Here’s a comprehensive list of free resources for nursing students, with a focus on NCLEX preparation:
NCLEX-RN Preparation Resources
Khan Academy NCLEX-RN Prep https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/nclex-rn
- Free comprehensive NCLEX review course
- Video lessons, practice questions, and study guides
- Covers all major content areas
NCSBN Learning Extension https://www.ncsbn.org/learning-extension.htm
- Official resource from the organization that creates the NCLEX
- Free practice questions and learning modules
- NCLEX-RN Prep course available (paid, but free resources also available)
Registered Nurse RN https://www.registerednursern.com/
- Free NCLEX practice questions
- Nursing school notes and study guides
- Video lectures on nursing concepts
Simple Nursing https://www.simplenursing.com/
- Free trial with practice questions
- YouTube channel with extensive free content
- NCLEX-style questions and explanations
General Nursing Education Resources
Lecturio Nursing https://www.lecturio.com/nursing/
- Free nursing video lectures
- Covers fundamental nursing concepts
- Some premium content, but substantial free materials
ATI Testing https://www.atitesting.com/
- While primarily paid, offers some free resources
- Sample questions and study tips
- Used by many nursing schools
Osmosis https://www.osmosis.org/
- Free medical and nursing education videos
- High-quality visual content
- Some premium features, but substantial free content
Nursing Reference and Study Materials
Medscape https://www.medscape.com/
- Free medical reference
- Drug information and clinical guidelines
- CME opportunities
PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- Free database of medical literature
- Essential for evidence-based practice research
- Access to nursing research articles
CDC Guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/
- Free public health information
- Evidence-based practice guidelines
- Infection control and prevention resources
World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/
- Global health information and guidelines
- Free access to health reports and data
- Public health nursing resources
YouTube Channels for Nursing Education
RegisteredNurseRN https://www.youtube.com/c/RegisteredNurseRN
- Comprehensive nursing education videos
- NCLEX preparation content
- Pathophysiology and pharmacology explanations
SimpleNursing https://www.youtube.com/c/SimpleNursing
- NCLEX-style questions and rationales
- Memory tricks and mnemonics
- Nursing concept explanations
Nurse Sarah https://www.youtube.com/c/NurseSarah
- Nursing school study tips
- NCLEX preparation strategies
- Clinical skills demonstrations
Professional Organizations (Free Resources)
American Nurses Association (ANA) https://www.nursingworld.org/
- Professional development resources
- Career guidance and networking
- Some free continuing education opportunities
National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) https://www.nsna.org/
- Resources for nursing students
- Leadership development opportunities
- Career preparation materials
American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) https://www.aonl.org/
- Leadership resources for nurses
- Free webinars and educational content
- Career development materials
Study Tools and Apps
Quizlet https://quizlet.com/
- Free flashcard creation and study sets
- Thousands of nursing-related study sets created by other students
- Mobile app available
Anki https://apps.ankiweb.net/
- Free spaced repetition flashcard software
- Highly effective for memorizing medical terminology and concepts
- Available on multiple platforms
Important Notes:
- While these resources are free, some platforms offer premium versions with additional features
- Always verify information from multiple sources, especially for clinical practice
- Free resources should supplement, not replace, your nursing school curriculum
- Consider creating study groups with classmates to share resources and costs
- Many nursing schools provide access to paid resources like ATI or Kaplan through tuition
Remember to balance free resources with quality – sometimes investing in a comprehensive NCLEX review course can be worthwhile for the structured approach and higher-quality question banks.