RN Programs in Rhode Island
New healthcare initiatives in Rhode Island have presented nurses with new challenges to face. Some of the challenges that will present themselves include: an aging population, health care reforms, new preventative care initiatives, and the constant evolution of medical technology. There are registered nurses taking the initiative every day and pursuing higher education in order to meet these challenges. An educated nurse is a very powerful member of the healthcare industry. Nurses have busy schedules and life can become more hectic when schooling is added into the mix. Finding the school with the best program can be overwhelming but, at the end of the day, it is worth it.
In our Rhode Island RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Rhode Island RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.
In the State of Rhode Island, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Rhode Island RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
| Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Nursing Programs | 2 | 4 |
| Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 89.56% | 89.80% |
| NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 88.73% to 90.39% | 86.67% to 93.98% |
| Average Net Price | $15,846.50 | $20,223.50 |
| Average Net Price Range | $5,986.00 to $25,707.00 | $8,693.00 to $29,404.00 |
| Average Student Loan | $12,501.00 | $21,929.25 |
| Average Student Loan Range | $5,002.00 to $20,000.00 | $16,667.00 to $27,000.00 |
| See Additional Detail | ADN Rankings for Rhode Island State | BSN Rankings for Rhode Island State |
Best Ranked RN Programs in Rhode Island
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Rhode Island and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 2 ADN degree programs and 3 BSN degree programs in Rhode Island. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Rhode Island to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
RANKED 1
New England Institute of Technology
- One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, RI - 02818-1205
- (401) 739-5000
New England Institute of Technology is located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. They offer an ADN program. They also offer a convenient RN to BSN program. Their rates for the online program are some of the most affordable in the nation, at $230 per credit.
School Information
Location: East Greenwich, RI- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
NCLEX
Overall Score: 94.54%- State Rank: 1
- US Rank: 117
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
RANKED 2
Community College of Rhode Island
- 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI - 02886-1807
- (401) 825-1000
Community College of Rhode Island is located in Warwick, Rhode Island, although they have 4 campuses throughout Rhode Island. They offer an ADN program with day and evening programs at their campuses. They also offer an LPN to ADN option.
School Information
Location: Warwick, RI- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus
NCLEX
Overall Score: 86.00%- State Rank: 2
- US Rank: 450
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
ADN Programs In Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the union, but they do excellent nursing schools to choose from. Most schools offer RN programs and because of the fact that there isn't a large amount of schools in Rhode Island, they are competitive. The faculty to student ratios in Rhode Island are small. Faculty is also highly educated. This means students get a first-rate education.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Rhode Island ADN Programs
New England Institute of Technology has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Rhode Island of 90.39%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $25,707.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Rhode Island: 2
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.56%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 88.73% to 90.39%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Rhode Island?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Rhode Island so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Rhode Island is offered by Community College of Rhode Island at about $5,986.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 88.73%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by New England Institute of Technology and it will cost about $25,707.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 90.39%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inRhode Island: $15,846.50
- Net-Price Range for Rhode Island ADN Programs: $5,986.00 to $25,707.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Rhode Island Schools: $12,501.00
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Rhode Island: $5,002.00 to $20,000.00
RANKED 1
Rhode Island College
- 600 Mount Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI - 2908
- (401) 456-8000
Rhode Island College is located in Providence, Rhode Island. For BSN students, they offer a basic program, an accelerated program for second degree students and an RN to BSN program. They also offer several post-graduate options for students, after graduating with their BSN.
School Information
Location: Providence, RI- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Hybrid
NCLEX
Overall Score: 95.89%- State Rank: 1
- US Rank: 65
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Bachelor Degree, Master Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 2
University of Rhode Island
- Green Hall, 35 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI - 2881
- (401) 874-1000
University of Rhode Island is located in Kingston, Rhode Island. They offer a BSN degree and also an RN to BSN online program, as well as on-campus. They also offer multiple graduate school options, such as MSN with an emphasis in family medicine, acute care and adult/gerontology, a DNP program and a PhD program.
