The Top New Hampshire Nursing Schools and Programs

In 2020, over 96% of New Hampshire nursing students passed the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt. This figure shows that nursing schools in New Hampshire provide quality, career-focused education. Coupled with high average salaries and strong projected job growth, New Hampshire offers nurses many opportunities for success.

Read on to learn how to become a nurse in New Hampshire and explore some of the state’s best nursing programs.

This section introduces some of the best schools and nursing programs in New Hampshire. These programs give prospective and current nurses the skills they need to excel in their profession.

Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in New Hampshire, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

There are many aspects to consider as you explore nursing programs. To make the selection process easier, identify the factors that are most important to you before beginning your search. For example, you may be interested in pursuing a certain specialty, or you want to graduate within a particular timeline.

Some features to explore include tuition rates, program length and structure, and potential financial aid opportunities. A program’s NCLEX pass rates may tell you a lot about students’ success in the workforce. You should also limit your search to accredited nursing programs in New Hampshire.

Prospective nurses seeking a quality education need look no further than New Hampshire. In 2020, the state boasted the nation’s highest NCLEX-RN pass rate, with over 96% of students passing the exam on their first attempt.

New Hampshire also participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). As a nursing compact state, New Hampshire has agreed to a set of standards all licensed nurses must follow. Nurses who are licensed to practice in an NLC state may obtain licensure by endorsement in other NLC states with minimal paperwork.

Nurses with an NLC license can also provide telehealth care to patients across state lines.

Concerning average annual salary, New Hampshire ranks anywhere from 11th to 23rd depending upon a nurse’s role. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), certified nursing assistants earn $34,500, licensed practical nurses earn $56,400, registered nurses (RNs) earn $75,970, and nurse practitioners earn $112,460 annually. Learn more about RN salaries in New Hampshire.

Employment projections for registered nurses estimate a 12.7% job growth rate from 2018 to 2028, slightly higher than the national rate.

The following table identifies New Hampshire’s highest paying metropolitan areas. These three cities are situated in the state’s southeast corner near the Atlantic coast, with Portsmouth located along the shore.

Prospective New Hampshire nurses must complete a program approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN exam after graduation. Candidates may then apply for state licensure.

After gaining professional experience, licensed RNs may complete an approved graduate program and seek advanced practice nurse practitioner (APRN) licensure.

Both RNs and APRNs must satisfy continuing education requirements to maintain their license and continue working as a nurse in the state.

New Hampshire participates in the NLC. Nurses who are licensed in nursing compact states can practice in other NLC states without seeking new licensure. Currently, only eight states have not approved legislation to join the list of nursing compact states (Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Washington). Five states have legislation pending (California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island).

After earning an ADN or a BSN, graduates submit their fingerprints and send an authorization form for a criminal background check. Applicants also complete a form to verify that they are a New Hampshire resident, and ask their nursing school to submit their final transcripts to the stated board. This entire process can take up to eight weeks.

New Hampshire’s Department of Education’s student resources include financial aid opportunities. Organizations like the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation can help students apply for funding.

RNs who want to renew their license must have accumulated 400 hours of experience within four years and have completed 30 hours of continuing education within two years of the application date.

APRNs seeking renewal should meet all of the requirements for renewing their RN license. They must also finish 30 hours of continuing education. Five of the renewal hours must be in pharmacology, and three of those five hours should relate to opioid prescribing, pain management, or substance abuse.