The New Hampshire Board of Nursing offers several solutions for people who want to work in healthcare.
You can learn how to become a Registered Nurse in New Hampshire in about two to four years and can start out as an LPN in less than a year.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Registered Nurse in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Board of Nursing requires all levels of nurses to have a license.
This includes people who start as an LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant).
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), Advanced Practical Registered Nurses (APRNs), and others are also governed by the New Hampshire Board.
An RN can achieve a license by examination, endorsement, education, or reciprocity.
If you choose to transfer a license from another state, you’ll have to verify your experience.
The same is true if you decide to apply by “comparable education.”
This means you need to verify that the RV training you received is acceptable.
The Board will need to approve it before licensing and registering you in New Hampshire.
5 Registered Nurse Schools in New Hampshire
Important Note: Make sure you thoroughly examine the curriculum before signing up for classes.
This includes both the online ones and the ones that you’d attend in person.
If you’re not sure what training qualifies, contact The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification or the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON).
You also can request information from employers.
Former students and current RN employees also may help you choose the right training if they’re current on their licenses.
1. Harmony Health Care Institute
Harmony Health Care Institute has a New Hampshire campus that can start you off as an LPN.
This would be an excellent starting point if you’re just starting out in the healthcare field.
You can gain experience as a nursing assistant or an LPN before becoming an RN.
Harmony HealthCare Institute can help you do that.
It has a program that has received the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) credential.
2. Colby Sawyer College
Colby Sawyer Department of Nursing has made the list of possible academic choices approved by The Board.
Its School of Nursing & Health Sciences offers a transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.
You can also earn a BSN or MSN in nursing, which would prepare you for advanced practitioner roles, such as an APRN.
3. Franklin Pierce University
Franklin Pierce University offers the chance to achieve your BSN if you already have experience as an RN.
You also can achieve a Master of Science in Nursing and obtain a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education.
Program and curriculum availability could change, but these opportunities continue year after year.
You’ll find Franklin Pierce on the list of colleges that offer board-approved BSN education programs.
4. Keene State College
You can enroll in the Keen State College Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program if you have RN experience.
The NH Board accepts this educational track as approved training, and it prepares you not only for nursing but for increased confidence in leadership.
Your training here will also give you the authority you need once you graduate.
After completing the BSN program, you’ll improve your ability to make sound decisions.
This instruction will also provide you with more skills you can use when you direct your nursing staff.
5. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
This school offers a range of healthcare undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
You can enroll in both traditional and accelerated learning paths.
You’ll also have the chance to participate in immersive clinical experiences at healthcare institutions that may employ you someday.
Registered Nurse Schools in New Hampshire – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in New Hampshire
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Harmony Health Care Institute | 10 Al Paul Ln #204, Merrimack, NH 03054 |
| Colby Sawyer College | 541 Main St, New London, NH 03257 |
| Franklin Pierce University | 40 University Dr, Rindge, NH 03461 |
| Keene State College | 229 Main St. Keene, New Hampshire 03435 |
| Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 179 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115 |
Salary
A new Registered Nurse graduate in New Hampshire can make an average annual income of $67,729 as of September 26, 2022.
Your yearly salary may range from $60,756 to $77,427, depending on your work location and experience.
Earning advanced credentials, such as if you become an APRN, could push your earnings up to $86,257 or more per year.
You probably can find jobs in your location but could start searching in Bedford, Concord, Laconia, or Lebanon.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in New Hampshire
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Manchester | $68,140 |
| Nashua | $71,990 |
| Concord | $68,530 |
| Derry | $69,980 |
| Rochester | $67,720 |
| Salem | $70,920 |
| Dover | $68,000 |
| Merrimack | $71,990 |
| Londonderry | $71,990 |
| Hudson | $71,990 |
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 1,170 | $87,550 | $42.09 | $108,150 | $66,090 |
| Manchester, NH | 3,100 | $86,860 | $41.76 | $107,650 | $66,620 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 1,810 | $90,220 | $43.38 | $109,930 | $68,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does registered nurse training take in NH?
It takes a minimum of two years because you need an associate degree.
However, you can start gaining experience as an LPN or LNA if you don’t want to wait until you graduate.
In fact, you need to have some healthcare work experience to pass your NCLEX exam anyway.
What does an RN do that’s different from an LPN?
An RN has more authority over what medications and treatments to administer.
They also take on more of a supervisory role than an LPN, unless an LPN seeks further training in management.
An RN also may have more direct communication with a physician on duty when discussing patient statuses and possible solutions.
Do you have to have experience to become an RN in NH?
You should at least enter the healthcare field as soon as possible.
For instance, you can become a nursing assistant in probably a few months or less.
You can train to become an LPN in about a year or less.
This all prepares you for the next level, which is to become an RN or a specialty nurse (ex: pediatric nurse or orthopedic nurse).
How much does the RN licensing cost?
Fees do change, but they currently are $200 for the NCLEX exam if you apply for a license by examination.
The state licensing/registration for RNs costs $148.00.
This figure represents what the state and NCLEX have reported by 2022.
How much does RN training cost?
In New Hampshire, the cost varies.
For associate programs, you might only pay $5,000-$10,000 per year at a community college.
It may be at least $5,000 more or double the amount at a university, but you usually can find schools that offer you financial aid.
