training Collaborative for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control, this online course covers the core principles of infection control. It equips nurses and healthcare professionals with the knowledge to protect themselves, patients, and the community from infectious diseases. Explore the primary goals of infection control and the strategic objectives of Project Firstline to enhance health safety in all healthcare settings.

How Do Viruses Cause Infection 

Building on foundational infection control knowledge, this course examines how viruses infect and replicate within the body. In the context of the post-global pandemic, understanding these viral mechanisms is crucial. This course empowers you to implement effective infection prevention strategies, essential for maintaining safety in healthcare settings amid ongoing viral threats.

Work Environments and Staffing: A Deeper Dive into the AACN 2021 Survey Results 

Explore the effects of implicit bias on patient outcomes and review recent survey data on nurse work environments in this online video course. Understand the impact of the pandemic on staffing and gain practical strategies to improve your work setting, ultimately enhancing nurse well-being and patient care.

Impact of Skin Color on SpO2 Detection of Hypoxemia

Recent evidence indicates that pulse oximetry devices can overestimate arterial oxygen saturation in racial and ethnic minorities with darker skin, potentially leading to delayed identification and treatment of hypoxemia. This webinar is crucial for nurses in any clinical setting, as it explains how skin pigmentation impacts pulse oximetry results. You'll learn to identify at-risk patients and use clinical assessments to ensure accurate readings and safe care. Enhancing your skills in recognizing hypoxemia will help you provide better, more equitable care for vulnerable patients.

Not Recognizing Your Grandpa's Stroke: Recognizing Acute Stroke in the Young Adult 

Addressing the increasing trend of ischemic stroke in patients under 50, who often do not exhibit classic stroke symptoms, this online article teaches nurses to identify the unique signs and symptoms of stroke in younger adults. Nurses will understand common and uncommon causes and discuss acute treatment options. Acquiring this knowledge is crucial for improving early diagnosis and effective treatment in this growing patient population, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Nursing Implications of the Updated 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines

Sepsis remains a major health concern with high mortality rates, and the updated Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) Guidelines are essential for effective management. This course aims to highlight the implications of these new guidelines for nursing care. You'll learn about early identification, hemodynamic monitoring, and long-term care, and understand nurses' vital role in delivering timely, evidence-based care. Recognizing sepsis symptoms early and advocating for higher-level care, even outside the ICU, is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Preventing Medical Device–Related Pressure Injuries Due to Noninvasive Ventilation Masks and Nasal Cannulas

Learn about interventions to reduce medical device-related pressure injuries in hospital settings, focusing on patients on noninvasive ventilation like CPAP or BIPAP or those wearing a nasal cannula. Did you know that nasal cannulas can cause pressure injuries behind the ear, in the nostril, or above the lip despite their small size? If you work in a hospital, you're likely familiar with Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPUs), making this course essential for improving patient care in such settings.

Healthcare Worker Well-being: Making the System Work for Healthcare Workers

As a nurse, you're well aware of the challenges of burnout. It's crucial to address the root causes within the workplace to safeguard your well-being and ensure continued exceptional care delivery. This course provides essential insights into how NIOSH, in collaboration with hospital leaders, is developing and implementing tailored solutions to reduce burnout among healthcare workers. By enhancing workplace conditions and supporting mental health, this initiative aims to improve job satisfaction and performance, ultimately benefiting the entire healthcare environment.

Safety Culture in Healthcare Settings 

Designed for healthcare workers, including nurses, the program covers key areas such as safety culture, risk identification, injury prevention, leadership for safety improvements, legal aspects of worker safety, and ethical practices. It consists of five brief modules that provide essential safety competencies, enhancing workplace safety in healthcare settings.

Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours Part 1 & 2 

This online training was designed to help nurses, administrators, and safety professionals manage the health and safety challenges of shift work and long hours. Split into two parts, the first four modules focus on identifying and understanding the risks associated with such schedules, crucial for nurses adapting to varying shifts. The remaining eight modules provide practical strategies for nurses and their managers to reduce these risks, both at work and personally. 

Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses

Nurses encounter workplace violence more frequently than many other professions. This specialized training program has been developed to help manage and prevent such incidents. It teaches you to identify risk factors, recognize early warning signs, and apply advanced communication skills in potentially violent situations. The course also offers resources and strategies to support healthcare professionals affected by violence. Additionally, it focuses on building essential team skills like effective information sharing and responsive communication, which are vital components of a robust workplace violence prevention strategy.

  • Provider: CDC | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Cost: Free
  • Expires: 05/8/2024; the course is still available, but you may not be able to receive CNEs. 
  • Contact Hours: 3.0
  • Link: Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses

OPMC Pain Education Course

Nurses seeking to enhance their pain management skills can benefit from a specialized training program offered by the Oregon Pain Management Commission. This course helps you recognize complex, persistent pain and understand the influence of health and cultural factors on pain perception. You'll learn to effectively communicate the role of the brain in pain experiences and access patient education resources. The program also emphasizes shared decision-making to help patients implement healthy lifestyle changes.

