Jake Flannigan, NP
July 14, 2025
Rhode Island’s nurse practitioner programs equip registered nurses for advanced, autonomous practice in settings ranging from Providence’s academic centers to coastal community clinics. CCNE‑accredited MSN and DNP tracks, offered by the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, focus on specialties such as family practice, adult‑gerontology, pediatrics, and psychiatric‑mental health. Graduates become eligible for national certification and Rhode Island APRN licensure with full prescriptive authority.
Newport, RI - Private 4-year - salve.edu
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's Master of Science in Nursing with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration delivers a robust 51-credit online program tailored for aspiring advanced practice nurses. The curriculum integrates comprehensive theoretical coursework with 750 supervised clinical hours, preparing graduates to address complex mental health challenges. Ideal for registered nurses holding a bachelor's degree, the program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and offers multiple start dates. Students receive comprehensive preparation for national certification examinations, emphasizing compassionate, evidence-based healthcare leadership across diverse patient populations.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's online Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate strategically addresses national mental health workforce needs through an intensive 30-credit program. Designed for experienced registered nurses seeking advanced specialization, the curriculum provides comprehensive psychopharmacology training and diagnostic expertise. The flexible online format accommodates working professionals, featuring live and self-paced courses that culminate in 750 clinical practice hours. Students can seamlessly progress toward national certification and potential doctoral studies, with rolling admission and a curriculum spanning patient care across all life stages.
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's BSN-DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice program with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration offers a transformative hybrid educational pathway for advanced nursing professionals. Combining 48 master's and 30 doctoral credits, the program cultivates sophisticated leadership skills, evidence-based practice strategies, and comprehensive clinical expertise. Students develop advanced critical thinking capabilities and organizational leadership competencies across complex healthcare environments. With a rigorous curriculum accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, graduates are positioned to drive innovation in patient care and pursue high-level advanced practice roles.
Kingston, RI - Public 4-Year - web.uri.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program offers a comprehensive 42-credit curriculum preparing advanced practice nurses for primary healthcare delivery. Students gain extensive clinical expertise through 750 clinical practice hours across diverse healthcare settings, utilizing a one-to-one preceptorship model. The program provides flexible part-time and full-time study options, spanning two-and-a-half to five years. Graduates become eligible for national certification exams, with admission requirements including a nursing baccalaureate degree, 3.0 GPA, active RN licensure, and substantial clinical experience.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Science's Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner delivers a comprehensive 42-credit program preparing advanced nursing professionals to provide holistic healthcare for patients aged 14 and older. Students develop advanced clinical skills across individual, organizational, and societal domains, with opportunities for urban and rural clinical experiences. The program offers part-time and full-time options, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and preparing graduates for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification.
Campus Based - Visit Website
URI's Master of Science in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offers a rigorous 48-49 credit program for registered nurses seeking specialized mental healthcare expertise. The curriculum combines intensive academic training with extensive clinical practice, preparing students to manage patient caseloads independently across hospital clinics, community health centers, and private practices. With part-time and full-time options, a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, and one-to-one preceptorship, graduates become eligible for ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification.
Campus Based - Visit Website
URI's Post-Master's Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner represents an accelerated pathway for master's-prepared nurses seeking advanced specialization. Spanning 18-20 credits, this program enables professionals to expand clinical expertise through intensive coursework and supervised clinical hours. Designed for nurses with a graduate GPA above 3.3, the program prepares students for national certification examinations across three specialized nursing tracks: Adult Gerontology Primary Care, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate provides an advanced practice nursing pathway for experienced clinicians. This specialized 18-20 credit program prepares master's-prepared nurses to deliver comprehensive mental healthcare across diverse populations. Requiring a graduate GPA above 3.3 and valid RN licensure, the certificate includes intensive clinical practicums that prepare graduates for professional certification examinations and advanced practice nursing roles.
Campus Based - Visit Website
URI's Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner post-master's certificate is a targeted 18-19 credit program designed for nurses seeking specialized geriatric and adult healthcare expertise. The curriculum includes advanced courses like Adult-Gero Primary Care NP I and II, complemented by supervised clinical hours. Admission requires a master's degree in nursing, a graduate GPA above 3.3, and RN licensure eligibility. The program emphasizes individualized study plans and prepares students for ANCC/AANP certification in adult-gerontology primary care.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care provides a comprehensive 72-credit pathway for advanced practice nurses. Emphasizing clinical excellence and healthcare transformation, the program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and values clinical nursing experience. Students develop advanced clinical expertise, research skills, and the potential to influence healthcare policy. The program offers national certification exam eligibility and multiple funding options for ambitious nursing professionals.
