Rhode Island desperately needs more nurse educators. The state is in the midst of a nursing shortage, but continues to turn away qualified nursing school applicants due to a shortage of qualified nurse faculty. An MSN degree is typically the minimal degree required to teach LPN, RN and BSN students, and is often a stepping stone to a doctoral degree and career in academia. The starting pay for a master's-prepared nurse educator is generally around $40,000 per year – a fact recognized by Rhode Island officials as a possible deterrent to would-be nurse educators. That's why Rhode Island's Center for Health Professions is advocating for an increase in the base salary of nurse educators. The Center for Health Professions is also working with other states to draw more nurses to education.
Other master's-prepared nurses in Rhode Island include certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) certified registered nurses anesthetists (CRNAs) and psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialists (PCNSs). In Rhode Island, these highly educated and specialized healthcare practitioners are licensed as Advance Practice Nurses (APNs).
Professional organizations for Rhode Island's MSN nurses include the Rhode Island State Nurses Association.
MSN programs for Rhode Island nurses include:
- University of Rhode Island. At the University of Rhode Island, MSN students can specialize in nurse education or nurse administration. Nurse practitioner programs are offered as well, including a dual adult gerontology nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist program. Students are encouraged to take thanatology courses to help them better understand grief, death and dying.
- St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses. Students at St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia officially receive their MSN degree from the University of New England. Basic science courses are offered through the University of New England, while anesthesia courses are offered through both St. Joseph and the University of New England. The nurse anesthetist program can be completed in 27 months.
