More residents than ever are seeking health care in New Hampshire, causing the need for qualified nurses to grow. The New Hampshire Employment Security, Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau projects that the state will need about 19 percent more registered nurses in 2025 than it had in 2012.
If you've thought about becoming a nurse or want to further your education to become an advanced practice nurse, you can find more information about the field and corresponding requirements in the following guide.
- Top Nursing Schools in New Hampshire
- Search Nursing Schools
- State Licensing Requirements
- Nursing by the Numbers
- Resources & Associations
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Top Nursing Schools in New Hampshire
Methodology +
BEST 4-YEAR NURSING SCHOOLS
The top nursing programs listed in this state's ranking were determined by comparison of three primary, equally-weighted criteria including
- Student-to-faculty ration
- In-state tuition
- Graduation rate
Additional details for each school were included:
- Count of programs available
- Public and not-for-profit schools
- Normalized on a 100 percent curve
The methodology used for tie-break is as follows...
- Ties are broken based on lowest average net price for full-time, first-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition (average cost of tuition and expenses after grants and scholarships).
- If necessary, the lowest in-state tuition rate is used as a second tie-break
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University of New HampshireLocation
Durham, NH
Graduation Rate76%
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Saint Anselm CollegeLocation
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate75%
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Keene State CollegeLocation
Keene, NH
Graduation Rate62%
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Plymouth State UniversityLocation
Plymouth, NH
Graduation Rate58%
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Granite State CollegeLocation
Concord, NH
Graduation Rate14%
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Franklin Pierce UniversityLocation
Rindge, NH
Graduation Rate46%
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Rivier UniversityLocation
Nashua, NH
Graduation Rate51%
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Colby-Sawyer CollegeLocation
New London, NH
Graduation Rate50%
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Southern New Hampshire UniversityLocation
Manchester, NH
Graduation Rate50%
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Lakes Region Community CollegeLocation
Laconia, NH
Graduation Rate27%
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River Valley Community CollegeLocation
Claremont, NH
Graduation Rate19%
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Nashua Community CollegeLocation
Nashua, NH
Graduation Rate23%
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White Mountains Community CollegeLocation
Berlin, NH
Graduation Rate48%
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Great Bay Community CollegeLocation
Portsmouth, NH
Graduation Rate13%
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Saint Joseph School of NursingLocation
Nashua, NH
Graduation Rate50%
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NHTI-Concord's Community CollegeLocation
Concord, NH
Graduation Rate22%
Locating Nursing Schools in New Hampshire
In order to legally practice as a nurse in New Hampshire, or any other state, professionals must have an active state license. The New Hampshire Board of Nursing monitors and approves nursing education programs to ensure each licensee has successfully completed an accredited education and training program that includes both clinical experiences and classroom time. Admission to these nursing schools can be competitive.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing schools in New Hampshire enrolled more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 2014, and produced 329 graduates across all degree levels. The search tool below can help prospective New Hampshire students locate a school to meet personal and professional needs.
How to Obtain a Nursing License in NH
Aspiring nurses in New Hampshire must follow the guidelines of the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON) to earn a license and practice in the state. Advanced practice nurses are held to additional requirements that include earning an advanced degree. Below is a list of the requirements for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses as well as how and when to renew a license.
Requirements
New Hampshire is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. As a result, if your primary state of residence is New Hampshire, you may apply for a multi-state license that is valid in all 25 states in the NLC. If New Hampshire (or another NLC state) is not your primary state of residence, you can apply for a single-state New Hampshire nursing license, which is valid only in New Hampshire. The licensure process includes:
- Submitting an application for licensure and paying the initial application by examination fee of $120. Those submitting an application by endorsement are subject to the same $120 fee.
- Completing a Board-recognized nursing program and requesting that official transcripts be sent directly to the Board of Nursing
- Applying with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN exam and paying the required fee. Those who hold a current license in another state may apply for reciprocity by submitting written verification or online verification through Nursys
- Completing a criminal background check, which includes FBI fingerprinting, no more than six months prior to completing all licensing requirements
NH License Renewal
New Hampshire nursing licenses need to be renewed every two years, before midnight of the nurse's birthday. Reminders are sent about six weeks prior to the expiration date, so it's important to keep contact information up-to-date with the Board of Nursing. Registered nurses need to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education during each two-year license cycle and 400 hours of active practice every four years. Those without the active practice time can supplement with a board-approved refresher program or take the NCLEX exam.
Requirements for Advanced Practice Licensure in NH
Advanced practice nurses work in specialized settings as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, acute care nurses, pediatric nurses, and similar specialty fields. In addition to RN licensing requirements, APRNs must also take the following steps:
- Complete and submit proof of a graduate degree or higher in the advance practice area where you're seeking licensure
- Earn certification from the specialty's national organization
- Pay the licensing fee
You can find more information about advanced practice licensing and renewal at the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
Nursing Stats in New Hampshire: RNs & APRNs
The increasing need for nurses in New Hampshire is on target with the national average, as is the average salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's expected that some 500 job openings will be up for grabs each year from 2012 to 2025. And APRNs in specialty areas, such as midwives and nurse practitioners, can expect an even greater demand for services. Below, find out more about the salary and employment outlook for nurses in New Hampshire.
Top-Paying Areas for RNs in New Hampshire
| Area | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Western New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $33.74 | $70,170 |
| Manchester | $32.15 | $66,870 |
| Portsmouth NH-ME | $30.88 | $64,220 |
| Other New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $30.10 | $62,620 |
| Nashua NH-MA NECTA Division | $29.94 | $62,270 |
| Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $28.59 | $59,460 |
| Rochester-Dover NH-ME | $28.45 | $59,170 |
| Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $27.46 | $57,110 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
New Hampshire vs. National Numbers
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Resources for NH Nurses
Home Care Association of New Hampshire
The Home Care Association of New Hampshire is a nonprofit membership organization aiming to improve the quality of care provided by home health care agencies. Its members work with families and other health care providers to educate the public and connect families to community agencies.
New Hampshire Board of Nursing
The New Hampshire Board of Nursing is responsible for licensing nurses in the state and ensuring that anyone practicing has necessary continuing education and training to ensure the safety of the general public.
New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association
This non-profit professional advocacy group strives to improve patient access to quality health care services. It provides an arena for advanced practice nurses to network locally, nationally and internationally.
New Hampshire Nurses Association
In cooperation with the American Nurses Association, the New Hampshire Nurses Association offers education, advocacy and support for its membership.
New Hampshire Online Licensing
Nurses and other health care professionals can renew their licenses online using New Hampshire Online Licensing provided by the New Hampshire state government.