The following free online resources are relevant to students studying nursing.
Nursing Leadership Organizations
American Organization for Nursing Leadership (Opens in New Tab)
As the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is the voice of nursing leadership. Previously known as the American Organization for Nurse Executives (AONE), the organization changed its name in 2019 to better align with its core mission and vision.
Health Leadership Development - RWJF (Opens in New Tab)
In communities around the nation, RWJF is working to develop leaders from different backgrounds and disciplines. We position them at the forefront of evidence and research and help them become key ambassadors for health and drivers of change.
International Council of Nurses (Opens in New Tab)
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of over 130 national nurses associations (NNAs), representing the over 28 million nurses worldwide. Founded in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals.
Leadership & Excellence - ANA (Opens in New Tab)
Discover how ANA developed these leadership resources with you in mind—a nurse interested in excelling in a career path & looking to advance to the next level.
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (Opens in New Tab)
The State Board of Nursing protects the health and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the licensure/certification and regulation of the practice of professional nurses.
Sigma: Global Nursing Excellence (Opens in New Tab)
Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, academic nurse educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to fulfill the organization’s vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders transforming global healthcare.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
"The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Opens in New Tab)
The "lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people," an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. Information includes a directory of the CDC's component centers, institutes, and offices; training programs; publications and statistics; conferences and health campaigns; and sections on many health topics. (LII)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Opens in New Tab)
CMS is the federal agency that provides health coverage to more than 160 million through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. CMS works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality, equity and outcomes in the health care system.
HealthFinder (Opens in New Tab)
This site for consumers contains a directory of health organizations and links to hundreds of sites featuring "government and nonprofit health and human services information." Includes news, articles, and a Kids section. Searchable, and browsable by topic. (LII)
National Cancer Institute (Opens in New Tab)
Information here is reviewed by oncology experts and is based on the results of current research. In " Cancer Information," find types of cancer, treatment, prevention, the role of genetics, and causes; screening and testing; coping with cancer; support resources; cancer literature; and PDQ (Physician Data Query), a database with the latest information about treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, care, and clinical trials. (LII)
National Health Information Center (Opens in New Tab)
The heart of this site is its Health Information Resource Database, which includes thousands of U.S. organizations and government offices that provide health information on request. Included are a list of toll-free health information telephone numbers and federal health information centers and clearinghouses. Browse by subject or search by title, keyword, city, or state.(LII)
National Institutes of Health (Opens in New Tab)
General health information, publications, news, and events; grants and funding opportunities; health resources; and an annotated directory of the more than twenty-five individual medical and research organizations that make up the US National Institutes of Health. (LII)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (Opens in New Tab)
The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.
USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory (Opens in New Tab)
The Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides detailed information about the nutritional values of more than a thousand foods here. Users may search by individual food, including many brand-name products, or by nutrient, e.g. calcium, fiber, and fat. (LII)
World Health Organization (Opens in New Tab)
The site for this United Nations program provides information about current disease outbreaks, health programs, emergencies, profiles of health systems in member states, links to health topics and research tools, and publications. (LII)
Healthcare Organizations
Alzheimer's Association (Opens in New Tab)
Contains information on the causes, warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease; statistics, fact sheets, and reports; a glossary; an index to clinical trials; resources for diverse communities (African American, Chinese, Hispanic/Latino, and Korean); and more. Also available in Spanish. Searchable. (LII)
American Cancer Society (Opens in New Tab)
"The American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association have joined together in a historic collaboration to encourage the prevention and early detection of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke." The site provides suggestions about healthy eating, exercise, quitting smoking, and medical screenings. Also includes links to interactive tools on these topics. In English and Spanish. (LII)
American College of Sports Medicine (Opens in New Tab)
This college "promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life." The website features guidelines for healthy aerobic activity, calculate your exercise heart rate range, locate an ACSM-certified health professional in your area, and view a brochure about Careers in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. (LII)
American Diabetes Association (Opens in New Tab)
Contains research news and treatment advances, legislative and advocacy updates, clinical practice recommendations, fact sheets and self-care tips for patients, information on Type 1 (juvenile) and Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes, articles, and a dictionary of related terms. Also features information about grants and research projects, groups affected by diabetes, and risk factors. Includes information in Spanish. (LII)
American Heart Association (Opens in New Tab)
The mission of this organization is to "reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke." The site includes information on heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest warning signs; heart diseases and conditions; tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle; statistics; and more. Also available in Spanish. (LII)
American Lung Association (Opens in New Tab)
The American Lung Association "fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health." The site contains information on lung diseases, treatment options, quitting smoking, air quality, and the human respiratory system. Includes a list of local chapters. Also available in Spanish. (LII)
American Nurses Association (Opens in New Tab)
“The Nursing Insider… tracks news items that will be of general interest, including those that deal with the changing landscape of health care policy and service-provisioning across the United States.” In addition to the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, “the Publications section contains a number of free publications, including several that address the possibility of pursuing a career in nursing and some general fact sheets about the organization.” (ISP)
American Psychological Association (Opens in New Tab)
APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.
American Red Cross (Opens in New Tab)
The site of this "emergency response organization" contains news, press releases, FAQs, and information on disaster preparedness, post-disaster dangers, giving blood, services for military members and families, and more. (LII)
The Arc (Opens in New Tab)
The ARC of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Hospice Foundation of America (Opens in New Tab)
This site provides information about programs for the support of the terminally ill and those who are grieving. Visitors can search for hospice locations, access links to legal aid, locate articles and materials on grief issues, find out about hospice benefits and services, learn about grief training, and Ask Helen for grief advice online. (LII)
March of Dimes (Opens in New Tab)
The mission of the March of Dimes is “to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality”. Their Website has links to resources related to health issues regarding pregnancy and infants.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (Opens in New Tab)
Features a database of hospices in the United States searchable by state, then by city, county, or Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Site contains basic information about hospice and palliative care, a FAQ, and related links. (LII)
National League for Nursing (Opens in New Tab)
“The National League for Nursing advances excellence in nursing education that prepares the nursing workforce to meet the needs of diverse populations in an ever-changing healthcare environment.” Site includes public policy and career information.
