Top Free Nursing CEUs: A Complete Guide | CE App

As a nurse, continuing education is required to advance your career, care for your patients, and even for license renewal.

This guide will help you navigate the world of free nursing continuing education units (CEUs) to meet your professional development needs without spending your hard-earned money.

In this article, we have directly linked to 13 free continuing education courses, with additional sources cited, and covered an in-depth discussion on all there is to know about free CEs for nurses. Let's dive in.

The Need for Free CEUS for Nurses

Completing a free nursing CEU course has many advantages. It benefits nurses, patients, and their family members.

Healthcare providers who complete CEUs are better equipped to care for and adapt to changing professional environments.

What's better is that all the tools required to complete new courses, earn free CEUs, and even track your CEUs are available online.

Let's review some of the advantages you can expect to see at your workplace after completing a course:

• Career Advancement: Advance your nursing career with professional development.
• Cost Efficiency: An affordable way to maintain licensure, expand knowledge, and improve outcomes.
• License Renewal: Meet state CE requirements for license renewal.
• Outcome Improvement: Improve patient outcomes and reduce errors.
• Skill Enhancement: Stay updated with the best practices in patient care and safety with current knowledge and skills.
• Trend Awareness: Stay current with the latest trends and developments in nursing.

Are There Free Continuing Education Courses for Nurses?

Yes, absolutely! Many reputable organizations offer free continuing education courses, making it easier than ever for nurses to access high-quality continuing education.

We will now discuss some reputable sources that any nurse can access to complete a course that suits their special considerations.

American Nurses Association (ANA) - Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities for Nurses

The ANA offers a selection of free CE courses for members and non-members alike. These courses cover various topics and are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Though ANA members get exclusive perks and access to a broader catalog of free courses, many free programs and specialized CE modules cover various nursing themes and professional development areas that do not require a membership.

Not a member? Here's the best way to go about finding a course that will assist you:

Visit their website using this filtered link. If you follow this link, the courses have already been filtered by low to high prices, so the free ones will be directly at the top of the list. Here are a few we think provide the most value:

1. Primary Care Access (4 Contact Hours): Tackles primary care access, crucial for public health, especially in underserved areas.

2. Focus on Health Equity (4 Contact Hours): Focuses on health equity and how nurses can contribute to promoting equal care opportunities.

3. Rooting Out Racism in Health Care (4 Contact Hours): Covers the issue of systemic racism in healthcare and how to advocate for inclusive care.

4. Focus on Mental Health (4 Contact Hours): Provides essential knowledge to handle emotional well-being issues in various settings.

5. Asking and Advocating for What Nurses Need (National Nurses Month Webinar) (1.5 Contact Hours): Teaches nurses advocacy and communication skills to advance in their careers.

Nurse.com

Nurse.com is a leading provider of continuing education for nurses, offering a wide range of accredited courses.

Though most of their course catalog is paywalled, you can still occasionally access a free course on nurse.com, depending on availability. Their complete course library features over 750 courses, and they regularly add new content to keep up with the evolving industry landscape.

Free courses can be accessed without a credit card or purchase, and quick certificates are given upon course completion. All fifty states recognize these ANCC-accredited courses.

In addition to its free courses, Nurse.com offers a vast library of paid courses covering topics such as clinical skills, leadership, and speciality areas of nursing.

Here are some of the free nursing course options that we found in their catalog:

6. Infection Prevention Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (1 Contact Hour): Focuses on critical techniques healthcare professionals must use to prevent infections.

7. Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents (1 Contact Hour): Reviews symptoms, causes, and care strategies for mood disorders in young patients.

8. Excellence Series: Transformational Leadership (1 Contact Hour): Explores leadership strategies in today's complex healthcare environments.

9. An Update on Cancer (1 Contact Hour): Provides insights into cancer as a leading cause of death and care approaches.

10. Nursing Health Assessment in Correctional Settings (1 Contact Hour): Teaches how to perform healthcare assessments in correctional facilities.

Wild Iris Medical Education

As part of their services, Wild Iris Medical Education offers a few free continuing education courses for nurses.

All American nursing boards accept their courses, which are recognized nationally by the ANCC.

Their website offers online course access, and upon course completion, instantaneous certifications are issued.

In addition, Wild Iris provides CE and state-mandated courses for other healthcare professionals. Though again, most of their courses are paywalled, we were able to find the following free CE courses for nurses:

11. COVID-19: The Impact of a Pandemic on Mental Health(1 Contact Hour): Covers mental health impacts of the pandemic and strategies to manage its impacts.

12. Sexual Harassment Training (1 Contact Hour): Provides sexual harassment training tailored to healthcare settings, promoting safer workplaces.

Nursing CE

Nursing CE offers a variety of paid and free continuing education courses for nurses.

The platform instantly certifies users after they complete a course successfully and earn a post-test score of 80% or better.

For nurses looking to meet their continuing education requirements, Nursing CE is a convenient choice because it offers a combination of free and paid alternatives, instant certification, and frequent updates.

