Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQs will be updated as information becomes available, so please check back on a regular basis.

School of Nursing & Health Sciences FAQs

What majors are offered in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences?

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers two new undergraduate programs — a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. PC’s existing Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Management is also offered through the school. Other future undergraduate and graduate health-related degree programs will be explored.

Why has PC expanded its academic offerings?

Providence College has a long history of educating students for future medical and healthcare professions. From its earliest days, its graduates have gone on to health-related careers, education, and research. College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G, has noted that both nursing and health sciences are a natural fit with the college’s commitment to the liberal arts. Both require the study of science and the mastery of critical thinking skills. Both also are springboards to other careers in the healthcare industry at a time when, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of healthcare workers in Rhode Island and the United States has reached a critical level.

Can School of Nursing and Health Sciences students study abroad or participate in internships?

Students will have opportunities to share their talents within the local community through service-learning initiatives and the option to experience global perspectives in healthcare while studying abroad. Currently students studying health policy and management can study abroad in one of more than 20 HPM-endorsed programs in Europe, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. With the addition of the nursing and health sciences majors, the school has partnered with the Center for Global Education to enhance our catalog of offerings. The programs under development, including programs in London and Puerto Rico, provide opportunities for students to experience cultural immersion and language learning through a nursing and health sciences lens. They are also shorter than the traditional semester-long programs to accommodate curricular scheduling challenges, particularly for nursing students.

Nursing Program FAQs

Why study nursing at Providence College?

Nursing is more than a career — it’s a calling. Grounded in Providence College’s Catholic and Dominican tradition, PC’s nursing program will provide a holistic approach to healthcare education. Whether students decide to immediately enter the field or pursue advanced nursing degrees, they will learn to be compassionate healers who positively impact patients and communities. With demand for qualified nurses at all-time highs nationwide, and a burgeoning healthcare scene in Rhode Island, there’s no better time (or place) to answer the call.

Can students transfer into the Nursing program from another institution?

Due to the unique nature of the new curriculum, the Nursing program will not accept transfer students at this time. Since the health policy and management program is an existing program at PC, a limited number of transfer students will be accepted.

What courses are offered in the Nursing program?

PC’s rigorous core curriculum is designed to give students a broad range of experiences — and the same will be true for nursing students. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will combine natural and social science coursework with hands-on clinical experiences to prepare graduates to navigate the complex world of nursing. For more detailed information about course offerings visit the Nursing Major Detail page.

Is the Nursing program approved?

Yes. Providence College, including the nursing program, is accredited through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Additionally, the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education granted initial approval for the program on September 12, 2022. Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduates will be qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse. The College will also apply for an additional level of national recognition and accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in Fall 2026 which will assure national accreditation status prior to the first class of nursing students graduating. This national accreditation will facilitate the admission of our Nursing graduates into graduate programs and also enhance their promotions to leadership roles in nursing and health care.

What is a clinical training opportunity?

Clinical experiences are a core component of PC’s nursing program. Students will participate in supervised real world and simulated healthcare environments to master clinical competencies and put what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice.

What clinical sites will be used in the Nursing program?

Clinical instruction will take place in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, community-based clinics, and long-term and acute-care facilities. PC has commitments for clinical placements for nursing students at leading healthcare providers in Providence and beyond.

When I graduate from the Nursing program, am I officially a nurse?

Upon successful completion of the Nursing program, graduates will be eligible to enter professional nursing practice as a registered nurse after earning a successful score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Are there additional fees for the Nursing program?

Yes. For convenience, we have condensed separate or miscellaneous fees and items to be purchased throughout the curriculum into one comprehensive program fee paid each semester. There is no mark-up made by the College or program on any of the items comprising the program fees. Our intention is that a consolidated fee for each program will eliminate the need for students to track down and pay for materials and resources they would otherwise need to purchase on their own. For nursing majors, there is a program fee of $675 per semester. This fee covers essential resources such as an iPad complete with specific pre-loaded software, plus multi-year access to essential study modules, test prep, and practice tutorials for the NCLEX exam. Also included in the program fee are items such as, NCLEX exam registration, scrubs, a lab coat, and required medical equipment such as a stethoscope. The iPad will be the property and responsibility of the student. It is not meant to take the place of a personal laptop or desktop computer, rather it provides a technologically compatible device for required coursework. This College issued iPad, ensures a consistent student academic experience and allows for managed app deployment, updates, and technical support for each device. We are committed to making your education as affordable as possible and therefore the program fees described above will be applied when determining your total financial aid needs. Please note that the Nursing program fee does not include the lab fees which will be assessed separately for each science lab course in the curriculum.

