Salve Regina University is a private institution in Newport, Rhode Island. The Sisters of Mercy founded the university in 1934 and the first students were admitted in 1947. The first class contained 58 students. For the 2017 school year, the university admitted close to 3,000 students. Salve Regina University is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and became coeducational in 1973. However, women still comprise 70% of the student body. The campus includes 21 historic buildings located on 7 Gilded Age estates. In 2002, the university received a grant to develop a heritage preservation plan to help preserve the historic buildings.
Salve Regina University offers traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN programs. All three programs are accredited by the CCNE. The RN to BSN program offers flexible scheduling and a hybrid learning experience, making it easier for registered nurses to earn their BSN. The courses include online and on-campus learning. The DNP program also uses a hybrid format and two separate tracks – a standard DNP program and a BSN to DNP pathway. The traditional BSN program includes a combination of classroom instruction and clinical placements at local hospitals and healthcare facilities. After completing the BSN program, students should be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.