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Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Best Nursing Schools in Rhode Island in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

nursing schools in Rhode IslandThere is a shortage of qualified nurses in many states across the country, including Rhode Island. This shortage provides an excellent opportunity for prospective nurses to enroll in one of the best nursing schools in Rhode Island.

Becker’s Hospital Review indicates that there is an anticipated shortage of more than 2,000 registered nurses (RNs) in the State of Rhode Island. This does not include the numbers associated with nursing shortages in other nursing areas, including LPNs, MSN degree holders, and nurses that hold other advanced degrees, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Job Outlook for Nurses in Rhode Island

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that there is a ‘much faster than average’ anticipated job growth rate for registered nurses through at least 2028, with a similar job outlook for other nursing professions, including the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and for advanced practice nurses.

The BLS also reveals that Rhode Island is among the states that have the highest average mean salary for registered nurses across the United States.

Some students prefer to complete their degree online due to work or family responsibilities. Do you have concerns about online nursing programs offered by colleges and universities located in other states? Every online program listed here is offered under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). This means that each of these programs has authorization to offer distance education to Rhode Island residents. This potentially increases the educational, and career opportunities for nursing students that choose to attend nursing schools in RI.

The Top nursing schools in Rhode Island in 2024

1. New England Institute of Technology – ADN

The New England Institute of Technology prepares students for entry-level nursing positions through the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. Gain the knowledge, judgment, and clinical skills required of professional nurses.

Students participate in classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical placement. Gain the knowledge and skills for advanced nursing education programs and to work in real-world healthcare settings, with diverse patient populations. Sit for the NCLEX-RN exam upon completion of the program.

An impressive 100 percent of graduates from the New England Institute of Technology has gained nursing employment every year since the 2015 to 2016 school year.

  • Tuition: est. $274 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 94%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

2. Rhode Island College – MSN

Rhode Island College is among the advanced nursing schools in Rhode Island as it offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree for students that hold current licensure as a nurse and that want to advance their nursing education and career options. Students choose from several program options, including the MSN in Adult/Gerontology with an Acute Care Emphasis, the MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist, Population/Public Health Specialization, among others. Choose your specialization track and learn to expand your leadership skills, apply scientific knowledge to healthcare, implement evidence-based practices, and perform quality and safety initiatives in nursing.

Rhode Island College also offers the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

The school recently reported that graduates of the MSN program scored a 94% pass rate on the certification exam designated for nurse practitioners by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

  • Tuition: $429 per credit hour
  • First time NCLEX pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. Community College of Rhode Island – LPN

The Community College of Rhode Island welcomes students that want to pursue a nursing career, or that want to change their career and enter the nursing field. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program presents students with the opportunity to learn basic nursing skills along with the ability to make sound judgments, learn informatics, and collaborate with healthcare teams.

Students in the LPN program have consistently high placement rates, with a 95 percent job placement rate among the 2018 graduates. The school also boasts a 93 percent graduation rate among students in the practical nursing program.

  • Tuition: $195 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 90.63%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

4. Rhode Island College – RN to BSN

Current registered nurses (RNs) have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at Rhode Island College. Enjoy the fact that you get a great start towards your BSN with the school’s gesture of awarding 37 credits for your basic nursing program, along with the potential for being awarded additional credits for other academic work.

The program features individualized learning experiences, flexibility in course scheduling, and other benefits that likely appeal to current nurses that have a busy schedule. Students receive career development advising to help them prepare for advancing career options, or the pursuit of advanced nursing education beyond the BSN degree.

Rhode Island College has reported some of the highest NCLEX first time pass rates in the State of Rhode Island for the past several years.

  • Tuition: $323 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97.69%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

5. Community College of Rhode Island – ADN

The Community College of Rhode Island offers the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program that offers students the opportunity to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students gain the fundamental skills of nursing, including the ability to apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, the knowledge to utilize information systems and patient care technology, and the ability to provide evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care.

The school has a 91 percent graduation rate and a 97.5 percent job placement rate for students in the program.

  • Tuition: $195 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89.2%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

6. University of Rhode Island – Post M.S.N. to DNP

The University of Rhode Island is clearly among the best nursing schools in Rhode Island as it offers nurses that have completed their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree the opportunity to complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The program consists of 42 credits, including the required 500 clinical practicum hours.

