Rhode Island LPN Programs

Browse our list of state approved LPN certification programs

Practical nurses assist health care facilities and practitioners by providing basic care for elderly, sick or injured patients who require assistance with daily tasks and rehabilitation.

The State of Rhode Island is similar to many states, which require that Licensed Practical Nurses complete a State approved nursing program to become licensed to practice in the state. An LPN program takes about one year to complete and the individual must have a high school diploma to enroll. LPN classroom training will include pediatrics, medical surgical, physiology, psychiatric nursing and obstetrics. The training program will also include a clinical component where students willlearn actual LPN job skills in a hospital or nursing facility.

LPNs work under the direction and supervision of doctors and RNs, helping to keep the patients comfortable and sometimes assisting with medical applications as allowed by the state, such as inserting intravenous fluids. Rhode Island allows for LPNs to help deliver and care for infants, which includes feeding and administering prescribed medicines. Basic care tasks routinely performed by LPNs include taking and reporting vital signs, blood pressure and pulse. There will be times when LPNs need to prepare and administer injections to patients as well. In some instances, Rhode Island LPNs may be called upon to participate in developing individual patient care plans along with doctors and registered nurses.

Practical nurses also serve in supervisory roles watching over nurse aides (certified nursing assistants). An important part of the daily responsibilities for LPNs in charge of patients is to monitor current conditions and report any changes in patients’ condition to the doctor or nurse on-duty. LPNs should keep track of patients’ reactions to all treatments and medications as well. Many LPNs collect samples that are used for laboratory tests and must record the information using the proper medical terminology in the patient’s records. Some of the potential hazards of working as an LPN include the exposure to infection and dangerous chemicals, long work shifts (in some cases) and a great deal of emotional stress.

Compensation for LPNs in the State of Rhode Island will vary depending on the location of practice. The average LPN salary in Rhode Island is $69,888 annually in 2024. Across the board, the healthcare industry is expected to grow and experience an increase in demand for licensed practical nurses. Recent employment reports for Rhode Island show that the state is projected to have a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. The state has already started to prepare by offering credits to RNs to encourage them to become educational program instructors.

Employment setting may be nursing homes, providing a great opportunity of gaining experience to become a charge nurse. A LPN can study to further their education and training to become a registered nurse (RN), advancing job responsibilities and increasing earnings potential.

List of LPN Programs in Rhode Island (RI)

Community College of Rhode Island

Rhode Island LPN Schools

Our directory lists all Rhode Island schools that currently offer approved practical nursing programs. The Rhode Island state board of nursing is the regulatory organization in charge of approving LPN education programs. To gain approval, educational institutions must demonstrate to the board of nursing that their program sufficiently prepares students with the knowledge and skills expected of a licensed practical nurse. The on-going approval of a program depends largely upon their graduation rates and the NCLEX pass rates of their graduates. If a program starts to produce poor results in either of these two categories they can quickly lose their state approval or be placed on probationary approval status until their results improve.

Required LPN Classes in Rhode Island

The specific course work required in practical nursing programs can differ from institution to institution. However, there are some subjects that are almost always included in most programs. Typical LPN classes include Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Nursing Skills, Nutrition, Math for Nurses, Psychology and Pharmacology. Topics covered within these subjects prepare students with the knowledge base required to perform the work of a licensed practical nurse.

How to Become an LPN in Rhode Island

Start the process by researching available education programs to find one that suits your schedule and preferences. The next step is to enroll and complete an LPN training program that is approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. Most LPN programs take roughly one year to finish. Upon successful completion of all course requirements you are eligible to challenge the NCLEX-PN exam. After passing the test you can register with the state of Rhode Island as a licensed practical nurse and begin searching for employment.