DNP Programs in Rhode Island – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
As a DNP in Rhode Island, you’ll have the skills and training to perform at the very highest levels of nursing excellence, whether you go on to become a clinician, a researcher, an educator, or an executive leader. Graduates of DNP programs in Rhode Island are looking at employment opportunities that are anticipated to increase by 45 percent within 10 years. The compensation Rhode Island DNPs receive reflects their advanced education: DNP salaries in the Ocean State average $143,760 a year. Could a DNP be the right choice for you? Begin finding out by reading the guide below to the best DNP programs in Rhode Island.
WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN RHODE ISLAND (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Rhode Island (Online & Campus) for 2025.
1. University of Rhode Island - Kingston
Programs Offered:Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
The MSN-to-DNP program track is a 42-credit pathway that includes coursework, clinical practicum, and a practice improvement project. Classes meet on campus for face-to-face instruction and laboratory simulations. The curriculum includes classes such as Evidence-Based Strategies in Healthcare Program Evaluation, Theoretical Study of Nursing Administration & Leadership, Analysis of Health-Related Data, and Healthcare Policy. The program also includes 500 direct care clinical practicum hours and requires the completion of a practice improvement project.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Rhode Island must apply by February for consideration and matriculation into the following fall semester. Eligible applicants will have a master's degree in nursing or its equivalent and possess a Rhode Island RN license (or be eligible for one). Applicants must submit a completed application with supplemental documents, including transcripts from all post-secondary schools, three letters of recommendation (professional and academic), a Goal Statement, a scholarly paper or writing sample, and a professional resume or curriculum vitae. Although all applicants are considered, candidates with a cumulative college GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale are preferred.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• At the University of Rhode Island, full-time graduate students may apply for teaching and research assistantships. Assistantships include tuition and a stipend in exchange for weekly work. The university also awards numerous scholarships to nursing students annually. These financial assistance opportunities make it possible to focus on earning your degree by easing the financial burden.• When searching for a DNP program, I believe it is important to consider a school’s reputation and ranking compared to other schools. The University of Rhode Island is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice category. This recognition is a good indication that the program is of top quality, as U.S. News assesses schools' performance across a set of indicators of excellence!
2. Rhode Island College - Providence
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
The BSN-to-DNP Nurse Anesthesia curriculum includes 91 credit hours. The first year of the program is the didactic portion of the program, and it is completed primarily on campus at the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center. At the Center, you will learn in smart classrooms and have access to a state-of-the-art simulation facility that includes an anesthesia suite.
The second and third years of the program combine didactic and clinical education with an emphasis on clinical training, research, and advanced anesthesia education. You will gain clinical anesthesia experience providing care to patients across the lifespan in various settings. Practicum experiences allow you to work one-on-one with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and rotate to diverse specialty clinical sites.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing earned from an NLNAC- or CCNE-accredited nursing program. In addition to submitting a completed application form and fee, you must provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate coursework. An undergraduate science GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred. Candidates must submit a curriculum vitae or professional resume, three professional references, and a Statement of Intent.
Additionally, all DNP Nurse Anesthesia students must have completed an undergraduate course in organic chemistry within the last seven years with a grade of "C" or higher, have current American Heart Association BLS and ACLS certification, and have at least one year of critical care experience. CCRN certification is preferred. All candidates must also have an unrestricted license to practice as an RN in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts to meet clinical practicum requirements.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-master's DNP program is available for part-time or full-time study. If you pursue the degree part-time, you can complete the program in five semesters or two years. Part-time students typically take seven semesters or three years to graduate.
The program features a 36-credit curriculum. At RIC, you will study Healthcare Policy & Advocacy, Advanced Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Clinical Research & Analytic Methods, and Economics, Finance, & Business Management. Scholarly immersion hours are embedded in the program’s curriculum and completed through course assignments and the development, implementation, and dissemination of a DNP Scholarly Project.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the DNP program at Rhode Island College is competitive. Applicants are evaluated for a history of strong leadership and academic success and potential for success in leadership and practice scholarship. Applicants seeking admission to the MSN-to-DNP pathway must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a non-nursing master's degree.
