University of New Hampshire Nursing School Review

University of New Hampshire (UNH) was founded in 1866 in Hanover to meet the education needs of rural families. In the early years, it was known as New Hampshire College of Agriculture. In 1893, the college received a land-grant in Durham and later, relocated from Hanover to the new and current location. It put more emphasis to liberal arts programs and by 1923; the college was offering a wide range of programs.  This led to a legislature that changed its name to University of New Hampshire to reflect the expanded and more diverse programs.

Nursing Programs at New Hampshire University

Nursing programs in the university are offered in the College of Health and Human Services. There are two undergraduate nursing programs: a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Registered Nurse (RN) to BSN degree programs. On the graduate category, there are 3 tracks in the Master of Science in nursing, a Direct-Entry option and 1 Post-Master’s Certificate program.  All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The BSN program is a traditional full time 4-year baccalaureate program that prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses. Qualified students are admitted as freshman and start off by taking general education courses. The program is peculiar in that students start on nursing courses in the sophomore year- all but 1 courses covered in the second years are nursing courses.  Students must also take a capstone project in the senior as a graduation requirement. A total of 8 general education and 31 nursing courses are required to prepare the students to apply for the NLCEX-RN exam to become registered nurses besides eligibility to be awarded a BSN degree.

RN Baccalaureate Program – RN-BP (RN to BSN)

The RN baccalaureate program is designed for registered nurses who wish to earn a BSN degree. Candidates must meet the BSN admission requirements besides having a current and unrestricted RN license. Students meet the 128 credit requirements by transferring their diploma or associate program credits, challenge exams and by taking courses at the Durham Campus.  Courses are offered on both full-time or part-time study plans and admission occur in fall and spring semesters.

Due to the disparity on the number of courses challenged and transfered, all students develop an individualized study plan with their advisors.  The RN-BP program welcomes associate degree nursing graduates from all 7 Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) colleges. Such applications are must be done no later than 1st March of the last semester of study at the community college.  Applicants from CCSNH with articulation agreements with the university are given preference over RNs from other colleges.

Graduate Program in Nursing

The graduate program offers the following 3-master of science in nursing MSN) degree tracks:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
  • Evidence –Based Nursing

Within the Evidence Based track, students can complete additional courses in clinical nursing education. Those who complete the FNP and CNL tracks become eligible to apply for national certification exams in their respective areas.

Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing Program

This program admits non-nursing bachelor degree holders who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses. The curriculum is designed in such a way that student will cover the BSN and Master’s requirements without repetition hence saving time and money. However, students remain as provisional Master of Science students until they complete 64 credits courses required to take the NLCEX-RN exam. These are taken on an accelerated mode and include a summer session.

After taking the licensure exam, the provisional status is lifted and they continue to take another 13 credits for the Clinical Nurse Leader track. In 5-semesters of full time accelerated study, students complete 73 credits and earn a Master of Science in Nursing- Clinical Nurses Leader degree and eligibility for certification. All courses for this track commence in January each year

Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate

University of New Hampshire offers the above named program for Master-prepared students. Those seeking such certification may complete between 30 to 39 credits depending on the masters courses taken earlier.

Contact:
University of New Hampshire
105 Main Street, Durham ,
NH 03824