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Learn nursing

From coordinating patient care to educating patients and families, nurses play a critical role in the patient experience in clinical settings. Learn nursing with online courses delivered through edX.
Nursing | Introduction Image Description

What is nursing?

Nursing is a professional healthcare field that is dedicated to providing care for people in need. Nurses provide a broad range of care services depending on their level of training or specialization and can work independently or collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers. Nursing is a regulated field and individuals must complete advanced education programs and obtain certifications before they can practice.

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Nursing course curriculum

Nursing school often includes courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, pharmacology, and other sciences. Learners also develop clinical nursing skills through the delivery of actual patient care. 

In a bachelor of nursing (BSN) program or MSN degree program, learners complete hundreds of hours of clinical experience.

edX offers many free online science courses that can introduce you to areas of medical science critical for the study of nursing. Learn about human biology, bioethics, biochemistry, human anatomy, medical genomics, global health, and more with self-paced online courses.

Careers in nursing

There are a number of different nursing professions that have specific requirements for education and testing, such as:

  • Registered nurse (RN)

  • Medical assistant (MA)

  • Certified nursing assistant (CNA)

  • Licensed practical nurse (LPA)

Advanced nursing professions are also available for individuals with a master’s degree or higher. Nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists are all different career path options.

Enroll in biology and life sciences courses on edX to get an introduction to many areas of study relevant to a nursing education.