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Nursing Skills

Explore the career you could build with this skill.

What Are Nursing Skills?

From hospitals and clinics to schools and long-term care facilities, nurses play a vital role in delivering quality patient care. Whether assessing symptoms, coordinating treatment plans, or educating patients and families, nursing professionals help individuals navigate some of the most important and complex moments in their health journeys.

At the heart of nursing is the commitment to promoting health, preventing illness and providing care to individuals, families and communities. Nurses combine clinical knowledge with critical thinking, communication and compassion to support positive patient outcomes. These capabilities form the foundation of nursing practice and make nursing skills valuable across a wide range of healthcare settings and specialties.

Image of nurse using a tablet
Image of nursing student studying

New technologies, evolving patient needs and workforce challenges continue to be instigators for change within the healthcare landscape. These changes mean nurses are taking on increasingly complex responsibilities while working within healthcare systems that are becoming more connected, data-driven and patient-centered. Trends such as telehealth, electronic health records, artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary care teams are transforming the way care is delivered and managed.

As these changes continue, employers will seek nurses who can combine clinical expertise with strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. The healthcare industry continues to place greater emphasis on quality outcomes, preventive care and population health. To support these priorities, nurses must be prepared to adapt to new practices, apply evidence-based knowledge and respond to evolving patient needs. This growing scope of responsibility has increased the demand for ongoing learning and professional development throughout a nurse’s career.

Nursing Courses

American College of Education (ACE) offers standalone courses that can help you develop your skills in this area.

Nursing Careers

Learn more about the career paths you can pursue with this skill on your resume.

Registered Nurse

At the frontline of healthcare systems are registered nurses, or RNs, who ensure quality patient care that leads to healing and wellness. As licensed healthcare professionals, they collaborate with providers, administer medical treatment and coordinate patient care. If you’re passionate about caring for patients and guiding them toward healthy living, a nursing career might be right for you. 

Expected Growth: 194,000 positions
Estimated Annual Wage: $86,070

Travel Nurse

Do you have a gift for caregiving, a sense of adventure and the drive to take on a new career? A future as a travel nurse may be the perfect fit for you. Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who take on short-term assignments in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country – sometimes even internationally. With the high demand for professional care, competitive salaries and a chance to explore new places while doing meaningful work, travel nursing is one of the most exciting paths in the nursing profession.  

Expected Growth: 197,200 positions
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Labor and Delivery Nurse

Childbirth is a significant, special and exciting milestone in a parent’s life. However, it can also be stressful and painful, and that’s where labor and delivery nurses come in. 

Expected Growth: 6 positions
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

ER Nurse

When the lives of those around us are affected by accidents, injuries, or other traumatic events, we place our trust in the hands of those who can truly make a difference: emergency room (ER) nurses. These nurses are often the first healthcare professionals patients encounter in the most vulnerable, frightening moments of their lives. With calm expertise and rapid decision-making, ER nurses stabilize chaos, deliver lifesaving care and help patients and families navigate the unknown.

Expected Growth: 197,200 positions
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Flight Nurse

Sometimes, the outcome of life-threatening medical emergencies depends on how quickly it’s addressed, and in some cases, patients must be sent to other facilities. Right by their side is a flight nurse, a registered nurse (RN) who monitors their vitals, administers medication, and, if needed, performs life-saving procedures during medical transport. Not all patient transports require emergency flight nurses, but they all need an advanced nurse to provide effective patient care during travel. 

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Hospice Nurse

Terminal illness is an unfortunate circumstance that no one wants to face or see their loved ones endure. A hospice nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who helps hospice patients, those who are no longer seeking curative treatment and need comfort care nursing support. Also known as terminal care nurses, they focus on giving their patients the best quality of life possible before passing away. 

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Psychiatric Nurse

Mental health disorders range from mild to debilitating, but these conditions are treatable through various avenues like lifestyle changes, therapy, medication and more. Psychiatric nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who support and execute treatment plans that improve and manage mental illnesses. Sometimes, they work in outpatient clinical settings or private practices, and other times, they work in inpatient rehabilitation or correctional facilities.

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Neonatal Nurse

Even the tiniest patients need specialized healthcare, and neonatal nurses are at the frontline of ensuring babies get the care they need. So, what is a neonatal nurse? As a registered nurse (RN), a neonatal nurse is specially trained to support newborn infants enduring various acute and critical health concerns, including prematurity, birth defects, infections, malformations, surgical complications and more.

