Letter to the editor: UNH is home to the state’s largest school of nursing

TO THE EDITOR:

I was dismayed to read the recent cover story, “In Need of Nurses,” and see no mention of the University of New Hampshire — home to the state’s largest school of nursing and a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s nursing workforce pipeline.

Public higher education forms the backbone of nursing education in our state, from nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses to associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and advanced practice registered nurses.

The University System of New Hampshire and the Community College System of New Hampshire play a vital role in addressing workforce challenges by expanding access to nursing education, strengthening clinical partnerships and preparing practice-ready graduates equipped to serve communities across New Hampshire — particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Last summer, amid significant budget constraints and without additional public funding, UNH established a unified School of Nursing. Today, approximately 800 students are enrolled across 10 undergraduate and graduate programs, including multiple specialized tracks. We expect to graduate more than 250 nursing students this year who are ready to step into clinical roles across the state.

Our School of Nursing works closely with hospitals, community health centers, long-term care facilities and specialty clinics across New Hampshire to provide robust clinical placements and hands-on learning experiences. These partnerships not only ensure students graduate prepared for real-world practice, but also help build strong connections with employers, with the goal of keeping more of our graduates working in New Hampshire communities.

UNH is also the only public higher education institution in New Hampshire preparing advanced practice nurses, including family, psychiatric and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners — professionals who are essential to strengthening primary and specialty care access statewide.

As the state’s public research university, UNH advances nursing science alongside workforce preparation.

Our nurse scientists conduct research that improves patient outcomes and community well-being, from supporting dementia caregivers to enhancing the quality of life for nursing home residents. Students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels engage in this work, gaining hands-on experience in research and policy initiatives that address community-identified needs.

And importantly, with financial aid, the average UNH undergraduate pays less than $25,000 per year. That is the value of a public university — accessible, research-driven and deeply committed to serving the people of New Hampshire.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Corazzini

Dean, UNH College of Health and Human Services

Editor’s note: NH Business Review has updated “In Need of Nurses” online at nhbr.com to include material about the UNH nursing program. We welcome comment from readers on our news stories.