Practical nursing (LPN) training ยท Providence, RI
LPN Programs in Providence, RI
LPN programs in Providence's surrounding communities include public college, adult technical school and private campus options. Compare seven programs in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, then check prerequisites, clinical schedules and the license requirements for the state where you plan to work.
Public Rhode Island optionCCRI: Warwick campus, day courses
Certificate lengthNEIT: 15 months
Licensing examNCLEX-PN, plus state application requirements
Approval status to reviewDiman: Approval with Warning, July 8, 2026
Practical nursing programs around Providence
Compare campus locations, course lengths and published tuition before planning your week. The check line names Massachusetts board approval or the ACEN accreditation source used for a Rhode Island listing.
ACEN: Accredited, no stipulation; directory updated July 31, 2026, checked October 27, 2026. RIDOH reports a 90.00% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2025. Fall 2026 applications ran May 1-31; ask about the next cycle.
Fall start: October 5, 2026. ACEN: Accredited, no stipulation; directory updated July 31, 2026, checked October 27, 2026. RIDOH 2025 first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate: 100.00%. Annual tuition is not the full certificate price.
Board: Full Approval, July 8, 2026 roster; checked October 27, 2026. School publishes 207 Hart Street, while the board roster still gives 940 County Street. ACEN candidacy is not accreditation.
Board: Approval with Warning, July 8, 2026; checked October 27, 2026. Now housed in Bristol Community College's B Building, with Diman retaining oversight. Applications listed for 2027-2028; some evening clinicals may be required.
Board: Full Approval, July 8, 2026 roster; checked October 27, 2026. Next day start: September 2027. The school FAQ lists a September 2026-June 2028 evening cohort. Expenses page and catalog agree on tuition but differ on books; request current itemized charges.
Board: Full Approval, July 8, 2026 roster; checked October 27, 2026. School says Class of 2028 is full and applications are open for Class of 2029. Confirm that class's start date and residency rate.
Diman Regional Technical Institute School of Practical Nursing Fall River, MA
Diman's adult nursing curriculum combines classroom lessons, laboratory practice, simulation and supervised patient care, with an emphasis on older adults.
Rhode Island requires qualifying practical nursing education, a state application and examination. Read Rhode Island's nursing rules before choosing a cross-border campus.
2
Check the approval record
Read the Massachusetts board roster for Massachusetts schools. Diman has Approval with Warning; the board says graduates of programs with that status remain eligible for NCLEX.
3
Finish school admission requirements
Admission tests differ. CCRI uses HESI A2; Southeastern requires specified TEAS scores, transcripts, references and an interview.
4
Plan for clinical attendance
Classes are only part of your schedule. NEIT assigns clinical placements that may include weekends, mornings or evenings; arrange transportation before accepting a seat.
5
Complete licensure and testing
After graduation, follow the application instructions for your licensing state and take the NCLEX-PN. RIDOH links the Rhode Island RN/LPN application; graduation alone does not grant a nursing license.
LPN employment and wages in the Providence metro
BLS reported 2,540 employed licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metropolitan area in May 2025. The median wage was $37.98 an hour, with a published annual median of $78,990. These are the latest figures available in the BLS OEWS metro table for occupation 29-2061.
The estimates cover workers across experience levels. They do not describe the starting pay of a particular school's graduates or promise a job. When you review an offer, compare the shift, weekly hours, benefits and patient-care responsibilities as well as the hourly rate.
LPN tuition and ways to pay
Bristol-Plymouth lists 2027-2028 day tuition of $8,000 in district, $9,000 out of district and $10,000 out of state. Diman's 2026-2027 sheet lists $11,600, $18,000 and $19,400 for those residency groups. These are tuition figures, so request a written list of additional charges.
For eligible programs, complete the FAFSA and ask about Pell Grants. NEIT describes its federal aid options and veterans benefits. Bristol-Plymouth says it does not participate in federal student aid, but offers a payment plan and recognizes GI Bill benefits. Before paying a deposit, ask an American Job Center/DLT Career Center about WIOA eligibility and the program's training-list status. If you already work in healthcare, ask your employer about tuition reimbursement and any work commitment.
The listed schedules vary. CCRI's catalog lays out two semesters and a summer session, with prerequisites before that sequence. Lincoln Tech publishes approximately 52 weeks for days or 90 weeks for evenings. Your own timeline also depends on admission timing and whether you have already completed the required courses.
Can I attend an evening practical nursing program?
Yes. Bristol-Plymouth lists a September 2027 evening start with an 80-week schedule. Blackstone Valley offers a 60-week evening program that also includes weekend clinicals. Ask for the full clinical calendar, since an evening class schedule may still require time away from work or other commitments.
What does Diman's Approval with Warning mean?
The Massachusetts nursing board uses this status when a program has not shown ongoing compliance with its regulations. The program must correct the identified problems within the board's timeframe. Diman received that status on July 8, 2026. The board says graduates of programs with Approval with Warning remain eligible to take NCLEX.
Is a practical nursing diploma the same as an LPN license?
No. A diploma or certificate records your education. Rhode Island's licensing rules also require a license application, supporting credentials, a criminal records review and examination for the usual first-license route. Choose the state where you intend to practice, then check that state's current instructions before arranging your test and submitting documents.
Does every local LPN school accept federal financial aid?
No. Bristol-Plymouth's tuition page says the program does not participate in federal student aid or MassEducate/MassReconnect. It offers an interest-free tuition payment plan and lists GI Bill approval. Other schools have different arrangements, so confirm eligibility for your exact practical nursing program before counting on a grant, loan or veterans payment.