Nursing Programs in Manchester, NH

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Manchester, NH

The first step to begin a career as an RN is an entry-level training program that teaches the fundamentals of nursing practice and prepares students for the NCLEX certification exam. In the Manchester area, there are associate’s degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, as well as accelerated programs designed for experienced licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to expand their skills and become RNs. Whichever program you choose, these entry-level programs will prepare you for your first job as an RN.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are skilled at providing basic care to patients including feeding and dressing, taking vital signs and sanitizing patient rooms. Many LPNs use their experience as practical nurses as a jumping-off point to a career as an RN, which offers additional job opportunities and higher pay. LPN to RN bridge programs provide a pathway for experienced LPNs to earn their associate’s degree and prepare for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Manchester Community College allows LPNs to enter an accelerated ADN program that helps them attain their associate’s degree in a shorter amount of time than the traditional program.

ADN Programs

Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs teach aspiring nurses without prior professional experience about the fundamentals of nursing practice via classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice hours. ADN programs include coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology and nursing skills and are generally completed in around two years. Manchester Community College offers a 70-credit hour ADN program that is designed to be completed in two years of study.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are becoming more desirable to top hospitals and healthcare employers, as research shows that nurses with bachelor’s degrees improve patient outcomes. BSN programs are generally four-year degree programs that include additional coursework beyond what is offered in an associate’s degree program including nursing research, public health/community nursing, pediatric and maternal/newborn nursing, and critical care nursing. St. Anselm College in Manchester offers a four-year BSN program that prepares nurses for the NCLEX licensing exam.

Find out more about Accelerated BSN Programs.

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Another option for entering the nursing profession is a direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing program. These programs are designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject who would like to become an advanced practice nurse. The University of New Hampshire offers one of these academically rigorous programs, which prepares students for careers as Clinical Nurse Leaders. An accelerated, full-time five-semester program, the direct-entry MSN program at the University of New Hampshire includes a clinical immersion experience with 300 clinical practice hours and a capstone project that includes 200 clinical hours.

Find out more about New Hampshire Accelerated MSN Programs.

Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Manchester

Listed below are the top nursing schools in Manchester based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for New Hampshire out of 15 other accredited programs offered in the state:

• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences - #4
• St. Anselm College - #2
• University of New Hampshire - #3

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Manchester, NH

Many nurses with their associate’s degree decide to go back to school to earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree, which opens the door to additional career opportunities and higher pay. For these nurses, specialized bridge programs are designed to build upon their existing nursing education and experience to help them earn a higher degree in a shorter timeframe. Many of these programs are available on flexible schedules or in an online format, which allows nurses to continue working while taking classes.

RN to BSN Programs

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online RN to BSN program that provides 45 credits for an unencumbered RN license and the opportunity to transfer an additional 45 additional credits. Students can take courses online as their schedules allow, with the opportunity to complete the program in as little as one year of full-time study.

Find out more about New Hampshire RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

For nurses who are interested in pursuing a leadership position in nursing, such as a nurse practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader or nurse educator position, a master’s degree is a necessary next step. For nurses with an ADN RN to MSN programs provide a pathway from the associate’s degree to a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. The RN to MSN program at Southern New Hampshire University allows AND-educated nurses to earn their BSN and then MSN in a shorter time-frame, saving students up to 20 weeks of study and tuition.

Find out more about New Hampshire RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Manchester, NH

Advanced practice nursing degrees provide nurses with a competitive edge, the opportunity for a wider range of career opportunities and higher salaries. Nurses with master’s degrees and higher go on to become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse leaders, nurse educators and administrators earning salaries much higher than their ADN and BSN-educated counterparts. Because APRN programs are designed for experienced working RNs, often these programs are available on a part-time basis or in an online format, which offers RNs the flexibility to complete their degree while continuing to work.

MSN Programs

The traditional MSN program at Franklin Pierce University offers two professional concentrations for nursing students to choose from: a nursing education track and a nursing leadership track. Designed with working nurses in mind, the coursework of these programs, which includes clinical research, legal and ethical issues, teaching theories and leadership principles, presents concepts in practical terms so they can be applied in the workplace immediately.

Find out more about New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificate programs are designed for RNs with master’s degrees who wish to learn a new nursing specialty and/or change degree pathways. Many of these programs are also available on a part-time basis or in an online format to accommodate working nurses. For example, the post-master’s certificate program in Patient Safety & Quality program at Southern New Hampshire University is an online 12-credit hour program designed to teach nurses strategies for improving patient safety and quality policies and practices.

Find out more about New Hampshire Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are terminal degrees in nursing that prepare RNs with their master’s degrees for leadership positions in nursing practice. The DNP program at the University of New Hampshire allows students to complete readings and coursework on their own schedules in a fully online format that is designed to be completed in 18 – 28 months of study.

Find out more about New Hampshire DNP Programs.