Although only one free course was available at the time of writing this article, the website consistently updates its list of free CE offers:

13. Avoiding Nurse Burnout Nursing CE Course (1 Contact Hour): Reviews the causes and effects of nurse burnout and how to prevent it.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC offers free continuing education as part of its mission to improve public health. While not exclusively focused on nursing, their courses are highly relevant to nursing practice and accepted for CE credit.

Through its Training and Continuing Education Online (TCEO) system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided nurses with a valuable tool for earning free continuing education units (CEUs).

Note: As of January 1, 2024, the CDC has switched to a new system, 'CDC TRAIN,' for all new CE activities.

This makes it an excellent choice for nursing professionals who want to complete their CE needs for free. The CDC, a joint accreditation provider alongside the ANCC, releases numerous new educational activities annually.

These courses are interdisciplinary, so nurses can obtain ANCC-accredited contact hours while also learning from a more comprehensive healthcare viewpoint.

Here's a quick guide for nurses using the CDC's TCEO system to obtain free CEUs:

1. Go to the CDC TRAIN course catalog.
2. Create a TRAIN account if you do not already have one since this is now a requirement.
3. Navigate to the 'Credit Type' filter and click on the checkbox for ANCC.
4. Identify and finish a course that suits your requirements.
5. Once finished with your course, sign back into CDC TRAIN.
6. Look up the course you finished.
7. Finish any necessary evaluations or post-tests for the course.
8. Get your ANCC contact hours certificate for the course by downloading it.

Course Topics To Consider

There you go, 13+ free course options for you to consider. With so many options, navigating the nursing CEUs landscape might get tricky.

So, let's now discuss some course topics and industry trends that will help inform your decision about which courses to choose.

Here are some popular course topics for registered nurses:

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement

Patient safety is a critical aspect of nursing care. A course for free CEUs in this area may cover:

• Team Communication: Communication among team members.
• Hand Hygiene: Importance of hand hygiene in infection control.
• Error Analysis: Root cause analysis and error reporting systems.
• Drug Safety: Safe handling and administration of drugs.
• Fall Prevention: Tools and techniques for fall prevention and safe patient handling.
• Error Prevention: How to prevent medical errors and healthcare-associated infections.

Wound Care and Management

Proper wound care is key to patient recovery. A course on wound care CEUs should help you grasp a better handle on the following:

• Dressing Techniques: Advanced wound dressing techniques.
• Nutrition's Role: The role of nutrition in wound healing.
• Care Management: Wound care best practices and management.
• Wound Documentation: Accurate wound documentation.
• Wound Etiology: Etiology of wounds and assessment tools.

Mental Health and Wellness

A healthy mind is crucial for patients, healthcare providers, and their families. CEUs covering this topic will deepen your knowledge base on the following:

• Burnout: Burnout in healthcare workers.
• Emotional Well-being: Emotional well-being and patient care outcomes.
• Self-Care: Self-care for nurses and care workers.
• Mental Wellness: Strategies to promote mental wellness in healthcare settings.
• Substance Abuse: Substance abuse and addiction to drugs.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Trauma-informed care principles.

Free Nursing CEUs: Things to Consider

Now that you have a general idea of the available course options let's explore key factors when choosing the right free nursing CEUs. The nursing profession, like the rest of the healthcare sector, is constantly evolving, and nurses must stay current with trends in nursing education.

Here are some important points to keep in mind when selecting free CEUs.

Technology in Nursing Education

Technology is revolutionizing how registered nurses learn and practice. Here's how:

• Accredited Online Courses: The ANCC accredits many online courses focused on technology in nursing, helping nurses stay current with the digital healthcare landscape.
• Flexible Learning: Free CE courses are now available online, allowing nurses to continue their education at their own pace and on their own time.
• Simulation-Based Training: Nurses can practice skills in a safe, controlled environment, building confidence and competence for real-life scenarios.
• Tailored Learning: With technology, nurses from anywhere in the country can find a tailored learning experience. For example, Florida nurses can access online courses specific to their needs, such as pain management and patient safety.

Accreditation and Certification (American Nurses Credentialing Center)

When selecting CE courses, it's essential to ensure they are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. Here's why:

• Meet State Requirements: Earn contact hours and CEUs that fulfill state continuing education requirements.
• Professional Development: Advance your career with specialized certifications and professional growth opportunities.
• Specialized Certifications: Get certified in areas like wound care and pain management.

Support for Healthcare Professionals

Here's how CE courses provide invaluable support and many benefits for any nurse:

Career Flexibility: Try new areas of nursing through various CEU options and potentially open up new career paths.

Compliance: Take free CE courses and track your CEUS to ensure you meet license renewal requirements and maintain compliance with state and national regulations.

Improved Job Performance: Apply your knowledge to daily practice and provide better care.

Networking: Many online CEU platforms have forums or discussion boards so you can connect with peers and experts.

Staying Current: Access the latest research and best practices in nursing care without cost.

Impact on Patient Care and Outcomes

Whenever a nurse takes CE courses and any related assessment, their patients also benefit. Here's how:

Better Health Outcomes: Nurses who regularly take CE courses are more familiar with strategies that assist them in achieving shorter hospital stays and lower readmission rates.

