Olivia Chen, NP
June 26, 2025
New Hampshire’s nursing education offerings feature comprehensive pathways for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners aiming to advance their careers. Whether you’re earning your first credential as a CNA, transitioning from RN to BSN, seeking LPN licensure, or preparing for NP practice, the state’s colleges and health systems combine rigorous classroom instruction with extensive clinical experiences. With opportunities for practicums at regional medical centers and community health settings, alongside flexible online coursework, New Hampshire’s nursing programs equip graduates with the skills, credentials, and competitive compensation required to excel in a variety of healthcare environments.
Claremont, NH - Public 2-Year - rivervalley.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
River Valley Community College offers an Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN-RN) program, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. With affordable in-state tuition of $21,000, the program features low faculty-to-student ratios, hybrid learning, and clinical placements at top hospitals. Accredited by ACEN, it includes pathways for LPNs and requires a TEAS test score of 66.0 or higher for admission. The program boasts high NCLEX-RN pass rates, with 97.96% in 2024.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
River Valley Community College in NH offers an Accelerated ASN-RN Program, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career in nursing. This hybrid program combines classroom learning with clinical experiences, designed for those seeking a fast-track to nursing. Admission requires a high school chemistry background, NH Nursing Assistant licensure, and passing the ATI TEAS. The program emphasizes hands-on training in diverse healthcare settings, ensuring graduates are ready for immediate employment. With a focus on holistic care, students learn to meet the health needs of individuals and communities. The curriculum is accredited by ACEN, ensuring quality education.
Concentration: LPN to RN - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
River Valley Community College's LPN to RN Bridge Program is designed for LPNs seeking to advance their careers. This hybrid program combines online and in-person learning, offering flexibility. With affordable in-state tuition at $21,000, it's a cost-effective path to becoming an RN. The program requires a TEAS score of 66.0 or higher for admission. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, with RVCC boasting high pass rates. Clinical placements enhance hands-on learning, making graduates ready for the healthcare field.
New London, NH - Private 4-year - colby-sawyer.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Colby-Sawyer College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, recognized for its quality and high standards by state and national accreditation agencies. This immersive program combines clinical work at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with hands-on learning in state-of-the-art campus facilities. Students benefit from small class sizes, close faculty relationships, and a well-rounded liberal arts education. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and fully approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, ensuring graduates are prepared for successful nursing careers.
Manchester, NH - Private 4-year - anselm.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that stands out for its excellence and selectivity in New England. This program blends liberal arts with a comprehensive nursing curriculum, focusing on critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and effective communication. Students gain hands-on experience through simulation technology and clinical placements at top regional hospitals. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and diverse healthcare settings. The program boasts a 99% NCLEX pass rate for the Class of 2024 and is ranked #133 in BSN programs by U.S. News and World Report. It's accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ensuring high-quality education.
Berlin, NH - Public 2-Year - wmcc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
White Mountains Community College in NH offers an ACEN-accredited Nursing program designed for aspiring RNs. This two-year Associate in Science degree combines classroom learning, simulation lab practice, and clinical experiences. Students must achieve a C+ in major courses and pass clinical practicums. Admission requires a 60% on the ATI TEAS test, completed science courses within five years, and two professional references. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and offers flexible full-time or part-time completion. LPNs can transfer into the second semester with certain requirements.
Plymouth, NH - Public 4-Year - plymouth.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Plymouth State University's Nursing (BS) program prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare, emphasizing patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the program requires a B- or higher in all nursing courses and a pass in clinical components. With a focus on holistic care, graduates are ready for diverse roles in emergency, mental health, pediatrics, and more. The curriculum includes microbiology, pharmacology, and clinical experiences across healthcare settings. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA and strong science background. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and have a 100% employment rate post-graduation.
Concentration: RN-BSN - Campus Based - Visit Website
Plymouth State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with an RN-BSN concentration, designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their education. This program emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, and quality health care systems. It requires a minimum grade of B- in all nursing courses and a pass in clinical components. The curriculum includes courses in pharmacology, health assessment, and global health, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ensuring high-quality education for aspiring nursing professionals.
New Hampshire’s CNA programs generally span six to twelve weeks, blending classroom lessons on safety protocols, infection prevention, and patient observation with hands‑on practicums. Students hone abilities in mobility assistance, personal care, and vital‑sign monitoring, all under professional guidance. After certification, graduates serve as essential support staff in hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers. Their contributions help ensure consistent, compassionate care across the state.
New Hampshire’s RN to BSN pathways weave comprehensive online learning, covering clinical leadership, population health, healthcare informatics and policy, with hands-on rotations in both urban medical centers and rural health clinics. Available in part-time and accelerated tracks, these bridge programs let registered nurses juggle work commitments while advancing their education. Earning a BSN strengthens analytical and care-coordination skills, meets employer and accreditation benchmarks for degree-prepared nurses, and unlocks roles in specialty certification, management and community health initiatives. By pursuing these programs, New Hampshire’s nursing workforce becomes better equipped to serve diverse patient populations across the Granite State.
New Hampshire’s Nurse Practitioner programs elevate BSN-prepared nurses through specialized graduate study and hands-on clinical residencies, often completed in two to four years, in fields such as family practice, pediatric health, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered via on-campus cohorts, blended-learning models, and fully online tracks at institutions like the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth Health, these MSN and DNP pathways guide candidates toward APRN credentialing and New Hampshire licensure. Graduates emerge ready to serve as primary care clinicians, chronic disease managers, and telehealth providers in Manchester and Portsmouth medical centers, rural community health clinics, and northern-woodlands practices. By broadening the pool of expert practitioners and extending advanced care into underserved regions, NP programs are essential to fortifying New Hampshire’s healthcare landscape.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Still common in rural towns, BSN strongly preferred by hospitals statewide |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in New Hampshire |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses strongly preferred, especially in large systems |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: LPN to RN - Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: RN-BSN - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website