Rhode Island College Nursing Program Review

Rhode Island College (RIC) was founded in 1854 as a teacher training school. While it still has strong and well respected programs in education, the school has since branched out to offer degrees in the arts and sciences, business, social work, and nursing. As part of its School of Nursing, RIC offers baccalaureate and graduate programs in nursing, all of which are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Basic Baccalaureate Program

The Basic Baccalaureate Program, which awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, takes four years to complete following the suggested course sequence on a full-time basis. However, students have the option of enrolling part-time and completing the program over a longer time period. The program includes seventy-seven credits of nursing classes and nursing support classes, in addition to the general education classes required by the college. A graduate of the Basic Baccalaureate Program is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If successful, he may begin his career as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Basic Baccalaureate Program for Second Degree Candidates (Accelerated Option)

A student who has already earned a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing can complete a BSN degree in a shorter time period. Before beginning the program, she must meet with an advisor who will evaluate her transcript and determine what, if any, general education courses and nursing support courses she needs to complete. In addition to these courses, she will take fifty-seven credits of nursing courses. The course sequence requires five semesters (including one summer semester) to complete. After graduating, she is eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Program

An RN who is a graduate of an associate-degree program or a diploma program can advance in his career by completing a BSN degree. RIC’s RN to BSN program gives an RN thirty-seven credits of advanced placement credits toward the lower-level nursing courses. In addition, depending on her transcript, an RN may be able to transfer credits toward the general education requirements. An advisor will determine his individual course of study when he is accepted to the program. In addition to any missing general education courses and nursing support courses, he must take twenty credits of upper-level nursing courses in order to complete the BSN degree.

Master of Science in Nursing

A nurse who has earned a BSN degree is eligible to enroll in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which prepares advanced practice nurses. Students in the MSN program may choose to study either full-time or part-time. On a full-time basis, the program takes four full semesters and one summer semester to complete. The program consists of core graduate nursing courses, and courses in an area of specialization. RIC offers two different areas of specialization:

Adult Health with an Acute Care Emphasis

Students on the Adult Health with an Acute Care Emphasis track must earn forty-five credits total. After completing the classes, they are eligible to take the following certification exams: Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam offered the ANCC, Adult Acute Clinical Nurse Specialist exam offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), or the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner exam offered by the AACN.

Public Health/Community Leadership

A student on the Public Health/Community Leadership track of the MSN program must earn forty-two credits total. She is eligible to take the ANCC exam for Advanced Public Health Certification. Depending on her course of study, she may also be eligible to take the Public/Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist exam.

Contact:
Rhode Island College
600 Mount Pleasant Avenue,
Providence, RI 02908