The Practical nursing program at the Community College of Rhode Island at the Knight campus located in Warwick, Rhode Island, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000 https://www.acenursing.org/
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
Please Note:
At this time, graduates of the Community College of Rhode Island's Practical Nursing Program are not permitted to take the NCLEX-PN licensure examination in Massachusetts, by order of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (MABON), nor will MABON allow CCRI Practical Nursing graduates to obtain licensure in another state and then apply for a Massachusetts license by endorsement/reciprocity. This is subject to change.
Students who complete the Practical Nursing course of study receive a diploma and are eligible to take the examination for licensure as a Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Students who complete first semester classes of the Practical Nurse program are eligible to take the examination to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Applicants may earn credits before applying for diploma status, but they must consult with the Office of Enrollment Services. Courses may be taken at the Community College of Rhode Island or at any other accredited college.
Technical Standards: The physical activity (strength) level for a licensed practical nurse (075.374-017) is classified as “medium” by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. CCRI Technical Standards are located in the "For Students" tab under Nursing Links on the Nursing website.
Note: Some courses require prerequisites, co-requisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.
Important:
All admission requirements must be completed satisfactorily before an applicant can be offered acceptance into the Practical Nursing program. At the time of admission, the student must meet the current admission requirements of the program. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must reapply to the program and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted into the Practical Nursing program, the student must attend an orientation conducted by the Nursing Department.
General Policies
See important general policies in the beginning of this section regarding the Performance-Based Health Sciences (PBHS) application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.
Minimum Requirements to Apply for the Practical Nursing Program
- CCRI Application for Enrollment in General Studies with a pre-practical nursing concentration
- Official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, or baccalaureate transcript from an accredited institution, including date of graduation or completion
- If applicable, submit a copy of current CNA licensure to the Office of Enrollment Services. Additional admission points will be granted for current CNA licensure.
- ACCUPLACER test issued by CCRI’s Advising Center
- Reading Comprehension Requirement: one of the following three options is required for admission
- Score of 90 or above in Classic Accuplacer or
- Score of 259 or above in Next Generation Accuplacer or
- Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002), with a grade of B- or better or
- Integrated Critical Reading and Writing (ENGL 0950) with a grade of B- or better.
- Mathematics Requirement: one of the following three options is required for admission
- Score of 65 or above in Classic Accuplacer Math (Arithmetic); Score of 80 or above in Classic Accuplacer Math (Arithmetic) effective 2022 or
- Score of 255 in Next Generation Accuplacer Math (Arithmetic) or
- Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100), with a grade of B- or better (Entry point into Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) is Developmental Mathematics Emporium (MATH 0095))
- Note: All attempts at Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0100) (or Early Foundations of College Mathematics (MATH 0099) prior to January 1, 2018), including transfers, are considered one attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirements within two attempts, the student must wait five years from the most recent attempt to retake the course.
- HESI A² Test: Score of 70 percent or better on each section. If a student does not achieve at least a 70 percent on one or more of the HESI A² tests, he or she may retake the necessary test(s) once within the next 12 months. Students are limited to two attempts within the 12-month period from the date the original test was taken. A minimum of two weeks between exams is required. Please note: HESI test scores do not expire.
- Complete the following prerequisite course: Composition I (ENGL 1010), with a grade of C or better
Note: This course is limited to two attempts. All attempts prior to Jan 1, 2015, including transfers, are considered one attempt regardless of the number of times the class was taken. If a student fails to meet the satisfactory grade requirement within two attempts, the student must wait five years from the most recent attempt to retake the course.
- A minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required to apply to the program and must be maintained while enrolled in the Practical Nursing program.
All above requirements must be met satisfactorily before submission of the PBHS application and do not guarantee acceptance. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester must resubmit a PBHS application for the program and meet current requirements.
- Complete and submit an online PBHS application at www.ccri.edu/oes/admissions/performancebasedapplications.html Deadlines are listed on the form.
- Conditionally accepted students are required to complete the following:
- When notified by the Office of Enrollment Services, submit a background check through CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified. Results of BCI may prevent admission due to clinical agencies’ requirements.
- Submit all required health records to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified. Health records must include COVID-19 vaccine documentation or completed and approved RIDOH Medical Exemption form.
- If applicable, submit a copy of active CNA license to CastleBranch.com by the deadline identified.
- Final acceptance is based upon completion of the above criteria by the deadlines identified in the conditional acceptance notification.
Program Requirements
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for graduation and the awarding of a Practical Nursing diploma.
- Students must maintain a passing status in the theoretical and clinical components of each Practical Nursing course. Effective September 2022, the passing grade will be 77/C+. In the event that a student fails either the theory or the clinical component of a required Practical Nursing course, the course must be repeated in its entirety. Nursing courses are graded using a department-specific grading policy which is posted in the Nursing Student Policy Manual.
- Human Biology (BIOL 1070), is required in Semester 1 of the Practical Nursing program. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in the course. If the required benchmark for this course is not achieved, student may not progress in the program. Students are limited to two attempts. Note: The requirement of Human Biology (BIOL 1070) will be waived if the student has taken both Human Anatomy (BIOL 1010) and Human Physiology (BIOL 1020) or Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201) and Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2202) and received a grade of C or better in both of them.
- Note: BIOL 1020 (Human Physiology) grade is valid for five years and Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201)/Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIOL 2202) grades are valid for six years.
Reinstatement
- Reinstatement to the Practical Nursing program is based on space availability. Priority is given to students in good academic standing at the time of withdrawal. Students returning to the Practical Nursing program must be approved by the Scholastic Standing Committee and may be required to repeat previously done course work and/or complete additional course work.
- A student is eligible to repeat only one non-clinical Nursing course, with the exception of dropping/failing both Nursing non-clinical courses simultaneously during Semester 1 (NURS 1015P and NURS 1061P). If only one non-clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during Semester 1, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
- A student is eligible to repeat only one clinical Nursing course. If one clinical Nursing course is dropped/failed during any semester, that single class will be considered their one and only repeat attempt.
- A student requesting to repeat a Nursing course must meet the current admissions criteria.
Suggested Course Progression1
Suggested course progression reflects full-time status with a minimum of 12 credits for the first two semesters. Students in the Practical Nursing program are required to take only 11 credits in their final semester.
Transfer
If you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree, please meet with an Academic Advisor who can help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.
If you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island, check out the Joint Admissions Agreement. Transfer information, events and articulations can be found on the Transfer Center website.
