Best Rhode Island LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2027

Rhode Island has exactly one campus-based LPN-to-RN bridge worth naming: CCRI's program in Warwick, which posts an 84.81% first-time NCLEX pass rate, runs 65 credits with 405 clinical hours, and admits through a competitive point system twice a year. That scarcity changes the math for working LPNs. There is no backup school across town if you miss a fall or spring start date, and a 2.7 GPA minimum plus prerequisite coursework and an active license are non-negotiable entry costs before you even compete for a seat.

Most Rhode Island LPNs still start at CCRI, but out-of-state online ADN and BSN bridges have quietly become the pressure valve, letting nurses keep working while they wait out admission cycles or seek a faster timeline elsewhere.

Best LPN to RN/BSN Programs in Rhode Island, Ranked by NCLEX Pass Rates

NCLEX pass rate leads this ranking because it is the single gate between finishing a bridge program and practicing as an RN: a graduate who does not pass cannot be licensed, no matter how strong the coursework or how flexible the schedule. First-time pass rates come first, with completion and accreditation breaking ties. All pass rates below are Rhode Island Board of Nursing calendar-year figures for first-time candidates, collected January 1 through December 31.

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Community College of Rhode Island#1

Warwick, RI · $7,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 84.1% (3-yr weighted avg)

Hispanic-Serving Institution

★Best for: Working LPNs needing evening and weekend classes

The Community College of Rhode Island is the state's public gateway for LPNs moving into RN practice, and its LPN-to-RN Option in Warwick is built as a part-time evening and weekend bridge so working nurses can keep earning while they study. Tuition is charged at community college rates, with a substantial in-state discount for Rhode Island residents, and the college's own practical nursing diploma articulates directly into the RN program for graduates who meet the admission guidelines. NCLEX outcomes have been steady: 91.29% of first-time RN candidates passed in 2024 and 84.81% passed in 2025, while LPN candidates passed at 91.84% and 90.00% over the same two years. Two cautions for readers: the graduation rate published for CCRI covers the entire institution rather than the nursing program, and program-level earnings for this option are not yet reported.

• LPN-to-RN Option (Associate Degree in Nursing)On-Campus→

LPN-to-RN Option (Associate Degree in Nursing) — On-Campus

Community College of Rhode Island

• Part-time evening and weekend format for working LPNs
• 65 total credit hours, including 405 clinical hours
• 10 prior learning credits awarded for LPN experience
• HESI entrance exam required, with a 2.7 GPA minimum
• Two start dates per year, fall and spring
• Active LPN license, 1,000 work hours and background check required
• Capstone course required before graduation
• Competitive point-based admission based on GPA and prerequisites

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LPN to ADN vs LPN to BSN: Which Bridge Path Is Right for You?

Rhode Island LPNs have two main routes to RN licensure: earn an ADN through a bridge program (typically at CCRI) or pursue an LPN-to-BSN track. The ADN path is faster and less expensive upfront, but major Rhode Island employers such as Lifespan and Care New England increasingly prefer or require a BSN. If you start with an ADN, a formal articulation agreement between CCRI and Rhode Island College lets you continue into RIC's fully online RN-to-BSN program, which accepts up to 90 transfer credits and can be completed in as little as one year.

How Much Does the LPN to RN Bridge Cost in Rhode Island?

The cost of an LPN to RN bridge program is what you pay in tuition, fees, and supplies to complete the roughly 65 credits and 405 clinical hours CCRI requires to move from LPN to registered nurse, not counting your existing LPN training. CCRI does not publish one flat "bridge price," since nursing students pay the college's standard per-credit rate rather than a separate program fee schedule.

Tuition and Fees at CCRI

For 2026-27, in-state tuition runs $255 per credit, with mandatory per-credit fees layered on top: a $7 student activity fee, $4 learning resource fee, $5 technology fee, and $1 commuting fee, plus a one-time $30 registration charge each term. Full-time students (12+ credits) are billed roughly $2,792 per semester instead of the per-credit rate, and anyone carrying 16 or more credits in a term pays an extra $100 administrative fee. Lab and clinical fees vary by course and aren't itemized in a single public table, so budget some cushion beyond the base tuition figure. Institution-wide, annual tuition and fees have run about $5,550 to $5,783 for in-state students in recent catalogs, with books and supplies adding roughly $1,200 a year.

