Nursing Programs in Providence, RI

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Providence, RI

Beginning a new career can feel intimidating, but it helps when the new career you’re starting has long-term job stability, good pay from the start and is all about helping others. Nursing has a range of entry points including LPN to RN, ADN, and BSN to accommodate your circumstances and career objectives.  Colleges in Providence, RI offer many ways to get admitted into the nursing profession.

LPN to RN Programs

Patients in nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other long-term care facilities rely on Licensed Practical Nurses to treat their basic medical needs. Though LPNs interact with patients all day, they are restricted in the level of care they can provide. The Community College of Rhode Island in Providence now offers a brand new LPN to RN option for working nurses looking to transition into the RN role. The bridge option, which recently gained accreditation, trains and preps LPNs for the NCLEX exam by teaching core nursing fundamentals, both theory-based and clinical.

ADN Programs

The most expedient way to obtain your nursing licensure is to complete a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) degree. The ADN allows you to experience what the nursing profession is truly like before committing yourself, financially and timewise, to a four-year degree. The Community College of Rhode Island in Providence offers an established ADN program that’s designed to put you in the driver’s seat of your nursing career. It focuses on patient-centered, evidence-based care as well as technology such as informatics. CCRI’s pass rate for the NCLEX exam is 89% with a 97% job placement rate.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

If you’ve known for a long time that caring for others is in your heart and your head, then entering the nursing profession with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may be your best choice. RNs with BSNs can earn higher levels of compensation right from the start and can be more selective when choosing an employer. Salve Regina University located outside of Providence, Rhode Island, offers a well-respected BSN program that focuses on both clinical and classroom learning. Students complete their clinicals at area hospitals so they are best equipped to transition to the world of nursing upon graduation. The BSN sufficiently prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX exam.

Learn more about Rhode Island Accelerated BSN Programs

RN to BSN Programs in Providence, RI

Registered Nurses are being asked to take on more patient care responsibilities all the time. By earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, nurses are demonstrating their long-term commitment to the profession. Providence-area schools have made it easy and fast to complete the BSN with flexible distance learning programs.

RN to BSN Programs

Earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing can open up many doors. Whether you want to practice a specific area of study such as pediatrics, gerontology or OBGYN, a BSN will give you a competitive advantage to go after the position you want. To make this undertaking less stressful, Rhode Island College offers an RN to BSN program that grants students 37 credits for their prior nursing education and additional credit for other academic work.

Learn more about Rhode Island RN to BSN Programs

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Providence, RI

With a huge demand of healthcare professionals, today’s nurses are stepping up to the front lines to take on greater patient care responsibilities, and nowhere is this more true than with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. RNs who desire greater independence and decision making capability can earn advanced degrees or certifications without having to put their day to day careers on hold. Providence, RI has several educational pathways designed specifically for this population of RNs.

MSN Programs

Advance Practice RNs can make key decisions regarding patient care, medication and treatment options. Specializing in one discipline is a common career path for APRNs. Certified by CCNE, Rhode Island College outside of Providence offers a range of specialty pathways, including Adult/Gerontology (acute care), Nurse Anesthesia, Public Health, and more. Each specialty has its own course requirements and has part-time and full-time study options. Students in each specialty area are prepped to successfully complete their corresponding certification exam.

Find out more about Rhode Island Nurse Practitioner Programs

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Though the nursing shortage in hospitals is well known, there’s another lesser-known nursing shortage taking place in the classroom. Colleges and universities in Providence, RI have a big demand for nursing instructors. For seasoned nurses looking to exit the patient-treatment realm and enter the instructional one, they can earn a post-grad cert. Designed for working RNs, Purdue University Global offers an online Nursing Education Post Grad Cert. The course requires about 15 hour a week of study and is 30 credit hours total.

Find out more about Rhode Island Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP Programs

Reserved for influential nursing professionals, the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is only for those who wish to lead others and demonstrate superior clinical competencies. With a heavy research and scholarly component, the DNP at the University of Rhode Island outside of Providence teaches students how to leverage their clinical experience and expertise so as to engage and ultimately shape systemic healthcare policy. The DNP is available on a part-time and full-time basis and can be completed in three to four years.

Find out more about Rhode Island DNP Programs