  • Provider: Oregon Pain Management Commission.
  • Cost: Free
  • Expires: 06/30/2024; the course is still available, but you may not be able to receive CNEs. 
  • Contact Hours: 1-1.5
  • Link: OPMC Pain Education Course

Addressing Health Disparities 

Nurses can address health disparities, particularly in cardiovascular disease, by enhancing their understanding of socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic factors. This course covers evaluating disparities, discussing research, and reflecting on personal beliefs. You'll learn to integrate tools in patient care, improve cultural competency, and assess the responsibilities of providers, institutions, and communities. The training also emphasizes the impact of social determinants, risk assessment tools, and interventions to improve cardiovascular health and reduce disparities in vulnerable populations.

Assessing the Cardiovascular Health of Marginalized Populations

Enhance your nursing practice with insights from the AHA Scientific Sessions 2021 on health equity. This course delves into cardiovascular disparities among African Americans, the impact of discrimination on Latino CVD risk, and how acculturation affects preterm births. It also examines the link between sexual minority identity and CVD risk factors. Understanding these determinants will help you address health inequities and provide better care for diverse patient populations.


Understanding Structural Racism

Improve your nursing practice by understanding the impact of structural racism on health outcomes. This course distinguishes structural from interpersonal racism, highlights historical and contemporary examples, and explains how structural racism drives health disparities, particularly affecting Black people and other racial and ethnic groups. This knowledge is crucial for nurses to address health inequities and provide better care to diverse populations. Part of a two-part series, it equips you with essential insights to enhance patient care and advocate for health equity.

The Relationship Between Structural Racism and Poor Health

As nurses, it's vital to understand unconscious bias and racism to ensure equitable healthcare. This course explores the amygdala's role in bias, different types of racism, and the social determinants of health. By learning how these factors impact health outcomes, particularly in Black communities, you'll be better equipped to address disparities and provide compassionate care to all patients. This knowledge is essential for fostering an inclusive healthcare environment.

Promoting Cardiovascular Health Equity Through Meaningful Partnerships

Gain crucial insights into how unconscious bias and racism affect health outcomes. This course explores the amygdala's role in processing bias, distinguishes personal, structural, and internalized racism, and uses the Cliff Analogy to explain social determinants of health. Learn how racism, both interpersonal and structural, harms the physical and mental health of marginalized communities, especially Black Americans. This knowledge is essential for nurses to address health disparities and enhance care for diverse populations.

The Nurse's Toolkit

The Nurse's Toolkit course equips nurses with essential life-saving skills and interventions. Covering airway management, trauma care, sepsis management, wound care, and obstetrical emergencies, it integrates augmented reality for interactive learning. This course enhances your practical skills and preparedness in critical situations.

  • Provider: The Unversity of Michigan via Coursera
  • Cost: Free 7-Day Trial or Free with Coursera Membership
  • Expires: Enroll
  • Contact Hours: N/I
  • Link: The Nurse's Toolkit

Essentials of Palliative Care 

Enhance your nursing skills with a comprehensive palliative care program, crucial for providing holistic care to patients with serious illnesses. The program covers developing interdisciplinary treatment plans, effective communication, empathy, and handling difficult conversations. You'll also learn distress screening, psychosocial support, and advance care planning. This training is crucial for improving patient quality of life and cultural competency, empowering nurses and patients to navigate palliative care needs.

  • Provider: Stanford University via Coursera
  • Cost: Free 7-Day Trial or Free with Coursera Membership
  • Expires: 9/29/2026
  • Contact Hours: 11.5
  • Link: Essentials of Palliative Care 

Symptom Management in Palliative Care

For nurses who have completed the Essentials of Palliative Care, this advanced course builds on essential skills. You'll learn to assess and manage symptoms using communication tools, conduct pain assessments, and relieve pain through medication and lifestyle changes. The course also addresses emotional support and the palliative care psychiatrist's role. It covers treatments for common symptoms like pain, nausea, and fatigue while enhancing cultural competency for effective symptom management. This training is crucial for delivering comprehensive, compassionate care to patients.

Transitions in Care from Survivorship to Hospice

After completing the Symptom Management course, advance your palliative care skills with this training. It focuses on care transitions, including survivorship and hospice, and teaches you to create survivorship care plans and support patients effectively. You'll also learn to provide spiritual care by screening for spiritual distress and understand the requirements for hospice care. Additionally, the course prepares you for difficult end-of-life conversations, ensuring comprehensive support for patients during critical transitions.

