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New Hampshire Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide contains important information on the many nursing programs available in New Hampshire. The state’s colleges and universities offer both bachelor’s and master’s in nursing programs with concentrations in nursing education, family nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. In addition to traditional, on-campus nursing programs, students also have the option of choosing an exclusively online nursing program. Online programs can provide flexibility and convenience for students who want to earn an undergraduate or a graduate degree in nursing.

    Quick Facts

    • 17 schools with nursing programs in New Hampshire are in our database (see below).
    • 9 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 9 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 5 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
    • No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in New Hampshire

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

    • St. Anselm College

    Following you will find more in-depth information about the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s in nursing programs available in New Hampshire.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in New Hampshire

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit New Hampshire nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/new-hampshire-board-nursing).

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Colby-Sawyer CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A100%N/A$25,462
    Franklin Pierce UniversityNoYesYesACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$28,363
    Granite State CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$12,473
    Great Bay Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A100%N/A$15,255
    Keene State CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A62.5%N/A$19,608
    Lakes Region Community CollegeYesNoNoNoN/AN/A93.75%N/A$13,923
    Manchester Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A92%N/A$13,423
    Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-ManchesterNoYesYesNoN/AN/A92.65%N/AN/A
    Nashua Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$11,942
    NHTI, Concord’s Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%N/A95.35%N/A$15,833
    Plymouth State UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A95%N/A$21,473
    River Valley Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A92.31%N/A$18,660
    Rivier UniversityYesYesYesACEN100%N/A95.29%N/A$26,633
    Southern New Hampshire UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$34,256
    St. Anselm CollegeNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A100%N/A$31,316
    St. Joseph School of NursingNoYesNoACENN/AN/A72.86%N/A$25,993
    University of New Hampshire (BSN)NoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A93.22%N/A$21,995
    University of New Hampshire (MSN)NoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A95.24%N/A$21,995
    White Mountain Community CollegeYesNoNoNoN/AN/AN/AN/A$13,247

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in New Hampshire with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Manchester Community College
    Manchester Community College (MCC) offers an associate’s degree in nursing that can be pursued through full or part-time study. Advanced placement is available for licensed practical nurses. As part of the curriculum students complete simulation labs and clinical experiences, which may take place during day, evening, and weekend hours. Clinical hours are completed concurrently with classroom components, integrating academic learning with real-world practice. MCC also maintains partnerships with four-year schools that can allow students to more easily transition into a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The associate degree nursing program at MCC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and holds approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

    NHTI, Concord’s Community College
    NHTI, Concord’s Community College, also known simply as NHTI, awards the Associate of Science in Nursing to students who complete its 71-credit hour nursing program. The degree can be completed on a generic track for first-time nursing students or an LPN to RN completion track for those who are currently licensed practical nurses. Admission is competitive and is based on factors such as the student’s grades in prerequisite courses, submission of professional references, and score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. Courses in the program include Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, and Human Growth and Development. NHTI has transfer pathways towards an RN to BSN degree in cooperation with Granite State College and Saint Anselm College. NHTI also offers a legal nurse consultant certificate program that is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    Plymouth State University
    Plymouth State University’s four-year, 120 credit Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The nursing curriculum follows a sequence with students going through the program as a cohort. Students are permitted to complete prerequisite coursework part-time but must take classes on a full-time basis when entering the nursing major. Nursing courses cover professional issues, teamwork, and collaborative care, nursing leadership, health and wellness of older adults, and introduction to general psychology. Clinical practicums are mandatory and nursing majors may have to travel outside of Plymouth to clinical sites. Applications are due February 1 annually.

    University of New Hampshire
    The University of New Hampshire awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year program. Nursing curriculum includes core nursing coursework, electives, labs, and practicums that provide students with valuable real-world experience. Beginning the sophomore year, nursing students will take such courses as diseases and drugs, clinical integration, health assessment and nursing fundamentals, child health nursing, and clinical judgment in complex illnesses. Students who maintain a 3.75 GPA in nursing courses are eligible to take nursing honors courses. Current registered nurses, who already hold an associate’s degree in nursing, may want to opt for the RN to BSN program.

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    Rivier University
    Graduate students pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Rivier University may choose from one of several tracks, including nursing education, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and leadership in health management systems. The nursing education track and the leadership track require 36 credits while the family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner tracks consist of 43 credits. In addition to core track courses, graduate students must complete clinical practicums at local healthcare facilities. The program generally takes two years to complete on a full-time basis.

    Franklin Pierce University
    Franklin Pierce University confers the Master of Science in Nursing Education and the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership. The program generally takes two years to complete, with students taking two classes at a time, on a full-time basis. Part-time study is permitted. Students can fulfill degree requirements in a hybrid format with online classes and in the classroom at the Manchester, Lebanon, and Portsmouth campuses. The nursing department also features an RN to MSN program and a separate MSN program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    Southern New Hampshire University
    2500 N River Rd
    Hooksett, NH 03106
    (800) 668-1249
    https://www.snhu.edu/

    Student Review: “The Nursing program at Southern New Hampshire University was exceptional, there were several hands-on learning opportunities that definitely prepare you for a career in your chosen field. The professors are amazing, and the classrooms are great environmentally. However, the academic faculty of the Nursing program are not the greatest. Advisors are not familiar with the subject of Nursing, and many of them haven’t even majored in Nursing, so it makes seeking advice extremely difficult. Other than that one slight issue, Nursing at Southern New Hampshire University is an overall excellent experience, and I would wholly recommend it to potential nurse students or other considering a career in Nursing.” – Student at Southern New Hampshire University
    stars-3

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. New Hampshire Board of Nursing: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/new-hampshire-board-nursing