Finding high-quality online nursing courses that are free and offer certificates can be challenging. Many platforms advertise “free training” but hide the actual certificate behind a paywall.
This comprehensive guide cuts through the noise. We have categorized these resources into “Truly Free Certificates” (where you pay nothing for the proof of completion) and “Free Courses” (where the learning is free, but the certificate requires a fee or financial aid).
Whether you are a nursing student, a registered nurse looking for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or a beginner interested in healthcare, these online nursing courses will boost your resume and skills.
Top Online Nursing Courses: Truly Free Certificates (No Payment Required)
These reputable organizations offer both free training and a free certificate or transcript upon completion.
1. CDC Project Firstline & TRAIN
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers world-class training for healthcare workers. Through their CDC TRAIN platform and Project Firstline, you can access accredited online nursing courses.
- Best For: Infection control, epidemiology, and public health.
- Cost: 100% Free (Course + Certificate/CEUs).
- Popular Courses:
- Why it’s great: These are recognized globally and look excellent on a CV.
2. NursingCE.com
This platform is a favorite among working nurses. While they offer paid bundles, they consistently maintain a selection of free CEU courses that allow you to download a certificate immediately after passing a post-test.
- Best For: Quick CEUs for license renewal.
- Cost: Free for specific courses.
- Popular Topics:
- Certificate: Instant PDF download.
3. OpenLearn (The Open University)
The Open University (UK) offers a dedicated Health, Sports & Psychology section with free courses.
- Best For: Beginners and those exploring nursing as a career.
- Cost: Free.
- Certificate Type: Free Statement of Participation (Downloadable). Note: This is different from a formal degree diploma but serves as proof of learning.
- Top Course: “So, You Want to Be a Nurse?” (Covers roles, values, and the realities of the profession).
4. Nurse.com & FreeCME
These sites are hubs for Continuing Medical Education. Platforms like Nurse.com and FreeCME frequently partner with medical companies to offer sponsored courses that are free to the user.
- Best For: Specialized topics like oncology, cardiology, and pain management.
- Cost: Free (often sponsored).
- Accreditation: Most offer ANCC contact hours.
Top Platforms: Free Learning (Financial Aid or Paid Certificate)
These platforms offer university-level education. The content is free to view (Audit mode), but you typically must pay for the official certificate unless you apply for financial aid.
1. Coursera (Financial Aid Option)
Coursera partners with top universities like Yale, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Minnesota.
- The “Free” Hack: You can apply for Financial Aid (link usually found near the “Enroll” button). If approved, you get the certificate for free.
- Top Specializations:
- Nursing Informatics (University of Minnesota)
- Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us (University of Pennsylvania)
- Integrative Nursing
- Verdict: Best for deep, academic learning.
2. Alison
Alison is famous for its massive library of online nursing courses.
- The Catch: The course is free, but you must pay to buy the digital or physical certificate.
- Why use it? The content is excellent for skills building (e.g., Diploma in Nursing and Patient Care, Elderly Care). Use it to learn the skills, even if you don’t buy the paper.
3. edX
Similar to Coursera, edX hosts courses from Harvard and other giants.
- Access: “Audit” track is free (access to materials for a limited time).
- Certificate: Paid verified track.
- Top Course: Anatomy & Physiology and Global Health topics.
Specialized & Regional Free Training
- RCNi Learning (UK): The Royal College of Nursing offers free modules for students and qualified nurses. You can save certificates to your revalidation portfolio.
- Stanford Online: Occasionally offers free webinars and short courses on medical topics, though formal certificates usually cost money.
- World Health Organization (OpenWHO): Update for 2026: OpenWHO has historically been a great resource. However, recent updates suggest they may have paused issuing certificates for some self-paced courses. Always check the current FAQ on their site before starting if a certificate is your only goal.
How to Choose the Right Online Nursing Courses
- Check Accreditation: If you need CEUs for your license, ensure the provider (like CDC or NursingCE) is accredited by the ANCC or your state board.
- Verify the “Free”: Always check if the certificate is free or just the content.
- Relevance: Choose online nursing courses that fill a gap in your resume (e.g., “Telehealth” or “Mental Health Nursing” are high-demand skills).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I become a nurse completely online for free?
No. Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) requires a formal degree (ADN or BSN) and hundreds of hours of in-person clinical rotations. The online nursing courses listed here are for continuing education, upskilling, or introduction purposes, not for initial licensure.
2. Are these Online Nursing Courses valid for jobs?
Yes. Certificates from reputable sources like the CDC, Coursera (universities), and accredited CEU providers are highly respected. They show employers you are proactive about learning. Certificates from “diploma mill” sites are not valid.
3. What is the difference between “Auditing” and a Certificate?
- Auditing: You can watch the videos and read the texts for free, but you don’t get a certificate and sometimes cannot take graded exams.
- Certificate: You complete all assignments, pass exams, and receive a verified document proving your achievement.
4. Do these Online Nursing Courses count toward my license renewal?
Only if they are accredited CEUs. Courses from the CDC and NursingCE.com generally count. A generic “completion certificate” from a non-accredited site like Alison usually does not count toward state board license renewal requirements, though it still looks good on a resume.
5. How do I put these on my resume?
Create a section titled “Certifications & Professional Development”.
- Example:
- Infection Prevention and Control | CDC Project Firstline | March 2025
- Vital Signs Course | University of Pennsylvania (Coursera) | Jan 2025
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