Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's best nursing schoolsAre you looking for the best nursing schools in Rhode Island? If so, you may be surprised by how many you have to choose from. You could get educated in a big city like Newport and Providence, or you could stay home and get a degree online. Either way, you will end up with the training you need to be able to work as a nurse. Here is some information that explains the benefits of nursing training so you can decide if this is right for you.

How to Become a Nurse in Rhode Island

In order to become a nurse in Rhode Island, you need to have some sort of college education. Some jobs require bigger degrees than others, so you will need to think about what type of nurse you want to be when choosing a degree program. Whenever you start looking for degree, try to find a program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). This will ensure that you get a good education.

Here is a look at some common nursing degrees in Kansas, plus amount of time you can expect to spend in each of them:

  • Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years

After you get your degree, you will need to apply for a nursing license through the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. You might also consider getting one or more certifications that relate to the type of nursing you want to work in. Certifications and licenses will improve your chances of getting a job in the future.

Tuition for Rhode Island Nursing Schools

The money you spend on your schooling will depend on several factors, such as how long you have to be in school and what kind of school you go to. The College Board approximates tuition rates in Pennsylvania based on states from different types of schools. You could use this to get a feel for how much you might need to spend on your education. Listed below are the average tuition rates for in-state students in Rhode Island.

  • Public Two Year College: $4,266 per year
  • Public Four Year University: $11,207 per year
  • Private Four Year University: $35,136 per year

Job Prospects for Rhode Island Nurses

Nurses are in high demand in Rhode Island, despite this state’s small size. Nurse anesthetists, nurse educators, and other high-end nurses tend to be the most sought-after because there are so few people who can work these positions. Listed below are Rhode Island nurse salary statistics, courtesy of the BLS:

  • Nursing Assistant: $29,090 per year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $55,230per year
  • Registered Nurse: $76,410 per year
  • Nurse Practitioner: $108,950 per year

If you take the time to find the right nursing school in Rhode Island, you can easily transition into your dream career.


Top Nursing Schools in Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island

URI core values are creativity, scholarship,diversity, respect, engaged learning, civic involvement, intellectual and ethical leadership; these values guide programs and partnerships formed to optimize each students experience. The nursing curriculum blends humanities with science as nursing in adn of itself is a interdisciplinary profession that utilizes the sciences in caring for humanity. Graduates will be prepared to promote and optimize health, teach patients prevention of illness and care of the ill.

  • Location: Kingston, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 16,218
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • University of Rhode Island Nursing Programs: RN-to-BSN, BS/BSN, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, PhD (Doctoral)
  • Tuition: $12,862

St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing

St. Joseph School of Nursing offers a dynamic and challenging program leading to a diploma in nursing. The student body is diverse and the school has altered the program to accommodate financial and time restraints of students to provide greater opportunities for them to graduate and improve their future by building a career today. St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing has recently partnered with Salve Regina University to offer a BSN program students can enroll in upon receiving their diploma.

  • Location: North Providence, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 70
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing Programs: Diploma

Community College of Rhode Island-Newport Campus

Community College of Rhode Island is the largest public, two-year, degree granting college in New England and offers educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. CCRI has four main campuses. At the Newport campus the nursing program is offered in evening and weekend classes to support needs of students and professional faculty. Graduates will be prepared to state licensure exams and be certified to work as part of the health care team as a professional nurse.

  • Location: Newport, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 17,893
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Community College of Rhode Island-Newport Campus Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
  • Tuition: $3,950

Community College of Rhode Island- Liston Campus

Community College of Rhode Island is the largest public, two-year, degree granting college in New England and offers educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. CCRI has four main campuses. The Liston campus offers traditional courseowrk during the week and provides an accredited nursing program. Studetns will engage in applicable coursework that will teach them to think critically in nursing theory then apply their knowledge in labs and clinical work in a variety of settings.

