2022 - Best Nursing Schools in New Hampshire

Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) is a non-profit community college in Laconia. It was originally known as “the Tech College” and “the College on the Hill” way back 1967. In the present, LRCC continues to become one of the educationally and technologically advanced educational institutions in the region. In fact, it received an accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), an agency formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing - This Associate Degree in Nursing Program prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) and for their roles as registered nurses. Students are fully-equipped for holistic, scientifically-based and technically-competent nursing care provision. With a total of 70 credits needed to graduate, this program is designed for two-year completion with 36 credits in the first year and 34 in the second year. Graduates are conferred an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing and are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. This program received an approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) and an accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Nursing-Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) - This LPN program is offered in partnership between LRCC and River Valley Community College. This is designed for a one-year completion.  Classroom learning is reinforced by simulation activities conducted in the laboratory. Program completers are expected to be fully-equipped for a fast-paced healthcare environment. Moreover, upon completion, students can pursue an associate degree in nursing through LRCC’s LPN to RN track.

University of New Hampshire is located in Durham, New Hampshire.  UNH offers a BSN program.  Their nursing department has a simulation laboratory that offers its students a clinical experience; the sim lab has mannequins, task trainers and other clinical equipment.  Nursing students who excel and maintain a high GPA are considered "honors in major" students and graduate with Honors in Nursing on their diploma.

Colby-Sawyer College is a private liberal arts and sciences educational institution in New London. This independent college was founded in 1837 and presently holds an accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The college has a student to faculty ratio of 8:1. Moreover, its nursing programs under the School of Nursing & Health Sciences have approvals and accreditations from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Hampshire Board of Nursing, and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

BS with a Major in Nursing - Students in this program will gain hands-on experiences from the college’s nursing simulation labs and at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Being a comprehensive program, coursework not only includes nursing education but with liberal arts and sciences as well.  Program graduates are prepared for well-rounded patient-care provision.

Accelerated BS in Nursing - Individuals with baccalaureate or graduate degrees in fields other than nursing can obtain a BSN degree through this accelerated program. This ABSN program builds on the student’s undergraduate courses. The curriculum is taught in a student-centered approach. Moreover, clinical placements will be at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health.

RN to BS in Nursing Online - Associate- and diploma-prepared nurses can obtain their BSN degree in as few as 16 months through this RN to BSN program. Coursework is delivered completely online in the duration of 8 weeks. Up to 90 credits out of the required 120 credits can be transferred for completion.

Master of Science in Nursing - This MSN program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs seeking advanced nursing roles. Depending on the student's goals and interests, they can choose from any of these tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Education, and Nursing Management and Executive Leadership. Coursework delivery is through an online asynchronous format.

Nursing Post-Master’s Certificate Program - Master’s-prepared nurses can acquire other specialized skills that have not been offered in their MSN degree through this Post-Master’s Certificate Program. With completely online coursework delivery, this certificate program equips students for certification for their respective tracks. The certificate tracks are similar to that of the MSN program: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Education, and Nursing Management & Executive Leadership.

Located in Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a Catholic, liberal arts educational institution. It was founded in 1889 by the Order of Saint Benedict in New Hampshire. Its Nursing department places emphasis on hands-on experiences through nursing labs activities prior to actual patient care in clinical settings. In terms of clinical experiences, these are conducted in various settings including clinics, hospitals and schools. With a student to instructor clinical ratio of 8:1 or less, individualized attention is ensured. Its Department of Nursing is a member of the National League for Nursing and the American Association of Colleges and Nursing. It is also approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. Meanwhile, its baccalaureate in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing - Students seeking a baccalaureate degree in nursing at Saint Anselm College can do so through the four-year pre-licensure program or the hybrid post-licensure RN to BSN program. The latter is designed for registered nurses. A humanistic approach to patient care is emphasized in the curriculum, made possible through the foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. In terms of hands-on experiences, students will begin their clinical rotations in the sophomore year. Aside from clinical experiences and preceptorships, students also gain access to the latest simulation technology. Program completion leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

Manchester Community College is located in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Their nursing program has a variety of options - there is both full-time and part-time ADN programs.  There is also a practical nursing program and an LPN to RN program, which is a hybrid program, meaning that it utilizes both online and on-campus courses.

NHTI - Concord's Community College is located in Concord, New Hampshire.  They offer an ADN degree (generic) and an LPN to RN option.  They also offer an RN to BSN Public Pathway (with Granite State College) and an RN to BSN Pathway with Saint Anselm College; both pathways allow ADN graduates to complete their third year towards a BSN degree at NHTI before transferring to their chosen school to complete the program.

Great Bay Community College is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  GBCC offers an associate degree RN program.  Their program is unique in that it allows students to earn certification for licensed nursing assistant (LNA) after Nursing I course and to take the NCLEX-PN to earn their LPN after the Nursing III course.