Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs in Rhode Island While this is the smallest state in the nation, it is generously proportioned with its offering of quality Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Rhode Island. As the first colony to declare independence from Britain, it was also quick to establish an economic independence. Its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provided an obvious source of income for many – the fishing industry. However, future industries in health services, tourism and manufacturing continued to strengthen the state’s revenues. As the number one producer, health services require a continuous supply of qualified professionals. A number of higher learning institutions have received national recognition for their groundbreaking innovations in the field of health care.
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
The School of Nurse Anesthesia at Memorial Hospital
The Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island has the unique advantage of being a 294-bed community hospital with a academic affiliations with several area universities for its health care majors. Many hospital physicians are also instructors who provide professional expertise to students pursuing a career of service. The School of Nurse Anesthesia at Memorial Hospital holds its affiliation with Central Connecticut State University thereby allowing graduates of the Anesthesia program to earn both a Master of Science degree and a Certificate of Completion from both institutions.
Master of Science: Biological Sciences/Anesthesia
Registered nurses who enroll in the Biological Sciences/Anesthesia master’s-level program must complete two years of extensive training to administer anesthesia and provide pre- and post-operative care. The program meets the rigorous standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and is administered through the direction of a qualified physician/instructor. Didactic and clinical segments of the curriculum are conducted in both university and hospital environments. The academic component of the program is completed through Central Connecticut State University over 12 months with a minimum of 30 semester credits required. The clinical segment begins at the Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and continues at various affiliate locations for a duration of 17 months. A neuro-anesthesia and open-heart rotation are now included in Phase II of the program. The core classes requirement include: organic and biologic chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, pharmacology, neuroscience, health assessment, research and immunology. Graduates are eligible to apply and sit for the Biological Sciences/Anesthesia certification examination.
Accreditation
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (AANA/CANAEP)
Contact Information
111 Brewster Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 (401) 729-2485
Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
School of Nursing
Rhode Island College was founded 150 years ago as the first public institution in the state named Rhode Island State Normal School. Its primary objective was to provide quality training for teachers from Rhode Island. From 1898 on, the college began steadily growing – first evolving into the Rhode Island College of Education, then to present day Rhode Island College. Serving close to 9,000 students from its 180-acre campus, RIC combines the accessibility of a city college with the pleasant surroundings of a suburban environment. As a comprehensive college, the institution offers around 90 majors and programs across five professional schools.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing graduate degree program educates registered nurses to prepare for diverse and expanded positions. Expected outcomes of the program include competency in sciences and humanities, quality and safety, systems leadership, health policy and advocacy, population health, ethics and advanced nursing practice. Special concentrations are available in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia and Public Health / Community Leadership (with CNS option). Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult) – Students may select from Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist to provide direct patient management in a critical care or other health care setting. A total of 45 credit hours of coursework and clinical experiences are required in the following: research, health care systems, pharmacology, assessment, pathophysiology and adult/older adult health. Graduates are eligible to apply and take certification examinations. Nurse Anesthesia – The Nurse Anesthesia emphasis requires 56 credit hours of graduate work to earn the MSN degree. The classroom curriculum focuses on subject matter such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology and physics. The clinical rotation provides anesthesia experience for surgery and obstetrics. Responsibilities of the CRNA include competencies in: performing physical assessment, preoperative instruction, anesthetic management, pain management, recovery monitoring and post-operative follow-up. Public Health/Community Leadership (with CNS option) – Public Health/Community Leadership opportunities are poised to increase as health care shifts away from hospital-based to community oriented structure. This MSN track prepares nurses to promote health for families, groups and populations in a variety of settings such as schools, home health agencies, public health facilities and nursing clinics. Upon completion of the program, students sit for the ANCC Advanced Public Health Certification exam.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Contact Information
600 Mount Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908 (401) 456-8000
St. Joseph Hospital School of Anesthesia for Nurses, North Providence, RI
With formal nurse anesthesia education determined to be an integral component to quality anesthesia care, St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia was established. In 1962, Associates in Anesthesia (AIA) received accreditation for registered nurses to earn a degree in this field. The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia degree currently being offered adds an essential element to the health care team through an expanded knowledge base and clinical experiences. Through an affiliation with the Rhode Island College School of Nursing, students receive the benefit of a university experience as well as real-world aptitude provided through a hospital environment.
Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
The Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia graduate-level degree is designed to enhance professional nurse training with the skills needed to provide safe and effective anesthesia care to patients of all ages and in all health care environments. The curriculum focuses on anesthesia theory, methodology, principles and practice through on-campus coursework, clinical training through hospital affiliates and research. Classes incorporated into the program include: Advanced levels of physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, pharmacology, genetics and genomics, health assessment and pharmacology for nurse anesthesia. In addition, students are guided by the basic values of respect, responsibility, compassion and teamwork through instruction in professional role development, nursing research, health care systems, foundational and advanced principles of nurse anesthesia. Clinical rotations of five to seven weeks complete the requirements of the program and provide eligibility for certification.
Accreditation
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (AANA/CANAEP)
Contact Information
200 High Service Avenue North Providence, RI, 02904 (401) 456-3638
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
College of Nursing
What began as Rhode Island’s Agricultural Experiment Station and agricultural school in 1888 has now evolved into a world-class Land, Sea and Urban Grant public research university. As such, URI has expanded on its original research mission to enhance lives in the state to encompass a broader base through national and worldwide exposure. The school offers research, scholarship and creative enterprise to 16,000 students through a choice of more than 80 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees across seven academic colleges. Opportunities for specialization in each field are available through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Human Science and Services, Nursing, Engineering, Environment and Life Sciences, and Pharmacy.
Master of Science in Nursing
Professional nurses are afforded opportunities in leadership positions through the University of Rhode Island’s College of Nursing Master of Science in Nursing program. Students can complete the degree program in either full- or part-time studies and begin in the fall or spring semester. Nursing specializations are available in a variety of areas. Each track consists of core nursing courses in nursing theory, research, health policy leadership and practice theories. Students must also become proficient in problem-solving techniques plus client-nurse structure. The syllabus provides a strong knowledge base for primary health care nursing in the following specialties: Administration – Combined coursework through the College of Nursing and College of Business Administration provide a broad knowledge base for this concentration track. A total of 41 credits are required in nursing practice concepts and theories, nursing leadership, research and administration. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Emphasis on providing exceptional care to acutely ill patients and families as a primary provider. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources provide partial funding for this program. Core courses incorporate nursing theory, leadership, role development, research and primary health care. Clinical Specialist in Gerontology – This field of study prepares professional nurses for advanced practice in primary care to older patients and families. Graduates of this program are qualified for a career in hospitals, private practice, clinics or other health care facilities. The curriculum requires 46 semester hours of core nursing courses and primary health care. Family Nurse Practitioner – The main focus of the FNP curriculum is to provide primary health care to individuals of all ages in various primary care environments. Role development, nursing theory, research and practice are key components of the 43-credit program. Nursing Education – Professional nurses are trained to become educators of future nurses in higher education institutions, health care community/client educator or staff development professional in health care agencies or human resources departments. Diversification opportunities are available through this concentration. A practicum experience is a requirement for graduation.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Contact Information
White Hall 39 Butterfield Road Kingston, RI 02881 (401) 874-2766
As the health care industry changes, it is more vital than ever to prepare personnel for the rigors of patient care. Master’s in Nursing degree programs in Rhode Island are meeting those challenges and giving nursing students useful skills to excel in the industry.
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