Rhode Island has more physicians per capita than most other states. That means that Rhode Island's residents, on the whole, enjoy good access to primary care and preventative healthcare services. But certain segments of the population still have limited access to healthcare. Rhode Island's rural and non-metro residents tend to be older than their metro counterparts. They have more healthcare problems, yet limited access to quality care, as fewer healthcare providers practice in the rural parts of the state. Nurse practitioners who specialize in geriatrics and who are willing to live and work in the state's less-populated areas should find plenty of opportunity.
Rhode Island's nurse practitioners enjoy a high level of professional autonomy. Physician collaboration or supervision is not required to diagnose or treat patients, or to prescribe medication. Nurse practitioners in Rhode Island are free to care for patients without unnecessary oversight.
The average annual salary for a nurse practitioner in Rhode Island is $94,000, as reported by Salary.com. The Nurse Practitioner Council of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association is the professional organization for NPs in Rhode Island.
NP programs for Rhode Island nurses include:
- University of Rhode Island. Located in Kingston, the University of Rhode Island offers a master's-level family nurse practitioner program, as well an acute care nurse practitioner program.
- Rhode Island College. Rhode Island College offers a master's-level acute care nurse practitioner program. Students can choose to attend either full-time or part-time. Rhode Island College is located in Providence.
- Georgetown University. Georgetown is located in Washington, D.C., but the college offers online NP programs that are accessible to Rhode Island students. Students can select either a Family Nurse Practitioner program or the Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program. Georgetown faculty work with students to arrange clinical experiences close to home.
Accredited schools with NP programs in Rhode Island:
