Renewal And Continuing Education Requirements
Registered nurses practicing in Rhode Island must renew their licenses every two years. The process includes showing proof of completing 10 continuing education hours. One continuing education unit is the same as 10 continuing education hours and one CE hour is the same as one contact hour. CE requirements can be taken online or live, but must be approved by the Rhode Island State Nurse Association, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an approved nursing school, or other recognized professional nursing association. The Board advises renewal applicants to keep record of completed CEs for four years.
If a nurse can show hardship, he or she may be able to request a six-month extension for meeting CE requirements. Licenses may be renewed either online or by mailing in a paper form, although those renewing online are required to pay a small online processing fee. The cost for renewing a license varies by certification type.
Is Rhode Island A Nursing Compact State
No, Rhode Island is not part of the nursing license compact. States which joined the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact allow the Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse to practice in other participating states using one multi-state nursing license. This means that a Rhode Island Licensed Practical Nurse or a Rhode Island Registered Nurse must apply for a license by endorsement when moving to another state.
Best Nursing Schools In Rhode Island
In 2022, College Factual analyzed 5 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,079 degrees in nursing during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
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Rhode Island Nursing Licensure
To become a licensed practical nurse in Rhode Island, students are required to earn a diploma or certificate from a college-level LPN program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses . Registered nurses in the state must complete an associates degree or other acceptable credential from an RN education program and pass the national registered nursing exam .
Those who wish to advance their careers and work as a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice registered nurse are required to hold masters degrees or higher in their nursing specialty and provide reports of any criminal convictions, plea arrangements or ethics issues that may have arisen in the past.
Private Nursing Schools In Rhode Island

While public institutions of higher education can offer low tuition costs, private colleges also boast several benefits. Many carry the prestige of a rich academic history, and most offer smaller class sizes than their public counterparts. Take a look at some of the best private nursing schools in Rhode Island below.New England Institute of TechnologyThis college offers an associate of science degree in nursing which prepares students to work as registered nurses . This RN program can be completed in as little as 21 months of fulltime study. New England Institute of Technology is the only secular private nursing college in Rhode Island.
Salve Regina UniversityThis university offers two academic tracks: a prelicensure bachelor of science in nursing track for students with no prior academic study in nursing, and an RN-to-BSN degree completion track for existing registered nurses. Salve Regina is the only Catholic university in Rhode Island that offers nursing programs.
St Joseph School of NursingAs a religious school, St Josephs mission is to promote a healing ministry and carry on this ministry through service to others. The school is located at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, a Catholic hospital in North Providence. St Joseph offers Rhode Islands only state-approved hospital diploma program. Graduates who wish to pursue nursing careers in the secular industry can still do so by working for major healthcare providers such as South County Hospital.
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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
- St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing Programs: Diploma
Top 10 Best Nursing Schools In Rhode Island
Despite its small size, Rhode Island is home to many excellent colleges and universities, some of which offer accredited nursing degrees. Anyone who plans on becoming a registered nurse first needs to complete either an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing .
While an ADN takes just two years and prepares students to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become RNs, earning a four-year BSN could be worth your while. Not only do BSN-holders earn more than ADN holders, but some healthcare facilities are beginning to only hire BSN-holding RNs.
Regardless of which you choose, completing a program in Rhode Island prepares you to become an RN in the Ocean State.
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors including,
Nurse Panel
Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines, BSN, RN, BA, CBC
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Rhode Island nursing schools are ranked in no particular order. Note that because Rhode Island does not have 10 accredited nursing programs, some ranked schools offer online-only degrees.
Annual In-State Tuition: $15,004 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $32,578 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.31%
Traditional: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
Traditional: Yes
Accelerated: No
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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 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.
How Much Do Nurses Make
RNs in the United States are among the best-paid nurses in the world. Several other factors can influence the salary you earn. For example, salaries vary with the state, hiring companies, teaching standards, academic preparation, experience, and even gender.
The demand for nurses keeps increasing. BLS predicts that the number of jobs for registered nurses will increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030.
California, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Oregon are the top five highest paying states for registered nurses. Rhode Island registered nurses have an average pay of $82,790/year among 12,150 nurses.
Students can choose from various nursing schools in Rhode Island. Each has its pros and cons but depending on your particular nursing program requirements, test score, and higher learning goals, youll be able to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Before finalizing your decision, consider the following:
- The admissions process
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Best Associate’s Degree In Nursing Programs In Rhode Island
Rhode Island has several associates degree in nursing programs focused on preparing students for initial registered nursing licensure. This degree program has a relatively short duration, generally requiring just two years of full-time study. Some campuses offer evening classes for students who juggle study and work. The median annual income for Rhode Islands RNs is $74,280. Below we profile two of Rhode Islands accredited ADN programs in depth.New England Institute of Technology
Rn To Msn And Bsn To Msn Programs
Rather than offering straight RN to MSN bridge programs, universities in Rhode Island break them up so students earn one degree at a time. Intensive, RN to BSN programs for nurses with only an associate’s degree may be completed online with in-person clinical components. Once the BSN is completed, students can enroll in a BSN to MSN program and choose an area of specialty, such as Advanced Practice, Nurse Practitioner, or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Coursework and program length vary considerably. Online options for classroom lectures allow students to study and attend class on their own schedule.
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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.
- University of Rhode Island Nursing Programs: RN-to-BSN, BS/BSN, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, PhD
- Tuition: $12,862
Pick Your Nursing Degree Level

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.If you’d like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list .
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat.Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual’s Methodology.