In-State vs Out-of-State Rates

Out-of-state students pay considerably more, with annual tuition between approximately $11,900 and $17,800 for the bridge program. Rhode Island participates in the New England Regional Student Program, which offers a discounted regional rate ($380 per credit for 2026-27) to residents of other New England states enrolling in majors not offered at their home state's public colleges, a meaningful discount below the full out-of-state rate.

Financial Aid and Employer Support

Federal Pell grants remain the first stop for eligible students, and Rhode Island's workforce development channels, including Real Jobs RI and Governor's Workforce Board initiatives, have funded healthcare training partnerships in the state. HRSA Nurse Corps scholarships are another avenue worth exploring for students committed to underserved-area practice. Many working LPNs also lean on employer tuition reimbursement; hospital systems like Lifespan and Care New England have historically supported nursing advancement for staff pursuing an RN, so ask HR before assuming you're paying out of pocket.

Bridge Savings and Hidden Costs

Because students in LPN to RN Bridge Programs test out of introductory nursing fundamentals, they typically skip one to two semesters that traditional ADN students must complete, a real savings in both time and tuition. Still, factor in the extras: background checks, drug screening, uniforms and clinical supplies, and the NCLEX-RN exam fee, all of which add up outside the tuition bill.

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Admission Requirements and How to Apply

Getting into an LPN-to-RN bridge program in Rhode Island is competitive. CCRI uses a point-based selection process, so meeting the minimums does not guarantee a seat. Here is what you need to prepare before you apply.

• Active, Unencumbered LPN License

  You must hold a current LPN license in good standing, eligible for practice in Rhode Island. Graduates of a state-approved practical nursing program qualify.
• Minimum 2.7 Program GPA

  CCRI requires a cumulative program GPA of at least 2.7 to apply and to graduate. Your GPA feeds directly into the point-based admissions scoring, a 2.7 earns 27 points while a 4.0 earns 40, so a stronger GPA meaningfully improves your chances.
• HESI A2 Entrance Exam, Minimum Score of 850

  You must earn an 850 or higher on the entrance exam. If you score below the benchmark, you may retake it after at least two weeks. After two unsuccessful attempts, you must wait three months from the second sitting before testing again.
• Prerequisite Courses with a C or Better

  Complete BIOL 2201 (or the BIOL 1010 plus BIOL 1020 sequence), ENGL 1010, and PSYC 2010, each with a minimum grade of C. You are limited to two attempts per prerequisite, and all attempts before January 1, 2015, including transfers, count as a single attempt.
• Documented LPN Clinical or Work Experience

  Applicants are generally expected to document approximately 1,000 hours of LPN work experience. Confirm the current requirement directly with CCRI's nursing department, as specifics can shift between admissions cycles.
• Background Check and Drug Screening

  Clinical placement requires cleared criminal background checks and drug screenings. Begin this process early so results are ready when the program requests them.
• CPR/BLS Certification

  Hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association before clinical courses begin.
• Application Submission

  Apply online through CCRI. The LPN-to-RN bridge runs at the Knight Campus in Warwick on an evening and weekend schedule and totals 65 credits. Exact application deadlines vary by cycle, so check CCRI's nursing admissions page for the most current dates and required documents.

Online and Hybrid LPN to RN Options for Rhode Island LPNs

Rhode Island LPNs looking for scheduling flexibility often turn to out-of-state online bridge programs because no fully online LPN to RN pathway is based in the state. CCRI offers evening and weekend scheduling for its on-campus bridge track, but the coursework itself is not delivered online. Keep in mind that even programs marketed as "online" require clinical hours to be completed in person. In practice, the didactic (classroom) portion is delivered remotely, while skills labs and clinical rotations must be arranged locally, sometimes by the student. Always verify that a program holds current Rhode Island Board of Nursing approval before enrolling.

RN Licensure Requirements in Rhode Island

First-time RN candidates and experienced nurses moving into the state take different application paths, but both end at the same Rhode Island Department of Health RN license. The exam route proves initial competence, while endorsement recognizes a license already earned elsewhere.

