One College, Four Campuses, Fourth-Highest Salary: Rhode Island's Concentrated Hybrid LPN Advantage
Rhode Island has exactly one public nursing program — Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) — and that concentration is actually an advantage. CCRI operates 4 campuses (Warwick, Providence, Newport, Lincoln) with ACEN accreditation and hybrid scheduling that includes online theory components. In a state this small, every campus is within 30 minutes of everywhere — but online coursework for pharmacology, anatomy, and care planning means less time commuting between Warwick and Providence and more time studying from home. CCRI's practical nursing students rotate through Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital), Care New England, and CharterCARE Health Partners for clinical placements.
The payoff is disproportionate to the state's size: Rhode Island LPNs earn $77,240/year — the fourth-highest in the entire country. That's not a typo. RI's strong union representation and New England wage rates push LPN compensation well above the national median. Because CCRI is the only public option, it has deep clinical relationships with every major employer in the state — there's no competition for placement sites. Community college tuition runs $8,000–$16,000 while private alternatives charge significantly more for the same Board-approved credential. Rhode Island is NOT an NLC state, but with #4 national LPN pay, the financial incentive to stay local is overwhelming.
Hybrid LPN Schools in Rhode Island
Programs listed offer online or hybrid theory with in-person clinical hours at Rhode Island locations. Always verify current enrollment status with each school directly.
Rhode Island LPN Licensure Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Rhode Island Board of Nursing |
| Program Accreditation | Must be state board-approved |
| Minimum Clinical Hours | 360 hours |
| Licensure Exam | NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE) |
| Background Check | Required prior to clinical placement |
| CPR Certification | Required before clinical start |
| Drug Screening | Required by most clinical partner facilities |
| Immunizations | Per program/facility requirements |
LPN Salary in Rhode Island
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rhode Island earn competitive wages. Average annual salary is $77,240 ($37.14/hour). Salaries vary by region, experience, and employer type.
- Providence: $78,400/year
- Warwick: $76,800/year
- Top employers: LTC facilities, home health agencies, physician offices
After gaining experience as an LPN, many Rhode Island nurses pursue bridge programs. Learn about LPN-to-RN pathways →