Looking forward to becoming a licensed practical nurse? You can enroll in any free LPN classes online and become one, without paying a dime.
Nurses are very important people in a hospital. The primary role of a nurse is to be a caregiver for patients by managing physical needs, preventing illness, and treating health conditions.
They care for injuries, administer medications, conduct frequent medical examinations, record detailed medical histories, monitor heart rate and blood pressure, perform diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, draw blood, and admit/discharge patients according to physician orders.
Nurses also ensure patients’ comfort, change bandages, report any changes in a patient’s condition to other nurses or doctors, document patient activities, and assume other relevant tasks. Due to these different roles they perform, they are indispensable in a hospital and are categorized according to the patients they are taking care of.
There are pediatric nurses and neonatal nurses that take neonatal courses to learn how to take care of neonates. There are even ways for you to hone your skills as a professional nurse.
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is a nurse that performs basic medical tasks, including checking vital signs and feeding patients. They’re also responsible for maintaining a clear line of communication between a patient, their family, and their caregivers. They work under the supervision and direction of registered nurses and doctors. To become an LPN, you need to enroll in a vocational school diploma LPN or LVN program.
LPNs unlike registered nurses(RNs) who complete either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, complete a shorter nursing program. They can even enroll in accelerated nursing programs and get their degree and license at a fast pace.
Once completed, graduates must pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-PN). Before enrolling, students must ensure that the program meets the licensing and training requirements of their state.
Apart from these programs, there are free online classes available for LPNs to enroll in. These online classes are offered by different online platforms like Alison Coursera Udemy edX and a host of others. I will be talking about these free LPN classes online shortly. In the meantime, you can check out this article on online nursing programs for non-nurses.
Free LPN classes online
This section will be focusing on the free LPN classes online. These classes include courses in biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, pharmacology, and other sciences along with the development of clinical nursing skills through the delivery of actual patient care. Students also learn human anatomy, human physiology, infant care, critical care practices, nursing leadership, and much more in nursing degree programs that combine months of study with hundreds of hours of clinical experience. The classes are as follows;
- Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy – Coursera
- Anatomy: Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Urinary Systems – Coursera
- Anatomy: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary system – Coursera
- Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils – Coursera
- Introduction to Integrative Nursing – Coursera
- Vital Signs: Understanding What The Body Is Telling Us – Coursera
- Mindfulness in Integrated Healthcare – Coursera
- Guided Imagery – Coursera
- Learn How To Become a Nursing Practitioner – Udemy
- Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation – Coursera
1. Anatomy: Human Neuroanatomy – Coursera
This is the first one on our list of free LNP classes online. In this anatomy course, you will be introduced to the central and peripheral nervous systems. You will learn about basic neuroanatomy, sensory pathways, motor pathways, and the autonomic nervous system.
The course includes illustrated lecture videos and quizzes to help you expand and test your knowledge of the nervous system.
By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of how the entire body influences, and is influenced, by the nervous system. There are 7 modules in the course namely;
- Gross Anatomy of the Nervous System – 4 hours to complete
- Spinal Cord – 3 hours to complete
- Autonomics – 1hour to complete
- Motor Systems – 2 hours to complete
- Sensory Systems – 1 hour to complete
- Brain Stem and Cranial Nerves – 3 hours to complete
- Cortex – 1hour to complete
Course Instructor – Kelli Sullivan
Offered by – University of Michigan
2. Anatomy: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Urinary Systems – Coursera
This is the next on our list of free LPN classes online. In this anatomy course, you will explore the interactive relationships of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems, and the roles they play in your body.
This course is a primer for the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems in which students learn the pertinent details of the structures and functions through a combination of lectures, videos, labeling activities, and quizzes. There are four modules in the course namely;
- Cardiovascular Anatomy I – 3 hours to complete
- Cardiovascular Anatomy II – 7 hours to complete
- Respiratory Anatomy – 4 hours to complete
- Urinary Anatomy – 3 hours to complete
Course Instructor – Glenn M. Fox
Offered by – University of Michigan
3. Anatomy: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary system – Coursera
In this anatomy course, you will learn how the components of the integumentary system help protect our body (epidermis, dermis, hair, nails, and glands), and how the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, and skeletal muscles) protects and allows the body to move. It is the next on our list of free LPN classes online.
You will engage with fascinating videos, lectures, and anatomical visual materials (illustrations and cadaveric images) to learn about these properties and functions. There are four modules in the course. They are as follows;
- Skeletal System – 11 hours to complete
- Joint – 4 hours to complete
- Skeletal Muscle – 8 hours to complete
- Integumentary – 1hour to complete
Course Instructor – Kathleen Alsup
Offered By – University of Michigan
4. Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils – Coursera
This course provides an overview of essential oil therapy and current aromatherapy practices in clinical settings and gives you the skills to bring aromatherapy into your own practice. By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Explain what essential oils are to a patient and how they work
- Assess if an essential oil might be beneficial to a patient, considering patient preference and the research evidence, as well as any safety issues or contraindications; and
- Suggest a protocol for use in a clinical setting.
The course has 7 modules in it. They are as follows;
- What is Aromatherapy and its Role in Health and Healthcare? – 2 hours to complete
- What Do I Need to Know About Safety and Quality? – 2 hours to complete
- Application and Delivery Methods – 3 hours to complete
- Essential Oils for Managing Pain and Anxiety – 2 hours to complete
- Essential Oils for Managing Nausea and Fatigue – 2 hours to complete
- Peer Review Project – 1 hour to complete
- Establishing and Sustaining a Clinical Aromatherapy Program – 1 hour to complete
Course Instructor – Janet Tomaino, DNP
Offered By – University of Minnesota
5. Introduction to Integrative Nursing – Coursera
This course is designed for nurses who are drawn to practice in a different way, nurses who value whole-person care and know that the essence of nursing practice is truly caring and healing. It is also one of the free LPN classes online.
