Nursing - Associate in Science
The Associate Degree nursing program at the Community College of Rhode Island at the Knight, Liston, Newport and Flanagan campuses located in Warwick, Providence, Newport and Lincoln, Rhode Island, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation.
Students who complete and receive an Associate of Science degree in Nursing are eligible to take the licensure examination for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).
The Nursing Program is offered at the Knight (Warwick), Flanagan (Lincoln), Liston (Providence) and Newport County Campuses. An evening/weekend option is offered at the Flanagan and Knight campuses. Students may apply to any campus. Once accepted, students may not transfer between campuses.
Applicants may earn credits in advance of applying for degree status, but this must be done in consultation with One Stop Student Services. Courses may be taken at the Community College of Rhode Island or at any other accredited college.
Technical Standards: The physical activity (strength) level for a registered nurse (075.364-010) is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. CCRI Technical Standards are located in the "For Students" tab under Nursing links on the Nursing website.
Note: Many courses require prerequisites, co-requisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.
Important: All admission requirements must be completed satisfactorily before an applicant can be offered acceptance into the Nursing Program. At the time of admission, the student must meet the current admission requirements of the program. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must reapply to the program and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted into Nursing, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Nursing Department.
General Policies
See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the Performance-Based Health Sciences (PBHS) application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.
Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Nursing Program
Note: Requirements one (1) through seven (7) must be met satisfactorily BEFORE submission of the Performance-Based Health Science (PBHS) application and does not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements. Once accepted in the Nursing program, the student must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Nursing Department.
1. CCRI Application for Enrollment into General Studies with a pre-nursing concentration.
2. Official copy of a high school transcript, GED® transcript or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or Accuplacer scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from an institutionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript.
4. HESI A2 Test
- Reading comprehension and Math with a score of 80 percent or better and Vocabulary/General Knowledge and Grammar with a score of 75 percent or better.
- Students who do not meet the benchmark in two attempts can retest for one final attempt after three (3) months from the second attempt.
- If the student does not achieve a minimum score on one or more of the tests, the student may retake the necessary test(s) once within the next 12 months. Students are limited to two attempts within a 12-month period from the date the original test was taken. A minimum of two weeks between exams is required. Please note: HESI test scores do not expire.
5. Reading Comprehension Requirement:
- Waived for students with a Bachelor's degree or higher
- High school GPA of 2.7 or higher
- SAT reading and writing score, 410 or higher* or
- ACT of 27 or higher * or
- GED of 164 or higher*
- If using the ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI's Advising Center, the following guidelines are used: score of 90 or above in Classic Accuplacer or score of 259 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer
- or Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better, or Integrated Critical Reading and Writing (ENGL 0950) with a grade of B- or better.
- Mathematics Requirement:
- Waived for students with a Bachelor's degree or higher
- High school GPA of 2.7 or higher* or
- SAT score of 411 or higher* or
- ACT score 17 or higher* or
- GED score of 165 or higher
- If using the ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI's Advising Center, the following guidelines are used: score of 80 or above in Classic Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic) or score of 255 in Next Generation Accuplacer is required for Math (Arithmetic) or Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) with a grade of B- or better. Note: Entry point into Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) is Developmental Mathematics Emporium (MATH 0095).
6. Complete the following required prerequisite courses. These courses are limited to two attempts. All attempts for the prerequisite courses prior to January 1, 2015, including transfers, are considered ONE ATTEMPT regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirements within the two (2) attempts, the student must wait five (5) years from the last attempt to retake the course.
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201) OR Human Anatomy (BIOL 1010) with a grade of "C" or better and Physiology (BIOL 1020) with a grade of "C" or better.
- BIOL 1010 is a companion course of BIOL 1020. Another college-level 4-credit, human physiology course (with lab) may be substituted for BIOL 1020. BIOL 1020, or a substitution, cannot be more than six (6) years old at the time of application. If you have taken BIOL 1010 or another course in Human Anatomy, you will have to take a stand-alone Human Physiology course at another institution before you apply to the Nursing program. CCRI does not offer a stand-alone Human Physiology course.
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201) is a companion course of Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2202). Neither of these can be more than six (6) years old at the time of application and both courses are limited to two attempts. If you have taken BIOL 2201 as a prerequisite, you will have to take BIOL 2202 before you begin your second semester in the Nursing program. You may choose to complete BIOL 2202 prior to entrance into the Nursing Program, if desired. As with BIOL 2201, students must achieve a grade of C or better in BIOL 2202. If required benchmark for this course is not achieved, student may not progress in the program. Remember, though, that BIOL 2202, like BIOL 2201, is limited to two attempts.
- The transfer of Anatomy and Physiology courses is subject to approval by the CCRI Biology Department Chairperson.
- Please read the important message regarding Biology changes and Nursing Admissions
- Composition I (ENGL 1010) with a grade of "C" or better
- General Psychology (PSYC 2010) with a grade of "C" or better
7. A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.7 is required to apply to the program and be maintained until enrolled in Nursing.