School Information
Location: Kingston, RI- Type: Public
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Hybrid, Online
NCLEX
Overall Score: 86.51%- State Rank: 2
- US Rank: 346
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, Master Degree, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
RANKED 3
Salve Regina University
- 100 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI - 02840-4192
- (401) 847-6650
Salve Regina University is located in Newport, Rhode Island. They offer a pre-licensure program, for students without prior college education, and a degree completion program, for students already holding their RN license. Salve Regina has 122 full-time staff; of those staff, 82% hold the terminal degree in their field and 48% are tenured. The student to faculty ratio is 13:1.
School Information
Location: Newport, RI- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Hybrid
NCLEX
Overall Score: 85.50%- State Rank: 3
- US Rank: 369
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Bachelor Degree, BSN to DNP, Master Degree, MSN to DNP
- Program Accreditors: ACEN, CCNE
NOT RANKED
New England Institute of Technology
- One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, RI - 02818-1205
- (401) 739-5000
New England Institute of Technology is located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. They offer an ADN program. They also offer a convenient RN to BSN program. Their rates for the online program are some of the most affordable in the nation, at $230 per credit.
School Information
Location: East Greenwich, RI- Type: Private Not-For-Profit
- Programs Offered As: Campus, Online
- State Rank: N/A
- US Rank: N/A
Nursing Degrees Offered
Programs: Registered Nursing- Award Levels: Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree
- Program Accreditors: ACEN
BSN Programs In Rhode Island
As the role of registered nurses change, the responsibilities required will also change considerably. Pursing higher education is one way to ensure that nurses are ready to meet the challenges of staff management, complex patient education, and the decline of patient resources. The nursing field has become increasingly more complex and a bachelor’s degree will provide nurses with the tools and information they need to stay ahead of the game in their profession. Some courses that may be included in a BSN program in Rhode Island are:
- Nurse Informational Technology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Nursing Research
- Advanced Clinical Foundations
- Management of Complex Conditions
- Nursing Leadership
NCLEX Passing Rates for Rhode Island BSN Programs
Rhode Island College wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Rhode Island with a score of 93.98%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $8,693.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Rhode Island: 4
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.80%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 86.67% to 93.98%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Rhode Island?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Rhode Island to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Rhode Island is offered by Rhode Island College and will cost you about $8,693.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 93.98%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Salve Regina University and will cost you about $29,404.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 88.75%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Rhode Island: $20,223.50
- Net-Price Range for Rhode Island BSN Programs: $8,693.00 to $29,404.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Rhode Island Schools: $21,929.25
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Rhode Island: $16,667.00 to $27,000.00
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Rhode Island
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Rhode Island
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Rhode Island offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Rhode Island RN Licensing Requirements
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
PO Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
(717) 783-7142
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $35
License renewal (every two years), RN: $65; LPN: $60
Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: 30 contact hours every renewal period; LPNs: None
RN Licensure by Exams
When a candidate has completed an approved nursing program, he/she will be authorized to work as a Graduate Professional Nurse (GN) while waiting to take the NCLEX. A GN permit is only good for 90 days. Before the candidate is able to apply to the Board, he/she must register for the exam and pay the $200 fee. When the candidate has submitted a background check and a transcript he/she will pay the $135 application fee. When authorization to test has been received, the candidate will be able to schedule the exam. The exam may be retaken but it will require additional fees and paperwork.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Nurses who obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may apply for licensure in Rhode Island by endorsement. The candidate will be required to provide verification of licensure.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Nurses who were educated outside of the United States may be eligible for licensure by examination if the credentials have been evaluated and are found to be at an appropriate level. Candidates will be required to pass an English language proficiency exam.
RN Salaries in Rhode Island
Registered nurses who have obtained a BSN will have a wide selection of positions available to them. Nurses are able to work in specialty areas such as executive positions and certified areas. Some career choices that are available to a baccalaureate prepare nurse include:
- Nursing Educators
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
- Certified Pediatric Nurses
Rhode Island Registered Nursing Salaries
| Area name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA |
13,720 | $36.37 | $75,410 |
Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Popular Nursing Careers: Clinical Nurse Specialist | Clinical Nurse Leader | Family Nurse Practitioner | Nurse Informatics | Nurse Executive | Nurse Educator | Adult Gerontology Nursing Specialties: Nursing Specialties | Salary Guides: RN Salary | LPN Salary | CRNA Salary