Campus Based - Visit Website
URI's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care offers a transformative 72-credit doctoral track for nurses seeking high-level clinical specialization. The program combines advanced practice core courses with specialty-specific training, preparing students to revolutionize healthcare systems. Admission requires a nursing baccalaureate degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and professional nursing experience. Financial support options like traineeships and graduate assistantships enhance accessibility for ambitious nursing professionals seeking advanced practice credentials.
Providence, RI - Public 4-Year - ric.edu
Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College's Master of Science in Nursing with Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration provides advanced nursing professionals comprehensive training in complex adult and elderly patient care. The CCNE-accredited program delivers rigorous clinical education, enabling graduates to excel in acute healthcare environments. Students develop sophisticated clinical assessment skills, critical care expertise, and specialized patient management techniques. With multiple certification exam pathways and an emphasis on professional nursing leadership, the program transforms nurses into highly skilled practitioners prepared to deliver exceptional acute care across diverse healthcare settings.
Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration at Rhode Island College's Master of Science in Nursing program equips healthcare professionals with advanced clinical expertise. This meticulously designed curriculum prepares nurses to deliver high-level specialized care in acute settings, emphasizing evidence-based practices and complex patient management. Through comprehensive training, students develop sophisticated nursing skills and professional identity, positioning themselves to transform healthcare delivery. The program offers multiple certification exam pathways, advanced clinical nursing focus, and opportunities to pursue leadership roles in specialized acute care environments.
Concentration: Population/Public Health - Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College's Master of Science in Nursing Population/Public Health concentration cultivates innovative nursing leaders committed to community health transformation. This comprehensive graduate program develops advanced practice professionals capable of addressing complex population health challenges through strategic interventions and evidence-based practices. Students gain critical skills in health promotion, community education, and systemic healthcare improvement. With a focus on leadership roles and certification exam preparation, graduates are equipped to drive meaningful population health outcomes, implementing comprehensive strategies that address diverse community wellness needs.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College's Certificate of Graduate Studies in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care for Nurse Practitioners offers a specialized 18-credit hybrid program designed for experienced nurses seeking advanced acute care expertise. Tailored for master's degree holders, the program facilitates professional development without GRE requirements. Applicants must complete prerequisites in Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, and Advanced Health Assessment, with potential waivers for certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. The curriculum emphasizes expanding nurse practitioner roles in acute care settings, preparing graduates for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Adult Acute certification exam through flexible, comprehensive training.
To accommodate working nurses and those in remote areas, many Rhode Island programs use a hybrid model with online lectures and live webinars supplemented by on‑campus intensives for simulation labs and skills workshops. Clinical rotations are arranged locally at approved healthcare sites, allowing students to fulfill practicum requirements close to home. A few schools offer fully online didactic phases with short, immersive campus visits for hands‑on assessments.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
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| Salve Regina University |
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University of Rhode Island
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| Rhode Island College |
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| Certifying Board | Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education – Advanced Practice Section |
|---|---|
| Certification | Completion of an accredited graduate NP program, an active Rhode Island RN license or compact privilege, and a current national APRN credential verified by the Board |
| License Renewal Period | Expires March 1 every two years, renewal notices issued about 60 days before expiration |
| Continuing Education | 10 contact hours every two years (2 on substance abuse, 1 on Alzheimer’s per career), prescriptive authority holders complete 30 pharmacology hours every six years |
| License Application Fee | $145 initial APRN application, $200 for Controlled Substances Registration |
| Clinical Hours | Official graduate transcripts documenting the required supervised practicum hours from an accredited NP program |
| Processing Time | Initial APRN applications typically take 7–10 weeks for review and issuance |
| Endorsement | Out-of-state APRNs must hold (or concurrently apply for) a Rhode Island RN license, complete an FBI fingerprint-based background check, and submit primary-source verifications of both RN and NP credentials |
Nurse practitioners in Rhode Island earn an average annual salary of about $125,000, with entry‑level positions starting near $100,000 and experienced practitioners, especially in the Providence metro, earning up to $140,000. Employers often offer sign‑on bonuses, loan repayment assistance, and comprehensive benefits packages to attract and retain qualified NPs. Advanced certifications and leadership or educator roles can further elevate compensation.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Rhode Island | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual NP Salary | $130,190 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $62.59 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$147,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $130,190 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$110,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | ~45% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~120 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
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| Rhode Island College |
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University of Rhode Island
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| Salve Regina University |
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Many graduates pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice to deepen clinical expertise and qualify for leadership, academic, or executive roles. Post‑master’s certificate programs allow NPs to add new specialties, such as acute care or women’s health, without completing another full degree. Those interested in research may enroll in PhD programs, while others transition into roles in healthcare administration, informatics, policy development, or telehealth leadership.
Learn more about Nurse Practitioner specialities.
Additional Nursing Programs in Rhode Island
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Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
Online Learning - Website
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Population/Public Health - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
