The largest portion of the nursing workforce belongs to RNs, with over 2.5 million nurses working in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the profession expected to grow much faster than average, what is the best course of action for a nurse who wishes to advance in their career? Easy – continue working while pursuing the next level in their professional designation, that is, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Many universities offer online and flexible RN to BSN. Nurses can use their experience and ADN degree for credit toward their BSN degrees.

2025 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Rhode Island

Looking for the best online RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island? RegisteredNursing.org has you covered. We rank programs to help you find the right fit. Our list looks at cost, flexibility, and quality. Start your search with us today. Learn more about how we rank programs here.

#1

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI - Public 4-Year - web.uri.edu

Bachelor's - RN to BS

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of Rhode Island offers an online RN to BS program designed for registered nurses seeking to elevate their professional standing. This program stands out for its flexibility, allowing nurses to balance their studies with work commitments. It focuses on integrating research-based practices and compassionate care into nursing, preparing graduates for advanced roles in healthcare. The curriculum is tailored to enhance clinical skills and leadership abilities, making it a prime choice for nurses aiming for career advancement in Rhode Island's dynamic healthcare environment.

  • Online RN to BS pathway
  • Research-based curriculum
  • Compassion-focused education
  • Recognized New England university
  • Professional nursing development
#2

Salve Regina University

Newport, RI - Private 4-year - salve.edu

Bachelor's - RN to B.S. in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Salve Regina University offers an online RN to B.S. in Nursing program tailored for registered nurses aiming to elevate their professional standing. This program aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's vision for a fully bachelor's-prepared nursing workforce by 2030. Ideal for those with an associate degree or nursing diploma, it features a flexible schedule with completion possible in just 12 months. Highlights include six start dates per year, affordable tuition, and the ability to transfer up to 58 credits. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, equipping graduates to tackle healthcare complexities and step into leadership roles. Accredited by CCNE, it also provides a seamless transition to graduate nursing studies.

  • Fully online nursing degree
  • 125 total credit program
  • Six start dates annually
  • Preferred tuition rates
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Can complete in 12 months
  • Academic and success coaching
  • Transfer up to 58 credits
  • Pathway to graduate nursing
  • Patient-centered curriculum
#3

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, RI - Private 4-year - neit.edu

Bachelor's - RN to BSN

Online Learning - Visit Website

The New England Institute of Technology offers an online RN to BSN program tailored for registered nurses seeking career advancement without sacrificing their current roles. This ACEN-accredited program emphasizes clinical decision-making, healthcare technologies, and evidence-based practice across a flexible 14-15 month part-time schedule. Students delve into quality improvement, patient advocacy, and leadership, enhancing their professional capabilities. Admission prerequisites include an active RN license, prior nursing education, and completion of specific courses. With a focus on practical skills and leadership, the program equips nurses for higher responsibilities in various healthcare environments. Highlights include a capstone practicum and a requirement for a minimum 2.7 GPA.

  • Fully online program
  • 14-15 months completion time
  • ACEN accredited program
  • Flexible part-time schedule
  • Capstone practicum experience
  • Minimum 2.7 GPA requirement
  • Seven liberal arts courses
  • Advanced clinical knowledge
  • Professional leadership focus
*Dataset: IPEDS 2023, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Fast & Affordable Program Options

Nurses looking to develop their educational and professional portfolio often choose to get their bachelor’s degree in nursing as a quick and easy way to transition into higher-paying roles and more job security. While you may be investing several years into your education with a traditional BSN program, an RN to BSN is a much quicker option for nurses with the right credentials saving you both time and money.

Quickest Online RN to BSN Degree Options

With a traditional BSN program, you could be forced to invest in four years (or more) of enrollment time to receive your degree. But an RN to BSN program is a fast-tracked option, allowing you to graduate in only two years — or even less. These programs build on your previous nursing experience and training and you may even get your degree in as little as 6 months. Below are a few options for the fastest RN to BSN programs in Rhode Island.

SchoolDegree NameLength
Salve Regina UniversityOnline RN to BSN1 Year
University of ProvidenceOnline RN to BSN1 Year

Learn more about the Fastest RN to BSN Programs.

Do 6-month RN to BSN Programs Exist?

Yes, but you’ll need to meet several important requirements to be eligible to apply. If you want to graduate from your RN to BSN program in under a year, you’ll need to have at a significant number of transferable credits. Not only that, but your prospective school will also need to accept these credits. Unfortunately, many RN to BSN programs have a cap on how many credits you can transfer so it will be somewhat hard to locate an opportunity for 6-month BSN enrollment.

Affordable Online RN to BSN Options

Another important consideration with any potential nursing program is how much it’s going to cost. A traditional BSN program which requires twice the amount of credits is coming to cost you much more than an RN to BSN program. If you’re eligible to enroll in an RN to BSN program, this puts you at a considerable advantage if your goal is to save as much money as possible. Below are a few of the cheapest RN to BSN programs available in Rhode Island, but as you complete your research, make sure that you consider the other costs involved with education such as textbooks, technology fees, and the cost of living in the area where your potential program is based.

SchoolDegree NameTuition Cost
University of Rhode IslandOnline RN to BSN$16,858 per year (Resident)

$36,846 per year (Non-Resident)

Rhode Island CollegeOnline RN to BSN$10,966 per year (Resident)

$26,499 per year (Non-Resident)

Learn more about the cheapest RN to BSN Degrees.

Admissions Requirements for Accredited RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs have undergone radical expansion in light of our nation’s need for highly qualified nurses. Universities vary in their admissions criteria, but still, there are definitely more similarities than differences in what makes a candidate attractive to nursing faculty. We’ve listed some of the most common criteria below.

  • Submit a completed application
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Provide a copy of the ADN degree from a regionally accredited school
  • Provide a record of current immunizations and ‘negative’ drug screening test
  • Have a recent record of clear background check
  • Provide current and valid nursing license data

Classes & Courses: What is the Curriculum Like?

Salve Regina University in Newport has been a provider of nursing programs almost since its inception in the 1930s. With its newest online offerings for accredited RN to BSN programming, Salve continues its commitment to the community of Newport to provide quality education and service to residents and guests. A sample of the programming that nurses will be exposed to looks like this:

  • Experiential Learning: Aging and End of Life Care
  • Public Health and Disaster Response Planning
  • Leadership and Management
  • Service Learning
  • Healthcare Informatics

2025 List of RN to BSN Programs in Rhode Island

Learn about the best RN to BSN in Rhode Island through our rankings below.

Find RN to BSN Programs By City:

Jump to City:

East Greenwich, RI

New England Institute of Technology

  • Bachelor's - RN to BSN

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online program
    • 14-15 months completion time
    • ACEN accredited program
    • Flexible part-time schedule
    • Capstone practicum experience
    • Minimum 2.7 GPA requirement
    • Seven liberal arts courses
    • Advanced clinical knowledge

Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

  • Bachelor's - RN to BS

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online RN to BS pathway
    • Research-based curriculum
    • Compassion-focused education
    • Recognized New England university
    • Professional nursing development

Newport, RI

Salve Regina University

  • Bachelor's - RN to B.S. in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • Fully online nursing degree
    • 125 total credit program
    • Six start dates annually
    • Preferred tuition rates
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Can complete in 12 months
    • Academic and success coaching
    • Transfer up to 58 credits
*Data reference: NCES IPEDS 2023 Final Release.