Gain skills in nursing research, informatics, evidence-based strategies in healthcare practice, nursing leadership, and administrative skills. Learn to translate scientific findings and evaluate programs and outcomes, along with other advanced-level nursing skills.

  • Tuition: $763 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

7. University of Rhode Island – BSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program at the University of Rhode Island is taught in a traditional format. Students also participate in laboratory, and clinical experiences. The program prepares students for a professional nursing career, and to sit for the NCLEX exam.

Students in the program develop the knowledge of nursing concepts, theory, and evidence-based practices in the nursing profession. Students also learn to demonstrate effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills required for a nursing career.

  • Tuition: $525 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 94%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

8. Salve Regina University – DNP

Salve Regina University presents nurses with the opportunity to advance from their current Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) level to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Some students graduate from the MSN program at Salve Regina University and immediately enroll in the DNP program, while other students choose the school after working as a nurse upon obtaining their MSN degree.

Students learn to expand their critical thinking skills and promote clinically-based patient care initiatives. Doctor of Nursing Practice students complete a scholarly project before graduation.

Enroll in this terminal degree program and prepare to assume a nursing leadership role, a healthcare organization position, or a clinical program director position. Some graduates of the program decide to become a member of the nursing program faculty to teach other prospective nurses in a quickly changing healthcare system.

  • Tuition: $880 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

9. Lincoln Tech – LPN

Start your nursing education at Lincoln Tech, when you enroll in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. Students in the practical nursing program complete 50 semester credit hours, and engage in classroom instruction, along with participating in hands-on simulation labs.

Learn basic nursing skills that you will typically use on a daily basis as an LPN, including taking and recording vital signs, dressing wounds, immobilizing injured limbs, practicing infection control and other duties as directed under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).

Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam.

  • Tuition: approx. $584 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 88.75%
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Commission on Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

10. Salve Regina University – BSN

The Salve Regina University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for a nursing career across a variety of healthcare settings, and for pursuing advanced nursing degree programs. The program features a combination of classroom instruction and experiential learning experiences. Students also enhance their knowledge and skills through clinical placements.

Gain the knowledge to succeed as a professional nurse with the skills to provide patient-centered care, communication, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. Learn to provide patient assessment and intervention in nursing care.

The school also offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. Contact the school if you are interested in these nursing programs.

  • Tuition: $1,360 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 84.06%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

BONUS

Though the following schools aren’t located in Rhode Island, the nursing programs they have to offer are available completely online if there are students in Rhode Island who wish to take advantage.

Rutgers University – RN to BSN Online

Rutgers University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in a completely online format for students that hold a current registered nurse (RN) licensure. Rhode Island students can complete the program without having to visit the New Jersey campus.

The accelerated program allows students to further develop their critical thinking and critical reasoning skills, learn emerging trends and fields in nursing, apply scientific reasoning to nursing, and prepare for career advancement.

  • Tuition: approx. $461 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Penn State World Campus – RN to BSN Online

The Penn State World Campus features several nursing programs online, including the opportunity for registered nurses (RNs) to graduate with their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Study for your degree from your Rhode Island home, and complete your clinical requirements at an approved location near your own home.

The school offers additional opportunities for nurses to enhance their nursing education, and potential career opportunities by offering students the option of earning a specialized certification while completing the RN to BSN requirements. Obtain a certificate in Nursing Forensics, Nursing Management, or Nursing Informatics. Some credits from the certificate program will count towards your BSN degree.

  • Tuition: $576 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97.92%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We selected each school and nursing program at these nursing schools in RI by assigning a unique score for the cost of tuition, the first-time NCLEX pass rate for each program, and for school accreditation. In the event of a tie, the school with the lower tuition received a higher ranking. We try to do our best to be accurate, fair, and honest in our representation of each school by gathering information directly from each school, or from the NCES.

No school can pay us for a higher rating. Any supported school is listed separately and clearly labeled as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee school tuition rates or other information since these things sometimes change. Information regarding tuition includes the cost of tuition only and not the cost of additional fees that a school may charge. It is ultimately the responsibility of the student to know current tuition rates and other costs associated with attending the school.

If you would like to have your school listed in our rankings or included as a sponsored school, please contact us.

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