Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
We were at 5;000 feet headed direct to PVD.  We received a Traffic Alert.  ATC told us to turn right to a heading of 060; which I did.  Then we received the RA which first said 'Monitor Vertical Speed'.  The top of the IVSI turned red.  I clicked auto pilot off using the trim tab and held altitude and heading.  Then the RA said 'descend descend'.  I pushed forward and began the descent as ATC told us to climb to 5;500 feet.  TCAS said 'clear of conflict'.  The CA climbed to 5;500 feet on a heading of 060. As TCAS said 'clear of conflict' we saw a King Air pass from right to left in front of us in a climbing left bank.  It was tan with two stripes that appeared brown and navy blue. The N numbers appeared navy blue.  I then flew the rest of way to PVD and landed without incident.
A CRJ200 First Officer experiences a TCAS RA at 5;000 feet near PVD; initially showing red above and stating 'Monitor Vertical Speed'. Then the RA switched to 'descend descend' and as the First Officer began the descent; ATC issued a climb to 5;500 feet. The Captain takes control and climbs to 5;500 feet.