8. Complete and submit an online PBHS application here. Deadlines are listed on the form.
9. Conditionally accepted students are required to complete the following:
- When directed by One Stop Student Services, submit a background check through CastleBranch.com. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies’ requirements.
- Please refer to the BCI policy before applying.
- Submit all health care requirements to CastleBranch.com.
- Only Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Medical Exemptions are permitted. There are No Religious Exemptions accepted. RIDOH Medical Exemption Form
- Final acceptance is based upon the completion of the above criteria.
Please note: Requirements are subject to change.
For further information regarding admissions requirements, contact Jessica Calpa at [email protected].
Program Requirements
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 is required for graduation and the awarding of an Associate of Science degree.
- Beginning spring 2022, all newly admitted and reinstated semester 1 students must maintain a passing status (77/C+or above) in the theoretical and clinical components of each Nursing course. In the event that a student fails either the theory or the clinical component of a required Nursing course, the course must be repeated in its entirety. Nursing courses are graded using a department-specific grading policy, posted in the Nursing Student Policy Manual.
Reinstatement
- Reinstatement to the Nursing Program is based on space availability. Priority is given to students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal. Students returning to the Nursing Program must be approved by the Scholastic Standing Committee and may be required to repeat previous and/or complete additional course work.
- A student is eligible to repeat only one non-clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/failing both Nursing non-clinical courses simultaneously during a single semester (Gerontological Nursing (NURS 1015) and Pharmacology 1 (NURS 1061) during Semester 1). If only one non-clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semester 1, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
- A student is eligible to repeat only one clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/ failing both clinical Nursing courses simultaneously during a single semester (Medical Surgical Nursing I^ (NURS 1020) and Mental Health Nursing^ (NURS 1023) during Semester 2; Medical/Surgical Nursing II^ (NURS 2040) and Maternal and Child Health Nursing^ (NURS 2050) during Semester 3, or Medical-Surgical Nursing III (NURS 2060) and Nursing Capstone (NURS 2500) during Semester 4). If only one clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semesters 2, 3, or 4, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
LPNs interested in becoming a Registered Nurse can continue their education through the LPN-to-RN Option within the Associate Degree Nursing Program. Please refer to our website for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patients across the lifespan.
- Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make evidence-based decisions.
- Implement established quality measures to improve patient care.
- Participate in collaborative relationships with members of the interprofessional team, the patient, family and/or designee to achieve quality patient-centered care.
- Utilize information systems and patient care technology to communicate, implement best nursing practices, minimize risk, and support clinical decision making.
- Demonstrate leadership skills in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patients.
- Exhibit professional behaviors within legal and ethical practice frameworks.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | ||
| BIOL 2201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) | 3 |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology | 4 |
| Subtotal | 11 | |
| Gen Ed Requirements | ||
| BIOL 2210 | Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| COMM 1010 | Communication Fundamentals^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 3 |
| PSYC 2030 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Subtotal | 10 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIOL 2202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| NURS 1010 | Fundamentals of Nursing^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 7 |
| NURS 1015 | Gerontological Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 1020 | Medical Surgical Nursing I^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 6 |
| NURS 1023 | Mental Health Nursing^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 3 |
| NURS 1061 | Pharmacology 1 | 1 |
| NURS 1062 | Pharmacology II | 1 |
| NURS 1063 | Pharmacology III | 1 |
| NURS 2040 | Medical/Surgical Nursing II^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 5 |
| NURS 2050 | Maternal and Child Health Nursing^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 6 |
| NURS 2060 | Medical-Surgical Nursing III | 6 |
| NURS 2500 | Nursing Capstone^ (Work-Based Learning Course) 2 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 45 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- ^
-
Work-based learning course
Recommended Course Sequence
Suggested course progression reflects full-time status with a minimum of 12 credits.
| Prerequisites | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) | 3 |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology | 4 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Year 1 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NURS 1010 | Fundamentals of Nursing^ | 7 |
| NURS 1015 | Gerontological Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 1061 | Pharmacology 1 | 1 |
| BIOL 2202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| COMM 1010 | Communication Fundamentals^ | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NURS 1020 | Medical Surgical Nursing I^ | 6 |
| NURS 1023 | Mental Health Nursing^ | 3 |
| NURS 1062 | Pharmacology II | 1 |
| PSYC 2030 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| NURS 1063 | Pharmacology III | 1 |
| NURS 2040 | Medical/Surgical Nursing II^ | 5 |
| NURS 2050 | Maternal and Child Health Nursing^ | 6 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NURS 2060 | Medical-Surgical Nursing III | 6 |
| NURS 2500 | Nursing Capstone | 3 |
| BIOL 2210 | Introductory Microbiology | 4 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 66 | |
- ^
-
Work-based learning course
Transfer
Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach if you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Your Academic Advisor will help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.
Check out the Joint Admissions Agreement if you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island. The JAA program offers seamless transfer to RIC or URI with additional benefits. Transfer information, events, and articulations are available on the Transfer Center website.
More Information
Q: How should I complete the CCRI Application for Enrollment?
