Turn Downtime Into Career Growth: Free Nursing Courses You Can Take Anywhere
Whether you’re a seasoned RN, a newly licensed LPN, a school nurse on summer break, or just beginning to delve into a career in nursing, summer is the perfect time to explore new topics and expand your knowledge. Take advantage of those slower days with a free online nursing course, and enhance your practice without adding stress to your schedule. There’s no tuition or commute, just flexible learning at your own pace, right from the comfort of your couch (or beach chair!). So pour yourself something cold, kick back, and take your nursing journey to the next level.
Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
According to a Press Ganey report, there was a 5 percent increase in assaults against nurses from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the need to provide more protection for healthcare professionals on the front lines. This free, self-paced training course from the CDC is designed to help nurses recognize, respond to, and prevent workplace violence. The interactive modules guide participants through the risk factors, warning signs, and impact of workplace violence, and give strategies for supporting victims and building prevention programs.
Learners receive 0.3 CEUs and 3.0 nursing contact hours.
NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Nursing is not for the faint of heart. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that 57% of nurses leave the profession in the first three years. NIOSH’s training is designed to help nurses and nurse managers recognize and reduce the health and safety risks related to shift work, long hours, and workplace fatigue. The course is divided into two parts:
- Part 1 Covers the wide range of risks associated with extended and irregular work schedules, exploring the science behind sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythms.
- Part 2 Focuses on evidence-based strategies nurses can apply both personally and organizationally to minimize fatigue and improve well-being.
The self-paced program equips participants with practical tools to create healthier schedules and safer work environments. Nurses can earn 2.5 contact hours and 0.2 CEUs upon completion.
The Musculoskeletal System: The Science of Staying Active into Old Age
FutureLearn and the Medical Research Council Versus Arthritis Centre
The course explores how aging, exercise, and diet affect the musculoskeletal system. Participants will learn why bones, joints, and muscles lose function over time and what lifestyle changes can help maintain strength and mobility as we age.
The self-paced course takes approximately three hours per week over three weeks. While access is free, a certificate of completion is available for purchase.
When There Is a Pregnant Patient in the ICU: A Case-Based Learning Session
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
When a pregnant patient ends up in the ICU, it can be a challenging situation, especially for providers who don’t specialize in obstetrics. This interactive, case-based session is designed to boost your confidence by walking through the physiologic changes of pregnancy and how they impact care in a critical setting. The class uses real-world case studies, including scenarios involving the new Joint Commission Standard on peripartum/postpartum hypertension. Participants will gain key insights and practical tips for managing critically ill pregnant patients.
This course is ideal for ICU providers, nurses, and clinicians looking to strengthen their approach to maternal care in high-acuity settings.
Therapeutic Communication With Families of Pediatric Patients
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
Effective communication is critical in all care, but especially pediatric care. This course explores evidence-based strategies for therapeutic communication that build trust, foster emotional support, and improve family-centered care.
Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide compassionate, supportive interactions, but often receive little formal training on how to navigate difficult conversations. This course offers practical tools to help nurses and nurse practitioners strengthen their communication skills and enhance the emotional well-being of pediatric patients and their families.
Get Started Today
There are plenty more free, high-quality nursing courses available online.
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Whether you’re by the pool or on a quick break, self-paced learning makes it easy to fit professional growth into your summer schedule.
Balancing fun in the sun with a little extra learning can pay off big: boost your clinical knowledge, earn CEUs, meet licensure requirements, and grow your career—all at no cost. It’s a smart way to support your patients, your future, and even your paycheck.