Health Sciences Program FAQs

Why study health sciences at Providence College?

Providence College’s interdisciplinary approach to health sciences stands apart. PC’s rich liberal arts core and Catholic and Dominican tradition will prepare students for careers in a wide range of fields related to health, wellness, and healthcare. The flexible curriculum (e.g., lots of electives for customization) will allow students to satisfy necessary pre-requisites for future graduate study in nursing, physical therapy, speech pathology, laboratory technicians, occupational therapy, dietetics, and other clinical and non-clinical careers. Regardless of the role students choose in the healthcare system, PC’s health sciences students will graduate prepared to deliver healthcare with empathy and compassion.

What is the study of health sciences?

Health sciences is a diverse area of study involving a variety of disciplines that contribute to the science and practice of health across the lifespan. Health sciences provides an applied and interdisciplinary science-based experience that includes the study and application of human anatomical and biological systems, natural sciences, public health and health promotion, population science and epidemiology, basic statistics, and interactive technologies.

What courses are offered in the Health Sciences program?

The health sciences program includes the study and application of promoting and maintaining human health. Rigorous coursework will combine a strong STEM foundation with interdisciplinary learning that centers on courses, laboratories, mentored research, and professional internship experiences. In addition to the same liberal arts core of all PC majors, sample courses include anatomy and physiology, biology in health and disease, chemistry for the health professions, careers in health sciences, equity in healthcare, global health, senior internship, and capstone preceptorship.rnrnFor more detailed information visit the u003ca href=u0022https://health-sciences.providence.edu/about-the-health-sciences-major/u0022u003eAbout Health Sciences Majoru003c/au003e page.

Are there additional fees for the Health Sciences program?

Health Sciences majors will have a first-year program fee of $850, which covers the cost of the College-issued iPad and required software. This technology will be embedded into certain courses and assignments of the Health Sciences curriculum to enhance the learning experience and academic progress. The iPad will be the property and responsibility of the student. It is not meant to take the place of a personal laptop or desktop computer, rather it provides a technologically compatible device for required coursework. This College issued iPad ensures a consistent student academic experience and allows for managed app deployment, updates, and technical support for each device. We are committed to making your education as affordable as possible and therefore the program fees described above will be applied when determining your total financial aid needs. Please note that the Health Sciences program fee does not include the Lab Fees which will be assessed separately for each science lab course in the curriculum.

Health Policy and Management FAQs

Why study health policy and management at Providence College?

For more than three decades, PC’s Health Policy and Management (HPM) program has prepared students for challenging careers in the healthcare industry and has provided a strong foundation for graduate study. Today, HPM is one of PC’s most popular areas of study, with approximately 175 declared majors. HPM’s growing popularity at PC will be further enhanced by the program’s migration to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. By providing students with endless opportunities for academic, clinical, and educational collaboration and career exploration, PC will develop future leaders who will navigate the complexities of the healthcare system with competence and compassion.

Do HPM students do research?

Yes. The department offers a variety of research opportunities designed to strengthen student research and writing skills. These include research seminars, research assistantships, independent studies, and guided research courses. HPM students present their research at academic conferences and publish their results.

Will HPM and Health Sciences students have an opportunity to gain professional field experience?

In addition to required coursework, the HPM major requires a structured field experience during the senior year so that students may apply the concepts and skills learned in the classroom to real-world settings. This internship offers students meaningful opportunities to link theory with practice, learn from practitioners, and practice professional skills. It also allows for the exploration of potential careers and the development of valuable networking opportunities prior to graduation.