New Hampshire RN Requirements and Training Programs

Nurses make up the single largest health profession in the United States. They have also been identified as the most trusted professionals for 15 years running. Nurses spend hours at patients’ bedsides, supplying an extra pillow or cup of tea, listening to fears and offering emotional support when needed. Their responsive and compassionate care garners respect and trust, not only from patients but the population at large. When a doctor throws around medical terminology to keep patients in the dark, it is the nurse who breaks it down in terms that are easy to understand. Patients trust nurses with the most intimate of tasks and feel confident that they will likewise deliver complete truths as it relates to their health.

The associate’s degree in nursing program is designed to prepare adults for success on the licensure exam and to exhibit the qualities and habits that inspire trust. Graduates demonstrate legal, ethical and moral principles in line with the profession, use information technology to improve care, function as an essential part of the interdisciplinary team, deliver holistic nursing care for the promotion of health and prevention of disease and use data to monitor outcomes and improve methods of care delivery. With such a body of knowledge and accountability, its no wonder that patients turn to nurses when they’re sick or hurting. Patients’ trust increases when nurses supply solutions that go beyond those outlined in the patient care plan.

Nursing programs equip students with the technical competencies to function within various health care environments. Those who enjoy the most success are those who combine the technical with a human touch. Their commitment and compassion know no limit. They can capably fulfill the medical requirements but also provide the type of physical and emotional support that patients need when they’re most vulnerable. It is this type of support that inspires trust and makes nursing an in-demand profession.

New Hampshire Nursing Programs

Education Requirements

The associate’s degree in nursing program is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to provide patient care to patients in various health care facilities. The curriculum will include general education, science, and nursing courses delivered in the classroom, simulation lab, and clinical facilities. At the conclusion of the program, students will be prepared to take the NCLEX for licensure as a registered nurse.

ADN programs may be completed in a full-time or part-time basis. The classroom sessions run concurrently with the clinical requirements to reinforce the theoretical principles. Nursing courses may have prerequisites and must be completed in sequence. After completing 69 to 72 credits, students will be prepared to use their judgment and skills for safe and competent practice, use the nursing process to assist patients with the maintenance and promotion of health, work collaboratively with other health care professionals, and practice with the legal and ethical framework.

Licensed practical nurses who completed an accredited program to practice as an LPN may apply for advanced placement. Other health care professionals may be eligible through transfer credit and ATI testing. The science and liberal arts requirements may be completed before you attempt to enroll in the nursing program.

The associate degree in nursing provides a fast and convenient option to become a registered nurse. In New Hampshire, there is a current shortage of nurses to fill positions for in-home and long-term patient care. The program prepares students to fill these and other positions. However, to remain viable, graduates should continue their education to the baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) or higher. The ADN degree provides the foundational preparation for further studies to the BSN, MSN and beyond.

Eligibility Criteria

Nursing information sessions, available at most schools, will provide current information about the nursing program. Prospective students will need to attend a session as part of the application requirements. Dates and times for these sessions will be available on the school’s website.

Applicants must complete the college admission requirements and submit a completed application packet to the Department of Nursing. Since admission to nursing programs is usually very competitive, selection will be determined using a cumulative point system or similar criteria. College courses, ATI TEAS scores, and previous healthcare experience may be taken into consideration.

The list below outlines general admission requirements. For specific details, visit the school’s website.

  • Complete the program’s application packet.
  • Provide proof of completing high school or equivalent.
  • Proof official transcripts of college level courses if you plan to transfer credits.
  • Complete ATI TEAS V testing with the minimum scores or above.
  • Provide two professional references.

Conditional acceptance to the program will be confirmed after candidates provides satisfactory evidence of a current physical exam and immunizations, documentation of personal health insurance and professional liability insurance, BLS certification, and a satisfactory criminal background check and drug screen.

Duration and Cost

Flat rate tuition for full-time students offers the best value for money. The average cost of tuition at community colleges is $18,067 for New Hampshire residents. Additional expenses for books, supplies, uniform, and fee is an estimated $1024 per year. Scholarships, grants and federal aid will help reduce out-of-pocket costs.

New Hampshire RN Licensure Requirements

Licensing is mandatory to practice as a registered nurse in New Hampshire. No person may practice without a license issued by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing. The BON defines “practice” as the attendance or orientation or completion of non-director care activities.