Supporting Families and Caregivers

Advance your skills in supporting families and caregivers of patients with serious illnesses with this focused course. Learn effective interventions for helping family members and caregivers cope emotionally, conduct basic screenings for children's adjustment, and define and screen for caregiver burden. The course emphasizes empowering children and caregivers of patients, ensuring they receive the support they need. By the end, you'll be equipped to give crucial support to those instrumental to your patients' care and quality of life.

  • Provider: Stanford University via Coursera
  • Cost: Free 7-Day Trial or Free with Coursera Membership
  • Expires: 9/29/2026
  • Contact Hours: 10
  • Link: Supporting Families and Caregivers

Best Paid Online Courses for Nurses

Leading a Healthy Workplace Environment 

Equip yourself with the tools to create healthier work environments and improve nurse retention and engagement. While this online course is primarily designed for nurse leaders, any nurse looking to advocate for positive change will find value in its topics, including nurse empowerment, the link between engagement and satisfaction, and the importance of mutual commitment. Explore how professional development impacts individual nurses and the organization, preparing you to foster a supportive workplace culture.

Bringing the Nursing Scope and Standards to Life - Part 1 & 2

Part 1: Introduction to Nursing Scope and Standards: Explore the foundational elements of the Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, essential for all nurses. This course section introduces how to actively integrate these standards into everyday nursing practices across various settings.

Part 2: Application of Scope and Standards: Build on your foundational knowledge by learning to apply the Nursing Scope and Standards effectively in your practice setting. This section focuses on embedding these peer-reviewed competencies into your organization's nursing evaluation program, enhancing quality and patient care.

Suicide Among Nurses: What We Don't Know Might Hurt Us

Address the pressing issue of suicide within the nursing profession, a group disproportionately affected by high job stress, emotional demands, and greater access to means. Triggered by the tragic suicides of public figures like Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, this course aims to tackle the often hidden and under-researched phenomenon of nurse suicide. Gain knowledge on risk factors, protective measures, and effective prevention strategies to recognize warning signs, seek help when needed, and support colleagues, enhancing the safety and well-being of the nursing community.

Everyday Ethics: Guiding Nursing Practice 

Ethical challenges are a reality in nursing, impacting every nurse at some point in their career. Dive into the ANA Code of Ethics through this online course to address these challenges effectively. It comprehensively explores ethical principles, enriched with expert discussions, scenario assessments, and practical case studies. Designed for self-paced learning, the course enables you to thoroughly understand and apply these ethics consistently in your practice, ensuring preparedness for ethical dilemmas that can arise in any healthcare setting.

Implementation: The Linchpin of Evidence-based Practice Changes 

Focused on evidence-based practice (EBP), this course is vital for ensuring patient safety and quality care using the best available evidence. Despite its importance, many nurses find implementing EBP challenging. The course reviews EBP models and frameworks, provides strategies to overcome barriers, and includes a case study on successful evidence integration. Learn to describe key EBP models, discuss practical strategies, and apply these concepts to improve practice outcomes.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Healthcare Workforce

Enhancing understanding and practice among healthcare professionals, the online course on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) covers critical aspects such as race, gender identity, disabilities, and religion. The program comprises six detailed modules and a final assessment, enabling nurses to serve diverse patient populations better and foster a more inclusive workplace.

Behavioral Health Course 

Addressing the prevalent need for behavioral health training across all nursing specialties, the Behavioral Health Program equips nurses with crucial crisis management skills. In today's mental health crisis, it's essential for all nurses, regardless of specialty, to be adept at handling behavioral health challenges. This program provides comprehensive training in suicide prevention, substance-related disorders, complex behaviors, personality disorders, and de-escalation techniques, ensuring all nurses can offer compassionate care with dignity.

  • Provider: Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN)
  • Cost: $335; $235 for AMSN Members
  • Expires: N/I
  • Contact Hours: 5
  • Link: Behavioral Health Course

Clinical Leadership Development Program: Essential Leadership Competencies for Nurses at Every Level

Aimed at preparing the next generation of medical-surgical nurse leaders, the Clinical Leadership Development Program focuses on essential leadership competencies for nurses at every level. The course includes ten self-paced online modules and a 50-question assessment, equipping nurses with the skills needed to excel in leadership roles within the healthcare environment.

Continuing education offers many opportunities for nurses to deepen their knowledge and skills. This curated list provides a starting point for exploration, but it's essential to remember that specialized organizations exist for nearly every nursing specialty, offering tailored resources and courses. Whether you're interested in perioperative care, critical nursing, or any other field, there's likely an organization dedicated to supporting your professional growth. As you embark on your educational journey, always double-check eligibility dates before enrolling in courses, especially if they're paid, ensuring that your investment aligns perfectly with your career goals. Happy learning!

Edited by Erin Lee

Erin Lee

About Erin Lee, BSN, RN

Editorial Team / Admin

Erin Lee has 12 years experience as a BSN, RN and specializes in Critical Care, Procedural, Care Coordination, LNC.

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