How to become a registered nurse in Rhode Island – RN in Rhode Island

The mission of the Board of Nursing: to safeguard the people of Rhode Island from unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing.


Official website: http://www.health.ri.gov/partners/boards/nurseregistrationandnursingeducation

Steps to Become a Registered Nurse in Rhode Island

1. Take college prep classes in high school:

In addition to a U.S. high school education or the equivalent, to become a registered nurse (RN) in Rhode Island you should take the following classes in high school and you will have a head start on your nursing class prerequisites at college:
– English – 4 years
– Math – 3-4 years (including algebra and geometry)
– Science – 2-4 years (including biology and chemistry; physics and computer science are recommended)
– Social Studies – 3-4 years
– Foreign Language – 2 years

Check out nursing prerequisites at colleges you are considering. Individual nursing schools vary in their nursing course prerequisites. Talk to your high school guidance counselor and check out the nursing schools you are considering.

2. Choose the type of nursing school you want to attend

Usually there are three types of pre-licensure nursing programs:

– Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Takes 2-3 years. Offered at many community colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings.
– Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Takes 4 years. Also referred to as Baccalaureate degree. Offered at many State Universities and some private colleges. Prepares you to provide registered nursing care in numerous settings and to move to administrative and leadership positions.
– Entry Level Masters Program in Nursing (ELM) – Designed for adults who have a baccalaureate degree in another field and wish to become registered nurses. Takes 1-2 years depending on how many nursing course prerequisites you have already completed. Graduate receives a masters degree.

3. Select a college and apply for admission

Visit the website’s and campuses of the colleges in the geographic areas of interest to you. Find out which entry exams are required at the colleges you are considering. Apply at more than one college to give yourself options. Many colleges have limited space for nursing students.


Approved RN Programs list in Rhode Island:

Community College of Rhode Island
400 East Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone: (401) 825-1000

New England Institute of Technology
2500 Post Road
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone: (401) 467-7744

Rhode Island College
600 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Providence, Rhode Island 02908
Phone: (401) 456-8000

Salve Regina University
100 Ochre Point Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
Phone: (401) 847-6650

St. Joseph School of Nursing
200 High Service Avenue
North Providence, Rhode Island 02904
Phone: (401) 456-3050

University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island 02881
Phone: (401) 874-1000

4. Apply for financial aid

Opportunities abound for scholarships, loans and loan forgiveness programs.

5. Obtain an RN license

To practice as an RN in Rhode Island, you must be licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. You must meet educational requirements, pass a criminal background check and pass the national licensing examination.

To apply for licensure: http://health.ri.gov/licensing/healthcare

To register for the NCLEX exam please visit: https://portal.ncsbn.org/