A: Please select General Studies as your first choice, then pre-nursing as your concentration.
Q: When should I apply to the Nursing program?
A: Students who wish to begin classes in the fall semester must apply to the program February 1st through March 31st. Students who wish to begin in the spring must apply August 1st through September 30th.
Q: When and where are the programs offered?
A: The nursing program offers day and evening/weekend courses on the four CCRI Campuses. Day classes are offered at the Knight (Warwick), Liston (Providence), or the Newport campus. Evening/weekend classes are offered at the Knight (Warwick) and Flanagan (Lincoln) campus.
Q: What amount of time should I prepare to spend on the Nursing program once accepted?
A: Students who enter the Nursing program can expect to spend 55-60 hours per week focused on the Nursing program between class time, clinical rotations, and studying.
Q: How is placement in a particular program determined?
A: Applicants will be provided the opportunity to select either a day and/or evening program, as well as a choice of campus locations. Campus assignments will be based on PBHS points earned and space availability.
Q: What if I have a bachelor’s degree? Will you only accept high school or GED® transcripts?
A: Students with an advanced degree may choose to submit their college transcripts for consideration.
Q: What if I do not get the required score on the HESI A2 Test?
A: Students are limited to two (2) attempts. Students who do not meet the benchmark after the second attempt can retest after three (3) months from the second attempt.
Q: What if I do not meet the minimum grades in the prerequisite courses?
A: Students are allowed to repeat the prerequisite courses only ONE additional time. If a student does not achieve the required grades (in a maximum of two attempts) BIOL 2201: "C" or better, ENGL 1010: "C" or better, and PSYC 2010: "C" or better - he or she will not be eligible to apply to the nursing program.
Q: I have taken a required in-program course such as BIOL 2202 or BIOL 2210 prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. May I still be accepted to the program?
A: Students will be given ONE additional opportunity to take the course while in the program. If in this SECOND attempt, the student does not achieve the required grade ("C" or better in BIOL 2202 and/or "C" or better in BIOL 2210), the result will be dismissal from the Nursing program.
Q: I have taken a required, in-program course like BIOL 2202 or BIOL 2210 TWICE prior to admission and did not achieve the required grade. Can I still be accepted to the program?
A: We recognize that this is a possibility. Students will be given ONE FINAL opportunity to attempt the course while in the program. If in this final attempt the student does not achieve the required grade ("C" or better in BIOL 2202 and/or "C" or better in BIOL 2210), the result will be dismissal from the nursing program.
Q: Do any completed courses have a time expiration?
A: Yes, BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 or BIOL 2201 and BIOL 2202. If you have previously taken BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1020 or BIOL 2201 and BIOL 2202 more than six years prior to admission into the Nursing program, you will be required to repeat the course. Because we are constantly discovering new ways in which the human body works, physiology is a course that must have been taken recently. If you have taken a stand-alone physiology course (such as BIOL 1020 at CCRI), it cannot be more than 6 years old at the time of application to the program. Because physiology is covered in both BIOL 2201 and BIOL 2202, we want to account for the need to retake two courses; therefore we require those courses to be no more than 6 years old at the time of application.
Q: If I get an “A” in BIOL 2201 and a “C” in BIOL 2202, will you combine them and give me a B average for both courses? I’ve heard that some colleges do that.
A: Students are required to achieve a "C" or better in each of those courses.
Q: I want to prepare myself for my nursing education the best way I can. Before I apply, are there any courses that you suggest I take, in addition to the prerequisites?
A: Yes! Students who take both anatomy & physiology 2 (A&P2 BIOL 2202) and microbiology (BIOL 2210) before starting the Nursing program say that it’s one of the best decisions they made. It’s not necessary, of course, for you to take both of them before applying, but we think you’ll be glad if they’re done before you start your nursing courses! Another excellent idea is to take HEAL 1060, “Dosage Calculation for Medication Administration.” You will learn “med math” in your Pharmacology classes, but if you know that math isn’t your strongest suit, taking HEAL 1060 will be great preparation!
Q: I’ve been conditionally accepted to the Nursing program. What if I have questions about getting a background check (BCI) and submitting my health care requirements?
A: Please email [email protected].
Q: I received a BCI within the past year for work or for reasons unrelated to the Nursing program. Do I need a new one?
A: Yes. All students conditionally accepted into the Nursing program and students who have been officially accepted but are due for their annual BCI renewal will need a background check through CastleBranch.com
Q: I wasn’t conditionally accepted into the Nursing program. Now what?
A: That is unfortunate news. Students who are not accepted into the program are eligible to reapply during the next application period. It is helpful to review the Nursing Program Admission Criteria Point System in the Nursing Admission Guidelines to see how to increase the number of points that make up your score. If needed, Academic Advisors in the Office of One Stop Student Services are available to help you determine what you need.
| Rates | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Completion in 3 Semesters | 62.00% | 78.00% | 77.50% |
| Rates | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCLEX Pass Rate | 88.00% | 91.84% | 90.00% |
| Rates | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Placement Rates | 100.00% | 91.00% | 94.00% |
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