The Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island
The right program depends on your background and goals. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) takes about two years and gets you licensed fastest. A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) takes longer but carries more weight for career advancement.
Salve Regina, a private college in Newport, offers an MSN in a flexible online format with limited campus sessions, six annual start dates, and a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes.
- Program(s): MSN
- Campus: Newport, RI
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): CCNE
- Tuition: $670 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN; RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 28 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
Rhode Island College in Providence offers a hybrid DNP that trains nurses for top-level administrative and clinical roles. Courses include advanced epidemiology, clinical research and analytic methods, and healthcare policy and advocacy.
- Program(s): DNP
- Campus: Providence, RI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): CCNE
- Tuition: $536 per credit in-state; $784 per credit neighboring states; $1,005 out of state
- Admission Requirements: RN license; MSN with 3.0 GPA, or BSN plus a related master's (such as public health or health administration)
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 98.4%
The University of Rhode Island runs campuses in Kingston and Providence. Its MSN covers nursing theory, foundational science, and advanced practice, with three specializations: adult-gerontology primary care, family, and psychiatric mental health. All courses meet in person at the URI Nursing Education Center in Providence.
- Program(s): MSN
- Campus: Providence, RI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): CCNE
- Tuition: $803 per credit in-state; $1,550 per credit out of state
- Admission Requirements: BSN with 3.0 GPA; RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.5%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $109,286 for master's graduates (College Scorecard)
Community College of Rhode Island runs campuses in Warwick, Providence, Lincoln, and Newport. Its associate of science in nursing builds entry-level skills and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. The Lincoln campus offers evening and weekend enrollment.
- Program(s): ADN
- Campus: Lincoln, Newport, Providence, and Warwick, RI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): ACEN
- Tuition: $210 per credit in-state; $626 out of state
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED; ACCUPLACER test; HESI A2 test
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.6%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,193 for associate degree graduates (College Scorecard)
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Rhode Island
Look at program quality and NCLEX-RN pass rate (one of the strongest quality signals), tuition, and financial aid. Acceptance and graduation rates matter too, along with logistics: if you study online, confirm you can get clinical placement in your community. Every program in this guide is accredited.
Why Become a Nurse in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's 2019 NCLEX-RN pass rate was 88.9%, just above the national average of 88.2%. The state requires disclosure of nurse staffing ratios, which matters because a higher nurse-to-patient ratio is tied to less burnout and better patient outcomes.
Rhode Island has one of the highest ratios of nurses to working population in the country, according to the BLS. That means lower demand, but also less chance of understaffing than in most states. The state also issues emergency temporary licenses to local graduates and to RNs from other states.
Rhode Island is also one of the newest members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an RN license issued here can serve as a multistate license recognized across the other participating states. The compact now spans more than 40 states, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Rhode Island
Rhode Island nurses earn close to national wage levels. Nationally, the median registered-nurse wage was $93,600 in May 2024, and the median for nurse practitioners (grouped with nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives) was $132,050, according to the BLS. Pay varies by setting, experience, and the metro you work in, and the state's cost of living runs above the national average.
Job growth here has historically trailed the national pace. Nationally, RN employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 189,100 openings each year, while advanced-practice roles such as nurse practitioner are projected to grow 35% over the same period (BLS). In a small, nurse-dense state like Rhode Island, that growth concentrates in replacement hiring and advanced-practice demand rather than rapid expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an RN license in Rhode Island?
Graduate from an approved ADN or BSN program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply to the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education with a background check. The state also issues emergency temporary licenses to local graduates and to RNs endorsing in from other states.
Is Rhode Island a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Rhode Island is one of the newest NLC members, so a multistate license issued here is recognized across the more than 40 participating states (NCSBN).
What do nurses earn in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island pay tracks close to national levels. The national median RN wage was $93,600 and the median for nurse practitioners was $132,050 in May 2024 (BLS), with actual pay shaped by setting, shift, and experience.
How long does it take to become a nurse in Rhode Island?
An ADN takes about two years and gets you licensed fastest. A BSN takes about four years but carries more weight for advancement into nurse practitioner or nurse manager roles.
What should I look for when choosing a program?
Check accreditation (CCNE or ACEN), the school's NCLEX-RN pass rate, tuition and financial aid, and whether an online program can place you for clinicals in your community.