Accelerated BSN Programs in Rhode Island (2026)

1 accelerated BSN program for Rhode Island career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Rhode Island ABSN students

  • 1 accelerated BSN program in our Rhode Island directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Rhode Island: 16 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition: $40,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Rhode Island earn $99,770/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Rhode Island is not an NLC compact state; graduates need Rhode Island licensure (or endorsement) to practice there.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Rhode Island

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Rhode Island. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Rhode Island students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Rhode Island nursing program hub for related pathways.

1

ABSN Programs

16 mo

Fastest Option

$40,000

Lowest Tuition

$100K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Rhode Island

1 accelerated BSN program — 1 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

1 accelerated BSN program in our Rhode Island directory (11 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Rhode Island BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 11 Rhode Island BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 16 months (Rhode Island College, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 11 of 11 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Rhode Island programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Rhode Island CollegeBSNOn Campus16$40,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
University of Rhode IslandBSNOn Campus48$70,000
Salve Regina UniversityBSNOn Campus48$209,000
Rhode Island CollegeBSNOn Campus48$47,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island lists 1 accelerated track against 11 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 16 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Rhode Island hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Rhode Island earning an average of $99,770 per year and 4.3% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Rhode Island does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). ABSN graduates who plan to work outside Rhode Island will need to apply for licensure by endorsement in each additional state.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Rhode Island

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Rhode Island hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Rhode Island, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Rhode Island: $40,000 total. Ask Rhode Island hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Rhode Island ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Rhode Island?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Rhode Island students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Rhode Island, the fastest option is 16 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Rhode Island schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 11 Rhode Island BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 16 months (Rhode Island College). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Rhode Island?
The shortest listed Rhode Island BSN pathway in our directory is 16 months (1.3 years) at Rhode Island College. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island College — 1 institution, 1 accelerated track listed for Rhode Island, the quickest 16 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Rhode Island board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with 10 CE contact hours required.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Rhode Island?
Among ABSN programs listed for Rhode Island, total tuition ranges from $40,000 to $40,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Rhode Island?
No. All 1 track listed for Rhode Island — at Rhode Island College — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Rhode Island?
For career changers in Rhode Island, the math is favorable. RNs in Rhode Island earn an average of $99,770 per year (BLS May 2024), with 4.3% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Rhode Island hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, but the licence does not travel: Rhode Island is outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, so working anywhere else means licensure by endorsement — start it before you move, not after.

Rhode Island Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

10 hours

NLC Compact

No — single-state license

Source: Rhode Island Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island nursing reference

NCLEX pass ratesRN salary data$99,770 average (BLS).Nursing schoolsScholarshipsLicense requirementsAdmission requirementsHow to become a nurseNursing shortage & outlookFor working adultsLPN to RNRN to BSNFNP programsPMHNP programsNurse midwife programsMSN programsDNP programsCRNA programs

Nearby States

ConnecticutMassachusetts

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