Top 20 Free Nursing Education Websites to Boost Your Career
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Top 20 Free Online Nursing Learning Resources to Continue Your Nursing Education
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Looking for free online nursing learning platforms? Discover 20 trusted resources where nurses can boost clinical knowledge, earn CE credits, and advance their careers — all for free!
—Top 20 Free Online Nursing Learning Resources to Continue Your Nursing Education
Continuing education is essential for every nurse who wants to grow professionally, stay confident in patient care, and stay updated with changing healthcare technologies.The best part? You don’t always need to pay for it. Many credible websites offer free online nursing learning courses that help you enhance your knowledge, earn CE credits, and stay competent in today’s healthcare environment.In this article, we’ll explore 20 top free nursing education resources every nurse should know in 2025.
—Why Lifelong Learning Matters in Nursing healthcare never stands still. New treatments, diseases, and technologies constantly change how nurses work. Lifelong learning helps you:
Stay updated on evidence-based Practice
improve clinical decision-making
Build leadership and communication
Skills earn continuing education (CE) credits for license renewal
Enhance career opportunities and specialization Options learning regularly also boosts your confidence, competence, and compassion — the three core values of modern nursing.
—Top 20 Free Online Nursing Learning ResourcesHere’s a hand-picked list of trusted global platforms that offer free nursing courses, CE modules, and learning materials
.—1. Alison – Foundations of Nursing📍
Website: alison.comA beginner-friendly course that covers nursing values, ethics, roles, and patient care basics. Perfect for new nurses and students revising fundamentals.
Best for: Foundational nursing principles and self-paced learning.
—2. Nurse.com – Free CE Courses📍
Website: nurse.comOne of the most popular continuing education hubs. Offers free CE-accredited courses on leadership, critical care, infection prevention, and more.
Best for: Earning CE credits for license renewal.
—3. AACN – American Association of Critical-Care Nurses📍
Website: aacn.orgProvides top-quality free CE activities and clinical modules for ICU and emergency nurses.
Best for: Critical-care and acute-care nurses.
—-4. Open RN – Wisconsin Technical College System📍
Website: cvtc.eduA complete open-source project providing free textbooks, simulations, and case studies.
Best for: Nursing educators and students looking for quality OER materials.
—5. LearningNurse.org📍
Website: learningnurse.orgFeatures interactive quizzes, videos, and e-learning modules on a wide range of nursing topics.
Best for: Quick self-assessments and micro-learning.
—6. Osmosis – Nursing Student Resources📍
Website: osmosis.orgOffers animated videos, concept summaries, and quizzes. Great for visual learners preparing for NCLEX or nursing exams.
Best for: Visual and conceptual learning.
—-7. Lippincott nursing center 📍
Website: nursingcenter.comIncludes journals, podcasts, and CE resources from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins publishers.
Best for: Accessing current research and nursing news.
—8. Coursera (Free Audit Option)📍
Website: coursera.orgYou can audit top university courses like “Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us” for free.
Best for: Academic-level courses from global universities.
—9. FutureLearn – Free Nursing Courses📍
Website: futurelearn.comProvides courses from global universities on infection control, palliative care, and patient safety.
Best for: Short professional courses with certification options.
—10. Khan Academy – Health & Medicine Section📍
Website: khanacademy.orgSimple explanations of anatomy, physiology, and diseases. Great for refreshing knowledge.
Best for: Visual learners and nursing students.
—11. OpenWHO (by WHO)📍
Website: openwho.orgThe World Health Organization’s official platform for free global health courses. Learn about infection prevention, pandemic preparedness, and emergency care.
Best for: Public health nurses and global health learners.
—-12. EdX (Audit for Free)📍
Website: edx.orgTake free university-level nursing and healthcare management courses by auditing classes.
Best for: Academic advancement and leadership skills.
––13. Stanford Online – Health & Medicine Courses📍
Website: [online.stanford.edu]Free public courses covering patient safety, digital health, and evidence-based practice.
Best for: Nurses interested in research and innovation.
—14. APNA – Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing📍
Website: apna.orgFree CE sessions on psychiatric and mental health nursing.
Best for: Mental health and psychiatric nursing professionals.
—15. Medscape Nurses📍
Website: medscape.comOffers articles, free CE credits, and up-to-date medical news curated for nurses.
Best for: Staying informed about new clinical updates.-
–16. OpenLearn (by The Open University, UK)📍
Website: open.edu/openlearnProvides hundreds of open-access nursing and healthcare modules.
Best for: Deep academic learning at no cost.
—17. Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) – Free Resources📍
Website: sigmanursing.orgFree webinars, leadership training, and research toolkits for nurses worldwide.
Best for: Leadership and evidence-based nursing development.
—18. Cleveland Clinic – Free CE for Nurses📍
Website: [clevelandclinic.org]Offers occasional free continuing education webinars for nurses.
Best for: Specialty practice nurses seeking updated clinical sessions.
—19. Coursera India & Swayam (Govt. of India)📍
Website: swayam.gov.inFree Indian government platform with nursing and healthcare management courses.
Best for: Indian nurses seeking verified free government-certified courses.
––20. Global Health eLearning Center (USAID)📍
Website:globalhealthlearning.orgProvides free e-learning on maternal health, infection control, and global health topics.
Best for: Public health nurses, educators, and international healthcare professionals
—🌟 Final Thoughts
Nursing education is no longer limited to classrooms or textbooks. The world’s best learning materials are now available free online, giving every nurse — whether a student, staff nurse, or educator — an equal chance to grow.By taking advantage of these free resources, you’re not only improving your own skills but also contributing to safer, more compassionate patient care.Empower yourself. Learn freely. Care confidently.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the best free online nursing courses for continuing education?
Some of the most trusted free nursing learning platforms include Nurse.com, OpenWHO (by WHO), Coursera (audit option), Alison, and AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses). These websites provide free, credible courses covering leadership, clinical practice, infection prevention, and evidence-based care.
—2. Do free online nursing courses offer certificates?
Yes, many free courses provide certificates of completion. Platforms like Alison, Coursera, and FutureLearn often include certificate options—some free, others for a small fee. These certificates can enhance your resume or professional portfolio.
—-3. Can I earn CE credits from free online nursing resources?
Absolutely! Websites like Nurse.com, Medscape, and AACN offer free CE-accredited modules that count toward your continuing education requirements for nursing license renewal in many countries
.—4. Are free online nursing courses recognized by employers?
While not all free courses are accredited, many from reputable platforms (such as WHO, AACN, or major universities on Coursera) are highly respected. They show employers your commitment to lifelong learning and continuous professional growth.
––5. How can I make the most of free online nursing education?
To get the best results:Schedule regular study hoursTake notes and review key conceptsJoin online nursing communitiesApply learned skills at workAdd completed courses to your LinkedIn profile or resume