Frequently Asked Questions

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers three undergraduate degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Management. Other future undergraduate and graduate health-related degree programs will be explored.

Students have opportunities to share their talents within the local community through service-learning initiatives and to gain global perspectives on health and healthcare through study abroad and other global learning experiences.

Health Sciences and Health Policy and Management majors can study abroad through more than 20 HSC-endorsed programs across Europe, Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Nursing students have the opportunity to pursue full-semester study abroad in London, England, and Sydney, Australia, designed to complement their academic and clinical training. Students across the School of Nursing and Health Sciences can also participate in short-term study away programs that provide immersive experiences without the commitment of a full semester abroad.

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.

Admission is only offered to prospective students applying for first-year admission as a full-time undergraduate day school student. If you are not admitted to the Nursing major, you will not have the opportunity to pursue a nursing degree as an undergraduate student at Providence College. Also, due to the limited number of spaces in the Nursing program, students admitted to Providence College as undeclared majors are not eligible to switch into the 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.

Providence College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program received initial approval from the Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education on September 12, 2022.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Providence College is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program successfully completed its initial accreditation site visit in February 2026 and anticipates receiving an accreditation decision from CCNE in fall 2026. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

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.

Nursing students gain clinical experience in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community-based clinics, and long-term and acute-care facilities. Providence College partners with leading healthcare organizations throughout Rhode Island and the region to provide students with diverse clinical learning experiences across a range of specialties and care settings.

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).

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. The program fee for nursing students entering in the Class of 2031 is to be determined. The 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.

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.

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.

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. For more detailed information visit the About Health Sciences Major page.

No. Due to the limited number of spaces in the Nursing program, Health Science students are not eligible to switch into the program.

Health Sciences majors entering in the Class of 2031 will have a first-year program fee that has yet to be determined. The fee 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.

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.

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.

Health Policy and Management majors complete a structured field experience during their senior year, applying knowledge and skills from the classroom in a professional setting. Through this internship, students gain hands-on experience, learn from professionals in the field, explore potential career paths, and build professional skills and networks before graduation..