Candidates must submit a completed application form, a verification of clinical/experience hours completed at the master’s level, a Statement of Intent, three letters of recommendation, and a current resume or CV. Official transcripts should reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and you must hold a current, unrestricted RN license. Additionally, you must show completion of a graduate-level Inferential Statistics course completed within the previous five years with a grade of “C” or better. Some candidates are asked to participate in an admissions interview.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a nurse and healthcare educator, a nursing program’s history of success is important to me, and that is why I like Rhode Island College. Rhode Island College and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia have graduated over 400 nurse anesthesia students since 1962.• Another great feature of the BSN-to-DNP program at Rhode Island College is that students have amazing clinical learning opportunities. Nurse Anesthesia students practice at facilities, including Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center, Roger Williams Medical Center, and U-Mass Memorial and University Hospital.
• At Rhode Island College, you will learn from experienced faculty who are genuinely dedicated to providing expert guidance and mentorship throughout your DNP journey. The faculty is comprised of doctoral-prepared nurses and clinicians, many of whom remain in active practice, which means they stay abreast of current trends in healthcare and can prepare you for the ever-evolving landscape of nursing as a DNP.
3. Salve Regina University - Newport
Programs Offered: MSN-to-DNP
This MSN-to-DNP program features a 30-credit curriculum consisting of ten courses. You will take classes, including Healthcare Management & Care Systems, Organizational & Systems Leadership in Healthcare, Quality Improvement, Initiatives, & Safety in Advanced Nursing Biostatistics, and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing.
The post-master's DNP program also includes at least 500 clinical hours. Upon verification of qualifying master’s level clinical hours, the number of clinical hours you must complete to earn the DNP will be determined. You must achieve a minimum of 1,000 post-bachelor's practicum hours.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible to apply for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at Salve Regina University, you must have a master’s degree in nursing and hold an RN or APRN license and certification. All candidates must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative college grade point average for all coursework attempted at any post-secondary school. You must complete an online application and provide official transcripts from any school where college credit was obtained. Evidence of completion of a three-credit Statistics course and a three-credit master’s-level advanced research course is required with a grade of “C” or better in each.
You must provide a copy of your unencumbered RN license or eligibility for RN licensure in the state of Rhode Island and a copy of an unencumbered APRN license and certification, if applicable. Additionally, a personal statement and portfolio that includes a description of current and past clinical practice, presentations, publications, a resume, and curriculum vitae are required. Once all other admission requirements are met, you will be asked to participate in an interview with a graduate nursing admissions committee member.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Salve Regina University reports high retention and graduation rates for its DNP program. Students who complete post-graduation surveys indicate high satisfaction with the program’s quality and flexibility.• At Salve Regina University, you will learn in a supportive environment with resources and mentoring programs to help you succeed professionally and academically. Graduates of the DNP program are well-prepared for leadership roles as managers of quality initiatives, advanced practice registered nurses, healthcare executives, nursing directors, and nursing faculty!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Rhode Island?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Rhode Island?
| 3 |
3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Rhode Island?
| Hourly | $69.12 |
| Weekly | $2,765 |
| Monthly | $11,980 |
| Annual | $143,760 |
4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Rhode Island?
| Hourly | $50.85 |
| Weekly | $2,034 |
| Monthly | $8,810 |
| Annual | $105,760 |
5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Rhode Island?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $57.53 | $2,301 | $9,970 | $119,670 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $67.91 | $2,717 | $11,770 | $141,260 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $75.63 | $3,025 | $13,110 | $157,320 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $90.38 | $3,615 | $15,670 | $188,000 |
6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Rhode Island By Metro?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Providence-Warwick | $68.94 | $2,758 | $11,950 | $143,390 |
7. Average DNP Salary In Rhode Island VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Rhode Island
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $196,540 | -$52,780 | -26.85% |
| Podiatrist | $190,020 | -$46,260 | -24.34% |
| Veterinarian | $148,920 | -$5,160 | -3.46% |
| Optometrist | $146,950 | -$3,190 | -2.17% |
| Nurse With DNP | $143,760 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $131,460 | +$12,300 | +9.36% |
| Pharmacist | $113,110 | +$30,650 | +27.10% |
| Radiation Therapist | $104,230 | +$39,530 | +37.93% |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,660 | +$48,100 | +50.28% |
| Physical Therapist | $95,160 | +$48,600 | +51.07% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,310 | +$52,450 | +57.44% |
| Audiologist | $82,360 | +$61,400 | +74.55% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,980 | +$63,780 | +79.74% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.
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