Nurse Training and Continuing Education

Nursing is a dynamic, demanding, and deeply rewarding career, and high-quality training is necessary at every stage. Whether you're exploring how to become a nurse or looking for the latest continuing education (CE) courses to advance your career, Nurse.com is your go-to resource for nurse training and professional development. 

Advance your skills with our top nurse training courses 

CE isn’t just a requirement, it’s an opportunity to grow. Nurse.com offers a comprehensive selection of CE courses to help you meet licensure requirements, stay current, and develop new skills. 

Top-rated nurse training courses 

• Screening and Prevention for Cervical Cancer
• Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Children
• Hospital to Home Health Nurse
• Parkinson’s Disease: Management and Treatment 

Explore our free CE courses 

We also offer a variety of free nursing CE courses to help you stay informed and compliant without any added cost. Some of our popular free courses include: 

• Preventing and Handling Crisis Situations
• Identifying and Treating Anxiety Disorders 
• Domestic Violence Awareness for Healthcare Personnel 

What training is required to be a nurse? 

The path to becoming a nurse starts with foundational education and clinical training. There are several entry points depending on the type of nursing license you choose to pursue: 

• Licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN): This requires a diploma or certificate from an accredited program, typically taking about 12 months. 
• Registered nurse (RN): This requires either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, BSNs are most preferred for job opportunities and advancement. 
• Clinical experience: All nursing programs include supervised clinical hours in hospitals or other healthcare settings to apply skills in real-world scenarios. 
• Licensure: All nurses must pass the NCLEX exam (NCLEX-PN for LPNs and NCLEX-RN for RNs) and meet their state’s licensing requirements. 

What education is required for a nurse? 

At a minimum, aspiring nurses need: 

• A high school diploma or GED 
• A degree from an accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN, or diploma program) 
• Successful completion of the NCLEX exam 

Many nurses also pursue advanced degrees, such as: 

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) 
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 
• Post-graduate certificates in specialties like oncology, informatics, or nurse education 

These advanced degrees open the door to specialized roles and leadership opportunities. 

What registered nurse role has advanced training to diagnose and treat common illnesses? 

Nurses with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illnesses are known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This group includes: 

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) 
• Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) 
• Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) 
• Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) 

Among them, NPs are most commonly associated with providing primary and specialty care, including diagnosing and managing common health conditions. NPs typically hold a master’s or doctoral degree and have national certification in their area of practice. 

Whether you’re just beginning your journey in nursing or advancing through specialized roles, nurse training is the foundation of a successful and impactful career. With resources like Nurse.com offering a wide range of accredited CE courses, including free options, you can stay current with the best practices and meet licensure requirements with confidence.