Free Online Nursing Courses & Continuing Education

If you're a registered nurse (RN), keeping up with continuing education is part of maintaining your license, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of free online nursing courses available, including options that offer continuing education credits (CEUs) as well as general learning opportunities.

Whether you're meeting renewal requirements or just looking to expand your knowledge, free online health and medicine courses make it easier to learn on your schedule. Many nurses choose flexible self-paced online courses so they can fit CEUs around work and personal commitments.

Are There Free Online Nursing Courses?

Yes, many platforms offer free online courses in nursing. Some are designed for general knowledge, while others are specifically created to meet continuing education requirements for licensed nurses.

These courses cover a wide range of topics, from clinical skills to specialty care areas. Whether you're looking to fulfill CE requirements or explore new areas of nursing, there are plenty of options available.

Can I Earn Nursing CEUs Online for Free?

In many cases, yes, you can earn CEUs online at no cost. Many healthcare organizations and accredited providers offer free continuing education courses that include certificates upon completion.

However, not all free courses qualify for CE credit. It’s important to verify that the course is approved by your state board or an organization like the ANCC before enrolling.

Best Free & Low-Cost Nursing Courses & CEUs

Free and low-cost nursing courses can help you strengthen clinical knowledge, explore specialties, and complete continuing education requirements. The providers below offer a combination of nursing continuing education and general learning resources.

Before enrolling for license renewal, check the activity’s nursing credit designation, contact hours, and acceptance by your state board. A general course certificate does not automatically qualify as nursing continuing education, and one CEU technically equals 10 contact hours.

1. Nurse.com – Free Nursing Continuing Education

Nurse.com offers nursing continuing education alongside resources on professional development, specialty practice, and licensing requirements. Its selected free courses give nurses opportunities to review clinical concepts and explore topics relevant to patient care.

Contact hours and completion requirements vary by activity, so review the individual listing before enrolling. The platform also offers paid courses and memberships for learners who need broader access or additional renewal hours.

2. NursingCE.com – Free Nursing CE Courses

NursingCE.com provides online continuing education for registered nurses, licensed practical and vocational nurses, and advanced practice nurses. Its free offerings include mentorship education that examines professional relationships, common barriers, and evidence-based approaches to supporting colleagues.

Learners can study the selected free material and complete a post-test without paying. A score of at least 80% allows you to download a free completion certificate, with contact hours specified on the course page.

3. Wild Iris Medical Education – Free Nursing CE

Wild Iris Medical Education offers nursing continuing education across areas such as infection control, patient safety, ethics, and clinical practice. Its catalog includes free learning opportunities alongside individually priced courses.

The provider advertises a free nursing CE course for new nurse customers, so eligibility and available selections should be checked before enrolling. Review the activity’s contact hours and completion requirements to determine whether it fits your renewal needs.

4. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses – Selected Free CE Activities

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers education focused on acute care, critical care, and professional nursing practice. Its selected free activities address topics such as patient safety, workplace environments, and evidence-based clinical care.

You can create a free account to complete featured activities and track your credits. These selections are available free for limited periods, while access to the full online CE library is included with paid membership.

5. Elite Learning – Free Nursing CE

Elite Learning offers selected free nursing continuing education in formats such as podcasts, videos, and written courses. These activities allow nurses to explore professional and clinical topics without purchasing a full membership.

To access a free activity, follow the registration and checkout instructions for the listing marked at no cost. After meeting the completion requirements, you can download your certificate through your account, while additional courses and membership plans carry separate fees.

6. myCME – Free Nursing Continuing Education

myCME provides free educational activities for nurses, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. Its catalog spans clinical specialties and includes formats such as case-based lessons, videos, webinars, and audio programs.

Credit types differ by activity, so select courses that explicitly offer nursing continuing education appropriate to your role. A free account allows you to participate in eligible activities and claim credit after meeting the stated requirements.

7. CDC/NIOSH – Occupational Health Training for Nurses

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the CDC, provides free training on workplace risks affecting nurses. Topics include workplace violence prevention, shift work, long working hours, and fatigue management.

Eligible activities offer nursing contact hours after learners complete the required assessment and evaluation through CDC TRAIN. For example, the two-part shift work and long working hours program awards 1.25 nursing contact hours for each part.

8. CDC TRAIN – Public Health and Clinical Education

CDC TRAIN is a free learning platform for healthcare professionals, public health workers, and others interested in health education. Its catalog includes training on infectious disease prevention, emergency response, health promotion, and related subjects.

Many activities offer free continuing education, although not every course provides nursing credit. Review the credit designation and complete the required learning activities, assessments, and evaluations to receive credit for an eligible course.

9. edX – Nursing and Healthcare Courses

edX hosts university-developed courses related to nursing, public health, and healthcare education. Options include subjects such as nurse preceptorship, which explores how experienced nurses support learners in clinical settings.

Courses with an audit option provide temporary free access to selected learning materials, while verified certificates generally require payment. Treat these as professional enrichment unless the individual course explicitly identifies approved nursing continuing education credit.