You will learn about the principles and practices of Integrative Nursing and how you can be a healing presence to all you serve. You will do an integrative assessment and apply the principles of Integrative Nursing to improve symptom management and overall patient outcomes.
Finally, you will explore ways to become a leader in Integrative Nursing and create new patient care models. The course has 5 modules in it. They are as follows;
- What Is Integrative Nursing and Why Is It Important? – 3 hours to complete
- Principles of Integrative Nursing – 4 hours to complete
- Integrative Nursing Assessment – 2 hours to complete
- Setting Patient Care Goals – 2 hours to complete
- Implementation of Integrative Nursing – 2 hours to complete
Course Instructors – Deborah Ringdahl and Mary Jo Kreitzer
Offered By – University of Minnesota
6. Vital Signs: Understanding What The Body Is Telling Us – Coursera
The vital signs which are; heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body. In this six-part course, you will explore the anatomy and physiology underlying the vital signs so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how the body functions.
Relevant body systems are reviewed including cardiovascular and respiratory, followed by explanations of how the function of these systems affects vital signs. Discussions on normal ranges, normal variants, and the mechanisms that underlie changes in the objective measurement of vital signs. The course also includes demonstrations of appropriate techniques for measuring vital signs in yourself and others.
The course is designed for a broad, general audience but will be particularly interesting for individuals working in healthcare, those considering a career as a healthcare professional, lay caregivers, those with an interest in personal health and fitness, or anyone who simply wants to understand how the body functions. The course is made up of 6 modules spanning 6 weeks. They are as follows;
- Week 1: Pulse/Heart Rate – 2 hours to complete
- Week 2: Blood Pressure – 2 hours to complete
- Week 3: Metabolism – 1 hour to complete
- Week 4: Temperature – 2 hours to complete
- Week 5: Respiration Rate – 2 hours to complete
- Week 6: Pain – 2 hours to complete
Course Instructor – Connie B. Scanga, PhD
Offered By – University of Pennsylvania
7. Mindfulness in Integrated Healthcare – Coursera
By the end of this course, you will be able to assess when mindfulness may be helpful for your patients or clients, educate them about its potential benefits, and refer them to mindfulness programs and resources.
To begin, you will explore what mindfulness is (and is not) through presentations and direct experience. You will also learn about the research supporting the benefits (and risks) of mindfulness for various conditions, as well as how to identify contraindications. Finally, you will learn about the benefits of this practice for you as a busy healthcare provider. There are 5 modules in this course. They are;
- What is Mindfulness? – 2 hours to complete
- Assess if Mindfulness Would Be Beneficial – 2 hours to complete
- Getting Started – 1 hour to complete
- Peer Review Project – 1 hour to complete
- Evaluate Use for Your Patients and Yourself – 1 hour to complete
Course Instructors – Alex Haley and Louise Delagran
Offered By – University of Minnesota
8. Guided Imagery – Coursera
In this course, you will learn how you can use imagery and imagery interventions to help with symptom management and healing, as well as to enhance overall health and well-being.
You will experience a variety of imagery interventions and evaluate how they might be helpful in providing relief or enhancing the quality of life. By the end of the course, you will know how to assess if guided imagery is appropriate in specific situations or with specific patients.
You will be able to find and evaluate guided imagery scripts and recordings you might use. Most importantly, you will learn how to write and record effective guided imagery scripts of your own for specific needs at work or in your personal life. The course has 6 modules and they are;
- What Is Guided Imagery and Its Role in Health and Healthcare? – 2 hours to complete
- How Does Guided Imagery Work? – 2 hours to complete
- Using Guided Imagery Apps or Products – 2 hours to complete
- Creating Your Own Imagery Intervention – 4 hours to complete
- Delivering Effective Imagery Interventions – 1 hour to complete
- Evaluating Your Intervention and Other Ways to Use Imagery – 1 hour to complete
Course Instructor – Susan Thompson, DNP
Offered By – University of Minnesota
9. Learn How To Become a Nursing Practitioner – Udemy
This course will outline nurse practitioner education including online vs traditional education plus the pro and con of either method. It will cover nurse practitioner study habits to use when in school and getting ready for the board examination, the basic requirement of clinical hours for nurse practitioners, and discuss the average number of clinical hours completed. The course will also cover nurse practitioner roles and responsibilities plus specialty designations such as family nurse practitioner, Adult Gero NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, etc.
This course will provide nurse practitioner career advice and tips on how to survive as a new graduate nurse practitioner, and how nurse practitioners can leverage their degree to make more money. After taking this course, you will gain solid knowledge about the role of a nurse practitioner and what it takes to become one to decide if this career path is the right choice for you in the future.
Course Instructor – Shamika Brooks
10. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation – Coursera
In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Assess a basic medical patient
- Describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration
- Explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway, and available interventions for airway management
- Identify, assess, and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a respiratory emergency for transport
- Identify, assess, and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a cardiovascular emergency for transport.
- Describe the most common neurologic and endocrine emergencies and what you can do for them as an EMT.
The course has 5 modules and they are;
- Pharmacology Basics – 3 hours to complete
- Airway and Breathing – 2 hours to complete
- Respiratory Emergencies – 2 hours to complete
- Cardiovascular Emergencies – 2 hours to complete
- Neurological Emergencies – 2 hours to complete
Course Instructor – Whitney Barrett, MD, and Angela Wright, MD
Offered By – University of Colorado System
Conclusion
All these LNP courses I have talked about are available and free for interested individuals who wish to become licensed vocational nurses. You can enroll in any one of them and kick-start your career.
Recommendations
.
.
.
.
.