Nurses who strive to improve patient care outcomes and change healthcare policy at the executive level would benefit immensely by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice. A DNP is a terminal, or highest, degree available to nurses. Not only can DNP-prepared nurses work as advanced-practice clinicians, but they can also work in many areas of healthcare and many different roles such as:
- Nurse executive
- Nurse informatics expert
- Nurse leader
The DNP program can take between two and six years to complete depending on the student's entry point. The BSN to DNP track takes longer as they must earn an MSN along the way before focusing on DNP content. Additionally, some programs offer part-time status which can take more time. One unique aspect of a DNP program is the project requirement, in which nurses identify a healthcare-related issue and the nurse proposes evidence-based solutions that lead to improved patient care outcomes.
2025 Best DNP Programs in Rhode Island
Looking for the best DNP programs in Rhode Island? RegisteredNursing.org has you covered. We rank top programs to help you make an informed choice. Our list focuses on quality, affordability, and student success. Find a program that fits your career goals. Start your journey to becoming a leader in nursing today. Learn more about how we rank programs here.
Salve Regina University
Newport, RI - Private 4-year - salve.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Visit Website
Salve Regina University's fully online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares advanced nursing professionals for leadership roles in healthcare. Designed for experienced nurses, the comprehensive curriculum focuses on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems thinking. Students develop advanced skills through 10 courses and a minimum of 500 experiential hours, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. The program offers a flexible learning environment, combining synchronous and asynchronous online formats to accommodate working professionals seeking to elevate their nursing expertise and drive meaningful healthcare transformation.
- Fully online DNP program
- 10 courses, 30 credits total
- Minimum 500 experiential hours
- Requires master's nursing degree
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- 20-month program duration
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- CCNE and NECHE accredited
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI - Public 4-Year - web.uri.edu
Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares advanced practice nurses to excel in comprehensive healthcare roles. This rigorous 72-credit program offers specialized concentrations in adult-gerontology primary care, allowing students to become highly skilled nurse practitioners. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and preference for clinical nursing experience, students gain advanced clinical expertise, research skills, and the ability to transform healthcare systems. Graduates are eligible for national certification exams and can potentially influence healthcare policy at the highest levels.
- 72-credit comprehensive DNP program
- Three nurse practitioner concentrations
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Focuses on advanced practice nursing
- National certification exam eligibility
- Clinical experience preferred
- Multiple funding options available
Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Rhode Island's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares advanced practice nurses to transform healthcare systems and influence policy. This comprehensive doctoral track offers specialized concentrations in adult-gerontology acute care, allowing students to develop high-level clinical expertise. Prospective students can expect a rigorous 72-credit program that combines advanced practice core courses with specialty-specific training. Admission requires a nursing baccalaureate degree, minimum 3.0 GPA, and professional nursing experience. Financial support options include traineeships and graduate assistantships, making this an accessible pathway for ambitious nursing professionals seeking to elevate their clinical capabilities.
- 72-credit comprehensive DNP program
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care specialty
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Advanced practice nurse preparation
- Multiple financial support options
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI - Public 4-Year - ric.edu
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares advanced practice nurses to become healthcare leaders. This terminal degree equips professionals to drive clinical excellence, translate evidence into practice, and achieve optimal patient and system-level outcomes. Designed for working nurses with advanced degrees, the program offers a comprehensive pathway to leadership roles. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, RIC provides a flexible hybrid learning model that supports working professionals seeking the highest level of nursing education.
- Terminal nursing degree
- Hybrid/HyFlex course format
- Advanced clinical leadership focus
- Accredited nursing program
- Flexible for working nurses
- Prepares for advanced positions
- Evidence-based practice emphasis
Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Nurse Anesthesia - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Rhode Island College offers a distinctive BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia program, the only one in Rhode Island. Designed for experienced critical care nurses, this specialized doctorate prepares advanced practice professionals to become certified nurse anesthetists. Students gain comprehensive training through collaboration with St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, ensuring world-class education in state-of-the-art facilities. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, one year of critical care experience, and current nursing licensure. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists exam, positioning them for high-demand healthcare roles.
- Only nurse anesthesia program in RI
- Collaboration with St. Joseph Hospital
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- One year critical care experience required
- CCNE accredited program
- Hybrid program format
- National certification exam eligible
Choosing a DNP Program
Many nurses who decide to return to school have been out of academia for a while. They may not know where to begin, or what is essential when choosing a program. Rhode Island has two accredited DNP programs to choose from. The following are points that may help students decide which program is right for them.