10. Alison – Nursing Studies Courses

Alison offers free, self-paced nursing studies courses covering topics such as patient care, hygiene, older adult care, and palliative care. These lessons can help you review foundational concepts or explore an area of healthcare that interests you.

Learning materials and assessments are free, while optional certificates and diplomas require payment. These completion awards do not qualify you for nursing licensure and should not be assumed to satisfy nursing continuing education requirements.

How We Rank Courses

We evaluate nursing courses based on what matters most to working professionals. The goal is to highlight options that are accessible, flexible, and relevant to real-world practice.

• Affordability: All listed courses are free or offer free access options.
• Online availability: Courses must be accessible online and flexible for busy schedules.
• Course provider reputation: We consider accreditation, industry recognition, and provider credibility.

What You’ll Learn in an Online Nursing Course

Online nursing courses can help you stay current with best practices while building new skills. Many CEU courses focus on practical applications that you can use immediately in your role.

You may learn skills such as:

• patient care techniques and clinical updates
• specialty topics like pediatrics, mental health, or geriatrics
• evidence-based practice methods
• communication and patient interaction skills
• workplace safety and compliance standards
• updates in healthcare regulations and treatments

How Much Do Online Nursing Courses and CEUs Cost?

Many online nursing courses are completely free, especially those offered by professional organizations, government agencies, and continuing education platforms. These often include certificates and contact hours at no cost.

If you choose paid options, costs typically range from about $5 to $50 per credit hour. Some learners also explore broader learning paths, including free online classes for adults, to expand their knowledge beyond required CEUs.

Who Should Consider Free Online Nursing Courses and CEUs?

These courses are ideal if you need to maintain your nursing license while keeping costs low. They’re especially helpful for nurses balancing full-time work and continuing education requirements.

They’re also a great option if you want to explore new specialties or refresh your skills. Even experienced nurses can benefit from staying current with evolving healthcare practices.

Career Outlook With Continuing Education in Nursing

Continuing education is essential for maintaining licensure and staying competitive in the nursing field. It demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and patient care.

As healthcare continues to evolve, nurses who stay up to date with new practices and knowledge are better positioned for advancement. CEUs can also support specialization and career mobility.

How to Choose the Right Free Nursing Course or CEU

Choosing the right course can help you meet requirements efficiently while gaining valuable knowledge. Taking a strategic approach can save you time and effort.

Verify CE Approval

Always confirm that the course is approved by your state board or a recognized accrediting body. This ensures your credits will count toward renewal.

Focus on Relevant Topics

Choose courses that align with your current role or future career goals. This helps you get more practical value from your learning.

Consider Course Format

Some courses are self-paced, while others include live sessions or webinars. Select a format that fits your schedule and learning style.

FAQs About Free Nursing Courses Online

A few more questions come up once you start thinking about how free coursework fits alongside formal education and licensing. Here's what else is worth understanding.

How Do Free Nursing Courses Differ From Pursuing an RN-to-BSN or Other Nursing Degree?

Free courses from providers like edX or Alison build knowledge or satisfy continuing education requirements, but they don't carry the academic credit or accreditation needed to advance a nursing degree like an RN-to-BSN program. Someone aiming for a higher degree still needs to enroll in an accredited nursing program alongside any free coursework they complete.

Does the Nurse Licensure Compact Change How CE Requirements Apply Across States?

Holding a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact doesn't eliminate the need to meet each individual state's CE requirements if you practice or renew in more than one compact state. Checking the specific rules for every state where you hold or use that license keeps renewal from catching you off guard.

Can Free Courses Help a Nurse With a Lapsed License Refresh Skills Before Returning to Practice?

Courses covering updated clinical guidelines, like those offered through Nurse.com or Wild Iris Medical Education, can help rebuild confidence and knowledge before a formal reinstatement process begins. Most state boards still require a separate reactivation process beyond any refresher coursework, so checking those requirements early matters just as much.

Can Free CE Courses Help Prepare for a Specialty Certification Exam Like the CCRN?

General CE coursework can reinforce foundational clinical knowledge, but a certification exam like the CCRN usually requires more targeted review materials built specifically around that exam's content outline. Pairing free CE courses with a dedicated exam prep resource tends to work better than relying on general CE alone.

How Can a Nurse Track CE Requirements Across More Than One Specialty Certification?

Nurses holding multiple certifications, such as a general RN license plus a specialty credential, often face separate CE requirements and renewal dates for each one. Keeping a single organized log of completion certificates and deadlines, rather than tracking each certification separately in your head, makes it easier to stay compliant across all of them.

What Types Of Continuing Education Do Nurses Need?

Nurses can complete continuing education in a wide range of topics depending on their specialty and state requirements. In addition to general nursing courses, some may also pursue specialized courses, such as free stroke nursing CEUs, to build expertise in specific areas of patient care.

Discover Affordable Nursing Programs and Courses

Free courses are a great way to stay current, but they’re just one part of your professional development. If you’re considering advancing your career, additional training can open new opportunities. You can explore nursing programs on Learn.org to compare options, learn about specializations, and connect with schools that fit your goals.