Licensed Practical Nursing in New Hampshire
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a person who takes care of patients in a hospital or other clinical setting. To become a Licensed Practical Nurse, you must be detail-oriented and ready to work in a fast-paced environment. An occupation like nursing can lead to a career in many settings. LPNs can work in the military, as home health aides, in nursing homes or in emergency rooms. After becoming an LPN, you can continue learning by gaining other certifications such as IV certification, or long-term and hospice care certification. Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse affords you a career with upward mobility.
Being a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Hampshire
If you want to be a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Hamshire, you’ll need to take an exam and become licensed by the Nurse Registration and Nurse Education Board. New Hampshire is a member of the nurse licensure compact states, which means that gaining this license in New Hampshire also qualifies you to work in neighboring states. If you want to become an LPN in New Hampshire, you’ll need a high school diploma. A GED is also an acceptable path toward obtaining licensure. After you’ve completed 600 hours in nursing education, you become eligible to take the test to become certified.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Hampshire
After finishing 600 hours of nursing theory and practice, you’ll need to take The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) exam. The NCSBN requires students to take specific courses in the fundamentals of nursing, medical/surgical techniques and parent/child health. New Hampshire allows you to apply to take the exam via mail or electronically. After a criminal background check is complete and fingerprint card is obtained, you must pay a $120 application fee. There is also a fee of $51.50 for Live Scan prints. Once you’ve applied, you’ll want to schedule your official National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). You must pass this exam within four years of completing your nursing degree.
Nursing Education in New Hampshire
New Hampshire laws require you to be licensed to practice nursing, which requires a specific educational path. It’s important to make sure you are taking courses at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You can progress to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) after your LPN education.
Here are some schools in New Hampshire that prepare students for the national exam and to become LPNs:
- River Valley Community College, Claremont. This community college in New Hampshire has an LPN program in which students obtain a Nursing Associate Degree. Once they have this credential, they can apply for the NCLEX. The classes include lab hours, class hours and clinical hours. The time spent taking these courses goes toward the total 600 hours required by the state. River Valley requires all nursing students to pass each class with a B grade or higher.
- Harmony Health Care Institute, Inc., Merrimack. Harmony Health Care offers a nursing program that is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON). The instructors are all LPNs themselves. They require students to have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED before entering the nursing program. They also need potential students to provide three references, a personal goal statement and a resume or work history.
LPN Career Overview and Wages Outlook
New Hampshire shows a steady increase in job growth for Licensed Practical Nurses in the next seven years. The U.S. Department of Labor confirms that nursing career opportunities in New Hampshire will increase slightly, by 10 percent by 2026. This percentage of growth predicts an average of 190 new nursing jobs yearly.
Nursing in New Hampshire is a financially rewarding profession. In 2017, the average yearly salary for LPNs was $49,330, and the hourly pay rate was $23.72. Salaries can fluctuate broadly for Licensed Practical Nurses depending on the role, a nurse’s experience and other certifications.
Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Hampshire
Hillsborough is the largest county with the largest population in New Hampshire. This is where LPNs will find the most lucrative job opportunities. The job loss rate is 4.8 percent, so there is a constant need for skilled and licensed nurses. A Licensed Practical Nurse can find jobs in retirement communities, the military, pediatrics or oncology clinics to name a few.
There is a steady need for LPNs, with no decline predicted. Finding a nursing job in New Hampshire is perfect for someone who wants to be a part of a rewarding and fulfilling career.
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FAQs
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn in the state of New Hampshire?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the state of New Hampshire made an average of $54,220 per year in 2019. Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned around $42,590 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $65,340.