Become a Nurse in Rhode Island - APRN, RN, LPN Licensure

Nursing requirements change rapidly. Make sure to confirm licensing requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nurse Education before applying for licensure. Last updated: 3/18/2020

Education Requirements for Nursing Licenses in Rhode Island
Nursing Licenses in Rhode Island	Master's Required?
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)	Yes
Registered Nurse Practitioner (NP)	Yes
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)	Yes
Registered Nurse (RN)	No
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	No
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	No

Rhode Island Nursing Salaries

Rhode Island Nursing Salaries
RI Nurse Career	State-Wide Annual Mean Wage	Norwich, New London-Westerly, CT-RI Annual Mean Wage	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Annual Mean Wage
Licensed Practical Nurse	$59,130	$56,850	$56,570
Registered Nurse	$78,420	$81,750	$78,300
Nurse Practitioner	$109,290	$111,440	$110,910
Nurse Anesthetist	Not Available	Not Available	$180,890
Nurse Midwife	$107,700	Not Available	$105,550

Careers as a nurse salaries above were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics - State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Rhode Island in March 2020.

There are many paths to becoming a nurse in Rhode Island. The one you take will mostly depend on the type of nurse you’d like to become and your current or prospective level of education. The more education, the more opportunities you’ll have to choose where and how you pursue your career in nursing.

In addition to nursing salaries in Rhode Island, you’ll find information on acquiring and maintaining several types of Rhode Island nursing licenses on this page. We’re constantly making updates, but with the speed of change in healthcare, it’s sometimes difficult to stay current. If you have any comments or suggestions for our information on nursing in Rhode Island, please email us at info@nursinglicensemap.com!

Compact State Status

Rhode Island is not yet a Nursing Licensure Compact state, but there is pending legislation.

Prescriptive Authority in Rhode Island

According to the Licensing of Nurses and Standards for the Approval of Basic Nursing Education Programs Regulation in Rhode Island, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) may apply for prescriptive authority provided proof of completion of courses in pathophysiology and pharmacology and physical assessment. APRNs may prescribe schedule II-V controlled substances.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Rhode Island

APRNs in Rhode Island are defined as certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse practitioners.

Education: Completion of an APRN graduate or post-graduate program accredited by a nursing accredited body.

Examination: Varies according to prerequisite national certification.

Certification: Varies according to specialty area.

Fees: $145 Initial Application

Renewal: APRN renewal occurs every even or odd year, dependent on your license number. APRNs must provide proof of 10 continuing education hours as accepted or approved by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), its local chapter, any department of school of nursing approved by the board, or other professional organization.

Learn more on how to become an advanced practice registered nurse.

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) in Rhode Island

Education: Completion of an Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) or Midwifery Education Certification Board (AMCB)-accredited educational program in midwifery.

Examination: Examination by the AMCB or the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)

Certification: CNM licensure in Rhode Island requires a certification with the AMCB or NARM.

Fees: $80 Initial Application

Renewal: CNMs renew on every odd-numbered year with $80 fee and proof of 20 hours of continuing education including four hours of pharmacology.

Learn more on how to become a certified nurse midwife.

Professional Registered Nurse (RN) in Rhode Island

Education: Board-approved basic professional nursing education program.

Examination: NCLEX-RN

Fees:

$135 Initial Application by Examination or Endorsement
$200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Endorsement is available to Registered Nurses in Rhode Island.

Renewal: Registered Nurse licenses in Rhode Island expire biennially. Ten hours of continuing education are required for renewal with a $135 fee.

Learn more on how to become a registered nurse.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Rhode Island

Education: Approved program of practical nursing.

Examination: NCLEX-PN

Fees:

$45 Initial Application by Examination or Endorsement
$200 Examination Fee

Endorsement: Endorsement is available to Licensed Practical Nurses in Rhode Island.

Renewal: LPN licenses in Rhode Island expire biennially. Ten hours of continuing education are required for renewal with a fee of $45.

Information on the above nursing careers in Rhode Island was retrieved from the Rhode Island Code of Regulations TItle 216, Chapter 40, Subchapter 5 as of March 2020.