LPN Programs in New Hampshire

Details on New Hampshire LPN Schools & Classes

New Hampshire may be a small state, but there are still LPN program options available to those who live there. The community and technical colleges that offer these programs generally design them to be completed within 2 years, and some can be completed even quicker. Students are able to choose between part-time and full-time study, which will determine the total length of their program.

The LPN curriculum includes courses and experiences aimed at preparing the student to provide responsible, compassionate nursing care. Course titles may include:

• Maternal and Child Health Nursing
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Practical Nursing Fundamentals
• Pharmacology

Internships and clinical lab work round out the educational experience.

Accreditation

All students are encouraged to choose an accredited program, which means that the program maintains high academic standards. National organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) can accredit programs, and there are regional agencies that can do the same. Students should also ensure that their program of choice is endorsed by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

While all schools differ, the following are typical requirements that must be met in order to gain admission to an LPN program in New Hampshire:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have high school diploma or GED
• Must pass any entrance exams
• Must provide multiple references
• Must submit a personal essay/goal statement
• Must submit a current resume or CV

Tuition and Costs

Understanding how much your LPN program will cost is an important consideration. Students are required to cover expenses such as tuition, mandatory fees, and materials such as textbooks and uniforms. Additional, indirect expenses such as transportation fees and room/board should also be taken into account if applicable. Financial aid, scholarships, and loans are widely available to students who need help paying for school.

To provide an example on what to expect, the practical nursing program at Harmony Health Care Institute in Merrimack costs a total of about $23,000. This figure includes tuition, supplies, and fees.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our New Hampshire LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

New Hampshire LPN Licensing Requirements

To become an LPN in New Hampshire, the applicant must attend a state-approved nursing program that has a minimum combination of 600 classroom and clinical hours. Once coursework and hands-on training are complete, the graduate must sit for and pass the NCLEX exam.

In order to receive state licensure, the applicant must submit an application to the state, including:

• Official transcript from state-approved nursing program sent directly from the school Registrar.
• Application for temporary license.
• Proof of registration (ATT) for the NCLEX.
• Fingerprinting and criminal background check.

New Hampshire LPN licenses expire every 2 years and require 30 hours of continued education during the licensing period to renew.

NCLEX Exam Information

Simply completing an LPN program is not enough to begin practicing as a nurse; students must take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam upon graduating to officially gain licensure. This examination tests the student’s skills and knowledge in a broad range of practical nursing topics. To learn more about the NCLEX-PN exam, please visit our overview page here. Students can also take the NCLEX-PN practice test to get a feel for the test and to assist in studying.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

As a participant in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), New Hampshire does not require additional licensing for nurses from other NLC states practicing within its jurisdiction. Nurses from outside of the compact area are encouraged to apply for licensing in the state of New Hampshire by submitting an application for endorsement and providing:

• Verification of original licensure.
• Proof of working at least 400 hours in the past 4 years.
• Completed 30 hours continued education credits in the past 2 years.
• (Foreign educated and licensed nurses) Submit a course-by-course evaluation of original transcript to by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

LPN Salary in New Hampshire

The table below lists career information retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for licensed practical nurses in New Hampshire. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)