Best New Hampshire Online RN to BSN Nursing Schools

RN to BSN in New Hampshire

New Hampshire online RN to BSN nursing programs offer an affordable option for nurses to earn a higher degree and advance their careers. The state of New Hampshire is one of the smallest states. However, it still has a significant need for nurses, and other healthcare professionals as Boston expands into Southern New Hampshire.

Nursing programs in NH are rising to meet the demand, especially by introducing top-quality online RN to BSN programs that provide both flexible and convenient opportunities for New Hampshire’s current working nurses. With most hospitals and other healthcare centers adopting the BSN as the standard for RNs, it’s becoming more critical than ever for New Hampshire nursing professionals to consider earning their BSN, especially with an affordable online BSN program.

Methodology: Ranking the Best Online Nursing Programs in NH

TopRNtoBSN surveyed the colleges and universities in the Granite State that provide a fully online or low-residency hybrid RN to BSN or BSN completion program to rank the best New Hampshire nursing online programs. We used three criteria to determine rank:

Cost (IPEDS data)
Reputation (Niche student reviews)
Hiring Rate (IPEDS data)

Of course, New Hampshire has fewer colleges and universities than neighboring states with its small size. Currently, only seven nursing programs in NH offer an online or hybrid RN to BSN degree program.

1. Colby-Sawyer College – New London

Students can complete one of Colby-Sawyer’s online RN to BS programs in as little as sixteen months. The online courses are available in twelve or fifteen-week semesters. Furthermore, the tuition is lower than most other online nursing programs. The program is entirely online, but you’ll have the option to meet with faculty and other students on campus. This New Hampshire nursing program includes advanced nursing courses that focus on public health and safety, leadership, and also evidence-based practice.

Colby-Sawyer has been recognized for excellence in nursing education for over 30 years and has accreditation from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The school offers advanced nursing degrees, including an MSN program. So, your BS in nursing can be the first step to advancing your nursing career to an even higher level. In addition, employees of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and affiliated hospitals save 10% on the tuition for this New Hampshire nursing program.

Format: Online
Program Accreditation: N/A (regionally accredited)
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

2. Saint Anselm College – Manchester

Saint Anselm College’s hybrid-online RN to BSN program offers flexible eight-week schedules that enable nurses who already hold an associate’s degree to earn their BSN in as little as 15 months. Students can attend part-time to continue working during enrollment. Saint Anselm offers one of the most affordable nursing programs in NH, with tuition of just $300 per credit. Saint Anselm’s nursing professors are active practitioners and scholars who participate in research projects in areas ranging from women’s family health and pediatrics to breast cancer and cardiology.

The nursing program at Saint Anselm College offers nurses a chance to gain hands-on experience through partnerships with over 40 hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts, including Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH. With these partnerships, students gain various experiences while pursuing their degrees. This New Hampshire nursing program is CCNE accredited and is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Format: hybrid-online
Program Accreditation: N/A (regionally accredited)
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

3. Southern New Hampshire University – Manchester

Southern New Hampshire University’s online RN to BSN program is one of the best nursing programs in NH. This program prepares working nurses for the next step in their careers. Furthermore, the SNHU program works around busy nurses’ schedules and prepares students to face the challenges they encounter in their nursing careers. Core competencies include evidence-based care, prevention of disease, and using technology effectively. SNHU offers affordable tuition rates and also the convenience of an online program with 24/7 access. In addition, students who complete this NH nursing program can apply to further their education through the school’s online Accelerated RN to MSN program, which offers three tracks from which to choose.

Southern New Hampshire is more than just a New Hampshire nursing program; SNHU’s mission is to transform students’ lives all over the world, which it has been doing for 80 years. The school prides itself on using new technologies to help students keep up with the latest tools and meet current professional requirements. The school was named Most Innovative University in the North in 2017 and received the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology, awarded by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). In addition, SNHU’s nursing program is CCNE accredited.

Format: online
Program Accreditation: N/A (regionally accredited)
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

4. Granite State College – Concord

Granite State College’s RN to BSN program offers hybrid and online options to help nurses qualify for new opportunities. The program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Therefore, applicants must have an associate degree or diploma in nursing. In addition, Granite State College has a partnership with the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) that allows graduates of CCSNH nursing programs in NH who enroll in the RN to BSN to pay the CCSNH tuition rate for the RN to BSN program.

The BSN degree at Granite State College is CCNE-accredited. Additionally, the school is also pursuing accreditation for the master’s program. The school focuses on providing access to higher education to adult students. The school offers online and on-campus opportunities for nursing students and awards credit for prior learning to make it easier for adult learners to continue advancing their education. This NH nursing program is overseen by a Nursing Program Advisory Board comprised of a dozen individuals with a variety of nursing and teaching experience.

Format: Hybrid and Online
Program Accreditation: CCNE
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

5. Rivier University – Nashua

Rivier University’s online RN to BSN nursing program allows students to advance their nursing careers. However, they don’t have the inconvenience of a traditional on-campus nursing program. So, as more hospitals require their nursing staff to possess a bachelor’s degree, working nurses can benefit from the flexibility of an online nursing program to earn their degrees and remain relevant in the nursing field. Also, students who have an active RN license get transfer credit for their nursing experience. Thus, they can graduate faster. Graduates of this New Hampshire nursing program work as pediatric nurses, medical-surgical floor nurses, and also oncology nurses.

