Top LPN Programs in New Hampshire

Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

There are a variety of nursing programs in New Hampshire for licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

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Many students choose this path because it’s one of the fastest ways to pursue a career in nursing. Most LPN program graduates are able to find a job immediately after they obtain their licensure, which they can accomplish just after they complete the required schooling. In New Hampshire, LPNs typically attend school for just a year or two before moving into the workforce.

If you wish, you can return to school for a registered nurse (RN) degree while you’re working as an LPN. You may also wish to pursue a specialty, which often commands a higher salary in New Hampshire. The top LPN programs in New Hampshire offer classroom instruction with coursework that suitably prepares nurses for their future careers. These schools also provide practical work experience to help round out your training as an LPN.

  • The average LPN program in New Hampshire takes just 1 to 2 years to complete.
  • LPNs in New Hampshire average $29.80 per hour and an additional $9,375 in overtime each year.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth rate is much higher than average at 9% for LPNs in New Hampshire.
  • Nurses in Portsmouth, NH, typically earn the highest salary in the country at $44.32 per hour.
  • Manchester offers the most educational opportunities and job opportunities for LPNs in NH.

Overview of LPN Schools in New Hampshire

There are seven schools with approved LPN courses spread across the state of New Hampshire. Each school has unique programs and training options, though the coursework is often similar. Some programs offer opportunities for LPN licensure before continuing your education to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing, which is required for registered nurse (RN) licensure.

Though the programs differ, the curriculum for each school is similar and usually includes both classroom study as well as practical application in labs and clinical settings.

LPN program topics include:

  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Nursing Clinicals
  • Nursing Pharmacology
  • Nursing Ethics

LPN Accreditation

Completion of an accredited nursing program is required for LPN licensure. The national nursing organization for accreditation is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the regional organization for accreditation is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE). While both types of accreditation are ideal, your school must have at least one. You should also choose a program that’s approved by the New Hampshire Board of Examiners for Nursing.

LPN Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements often vary, so contact the program coordinator for detailed requirements. However, minimum guidelines usually include:

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
  • Entrance examination
  • Interview
  • Background check

LPN Tuition & Costs

Tuition rates vary within New Hampshire, but these costs are often an important consideration when choosing an LPN program. Check with your school for the most up-to-date tuition rates and fee schedules. As an example, tuition for May at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing costs a total of $17,176.99. This includes fees, but room and board, books, and other supplies are an additional expense.

For students who qualify, financial aid options are often available. You may apply for federal grants, student loans, or scholarships at most schools in New Hampshire.

LPN Licensing Requirements in New Hampshire

An LPN program is often the fastest route to a nursing career in New Hampshire. These programs usually take just 1 to 2 years to complete, and you can obtain your licensure upon course completion.

Checklist to become a New Hampshire LPN:

1. Complete an accredited New Hampshire LPN program with both classroom instruction and practical applications.

2. Submit the application and supporting documents for licensure with the New Hampshire Board of Examiners for Nursing.

3. Attend CPR training and receive your CPR certification card.

4. Schedule and pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

You must renew your license every two years and complete 400 working hours and 30 continuing education hours within two years of your application date.

NCLEX-PN Exam

As an LPN in New Hampshire, you must pass the NCLEX-PN Exam to obtain licensure. YOu can schedule this through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). There are four main sections on the exam:

  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
  • Psychosocial Integrity
  • Physiological Integrity

LPN Reciprocity

If you’re moving to New Hampshire from another U.S. state and want to obtain LPN licensure in NH, you must submit the following documents:

Foreign educated nurses may submit the following documents for licensure:

LPN Salaries in New Hampshire

LPNs in New Hampshire average a salary of $29.80 per hour, which is much higher than the national average salary of $20.17 per hour.

These are the major metropolitan areas in New Hampshire and the average salaries of LPNs in these areas:

  • Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($61,160)
  • Dover-Durham, NH-ME ($57,000)
  • Manchester, NH ($57,100)
  • Portsmouth, NH-ME ($59,680)
  • Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area ($56,060)
  • Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area ($55,840)
  • West Central-Southwest New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area ($54,220)

Source: https://www.bls.gov/

While salaries vary from one metropolitan area to the next, there are other factors that also affect the average salary of an LPN in NH. Many hospitals and surgical centers pay LPNs a higher salary than physician’s offices or clinics. LPNs with a specialty may also earn higher compensation. Experienced LPNs typically earn a higher salary than newly licensed LPNs, and those who work less desirable shifts (night shift or weekend shift) may receive additional compensation.

Job Outlook for LPNs in New Hampshire

In the United States as a whole, LPNs are in high demand. That’s also true in New Hampshire. The BLS anticipates a 9 percent job growth rate over the next decade. As healthcare needs continue to increase, the demand for LPNs continues to grow. As a result, employers often provide benefits and incentives for qualified LPNs. These include flexible schedules, higher salaries, sign-on and performance bonuses, educational opportunities, and more.

Once you become an LPN, you may enjoy the career and wish to pursue licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Many employers provide educational support for employees who choose this option. You might also take additional coursework for specializations such as midwifery or pediatric nursing.

An LPN program opens the gateway to a long-term nursing career. As an LPN, you can earn a higher than average salary, experience many job benefits, and transition into similar careers with employer support. It’s a wonderful career opportunity for interested nursing students.

Top LPN Schools in New Hampshire

Great Bay Community College
Department of Nursing
320 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH 03801
(603) 427-7680

Great Bay Community College offers over 50 degree programs and certificates. They have an award-winning Center for Academic Planning and Support to help students transition into the workforce after program completion.

NHTI-Concord’s Community College
Department of Nursing
31 College Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-7168

Founded in 1965, NHTI has over 80 academic programs. The school is accredited and located in Concord, New Hampshire.

River Valley Community College
Department of Nursing
1 College Place
Claremont, NH 03743
(603) 542-7744 ext. 5427

River Valley Community College was founded over 50 years ago and is a small, rural community college located in Claremont, New Hampshire. The school strives to provide quality education at an affordable price.

Rivier University
Department of Nursing/Health Sciences
420 Main Street
Nashua, NH 03060-5086
(603) 888-1311, ext. 8530

Located in Nashua, Rivier University is a four-year Catholic institution that was founded in 1933. The campus covers 68 acres, and the school has a variety of programs and a diverse student body.

St. Joseph School of Nursing
5 Woodward Avenue
Nashua, NH 03060
Phone: (603) 594-2567

St. Joseph School of Nursing is an accredited institution located in Nashua, NH. The LPN to ASN program takes just one year to complete and takes place over the course of three semesters.

White Mountain Community College
Department of Nursing
2020 Riverside Drive
Berlin, NH 03570
(603) 342-3028

White Mountain Community College offers day, evening, and online class options for many of its programs. Students include high school students, recent high school graduates, adult students pursuing a new career, and those upgrading their skills.

Harmony Health Care Institute
10 Al Paul Lane, Suite 204
Merrimack, NH 03054
(603) 886-0822

Founded in 2006, Harmony Health Care Institute is a post-secondary career institution with accreditation in New Hampshire. Its programs are designed with adult learners in mind.

Additional Resources

The New Hampshire Board of Nursing

The New Hampshire Board of Nursing has a mission to safeguard life, health, and the public welfare of the people of New Hampshire and to protect them from unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing. The organization provides licensure, guidance, and oversight for nursing professionals in NH.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit, independent organization with membership of nursing boards from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The NCSBN is responsible for creating, maintaining, and administering the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN examinations.