What to Consider When Choosing a DNP Program
- Cost– One DNP program in Rhode Island currently charges $825 per credit and another $706 per credit. It’s important for prospective students to realize that this is only the cost of tuition; university fees, supplies, and other expenses are not included in this figure. Additionally, tuition fees may change each year-students are encouraged to check the school website for up-to-date tuition information.
- Online Options– One DNP program in Rhode Island offers a hybrid learning option. This means that both online and in-person coursework is required. Typically, schools that require in-person coursework arrange it, so the classes are on weekends, or in "intensive" formats to minimize campus visitation requirements.
- Accreditation– In the United States, nursing programs must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This ensures that nursing programs offer standardized curricula throughout the U.S. Rhode Island has two accredited DNP programs, both of which are approved by the CCNE.
- Residency Options– DNP students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 supervised clinical hours to graduate. MSN to DNP students may be able to apply a specified number of hours from their MSN programs towards the DNP. Additionally, the DNP project hours may count toward this requirement.
Another type of residency option is post-graduation clinical experience fellowships. Rhode Island has one fellowship/residency option at Brown Alpert Medical School. The program is 12 months and trains "physician extenders" (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) in emergency medicine.
The University of Rhode Island offers a DNP program for both BSN and MSN students. For MSN students, a total of 42 credits are required to graduate as well as 500 clinical practicum hours (MSN hours may be applied to the 1,000 hours total required hours). The MSN to DNP track builds upon the nurse's current area of specialty with courses such as:
- Research methods
- Scientific thinking
- Informatics
- Leadership
- Evidence-based strategies
The BSN to DNP track prepares nurses for advanced clinician roles such as:
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. The BSN to DNP program is 72-74 credit hours in length (depending on the track), and a master’s degree may be earned along the way.
Admission & State Licensing or Certification Requirements
Admission
Admission requirements may have slight variations between different schools, but general admission requirements may include:
- Current RN or APRN license
- BSN or MSN degree
- Transcripts from all educational institutions
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Letters of professional recommendations
- Written statement of purpose (or other writing samples)
- Resume/CV
- Completion of a statistics course
- Liability insurance
- Interview with faculty
Certification
In many states, certification is required for licensure. Rhode Island is one of them and recognizes the following APRN specialties:
- Adult/Gerontology NP or CNS
- Family/Individual across the lifespan NP or CNS
- Neonatal NP or CNS
- Pediatric NP or CNS
- Psychiatric/Mental Health NP or CNS
- Women's Health NP or CNS
- CRNA
Certification is not just for advanced-practice clinicians such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or nurse anesthetists. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers board-certification in areas including:
- Informatics Nursing
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Executive-Advanced
- Public Health Nursing
- Public Health Nursing-Advanced
While nurses may become certified in these areas, it is not required for licensure.
Licensing
Specialty certification is required for licensure in Rhode Island. For new BSN to DNP graduates who are new to the APRN role, additional licensing requirements include:
- Current RN license
- MSN or DNP degree from an accredited educational institution
- Official transcripts must be sent directly from the school
- Official letter from certifying agency
- Complete application/ pay any fees
- Background check
Rhode Island BSN to DNP Options
Both accredited DNP programs in Rhode Island offer BSN to DNP options. The BSN to DNP path usually is no more than 79 credits and can take three to six years to complete (based on full or part-time status).
Salve Regina University offers a hybrid-style learning format, and classes are provided in the evenings. After 48 credits, an MSN is awarded. The students then complete an additional 30 credits for the DNP and are then eligible to sit for FNP certification. For more information, students may review the school's online brochure.
Related Education Paths
Helpful DNP Agencies and Organizations in Rhode Island
- Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island State Nurses Association
- Organization of Nurse Leaders
- American Association of Nurse Executives
List of Campus and Online DNP Programs in Rhode Island
Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island
- Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Website
- 72-credit comprehensive DNP program
- Three nurse practitioner concentrations
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Focuses on advanced practice nursing
- National certification exam eligibility
- Clinical experience preferred
- Multiple funding options available
- Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Website
- 72-credit comprehensive DNP program
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care specialty
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Advanced practice nurse preparation
- Multiple financial support options
Newport, RI
Salve Regina University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online DNP program
- 10 courses, 30 credits total
- Minimum 500 experiential hours
- Requires master's nursing degree
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- 20-month program duration
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- CCNE and NECHE accredited
Providence, RI
Salve Regina University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online DNP program
- 10 courses, 30 credits total
- Minimum 500 experiential hours
- Requires master's nursing degree
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- 20-month program duration
- Leadership-focused curriculum
- CCNE and NECHE accredited