What to Look for in Registered Nurse CE Online

Key Takeaways

• RNs will continue to be in high demand, and opportunities for specialization can be financially rewarding and professionally fulfilling.

• Meeting your CE requirements for license renewal doesn’t have to be a chore—the right provider can turn it into an opportunity to develop your career and explore areas of interest.

• By making the most of your CE investment, you can save money and time, reduce stress, focus on your daily work, and deliver the best possible care to your patients.  

Nursing is a demanding—and in-demand—profession. As nursing shortages increase in future years, there will be more need than ever for highly trained registered nurses in the workforce.  

While the average RN will make $80k per year, they’re also working over 40 hours a week. That leaves little time for career-building activities, and nurses need to get the most out of mandatory licensure requirements like CE.  

Fortunately, taking registered nurse CE online offers one of the best opportunities to explore potential specializations while checking off your renewal requirements. The top providers are constantly updating their library, and you can subscribe to a Nursing Membership so you can dive into their archives any time you’re feeling inspired.

How can you turn your next renewal into an exciting opportunity to explore? Here’s what to look for in an online provider.  

1. Accreditation and State Acceptance

There’s nothing worse than investing in an online course for a topic you’re passionate about…  only to find it won’t be accepted by your state board. It’s a waste of time and money, and who knows if the information you got is accurate?

Any online CE course should be approved by a recognized accrediting body, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or a state board of nursing. Does your provider clearly list their accreditations and provide guidance on state acceptance? If not, it’s time to start shopping around.  

2. Relevant and Evidence-Based Content

CE that drives your career instead of just sustaining it should give you the best possible insights into the topic at hand.  

Look for courses that are evidence-based, address current and developing trends in the industry, and align with current nursing standards and clinical guidelines. Course descriptions should clearly state learning objectives, target audience, and clinical relevance.

Registered nurses should prioritize CE that supports their practice area or career goals. Don’t just take random courses to fill in the gaps—this is about you!

For example, a med-surg nurse may benefit from courses in patient safety, infection control, or pain management, while a nurse leader may seek courses in ethics, equity, or healthcare quality improvement.

3. Qualified Instructors  

The credibility of an online CE course is closely tied to the expertise of its creators. Look for courses developed or reviewed by experienced nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, or subject matter experts with relevant credentials.

Many high-quality CE platforms include instructor bios, credentials, and disclosure statements. This transparency helps ensure the content is accurate, unbiased, and clinically sound.  

And remember: nurses can learn a lot from people outside of nursing.  

Pharmacists, mental health providers, and public policy experts are just a few roles that can offer meaningful educational opportunities. With interprofessional collaboration on the rise, taking courses that offer these perspectives can help you leverage the expertise of your colleagues in the workplace.

4. Flexible and User-Friendly Learning Format

One of the main reasons nurses choose online CE is flexibility. A good CE platform should allow you to learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, and across multiple devices. After all, it’s tough to develop your career if you’re constantly taking days off work to attend classes.  

Also, some nurses prefer text-based modules, while others learn better through video, case studies, or interactive scenarios. The best online CE creators often use a mix of formats to support different learning styles, as well as offering audio-only options.  

5. Cost and Value

Most nurses have googled “free online CE for nurses” at some point, and the results are pretty grim. These courses are often generic, professionally hollow, deceptively labelled, and most likely won’t be accepted by any state board in the country.  

CE should be a valuable investment, not a chore. Taking registered nurse CE online is not only a cost-effective option—it’s about making the most of your investment in every way possible.  

A solid provider gives you flexibility, security, and hassle-free access to intuitive course materials on key topics. You’ll also get a wide range of options for electives that let you explore relevant professional interests while meeting your renewal obligations.  

Even the top providers offer excellent courses that are under $20, which makes it easy to pick up critical hours even if you’re on a budget. More expensive recertifications, like ACLS, BLS, and PALS, are often included in Pro Membership tiers that are under $200, so the investment pays for itself before you even start looking at additional CE for your renewal.

6. Easy Tracking and Documentation

Keeping accurate CE records is essential for license renewal and potential audits. A strong online CE platform should provide instant certificates of completion and maintain a secure transcript of your completed courses.

Some platforms also offer reminders for license renewal deadlines and required topics, helping nurses stay organized and avoid last-minute stress.

7. Support and Customer Service

Reliable customer support is often overlooked but extremely valuable. Whether you have a question about course acceptance, technical issues, or certificate access, timely support can save hours of frustration.

Look for providers that offer clear contact options, resources, FAQs, and responsive service. Reviews and testimonials can provide insight into how well a company supports its users.

8. Trending Content from Industry Experts

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and new trends based on cutting-edge research can emerge at any time. Your CE provider should have their finger on the pulse of contemporary topics like AI in healthcare, new pharmacological protocols, and managing perimenopause and menopause, and update their course library regularly to keep pace.  

Also, courses should be developed by industry experts whose experience reflects current best practices and standards. Ideally, content should present a balanced, evidence-based view of the state of healthcare that empowers RNs to make decisions that benefit both patients and their institutions.  

Getting Your Registered Nurse CE Online is Exactly What You Need

Options for getting registered nurse CE online have transformed how RNs meet their continuing education requirements, offering convenience without sacrificing quality when chosen wisely. By focusing on accreditation, content quality, usability, and value, nurses can ensure their CE experience is both compliant and meaningful.

Premiere is proud to offer nurses in all roles award-winning CE that’s nationally accredited and accepted by institutions everywhere in the nation.  

And with a Nursing Membership to our complete library, you’ll have instant access to all of your required and legally mandated coursework in addition to relevant, evidence-based content that can keep your career moving in the right direction.  

All of Premiere’s courses are created by industry experts and empower the healthcare workforce to take control of their future and make the most of their professional investments.  

FAQs

Are online nursing CE courses legitimate?

Absolutely—if you pick a reputable provider with national accreditation. In fact, investing in a top provider for your registered nurse CE online is one of the best ways to meet your professional obligations while developing your career.  

Are free CE courses accredited?

With your nursing license renewal hanging in the balance, it’s never a good idea to risk your time and professional reputation on free online CE for nurses.  

These courses often offer little to no quality control, lack national accreditation, and deliver old or outdated information that can put your practice at risk.  

What are the benefits of continuing education CE for nurses?  

In addition to being mandated for license renewal by many states, getting registered nurse CE online with an award-winning provider gives you access to a large library of evidence-based courses that cover a range of important healthcare topics.  

In many cases, subscribing to a Nursing Membership is the most cost-effective way for busy nurses to get the most out of their investment.  

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