CCRI Grads Now Have Direct Pathway to B.S. in Nursing at RIC

Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island have formed an innovative partnership that enables graduates of CCRI’s associate’s degree in nursing program to transition directly into RIC’s new, fully online RN-to-B.S.N. program.

(In photo above, CCRI Interim President Rosemary Corrigan [seated left] and RIC President Jack Warner [seated right] sign agreement.)

Designed with working nurses in mind, RIC’s RN-to-B.S.N. program combines academic excellence with the flexibility of online classes.

CCRI nursing student Paige Mitchell intends to enroll in the program this fall. She says the program “is important for students like me. It creates a seamless, affordable and accessible pathway to continue our education and earn our bachelor’s degree, while keeping our jobs.”

“Knowing I can stay in Rhode Island, keep working and earn my B.S.N. from a respected institution like RIC means everything to me,” she says. “I feel like my goals are within reach, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

This partnership reflects the shared mission of RIC and CCRI to expand opportunity and align with ongoing national and state efforts to increase the proportion of B.S.N.-prepared nurses, thereby strengthening the healthcare workforce.

“There is a critical need for nurses with more advanced degrees in Rhode Island and this program is a vital addition to that workforce development pipeline,” says RIC President Jack Warner. “It enables the highly dedicated working professionals already in that pipeline to take the next step without leaving the state or commuting to campus. CCRI is an invaluable partner in building this capacity for Rhode Island’s healthcare professionals.”

“This program is deeply personal to me,” says Interim President of CCRI Rosemary Costigan. “I began my journey in nursing right here at CCRI and earned my bachelor’s degree at RIC. This fully online RN-to-B.S.N. program is a powerful investment in our nursing students and a vital investment in the health of our state. Together with our partners at RIC, we are building a stronger, more prepared nursing workforce for Rhode Island.”

Learn more about RIC’s RN-to-B.S.N. program.

Also see At RIC, RNs Can Now Earn Their B.S.N. Completely Online