First-Time Exam Route: NCLEX-RN

After graduating from an approved Rhode Island nursing program, such as an accredited LPN to RN program, apply through the Rhode Island Department of Health online portal. First-time exam applicants should budget roughly $325 for the state-side pieces: a $75 application fee, a $200 examination fee, and a $50 fingerprinting fee. Once the Board of Nursing determines eligibility, register with Pearson VUE, receive an Authorization to Test, and schedule the NCLEX-RN. The exam is computerized and adaptive, with pass/fail scoring rather than a fixed percentage.

Endorsement and Moving to Rhode Island

If you already hold an RN license in another state, the endorsement route is usually faster. The reported endorsement application fee is $135. You will need a fingerprint-based Bureau of Criminal Identification check through the Rhode Island Attorney General, verification of your original and any prior state licenses through Nursys when possible, official transcripts if requested by the Board, a 2x3 inch head-and-shoulder photo, and proof of Rhode Island residency if this will be your primary home. Complete applications typically process in 4 to 8 weeks.

Compact Status, Renewal, and Multi-State Practice

Rhode Island rejoined the Nurse Licensure Compact on January 1, 2024. As of 2026, eligible RNs can practice under a multi-state license, but the compact authorization currently includes a January 1, 2027 sunset date. That means multi-state eligibility could change unless lawmakers extend it. Rhode Island RN licenses renew every two years, and the Board sets continuing education requirements. Before renewing or applying by endorsement, confirm current CE expectations and any updated compact guidance.

RN Salary and Career Outlook After the Bridge

Completing an LPN to RN bridge program in Rhode Island unlocks a significant pay increase. Based on the most recent federal wage data, registered nurses in the state earn a median hourly wage of roughly $45.60, which annualizes to approximately $94,800. While detailed percentile breakdowns for LPNs in Rhode Island are not published in the available data, national BLS figures consistently show that LPNs earn roughly 55% to 60% of what RNs make, suggesting an annual gain of $35,000 to $40,000 or more after bridging. Rhode Island projects about 740 annual RN openings through 2032, driven by retirements, transfers, and steady 6.5% job growth, outpacing the state's overall employment growth rate of 6.2%.

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Frequently Asked Questions About LPN to RN Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island LPNs considering a bridge program tend to ask the same core questions about timelines, costs, and logistics. Below are straightforward answers grounded in current program details and state regulations for 2026.

1. How long does the LPN to RN bridge program take in Rhode Island?

   Full-time LPN to RN bridge programs in Rhode Island typically take 12 to 18 months once prerequisites and transition coursework are complete. Part-time tracks, including evening and weekend cohorts designed for working nurses, generally run 18 to 24 months or longer depending on clinical availability and course load.

2. Is there a 6-month LPN to RN program in Rhode Island?

   No accredited 6-month LPN to RN bridge program is currently available in Rhode Island. The shortest realistic timeline is roughly 12 months on a full-time schedule after prerequisites are finished. Programs that advertise dramatically shorter durations elsewhere, often billed as the fastest LPN programs, should be evaluated carefully for accreditation status and clinical requirements.

3. Can I do an LPN to RN program online in Rhode Island?

   No Rhode Island based program currently offers a fully online LPN to RN bridge. CCRI's program, for example, is campus based and requires 405 clinical hours at in-person sites. Some out-of-state online programs may accept Rhode Island residents, but you would still need to arrange local clinical placements and verify that the program meets Rhode Island Board of Nursing approval.

4. Can I work full-time while completing the LPN to RN bridge?

   Many LPNs do continue working during their bridge program, and evening and weekend scheduling options exist to help. However, programs like CCRI's require 65 credits and 405 clinical hours, which demand significant time. Working full-time is possible but challenging, so most advisors recommend reducing hours or choosing a part-time track to avoid burnout.

5. What is the CCRI LPN to RN program cost for 2026?

   CCRI has not published an exact program total for 2026. Approximate annual in-state tuition for the 2025 to 2026 academic year ranges from roughly $4,400 to $6,700, with books and supplies adding around $1,200 per year. Out-of-state students can expect annual tuition between approximately $11,900 and $17,800. Contact CCRI's financial aid office for a current cost breakdown specific to the bridge track.

6. Does Rhode Island participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?

   Yes. Rhode Island is an active Nurse Licensure Compact member as of 2026, covering both RN and LPN/LVN licenses. The state signed the compact in June 2023, with an effective date of January 1, 2024, and began issuing multistate licenses to eligible residents in April 2026. The compact is currently set to sunset on January 1, 2029, though legislative extensions may follow.