Learn nursing
Whether you aspire to work directly with patients, in nursing leadership, or at the intersection of nursing and technology, learning nursing can help you invest in your future and make a positive impact on people's lives. Browse available online nursing courses and programs to start today.
Why learn nursing?
Every day, nurses provide life-saving care for people in need. Nurses play a significant role in clinical settings, from taking vitals and educating patients to collecting data and administering medication. There are many different types of nursing careers, all of which are key to promoting health and safety.
How to become a nurse
Education
There are several different paths to become a nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) need an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing from an approved and accredited institution, a nursing diploma (less common), and a nursing license issued by the state where they work.
Some administrative nursing roles require a master's degree, and nursing education or advanced practice roles in academia may call for a doctoral degree.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020, students paid an annual average of $8,564 for their undergraduate health degrees and $15,401 for their health master's degrees.
Licensure and certifications
Licensure
Regardless of your educational path, you must complete a nursing program from an accredited school as well as the required clinical hours. Reference your state nursing board, which you can find through National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to find accredited schools in your area, the required exams, and the steps to become a nurse in your state.
Next, you can apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), also known as state boards, to earn a license in your state and practice as an RN or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). All APRNs need an active RN license to become licensed. Your school will provide the state with your official transcripts before you can test.
During this application process, you will need to complete a background check, including fingerprints.
Certifications
Nursing students and nurses need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Some employers also prefer advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) training, especially for emergency or critical care specialties. Some employers may pay for you to complete ACLS training, so be sure ask about that option during the hiring process.
NPs need to be certified in their specialty, such as family practice, to qualify for licensure. Other specialized national certifications, like certified pediatric nurse, may be required depending on your role and employer.
Maximize Your Potential
Sign up for special offers, career resources, and recommendations that will help you grow, prepare, and advance in your career.
Browse online Nursing Courses
Find new interests and advance your career opportunities
Stand out in your field
Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.
Learn at your own pace
On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.
Earn a valuable credential
Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.
Courses
Related Topics
Choosing the right nursing program
As you explore available nursing courses and programs, consider the following:
- Career goals: Your chosen program and specialization should reflect your goal to become an RN, APRN, or healthcare administrator.
- Preferred program duration: How much time can you dedicate to learning nursing? Do you have any prior education or experience that may qualify you for an accelerated program?
- Budget: Tuition for master of science in nursing (MSN) programs offered through edX ranges from $54,878-$124,950. Program cost depends on factors like your school, program type, and specialization.
- Flexibility needs: Online nursing programs offer flexible learning options that can accommodate your busy schedule. However, clinical hours, which are required for licensure and certification, must be completed in person at an approved clinical site near you, even if your program is online.
- Clinical requirements: Nursing programs require you to complete supervised clinical hours before you can graduate and earn a license. Many states require RNs to complete a certain number of clinical hours in order to get their license. NPs typically need 500 clinical hours to qualify for certification and licensure.
Courses
If you're curious about a career in nursing but aren't sure where to start, taking prerequisite courses or introductory classes online can help you build foundational knowledge. Example courses include:
- Medical terminology
- Human anatomy and physiolog
- Microbiology
Single courses can usually be completed within 4-8 weeks with 1-10 hours of weekly study, depending on the topic.
You could also consider taking continuing education (CE) modules designed for healthcare. Many online nursing CE courses are free with the option to purchase unlimited access to course materials and a certificate of completion.
Common topics include:
- Disease fundamentals
- Infection prevention and control
- Self-injury awareness for nurses
- Early childhood development
- Emergency care
- Clinical reasoning
- Cardiopulmonary health
- Patient safety
Before you enroll in any CE course, check to make sure it is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and approved by your state board.
Degrees
Many nurses have an associate degree in nursing (ADN), but an increasing amount of employers require RNs to have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). However, nurse practitioners, nursing administrators, and nurse educators are all careers that require a master's in nursing (MSN).
BSN programs take around four years to complete, while MSNs can be completed within 12-32 months. Required clinical experience may extend your program duration.
Jobs in nursing
Nursing encompasses an array of diverse roles. RN and APRN designations cover many job titles, such as:
- Travel nurse
- Labor and delivery nurse (L&D)
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Nurse informaticist
- Acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP)
- Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified nurse midwive (CNM)
Explore the careers you can pursue with a nursing degree and an active registered nursing license.
Learn nursing online with edX
Whether you want to build upon your existing nursing skills or pursue a new career in nursing, online courses and programs offered through edX can help you build the skills you need to reach your career goals — and possibly even save lives.
More opportunities for you to learn
We've added 500+ learning opportunities to create one of the world's most comprehensive free-to-degree online learning platforms.