URI, RIC propose joint nursing building

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI/AP) - Two state schools have proposed building and sharing a new $60 million nursing school to help address the state's nursing shortage , while also saving some money.

The University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College both have strong nursing programs and say they need new facilities on their campuses.

The schools say that building the proposed 121,000-square foot facility near Rhode Island and Women & Infants hospitals in Providence would save taxpayer money and allow both programs to admit more students.

The Providence Journal reports that URI and RIC would maintain their own seperate nursing programs .

Should the project be approved by the General Assembly, a bond question will be presented to voters in November. Construction for the new facility could begin in 2012.