Nursing Programs in Providence, RI

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Providence

#1

Johnson & Wales University-Online

Providence, RI - Private 4-year - online.jwu.edu

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Johnson & Wales University offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree seeking a nursing career. This 16-month, full-time hybrid program combines online and in-person learning at Providence and Charlotte campuses. It focuses on a patient-centered approach, leveraging JWU's healthcare education excellence. Scholarships up to $12,000 are available. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and specific prerequisite courses. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam, emphasizing interprofessional education and hands-on clinical rotations across various healthcare specialties.

• 16-month full-time program
• Hybrid online and in-person learning
• Scholarships up to $12,000 available
• 3.0 GPA requirement for admission
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• Interprofessional education focus
• Hands-on clinical rotations
• Patient-centered care approach
• Cohort model for close peer bonds
• Available at Providence and Charlotte campuses

#2

Johnson & Wales University

Providence, RI - Private 4-year - jwu.edu

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Johnson & Wales University offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, perfect for those with a bachelor's degree looking to fast-track their nursing career. This 16-month hybrid program combines online and in-person learning, focusing on patient-centered care. With scholarships up to $12,000 available, it's designed to address the nursing shortage. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and specific prerequisite courses. The program includes clinical rotations in various specialties, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Small cohort sizes ensure personalized attention, fostering close bonds among students.

• 16-month program duration.
• Hybrid learning model.
• Scholarships up to $12,000.
• 3.0 GPA requirement.
• Clinical rotations included.
• Small cohort sizes.
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
• Patient-centered care focus.
• Prerequisite courses required.
• Addresses nursing shortage.

#3

Providence College

Providence, RI - Private 4-year - providence.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Providence College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program blends liberal arts with a rigorous nursing curriculum, preparing students for diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes critical thinking, technical skills, and compassionate care, supported by experienced faculty. Students engage in clinical experiences at top healthcare facilities, enhancing their practical skills. The curriculum includes 22 nursing and health science courses, totaling 76 credits, with nine clinical experiences. A Spanish Minor for Health Professions is also available, enriching students' ability to serve diverse populations. The program is designed to meet Rhode Island's licensure requirements, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam.

• 22 nursing and health science courses
• 76 total credits required
• Nine clinical experiences included
• Spanish Minor for Health Professions available
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
• Clinical partnerships with top hospitals
• Focus on critical thinking and technical skills
• Experienced, cross-disciplinary faculty
• State-of-the-art clinical simulation suite
• Anatomy and physiology labs available

#4

Rhode Island College

Providence, RI - Public 4-Year - ric.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing BSN

Campus Based - Visit Website

Rhode Island College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program stands out for its rigorous academic foundation and hands-on clinical placements. Designed for aspiring nurses, the program covers essential topics like health promotion, medical-surgical nursing, and pediatric nursing. Students benefit from learning at state-of-the-art facilities, including the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center. With a focus on preparing graduates for high-demand nursing roles, the program offers a pathway to diverse career opportunities in healthcare. Admissions requirements include meeting academic standards, with details available on the college's website. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ensuring a quality education that meets national standards.

• Nationally recognized BSN program.
• Hands-on clinical placements.
• State-of-the-art learning facilities.
• Covers diverse nursing topics.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Prepares for high-demand careers.
• Rigorous academic foundation.
• Experiential learning opportunities.
• Focus on health promotion.
• Includes pediatric nursing.

*U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2024 institutional data.

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