Nursing courses can help you learn patient care techniques, medication administration, health assessment, and ethical decision-making. You can build skills in critical thinking, effective communication with patients and families, and teamwork in clinical settings. Many courses introduce tools like electronic health records (EHR) systems, patient management software, and simulation labs that enhance hands-on learning and prepare you for real-world healthcare environments.

Skills you'll gain: Clinical Nursing, Basic Nursing Skills, Patient Observation, Patient-centered Care, Respiration, Emergency Response, Patient Communication, Patient Advocacy, Nursing Process, Cardiology, Nursing Care, Nursing Practices, Nursing, Communication, Anatomy, Patient Safety, Patient Education And Counseling, Infection Control, Health Care, Patient Evaluation
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Nursing Practices, Nursing Management, Clinical Leadership, Patient Evaluation, Nursing, Nursing Care, Clinical Nursing, Patient Education And Counseling, Mindfulness, Contraindication, Pain Management, Patient Referral, Health Assessment, Clinical Assessment, Treatment Planning, Chronic Diseases, Patient-centered Care, Music, Patient Communication, Manual Therapy
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Splinting, Airway Management, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Trauma Care, Respiratory Care, Nursing Care, Wound Care, Maternal Health, Emergency Nursing, Nursing, Emergency and Intensive Care, Orthopedics, Acute Care, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Critical Care, Patient Evaluation, Vital Signs, Anatomy
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Team Building, Clinical Leadership, Nursing Administration, Nursing Management, Team Leadership, Health Informatics, Education and Training, Clinical Informatics, Leadership, Professional Development, Nursing, Nurse Education, Health Care Administration, Learning Management Systems, Informatics, Health Policy, Innovation, Health Care, Interpersonal Communications, Conflict Management
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

AI CERTs
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Nurse Education, Generative AI Agents, Clinical Informatics, Nursing Process, Clinical Data Management, Nursing, Healthcare Ethics, Nursing Care, Generative AI, Responsible AI, Nursing Practices, Health Care, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Basic Patient Care, Business Acumen, Physiology, Business
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Peking University
Skills you'll gain: Health Education, Health Technology, Nurse Education, Nursing Care, Nursing, Nursing Management, Health Promotion, Nursing Practices, Patient Education And Counseling, Healthcare Ethics
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Clinical Nursing, Basic Nursing Skills, Patient Observation, Patient-centered Care, Nursing Care, Infection Control, Patient Evaluation, Patient Communication, Emergency Response, Nursing Process, Clinical Assessment, Medical Emergency, Nursing, Nursing Practices, Health Assessment, Communication, Medical Equipment and Technology, Health Care, Healthcare Ethics, Anatomy
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Nursing Practices, Nursing Management, Clinical Leadership, Patient Evaluation, Nursing, Nursing Care, Clinical Nursing, Pain Management, Patient-centered Care, Health Assessment, Clinical Assessment, Chronic Diseases, Stress Management, Mindfulness
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Smart Goals, Professional Development, Nursing Administration, Nursing Process, Care Coordination, Nursing, Clinical Nursing, Nursing Care, Nursing and Patient Care, Nursing Practices, Clinical Leadership, Direct Patient Care, Patient Advocacy, Patient-centered Care, Leadership, Health Administration, Initiative and Leadership, Collaboration
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Pain Management, Wound Care, Blood Collection, Vital Signs, Patient-centered Care, Health Assessment, Infection Control, Clinical Nursing, Patient Treatment, Patient Evaluation, Emergency Nursing, Patient Safety, Health Care, Healthcare Ethics, Patient Positioning, Patient Education And Counseling, Medical Surgical Nursing, Nursing, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Clinical Nutrition
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Peking University
Skills you'll gain: Patient Evaluation, Nursing Process, Perioperative Care, Basic Nursing Skills, Nursing Care, Nursing Management, Health Assessment, Nursing, Oncology, Clinical Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing, Patient Education And Counseling, Diagnostic Tests, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Preventative Care, Radiation Therapy, Surgery, Pathology, Patient Treatment, Epidemiology
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Peking University
Skills you'll gain: Nurse Education, Nursing, Nursing and Patient Care, Health Systems, Health Disparities, Health Policy, Public Health, Nursing Administration, Nursing Practices, Health Care, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Health Technology, Community Health, Health Care Procedure and Regulation
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Nursing is a vital profession focused on providing care and support to individuals in various healthcare settings. It encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including patient assessment, administering medications, and educating patients about their health. The importance of nursing lies in its role as a cornerstone of the healthcare system, ensuring that patients receive compassionate and competent care. Nurses advocate for patients, promote health, and contribute to the overall well-being of communities.
A career in nursing offers diverse job opportunities across various settings. You can work as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or nursing assistant, among other roles. Specialized positions include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse educators. Each role has unique responsibilities, but all contribute significantly to patient care and healthcare delivery.
To succeed in nursing, you need a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. Key skills include clinical proficiency, critical thinking, effective communication, and empathy. Additionally, understanding anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology is essential. Developing soft skills, such as teamwork and adaptability, is equally important, as nursing often involves collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
There are many online nursing courses available that cater to various skill levels and interests. Some recommended options include the Nursing Fundamentals: Skills for Patient Care Excellence course, which covers essential skills for patient care, and the Nursing Prerequisites: Essential Sciences for Future Nurses Professional Certificate that provides foundational knowledge for aspiring nurses.
Yes. You can start learning nursing on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in nursing, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Learning nursing involves a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. You can start by enrolling in foundational courses that cover essential topics. Engaging in hands-on practice through simulations or clinical placements is also crucial. Additionally, seeking mentorship from experienced nurses can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout your learning journey.
Typical topics covered in nursing courses include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient care techniques, and health assessment. Courses often address specialized areas such as infection prevention, nursing ethics, and leadership in nursing. This comprehensive curriculum prepares you to handle various challenges in the nursing field.
For training and upskilling employees in nursing, courses like the Nursing Assistant Fundamentals Specialization and the Integrative Nursing Specialization are excellent choices. These programs are designed to enhance practical skills and knowledge, making them suitable for both new and experienced healthcare professionals.