Rhode Island RN Programs

How to Become a Registered Nurse in Rhode Island

Rhode Island RN programs are available as both associates degrees and bachelor degrees. The programs typically cover similar material. A person may be more interested in a bachelor degree because there are more electives and specialization options. The bachelor degree allows for more instructional programs involving biological, physical and social sciences. Becoming an RN through a BSN degree provides more job opportunities and higher salary pay. The average RN salary in Rhode Island is $78,900 a year, or $41 an hour.

To become an RN in Rhode Island the NCLEX-RN exam must be taken after the required pre-licensing studies have been completed. This exam is $200, but over ninety percent of participants pass the exam the first time. Rhode Island’s Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education requires a $130 license application fee be paid before taking the NCLEX-RN exam. Although the exam pricing may seem expensive initially, RN’s that pass the exam go on to find jobs in hospitals, doctors offices, and private care facilities, with salaries between $40,000 and $65,000 per year. In order to maintain your nursing license in Rhode Island, 10 continuing education credit hours must be completed every two years.

There are a variety of nursing specialties including forensic nurses, flight nurses, and cardiac nurses. Each specialty nurse requires the additional training received through a BSN degree. Each RN school offers a variation on the core nursing classes required to be studied. Among these courses are a childbearing and motherhood course, a substance abuse course, dying, loss and grief course, cross cultural healing courses. These courses are usually part of the core requirements, but may be found as electives at some schools. All students must be certified in CPR before beginning the ADN or BSN program. All programs require a level of theory study as well as clinical practice.

The clinical experience provides the student an opportunity to work with a variety of patients, analyzing and studying the variations of patient needs, while enjoying the support and help of faculty in a hospital setting where questions may be asked. The theory portion of studies provides the opportunity to gain the knowledge of how to analyze the clinical experience as well as learn to use equipment that is used in the day to day operations of a nurse.

ADN Degree & BSN Degree RN Programs in Rhode Island

Accredited Rhode Island RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of Rhode Island. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure nursing programs that meet the registered nursing education requirements set forth by the Rhode Island State Board of Nursing. Although the schools listed on this page are accredited by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing and approved by the state of Rhode Island, they might not be accredited by national organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Individuals should check to see if the state-approved nursing school they are considering also enjoys national accreditation status if they are seeking a school with both accreditations.