It’s difficult to beat New England Institute of Technology if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. New England Tech is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of East Greenwich. A Best Schools rank of #274 out of 2,576 schools nationwide means New England Tech is a great school overall.
There were roughly 160 nursing students who graduated with this degree at New England Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $56,800 in their early career salary.
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How To Choose A Nursing Program In Rhode Island
When choosing between nursing schools in Rhode Island, consider the program quality and National Council Licensure Examination for RNs pass rate, one of the strongest indicators of quality, tuition, and financial aid availability.
Acceptance and graduation rates and logistics of attending are also key. For example, if attending online, can you seek clinical placement as an online student in your community?
Because nursing accreditation is the most important factor in a program’s value, this guide only lists accredited programs.
Community And Public Health Promotion
About this Program
Do you have a passion for public health? Become a community and public health professional through Rhode Island Colleges B.S. in community and public health promotion program. You will learn strategies to support healthy lifestyles and examine health inequities that impact communities. You will also engage in experiential learning opportunities at organizations such as the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Providence Community Health Center. Successful completion of this program will prepare you for a career in a variety of settings, including community health centers, hospitals, corporate wellness and nonprofit organizations.
Why Rhode Island College?
Rhode Island College is the states leading institution in teacher education, noted for its dedication to the best in personalized education, its commitment to equity and diversity and to building deep-rooted partnerships with community-based agencies. With its newly designed School of Education facility, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms, RIC continues to educate tomorrows teachers to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Key Links
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
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Earnings For Registered Nurses In Rhode Island
Whether you decide to pursue a traditional or online nursing degree, it is nice to know how much you can expect to earn as a registered nurse in Rhode Island. Reports show that registered nurses in Rhode Island earn an annual median income that falls between $69,220 and $74,070. If you are considering pursuing an advanced online nursing degree, it helps to know that the registered nurses in Rhode Island who earn in the 90th percentile bring home between $90,990 and $91,860.
According to current figures, the annual median income for the state of Rhode Island is $53,584. When you compare even the lowest amount earned by registered nurses in Rhode Island, it is apparent that a nursing degree provides you with a potentially lucrative career.
Cities in Rhode Island, RI Most Likely To Have Nursing School Programs: Looking for a nursing school program or course in your area? Chances are there is a campus close by. If not, dont give up too soon. Nursing Degrees and Schools in Rhode Island can be available via online programs, which are accredited and very useful to enter the health care sectors in Rhode Island, RI. Commonly nursing schools are available from or in the following cities: Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence
University Of Providence Nursing Programs
The mission of the Division of Nursing is to prepare nursing graduates at any level to be leaders of healthcare. Graduates are excellent communicators, clinicians and change agents. A graduate is a lifelong learner who enhances the health of all through excellence in nursing by providing evidence based practice that is population centered, and grounded in spiritual, ethical and compassionate care.
The University nursing programs are designed to meet the needs of nursing caregivers within Providence Health and other health systems passionate about providing innovation in values-based nursing care. Our vision is health for a better world through nursing.
The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Award honors the super-human work that nurses do for patients and families every day wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve and throughout their careers- from Nursing Students through lifetime achievement.
At the University of Providence, we are committed to honoring nurses with The DAISY Award because we want to recognize the hard work and dedication nurses make throughout their careers, beginning with education.
In order to receive The DAISY Award, nurses are nominated by anyone in the organization- parents, family members, other nurses, physicians, other clinicians and staff. If you have witnessed extraordinary, compassionate care being provided by a nurse, do not hesitate to reach out to Janet Houston to nominate.
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Salary And Job Outlook For Nurses In Rhode Island
Both RN and nurse practitioner salaries in Rhode Island rank 11th highest in the country. RNs earn an average $85,270 annually, compared to > $82,750 nationally. Rhode Island NPs earn an average $126,760, above the national average of $118,040. The cost of living is also high at 117.2.
Rhode Island is projected to have only 4% job growth for nurses between 2018 and 2028, the lowest in the country.
License Application For Aprns
In the state of Rhode Island, there are 13 areas of advanced practice nursing that require licensure. In addition to meeting the same requirements of a registered nurse, APRNs must also meet advanced mandates, including:
- Graduate from an approved graduate education program in the specialty of choice
- Submit an application, $145 application fee and a recent passport-type photo
- Have an official transcripts sent directly from the educational program to the Board
- Have a letter of certification sent directly from a professional certifying organization to the Board
- Complete an Affidavit of Applicant and have the form properly notarized
- If the applicant has an active out-of-state APRN license, a photocopy of this license must be attached to the application
- Apply for a Rhode Island Uniformed Controlled Substances Act Registration and pay the required $200 fee to the RI General Treasurer
- Request to have a national background check, with fingerprints, and a state background check sent directly to the Board of Nursing
For more information about advanced practice nursing in Rhode Island, including application forms, instructions, and regulations, visit the Rhode Island Department of Health.
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Licensure In Rhode Island
If youre a new graduate looking to obtain your licensure, the process is pretty straightforward. Please note that this process is only valid if you want your primary licensure in Rhode Island and do not hold a license in any other state. You can read the licensure requirements for all other cases here.
Here are the steps you must follow:
- Complete your course from an accredited school in Rhode Island.
- Submit an online application and pay the required licensing fee .
- Select the method through which youre applying and submit the following documents:
- Residency Proof
- Official transcripts with graduation date
Once you apply for the NCLEX exam, the RI board approves your eligibility after receiving the prescribed documents. After receiving your eligibility, you must appear for the exam and pass it. Lastly, you must pass a background check with fingerprints.
The Rhode Island Department of Health then verifies your results and documents and issues a license.