University of Rhode Island (URI) College of Nursing

In 1982, The University of Rhode Island, a public institution, was founded.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)

The BSN program is designed to prepare students to become a professional Registered Nurse. This is a 4-year program.

Application Process (not all inclusive)

• Official high school transcript
• List of senior courses
• Official SAT or ACT scores
• Essay
• At least one letter of recommendation

RN to BSN (on campus)

This RN to BSN on-campus program is for licensed RNs that hold an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing. The College of Nursing is able to accept past coursework as transfer credits, accelerating the student's progression.

RN to BSN (online)

The RN to BSN program is completely online and is designed for licensed RNs that hold an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing. The program is set up to deliver online content in short, 7-week sessions.

RN-BSN (Online or On Campus) Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Associate’s Degree or Diploma in Nursing from an ACEN-accredited nursing program
• 2.6 GPA
• Current, unencumbered RN license
• Personal Statement
• Official Transcripts

Graduate

MSN - Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

There are two options for the Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The student can complete either the master’s program or the post-masters certificate option. Students will be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) certification exam.

MSN - Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist

There are two options for the Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist. The student can complete either the master’s program or the post-masters certificate option. Students will be eligible to take the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) certification exams.

MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner

The student can complete either the master’s program or the post-masters certificate option. Graduates will become eligible take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Credentialing Board (AANPCB) – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam.

MSN - Nursing Education

The MSN Nursing Education option is a 42-credit specialty. The program includes written exams and submission of a substantial scholarly work involving significant independent study which is referred to as the "major paper".

MSN Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• BSN accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the NLN with an upper-division major in nursing
• Eligibility for RN licensure in Rhode Island
• Positive recommendations
• Statement of purpose
• Two years of clinical nursing experience relevant to the specialization applied
• Basic statistics course
• RN applicants with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post MS to DNP

The DNP program consists of 42 credits including 500 clinical practicum hours. You must hold an MSN with an advanced practice specialization to be eligible. The program culminates with a capstone practicum. The number of DNP clinical hours must total 1,000 (Masters + DNP = 1,000).

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Master’s degree in nursing or its equivalent
• Minimum 3.3 GPA is desirable
• RN License
• National certification as an Advanced Practice Nurse
• Scholarly papers which demonstrate command of advanced writing
• Positive recommendations
• Statement of purpose
• Evidence of graduate coursework in concept development and theory

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Post BS to DNP

The post-baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree provides nurse practitioner concentrations in acute care (adult-gerontology focus), family, and adult gerontological/CNS.

72-74 credits are required depending on which advanced practice option the student chooses. Students have the option to choose between moving through or stopping to get their master's along the way and then completing the final portions of the DNP degree.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• BSN from program accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the NLN with an upper-division major in nursing
• Eligibility for RN licensure in Rhode Island
• Positive recommendations
• Statement of purpose
• Two years of clinical nursing experience relevant to the specialization applied
• Basic statistics course
• RN applicants with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The program is compiled of 35 credits of coursework which includes: core courses, advanced nursing courses, elective components and 18 credits of dissertation research.

There is a part-time and full-time option for this degree program. Students can move through courses in a 2-1/2 to a 5-year time frame.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• BSN from an AACN or NLN-accredited program or its equivalent; minimum of 3.0 GPA is desirable
• MSN or its equivalent; minimum of 3.3 GPA is desirable
• Eligibility for RI licensure
• Scholarly papers/master's thesis
• Positive recommendations
• Statement of purpose which reflects writing ability and goals for pursuing advanced study in nursing
• Completion of an undergraduate course in statistics that includes inferential statistics

Post-Master's Certificates

There are Post-Master's Certificates available in the following areas for nurses who completed a Master's Degree: Education and Advanced Practice specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Thanatology

Minor and Post-BS Certificate

The thanatology (study of loss, death, and grief) certification program provides the student with advanced skills in providing specialized care to the terminally ill and bereaved.

Accreditation

The University of Rhode Island is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the BSN, MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2020)

• #157 (tie) in National Universities
• #80 (tie) in Top Public Schools
• #264-#348 in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
• #90 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
• #112 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #729 (tie) in Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

• Top Public Universities in America #216
• Best Colleges for Nursing in America #275
• Best Value Colleges in America #380
• Colleges with the Best Professors in America #414
• Most Diverse Colleges in America #459
• Colleges with the Best Academics in America #508
• Best Colleges in America #561
• Most Liberal Colleges in America #579
• Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #734
• Best Value Colleges in Rhode Island #4
• Most Diverse Colleges in Rhode Island #4
• Best Colleges in Rhode Island #5
• Colleges with the Best Professors in Rhode Island #5
• Colleges with the Best Academics in Rhode Island #5
• Colleges with the Best Student Life in Rhode Island #6
• Most Liberal Colleges in Rhode Island #6
• Best Value Colleges in Providence Area #4
• Best Colleges in Providence Area #5

Forbes (2019)

• #453 Top Colleges
• #288 America's Best Value Colleges
• #154 in Public Colleges
• #188 in Research Universities
• #167 in the Northeast

Princeton Review (2019)

BestColleges.com ranked URI 2018 Best Colleges in Rhode Island.

MONEY Magazine ranked URI #355 in Best Colleges For Your Money (2018).