Rivier University’s nursing programs have accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Rivier’s faculty members have real-world experience and can answer questions and help students in any way they can. The program stands out from other nursing programs in NH because of its strong Roman Catholic heritage and commitment to Christian and Catholic values.

Format: online
Program Accreditation: ACEN
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

6. Franklin Pierce University – Rindge

Franklin Pierce University’s online RN to BS in Nursing program for adult learners is for RNs who already have a diploma or associate’s degree. The program is flexible and can accommodate busy work schedules. This convenience allows students to pursue higher education without sacrificing income or status from their existing jobs. Franklin Pierce offers nursing programs in NH for professional licenses, certificates, training, and other relevant experience. This NH nursing program is ACEN accredited. In addition, students can attend part-time or full-time. With online learning, students can personalize a program to work for them.

The mission at Franklin Pierce University is to foster academic success for their students by combining a solid foundation in liberal arts with professional programs. The school’s faculty works to create an environment that encourages curiosity and experiential learning. The RN to BS program seeks to prepare RNs to take on leadership positions as caring and competent nurses. The Department of Nursing at Franklin Pierce aims to encourage a love of life-long learning and discovery while helping New Hampshire nursing students reach their full potential.

Format: Online
Program Accreditation: ACEN
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

7. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – Manchester, NH

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences online RN to BSN is entirely online. However, students must attend an initial on-campus orientation. The school’s main campus is located in Boston, but there is also a campus in Manchester, NH. The RN to BSN program builds on the student’s existing knowledge and skills and offers many nursing practice opportunities. The online-only classes allow students to continue working full-time while working toward their BSN degrees. This New Hampshire nursing program provides training on professional role development, health assessment, and also healthcare technology. These classes prepare students to achieve success and advance their nursing careers.

The School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited. Furthermore, it provides students with the evidence-based skills they need to deliver compassionate, science-based healthcare. Students work with world-class professors, physicians, and also other healthcare professionals in this NH nursing program. These experiences give them the skills they need to care for the physical, emotional, intellectual, and also spiritual needs of their patients.

Format: online — initial on-campus orientation otherwise, all online
Program Accreditation: CCNE
Cost: $$$$$

Visit the program

15 Best Online RN to BSN Programs in MA

What Do I Need to Apply for an RN to BSN Program in New Hampshire?

Obtaining advanced nursing education in New Hampshire is now easier than ever. Many institutions of higher learning are adding online RN to BSN programs to their academic calendars. Additionally, many of the online programs are affordable. The New Hampshire Nurses Association (NHNA) now encourages hiring candidates with a BSN. Therefore, a BSN is an essential competitive attribute. Most importantly, earning a BSN helps nurses provide superior care for their patients.

First, applicants must have an Associate of Science in Nursing or its equivalent. Additionally, they must be registered nurses to apply for an RN to BSN program. After earning a BSN and obtaining an RN License with the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, the student can secure employment as a nurse. Work opens the door for an opportunity to advance their career with an RN to BSN program.

Students may need to verify their RN License to apply for an RN to BSN program in New Hampshire. But, the New Hampshire nursing license verification process is pretty straightforward. Like the NH nursing license renewal, students make a formal request for verification. However, there is also a fee for the New Hampshire nursing license verification service. Additionally, students will also pay for the NH nursing license renewal should they need it.

What Are the Most Common Prerequisites for an Online Bachelor in Nursing in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, you can become a registered nurse with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) at the minimum. However, only a select number of colleges offer the ADN program, with Great Bay Community College Nursing being one. The New Hampshire Nurses Association (NHNA) encourages hiring applicants with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN is not mandatory, but it might be from the year 2020. In addition, many colleges and universities in NH are now offering an online bachelor’s in nursing.

Students looking to earn a bachelor’s in nursing should check perquisites. Be sure to look at RN to BSN prerequisites before applying for an online RN to BSN program. The most common RN to BSN prerequisites online in New Hampshire includes Fundamentals of Nursing, Chemistry, Drugs, and Diseases, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology General Psychology, and Developmental Psychology. Keep in mind that admission requirements vary from one college to the next.

Are There Any Accelerated Nursing Programs in New Hampshire?

Accelerated Nursing Programs allow students to earn a Nursing degree (BSN or MSN) quickly. Under an accelerated nursing program, the student reaches the BSN degree in 11-18 months. Whereas, traditional BSN programs take up to 8 semesters or four years to complete. Accelerated Nursing Programs are for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field. These programs are also called second-degree nursing programs or direct entry programs. To meet the high demand for RNs in the country, some colleges now offer accelerated nursing programs for MSN.

25 Best Accelerated BSN Program for Residential

In New Hampshire, the Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester and the University of New Hampshire School of Nursing in Durham offer accelerated nursing programs NH. The accelerated nursing programs cover profuse amounts of material in a limited time, including prerequisite courses. Clinical hours are required. Classes may be longer than traditional programs, and there are no breaks. Accelerated BSN and MSN programs are also available for entry-level non-nursing students. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in another major. But, the student can earn an RN License after passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

Related: