Students at the University of NH School of Nursing navigate hands-on patient experiences in the Health Sciences Simulation Center (Photo
Courtesy of University of New Hampshire School of Nursing)
The University of NH has created a one-stop-shop approach to nursing. UNH’s new School of Nursing consolidates 10 academic programs from the Durham campus and the College of Professional Studies Online for roughly 800 students across undergraduate and graduate levels.
“By bringing all our nursing programs together under one school, we are building a more robust, coordinated response to the state’s growing healthcare workforce needs,” says Kirsten Corazzini, dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
The demand for nurses in the Granite State is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Between 2022 and 2032 NH will need to increase the number of nurse practitioners by 51%, nursing assistants by 4.6%, and registered nurses by 6.6% according to the nonprofit Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness funded by the federal government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses in the U.S. is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all other occupations.
Prior to consolidation, UNH operated separate nursing programs at its Durham and Manchester campuses. “Now students can reach out to one school,” says UNH Nursing School’s Interim Director Rhonda Board. “We’ve got programs across all levels, from associate to doctoral, in person, hybrid, and online. We’re a one stop shop now.” Board, who joined UNH two-and-a-half years ago from Northeastern University, is experienced in pediatric nursing and doctoral education.
Board says housing all programs under one umbrella strengthens coordination, enhances access to clinical experiences, and supports better mentoring and advising. “Students won’t see changes in their day-to-day education,” she says, “but they will gain broader access to clinical sites and community-based opportunities from both campuses.”
The nursing program offerings span the traditional four-year Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) program, RN-to-BSN online pathways, master’s-level nurse practitioner and clinical nurse leader programs, interdisciplinary healthcare leadership, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The School of Nursing also offers a Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing program that can be completed in five semesters, including two summer sessions. Board says this breadth of offerings allows seamless academic and career progression, from entry-level nursing roles to advanced clinical and leadership positions. “We’re preparing students to lead in innovation, patient care, and policy development, which is essential to improving health outcomes across New Hampshire while helping to meet the state’s workforce needs.” For more information, visit?chhs.unh.edu/nursing.