As part of the licensure process, applicants must file an FBI fingerprint and criminal record release authorization forms with the NH Division of State Police. The Board must receive and review the report before issuing a license. The criminal record authorization forms are accessible online through the NH Board of Nursing website.

Submit the notarized authorization form with your fee and tracking number to the Concord Processing Center within 30 days of completing fingerprinting. Digital prints are valid for 30 days only and will be deleted after this period. Any paperwork submitted after the fingerprints have been deleted will be considered expired.

Licensure By Examination

Applications for licensure as a registered nurse may be submitted online. If using the paper application, make sure to print the forms on quality paper. Follow the application directions and provide answers to all the requested information. If the question does not apply, please write none or N/A. Incomplete applications will not be processed. All completed, signed forms are considered legal documents.

To apply for registration, complete the following:

  • Complete fingerprinting and criminal record authorization forms and request that the NH State Police send the reports directly to the NH Board of Nursing. The process can take up to 8 weeks. The Board will not move forward with the application process until it receives the background check report.
  • Complete the application for licensure by exam. Make sure to sign and date the application and answer all questions for the your application to be considered complete.
  • Enclose the non-refundable registration fee of $120 with your submission. Make check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire.
  • Attach a copy of your driver’s licensure to a completed Declaration of Primary State of Residency form.
  • Request an official copy of your transcript from the director of the nursing program. The transcript must be sent directly to the Board’s office electronically or via mail. The transcript must indicate the type of degree attained and graduation and conferral date.
  • Complete the application for a temporary license and enclose the application fee of $20.
  • Pre-register with Pearson Vue Testing Service to the take the licensure exam.

New Hampshire Board of Nursing may issue a temporary license to candidates seeking to take the NCLEX exam. The candidate must complete all the requirements to be eligible to the temporary license. The application may be submitted at the same time as the application for a permanent initial license application. Temporary licenses remain valid for 120 days from the date of issue as long as the exam application is valid. If the application expires, is purged, or the test results are processed, the license will become immediately invalid.

NCLEX-RN Registration: Register early for the exam at Pearson Vue online, www.pearsonvue.com/nclex, to avoid delays in the processing of your application. The registration fee is currently $200. When the Board has received your completed application, registration fee, transcripts, and criminal background report, it will notify Pearson Vue that you are eligible to test. Thereafter, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test via email to set up your test date. Follow the instructions carefully to your examination. The ID you present at the test site must match the name in Pearson Vue’s system or you will not be allowed to test. NLCEX test results are processed within 96 hours of the test date.

Check the Board’s website to check the status of application and any licenses issued, including the temporary license.

Licensure By Endorsement

If you’re licensed as a registered nurse in another US state or territory, you may apply for license by endorsement to practice in New Hampshire.

To apply for registration, complete the following:

  • Complete fingerprinting and criminal record authorization forms and request that the NH State Police send the reports directly to the NH Board of Nursing. The process can take up to 8 weeks. The Board will not move forward with the application process until it receives the background check report.
  • Complete the application for licensure by endorsement. Make sure to sign and date the application and answer all questions for the your application to be considered complete.
  • Enclose the non-refundable registration fee of $120 with your submission. Make check or money order payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire.
  • Attach a copy of your driver’s licensure to a completed Declaration of Primary State of Residency form.
  • Register with NURSYS and provide verification of your original nursing license. Paper verification is required for those states that do no participate in NURSYS, including Alabama, California, Louisiana, Kansas, Hawaii, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
  • Submit a copy of your school transcripts and course descriptions to the Board or verification that you worked in the US as a nurse for 200 hours in the past 2 years if you were educated in Canada and took the US NCLEX.

Endorsement candidates are only eligible for licensure by endorsement if they’ve completed a minimum of 400 hours within the previous 4 years prior to the date of the application or have successfully passed the NCLEX-RN exam within 2 years prior to the application. Candidates must also have completed 30 hours of continuing education hours if they have not passed the NCLEX-RN in the 2 years prior to the application.

Foreign Nurse Graduates

Internationally educated nurses must meet complete the following additional requirements to take the licensure exam:

  • Provide your social security number with the application.
  • Provide a certificate stating you passed an examination from a credentials evaluation service that is endorsed by the NCSBN.
  • Take a pass an English proficiency exam if you completed your schooling in any language other than English. Acceptable exams include TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
  • Provide proof of work experience. An official letter from your employer must be sent directly to the Board’s office. The letter should indicate dates of employment, job responsibilities, and total hours.