  • Location: Liston, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 17,893
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Community College of Rhode Island- Liston Campus Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
  • Tuition: $3,950

New England Institute of Technology

The focus at New England Tech is to give each student a solid balance: with a base of analytical skills with hands-on training. Most Associate Degree programs can be completed in as little as 18 months and Bachelors Degree programs in as little as 3 years helping students get started on tehir career earlier. The hear and soul of New England Tech’s programs are the faculty, they care carefully chosen to ensure students receive the best mentors available. The nursing program is no different and New England Tech has lowered tuition rates to be some of the most affordable in the nation. The nursing program offers traditional classes as well as online classes to accomodate needs of students.

  • Location: East Greenwich
  • Student Enrollment: 3,000
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: NYes
  • New England Institute of Technology Nursing Programs: Level: RN to BSN, BSN
  • Tuition: $22,371

St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses

St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses is a fully accredited program that offers a formal education of nurse anesthetists. We also currently have a partnership with the Rhode Island College School of Nursing, which will offer a Master of Science in Nursing.

  • Location: North Providence, RI
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses Programs: Nurse Anesthetist

Community College of Rhode Island – Flanagan Campus

Community College of Rhode Island is the largest public, two-year, degree granting college in New England and offers educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. CCRI has four main campuses. At the Flanagan campus the nursing program is offered in evening and weekend classes to support needs of students and professional faculty. Graduates will be prepared to state licensure exams and be certified to work as part of the health care team as a professional nurse.

  • Location: Lincoln, RI
  • Student Enrollment:17,893
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Community College of Rhode Island – Flanagan Campus Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
  • Tuition: $3,950

Community College of Rhode Island

Community College of Rhode Island is the largest public, two-year, degree granting college in New England and offers educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. CCRI has four main campuses. The Warwick campus offers traditional coursework during the week and provides an accredited nursing program. Students will engage in applicable coursework that will teach them to think critically in nursing theory then apply their knowledge in labs and clinical work in a variety of settings.

  • Location: Warwick, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 17,893
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Community College of Rhode Island Nursing Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
  • Tuition: $3,950

Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island School of Nurse Anesthesia

By definition, a nurse anesthetist is a registered nurse (RN) who has a minimum of two years extensive training and education in the specialty of anesthesia. Their responsibilities include administering all types of anesthesia, perform pre-operative assessments, and monitor the patient in the post-operative period. The School of Nurse Anesthesia holds an academic affiliation with Central Connecticut State University and upon completion subtends will receive a Master of Science Degree in Biological Sciences/Anesthesia from CCSU, and a certificate of completion from Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

  • Location: Pawtucket, RI
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: No
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island School of Nurse Anesthesia Programs: Nurse Anesthetist

Rhode Island College

RIC is a leading regional public college that personalizes higher education of the finest quality for undergraduate and graduate students. Our vision is to ofer higher education that is valued for high-impact programs and educational practices that prepare diverse students; for meaningful learning experiences. We aim to promote student retention and completion and support professional development. RIC has partnerships that strengthen undergraduate, graduate and co-curricular programs throughout the community. The program partners with all the major health care agencies in the state to offer clinical education.

Nursing students reflect the social, ethnic and economic diversity of the state; this diversity creates a cooperative, collegial learning environment that benefits all. The nursing faculty is extremely well-qualified and experienced in their areas.

  • Location: Providence, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 6,900
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Rhode Island College Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN
  • Tuition: $7,602

Salve Regina University

Salve Regina University is historically a women’s college for higher edcuation since 1971 it has been a co-educational university offering quality academics for students. particiapnts of the nursing program will become familiar with nursing history, nursing theories and models of practice, the various settings of practice and the roles of the professional nurse. Upon graduation studedents will understand the social policy statement of the profession, the scope and standards of nursing practice. Sudents will be made aware of how to properly handle ethical and legal challenges encountered in practice, and the responsibility of the nurse to communicate appropriately and effectively while advocating for both the patients and the profession.

  • Location: Newport, RI
  • Student Enrollment: 2,613
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Salve Regina University Nursing Programs: BS/BSN, RN-to-BSN
  • Tuition: $35,690
  • www.salve.edu