Maria Delgado, RN
June 26, 2025
Rhode Island’s nursing programs offer a comprehensive range of pathways to support both emerging and experienced healthcare professionals across the Ocean State. Whether you’re earning your first credential as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s colleges, universities, and health systems blend robust academic instruction with hands‑on clinical rotations. With flexible online coursework to accommodate working learners and immersive practicum experiences at accredited care facilities, Rhode Island’s nursing education prepares graduates with the skills, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to thrive in diverse clinical environments.
Newport, RI - Private 4-year - salve.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's Bachelor's Degree in Nursing offers two tracks: a pre-licensure path for new students and a completion option for RNs, emphasizing patient-centered care through hands-on clinical experiences. The curriculum includes health assessment, pharmacology, and public health, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and advanced studies. Accredited by CCNE, this on-campus program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams, making it accessible for aspiring nurses.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's RN to B.S. in Nursing is a fully online program designed for licensed RNs, allowing completion in as few as 12 months with six annual start dates. It focuses on holistic, patient-centered care and leadership skills, accredited by CCNE. No entrance exam is required, offering flexibility with financial aid and preferred tuition rates for working professionals seeking career advancement.
Providence, RI - Private 4-year - jwu.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Johnson & Wales University-Providence offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, ideal for individuals holding a bachelor's degree seeking a rapid transition into nursing. This 16-month hybrid program blends online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, emphasizing patient-centered care and addressing the nursing shortage. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses, with no ACT or SAT exam needed. Students benefit from scholarships up to $12,000, small cohort sizes for personalized attention, and diverse clinical rotations preparing them for the NCLEX-RN exam.
East Greenwich, RI - Private 4-year - neit.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
New England Institute of Technology's Associate of Science in Nursing is an 18-month campus-based program that emphasizes hands-on practical training for a swift entry into healthcare careers. It does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, as it is an associate-level program. The curriculum is comprehensive, designed to meet industry standards and prepare students for various nursing roles through immersive learning experiences.
Providence, RI - Public 4-Year - ric.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program provides a comprehensive education with a strong emphasis on clinical experience and academic rigor. Students engage in hands-on training at advanced facilities, including the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center, covering essential areas such as health promotion, medical-surgical nursing, and pediatric care. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, this program prepares graduates for diverse, high-demand nursing roles. Admission requires meeting academic standards; no specific entrance exam like ACT or SAT is mentioned as required.
Kingston, RI - Public 4-Year - web.uri.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a four-year, 120-credit campus-based curriculum that emphasizes patient-centered care through a blend of theory and hands-on clinical experiences in Rhode Island hospitals and community agencies. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and requires a strong science background for admission, with a GPA over 3.0 for readmission candidates. No specific entrance exam like ACT or SAT is mentioned as required, focusing instead on academic prerequisites for eligibility.
Rhode Island’s LPN programs blend targeted coursework in anatomy, pharmacology and nursing fundamentals with hands‑on clinical rotations in hospitals, nursing homes and community clinics. Students learn to administer medications, monitor vital signs and support patient care under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning state licensure, graduates bolster Rhode Island’s practical nursing workforce, enhancing access to quality care across both Providence’s urban centers and the state’s smaller communities.
Rhode Island’s CNA courses run six to twelve weeks, merging classroom instruction on infection control and vital‑sign monitoring with hands‑on practicums. Learners practice assisting with personal care, feeding, and mobility, honing their documentation and reporting techniques. After certification, CNAs join care teams in both residential and clinical environments. Their role is essential for sustaining patient well‑being and supporting licensed nurses.
Rhode Island’s RN to BSN pathways blend self-paced online instruction in nursing leadership, population health, informatics and policy with hands-on clinical practicums at its academic hospitals and community health centers. Offered in both part-time and accelerated tracks, these programs let RNs balance work and study as they pursue a BSN. Completing the baccalaureate sharpens critical-thinking and evidence-based practice skills, aligns with employer and accreditation expectations, and unlocks opportunities in specialty certification, leadership and public health roles across the state’s healthcare landscape.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Still available at CCRI, many graduates continue to BSN programs |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Rhode Island |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses preferred in all major healthcare systems |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website