DNP Programs in Rhode Island

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.

2026 Best DNP Programs in Rhode Island

RegisteredNursing.org has carefully evaluated and ranked the best Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs across Rhode Island to help aspiring advanced practice nurses find their ideal educational pathway. Our comprehensive analysis considers factors like program reputation, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, student outcomes, and overall academic quality. Rhode Island offers several exceptional DNP programs that prepare nurses for leadership roles in healthcare delivery, advanced clinical practice, and healthcare systems management. These top-tier programs provide rigorous curriculum designed to transform experienced registered nurses into highly skilled professional practitioners who can make significant impacts in patient care and healthcare innovation. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

#1

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) provides a transformative educational journey for advanced practice nurses seeking leadership roles. This comprehensive program emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical excellence through a flexible hybrid learning model. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the DNP curriculum prepares working professionals to drive systemic healthcare improvements and achieve optimal patient outcomes. Designed for nurses with advanced degrees, the program offers a strategic pathway to high-level nursing leadership positions, integrating advanced clinical knowledge with strategic healthcare management skills.

• 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's unique BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia program stands as the state's premier specialized doctorate for critical care nurses. This innovative program, developed in collaboration with St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, delivers comprehensive training for aspiring certified nurse anesthetists. Rigorous admission requirements, including a minimum 3.0 GPA and one year of critical care experience, ensure students possess the foundational skills necessary for advanced practice. Graduates are strategically positioned to excel in high-demand healthcare roles, with eligibility to take the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists exam.

• 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

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#2

Salve Regina University

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

Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Online Learning - Visit Website

Salve Regina University's online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program empowers experienced nurses to become transformative healthcare leaders through a rigorous curriculum emphasizing evidence-based practice and systems thinking. The comprehensive 20-month program integrates 10 strategic courses with a substantial 500-hour experiential component, ensuring graduates develop advanced clinical and administrative competencies. Designed for working professionals, the flexible online format combines synchronous and asynchronous learning modalities. Accredited by CCNE and NECHE, the program demands a minimum 3.0 GPA and requires applicants to hold a master's nursing degree, positioning graduates to drive meaningful healthcare innovations and lead organizational change.

• 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

#3

University of Rhode Island

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

Doctorate - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Campus Based - Visit Website

URI's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP program offers an intensive 72-credit pathway for advanced nursing professionals seeking comprehensive healthcare expertise. Designed for clinical nurses with bachelor's degrees, this program emphasizes transformative healthcare practices and policy development. Students benefit from specialized training in adult-gerontology primary care, gaining advanced clinical skills and research methodologies. The curriculum prepares graduates for national certification exams and leadership roles in complex healthcare environments. Requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and preferring substantial clinical nursing experience, the program cultivates highly skilled practitioners ready to address evolving healthcare challenges.

• 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 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner DNP track provides an advanced educational pathway for nurses targeting critical and intensive care settings. This comprehensive 72-credit doctoral program prepares healthcare professionals to deliver sophisticated acute care interventions and potentially influence systemic healthcare policies. Students engage in specialized training combining rigorous academic coursework with intensive clinical preparation. The program welcomes candidates with nursing baccalaureate degrees, emphasizing a minimum 3.0 GPA and professional nursing background. Unique funding opportunities like traineeships and graduate assistantships support students' academic journeys, enabling ambitious nurses to elevate their clinical expertise.

• 72-credit comprehensive DNP program
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care specialty
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Advanced practice nurse preparation
• Multiple financial support options

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*Higher education data sourced from: IPEDS 2023, National Center for Education Statistics.

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

• Rhode Island Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Rhode Island FNP Programs
• BSN to DNP
• RN to NP

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

Find DNP Programs By City:

• Providence DNP Programs