Improved critical thinking: CE courses help nurses develop better critical thinking, leading to improved clinical decision-making, which is vital in any healthcare setting.

Patient Satisfaction: Educated and skilled nurses can provide more comprehensive, compassionate care and higher satisfaction rates for patients and their families.

Risk Prevention: Nurses who regularly take CE courses will likely have lower risk factors for medical errors in handling any patient's condition.

Maximizing the Utility of Free CEUs

Completing a CE course can benefit any nurse, and we have developed a few strategies to help you get the most out of it. Let's review these strategies:

Apply Your Learning

Every nurse can learn to implement the knowledge in their daily practice.

Comply with State Requirements

You can always undertake a free nursing course if you need to complete an assessment or review with the State requirements.

These requirements differ from state to state. For example, Florida nurses may have different requirements than Michigan nurses. Hence, you are responsible for ensuring the nursing courses you choose meet the specific CEU requirements for your state.

Diversify Your Knowledge

Choose a course from different specialities to expand your nursing knowledge.

Plan Your Learning

Create a plan to complete CEUs throughout the year so you don't need to rush when it's time for license renewal.

Read a Review or Two

Ask around at your workplace and seek a review from other nurses in a similar patient care setting who want to earn free CEUs by doing a course.

You can also discuss management strategies, nursing topics, healthcare provider services, and course options with them.

Set Personal Goals

Use CEUs to achieve your career goals and improve your nursing. With every course you undertake, remember that you are progressing towards becoming a better nurse!

Share With Colleagues

Do you know another nurse who needs to complete a free course for their license renewal? Please share this blog post and the courses you are doing with them!

Discuss what you've learned with your team to spread knowledge, reduce risk factors, and improve overall care quality.

Track Your CEUS for Professional Development with the CE App

Finally, perhaps the most important consideration is tracking your CEUs. As a nurse, license renewal requires completing CE courses and accurately reporting your contact hours.

If you don't track your CEUs, you risk missing out on the advantages of free continuing education courses for nurses despite completing them.

With the CE App, you can effortlessly track your CEUs and keep all your certificates organized in one place. Download the CE App today and simplify your CEU tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get my free nursing CEUs?

A: To get a free course, create an account on a reputable provider's website, select a course, complete the required material, pass any assessments, and download your certificate.

Q: How many CEUs for nurses?

A: The number of CEUs required for nurses varies by state and licensure requirements. Typically, nurses are required to complete a specific number of CEUs within a renewal period to maintain their license. For example, a nurse in Florida may have different requirements than a nurse in Michigan.

Q: How to get continuing education credits for nursing?

A: Continuing education credits for nursing can be earned by completing accredited courses, attending conferences, or participating in approved professional development activities.

Q: How to get nursing CEUs?

A: CEUs can be obtained through online courses, workshops, conferences, or in-person seminars accredited by recognized organizations. Simply select an accredited course, complete the required content, and pass any assessments.

Q: How to get free nursing CEUs?

A: To get free CEUs, search for accredited online providers, check with your employer for sponsored courses, and explore offerings from professional nursing organizations.

Q. Is a free Nursing CEU course as important as a paid one?

A. Yes, free nursing CEUs are just as important as paid ones. Treat them as an investment in yourself, your career, and your patients, regardless of the cost. They hold considerable importance, and like a paid course, they often have an assessment component.

Q: Is Nurse.com legit?

A: Yes, Nurse.com is a legitimate and widely recognized provider of accredited continuing education for nurses.

Q: What are CEUs for nurses?

A: CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are educational credits nurses earn to maintain licensure and stay current in their practice.

Q: What counts as CEUs for nurses?

A: CEUs for nurses typically include accredited continuing education activities such as online courses, workshops, conferences, and seminars. They must meet specific criteria set by state boards or accrediting bodies.

Q: What counts as continuing education for nurses?

A: Continuing education for nurses can include accredited courses, certifications, workshops, conferences, or any approved professional development activity to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.

Q: What is CEUs for nurses?

A: CEUs (Continuing Education Units) refer to credits nurses earn by continuing education activities to maintain licensure and stay current with current practices.

Q: Where can I get free nursing CEUs?

A. Free CEUs are widely available online through various platforms and professional nursing associations, as we've covered throughout this article. A quick search online will reveal many new courses that provide free nursing CEU credits for registered nurses.

Q: Why is accreditation by the ANCC important for nursing CEUs?

A: ANCC accreditation ensures high-quality, recognized CEUs that meet industry standards; state boards widely accept it for license renewal and demonstrate the course's credibility and relevance to nursing practice.

Conclusion

If you want to improve your practices and patient safety, you can take a professional nursing development course on various nursing topics. You can do so by taking any of the free CE courses listed above for nurses.

Free nursing CEUs are a great opportunity for ensuring professional development, better patient safety, and career advancement. Nurses can stay current using these free, high-quality resources, meeting requirements, and continually improving patient care.