If you meet the above requirements, you should follow the guidelines for licensure for examination – outlined above – including submitting fingerprints for a background check, submitted a completed application and fee, and registering for the NCLEX.

Renewal Requirements

Registered nurses must renew their licenses every two years before midnight of her/his birthday. The Board of Nursing will mail out renewal reminders at least 6 weeks prior to the expiration date to the last address on file. Failure to update your address with the Board will affect your ability to receive the renewal reminder. You are held responsible for renewing your license on time even if you did not receive the renewal reminder.

Applications should be renewed online. The renewal postcard will contain instructions for completing the online renewal. If you are unable to access a computer, you may return the renewal postcard to the Board to request a paper renewal application.

The renewal fee is $80 and may be paid using a MasterCard or Visa for online licensing. If you were subject to a Continuing Education audit, you should download the form and return to the Board via postal mail or email.

Once your renewal has been processed, you can print verification of your license status through the online verification process. The Board will not issue a paper copy of your license.

If your address changes, you should complete the Change of Address form with the updated information and mail, email, or fax to the Board of Nursing. Make sure to include your name, license number, former address, and new address.

If you do not renew your license by midnight on your birth, your license will expire and a reinstatement fee will be applied if you wish to reinstate your license. Mail a completed reinstatement application, fee, and attest to meeting all the continuing competency requirements including the “active in practice” for the required hours. If you do not meet competency requirements, you must complete the re-entry process.

Continuing Education Requirements for New Hampshire RNs

Registered nurses must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education in the 2 years immediately preceding license application. Some activities eligible for continuing education include nursing education, research in health care, health care trends, issues and policies, completion of one or more credits in school, college, or university, and emergency preparedness/disaster preparedness.

New Hampshire Salary and Job Outlook

Like the rest of the nation, New Hampshire is facing an alarming shortage of registered nurses. While the shortage affects the health care system across the board, the senior care population remains the most affected. According to the New Hampshire Health Care Association, the shortage has reached a “crisis” stage. The shortage of nurses affects the quality of care and seniors are especially vulnerable.

New Hampshire’s population is aging and the nursing population is going right along with it. Statistics from the Board of Licensing and Regulatory Services reveal that more than 50 percent of all nurses in New Hampshire are between the ages of 50 and 69. More than two thirds are over 40. As more than 50 percent face retirement in the next decade, there will be a continuous need for new nurses to take their place.

Graduates of the associate’s degree program in New Hampshire have a better chance of employment within 3 to 6 months than graduates in other states where the shortage has less of an impact. The greatest needs are in the areas of long-term care and in-home care but hospitals are also feeling the effects of understaffed units. The availability of jobs is good news for those interested in the profession. However, since general interest in nursing has waned, there are fewer graduates each year leaving employers with no choice but to require staff members to work overtime to meet health care demands. The median wage for a registered nurse in New Hampshire was $68,600 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state recorded an average of 13,260 working nurses during that same period.

Contact the Board of Nursing
New Hampshire Board of Nursing

Physical Address:
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
121 South Fruit Street, Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2152

New Hampshire Registered Nursing Programs and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

Berlin, NH ADN programs:
White Mountains Community College
2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570
603-752-1113
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.86%

Claremont, NH ADN programs:
River Valley Community College
1 College Place, Claremont, NH 03743
603-542-7744
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.31%

Concord, NH ADN programs:
NHTI Concord’s Community College
31 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301
603-271-6484
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.35%

Laconia, NH ADN programs:
Lakes Region Community College
379 Belmont Road, Laconia, NH 03246
603-524-3207
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.75%

Manchester, NH ADN programs:
Manchester Community College
1066 Front Street, Manchester, NH 03102
603-206-8000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.0%

Nashua, NH ADN programs:
Nashua Community College
505 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03063
603-578-8900
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.95%

Rivier College
420 South Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060
1-800-44-Rivier
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.29%

St. Joseph School of Nursing
5 Woodward Avenue, Nashua, NH 03060
603-594-2567
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 72.86%

Portsmouth, NH ADN programs:
Great Bay Community College
320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-427-7600
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%