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

PACU Nurse

You wake up from anesthesia, and the first face you see is often a PACU nurse. What is a PACU nurse? A post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in taking care of patients recovering from anesthesia administered in surgeries or procedures. They ensure patient safety and comfort while monitoring vital signs, consciousness and pain as the effects of anesthesia fade away. 

Expected Growth: 6%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Critical Care Nurse

Critically ill patients who are experiencing a severe, life-threatening illness or injury require specialized nurses, also known as critical care nurses, to aid in their recovery. What is a critical care nurse? They are registered nurses (RNs) who care for critically ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU), critical care unit, trauma units, emergency rooms or step-down units that provide medical support for patients who may require additional support after an ICU stay.

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

School Nurse

As students share materials and spaces, school settings often see sickness spreading fast. A school nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who provides basic healthcare and leads community health programs within these environments. Their contributions to the health and safety of students and staff are crucial in preventing the spread of communicable diseases and providing guidance when healthcare needs arise.

Expected Growth: 5%
Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Course Stackability

Graphic depicting the stack-ability of courses at the American College of Education

We want our students to get the most out of their hard work. That’s why we design our courses and programs with stackability in mind. Some courses can be applied toward a micro-credential or certificate, which can in turn be applied toward a master’s degree, subject to program requirements. That master’s degree coursework could then be applied toward a doctorate. Even by taking a single course at ACE, you're making a smart investment toward a larger educational future.

Related Degrees

The courses you take in this skill area can earn you academic credit that you can apply to these ACE degrees.

Course Admissions

For students taking single courses without enrolling in a program, admission requirements will depend on the level of the course. Students must meet ACE’s general admission requirements and be admitted to the college before signing up for a stand-alone class.

In addition, students must have proof of a valid, unencumbered registered nursing license on file with the college before selecting courses with the NUR prefix. If the NUR course selected has a prerequisite, that course must be completed before approval to complete the initial course requested.

Bachelor’s Level

  • At least 30 semester credits 
  • Minimum GPA of 1.75 

Master’s Level

  • A bachelor’s or highest post-baccalaureate degree
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5*

Doctoral Level

  • A master’s or doctoral degree
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

*Applicants whose overall GPA is between 2.0-2.49 may be considered for admission if their degree was conferred more than 10 years from the start date at ACE or the applicant has five or more years of experience in the field appropriate for intended courses.

Nursing FAQs

What are the benefits of taking online nursing courses?

Online nursing courses offer flexibility for working nurses and healthcare professionals who want to continue their education while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Through online learning, you can build knowledge in areas such as patient care, leadership, healthcare systems and evidence-based practice. These courses can also help you stay current with industry developments and support ongoing professional growth.
 
If you want to strengthen your knowledge in any of the areas related to data analytics or want to practice applying data analytics to real-world scenarios, online courses like the ones at ACE are a great resource to turn to. 

How do RN to BSN courses online help advance a nursing career?

RN to BSN courses online help you expand your clinical knowledge and develop skills that may support career advancement. Coursework often explores topics such as leadership, community health, healthcare policy and evidence-based practice. By building on existing nursing experience, RN to BSN programs can help you prepare for expanded responsibilities and future professional opportunities.

Are nursing professional development courses worth it for experienced nurses?

Nursing professional development courses can be valuable for every stage of your career. As healthcare continues to evolve, ongoing education helps you stay informed about new technologies, best practices and emerging trends. These courses can also support skill development in areas such as leadership, communication and specialized patient care, helping even experienced nurses continue to grow professionally.

How do I choose the right online nursing course for my goals?

Choosing the right online nursing course begins with identifying your professional goals. If you're interested in leadership roles, you may benefit from courses focused on management, communication or healthcare administration. If you're seeking to strengthen clinical knowledge, you may prefer courses related to patient care or evidence-based practice. Nursing education courses are also available if you want to shift your career into academia. Reviewing course outcomes and aligning them with your career objectives can help you select the best option.

What skills can I gain through nursing continuing education programs?

Nursing continuing education programs can help you strengthen both clinical and professional competencies. Depending on the course, you may develop skills in patient assessment, care coordination, evidence-based practice, leadership, communication and healthcare technology. These skills can help you adapt to changing healthcare environments and provide high-quality patient care.

Can online nursing courses help me prepare for nursing leadership roles?

Absolutely. In fact, many online nursing courses include topics related to leadership, communication, decision-making and healthcare systems. By developing these skills, you can become better prepared to manage teams, coordinate patient care and contribute to organizational goals. Leadership-focused coursework may also support those who are interested in pursuing supervisory, management or administrative positions within healthcare organizations.

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