A market demand for nurses boosts NH supply

The principle of supply and demand is most often associated with economic conditions. Lack of supply in the residential housing market, as is evident in New Hampshire, for example, drives up demand and therefore prices.

It can also be seen in the labor market, particularly as it applies to nursing professions in the Granite State. There is a critical need here for nurses, and the market has responded with more supply, with more interest than ever in nursing.

Graduating nursing students line up during a pinning ceremony May 15 at the University of New Hampshire. (Jeremy Gasowski/University of New Hampshire)

That is evidenced by academic programs brimming with nursing candidates and a new study showing that, among all states, New Hampshire ranks second in helping nurses, especially new graduates, find the best markets for their profession.

The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) in May (which is celebrated as National Nurses Month) was expected to graduate 347 nursing students, the most in more than 10 years, across the seven community colleges across the state.

“Nurses are the cornerstone of our health care system, and we are fortunate to have exceptional nurse educators across our seven colleges who provide New Hampshire with the nation’s best prepared nurses, translating to better patient outcomes and improved quality of life for Granite Staters,” said CCSNH Chancellor Mark Rubinstein.

Meanwhile, the University of New Hampshire had to put an early end to the undergraduate enrollment period into its newly established School of Nursing because of overwhelming interest in the flagship university’s programs.

“We are thrilled at the strong interest in UNH’s nursing programs,” said Kirsten Corazzini, dean of the UNH College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). “These are not only wonderful, rewarding career paths for students, but they will also help the Granite State address its growing health care workforce needs.”

The need in the Granite State and nationally is acute.

In data cited by CCSNH, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that while 2,280 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) will be working in the state in 2030, an additional 3,640 will be needed, a gap of more than 1,300.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the health care and social assistance job markets are projected to add roughly 5.2 million jobs nationally between 2024 and 2034, an 8.4 percent growth rate, which is driven by an aging population and rising chronic conditions, making it the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. economy.

New Hampshire indeed has an aging population and with it the attendant health needs and concerns.

The number of Granite Staters aged 65 and over increased to 291,526 (20.8% of the population) as of July 2023, up from 18.8% in 2020. Another 15.3% of the population (213,876) was in the 55–64 age group in 2023.

The state has the second highest median age (tied with Vermont) at 44.6, behind Maine with 44.8. The youngest state by median age is Utah at 32.4.

The UNH The School of Nursing is the largest nursing program in the state, established in 2025. The inaugural class of approximately 120 students will graduate next month, ready to step into clinical roles across the region.

While the deposit deadline for fall semester was May 1, deposits for nursing programs reached capacity the week prior and enrollment was shut down. More than 2,000 students applied for the 120 projected spots – a 20% increase from last year, according to UNH.

“We are heartbroken to be in a position where we cannot offer every qualified student an opportunity to join our undergraduate nursing program,” said  Kimberly DeRego, UNH’s vice provost of enrollment management. “Admissions and the College of Health and Human Services are working closely with each student and their family to identify alternative pathways that support their goals.”

UNH said students who are not able to enroll in the School of Nursing have other options on the Durham campus, such as majors in public health and health sciences and a direct entry accelerated master’s in nursing following undergraduate degree completion. There are also undergraduate programs at other University System of New Hampshire (USNH)  institutions — Keene State College or Plymouth State University.

There is also a path through the state’s seven community colleges, where, since 2010, more than 5,000 students have completed nursing programs.

“New Hampshire hospitals are deeply grateful for the Community College System of New Hampshire’s continued leadership in building the state’s healthcare workforce pipeline,” said Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association.

Ahnen noted that the newest class of nurses “will make an immediate impact in communities across our state, helping hospitals and healthcare providers meet growing patient needs while strengthening access to care close to home. Expanding nursing and allied health education opportunities is essential to addressing workforce shortages and ensuring a strong, sustainable healthcare system for New Hampshire’s future.”

WalletHub in April cited New Hampshire as the second-best state for nurses, with plenty of career opportunities, as the state has the most nursing-job openings per capita and a large number of hospitals per capita. In addition, New Hampshire has some of the best nursing schools in the country. See the report here:

In compiling the data for its report, WalletHub took note of not only the number of health care facilities and the number of jobs, but the projected elderly population by 2050 and the average number of work hours. WalletHub said a contributing factor to the state’s high ranking was a restriction placed on mandatory overtime for nurses, which helps stop nurses from being taken advantage of and overworked.

A separate WalletHub report in April cited certain nursing professions as the third best entry level jobs behind hardware engineer and engineer.

WalletHub took particular note of a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home.

“This job type has the second-lowest unemployment rate, at just 2.9%, along with the fifth-most job openings. And due to the personal aspect of the job, workers have some of the lowest chances of their jobs being replaced by machines,” it said. See that report here:

Both the university and community college nursing programs play key roles in what’s called the GO-NORTH initiative.

The Governor’s Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health (GO-NORTH) is a state initiative established in 2026 by Gov. Kelly Ayotte to manage over some $1 billion in federal funding through 2030 to improve rural health care by strengthening the rural health care workforce and enhancing access to care through a hub-based model.

The hubs are the Foundation for Healthy Communities, the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, the University System of New Hampshire, and the Community College System of New Hampshire.

The university and community college systems will handle workforce development projects.

One New Hampshire company raised its hand several years ago in the effort to bolster the state’s nursing ranks.

FedPoint, a Newington-based company that manages long term care insurance programs for more than 265,000 federal civilian and military enrollees, has offered $5,000 in nursing scholarships beginning in 2023.

“We believe it’s critical to educate potential candidates on the benefits of nursing as a career path and support the next generation of RNs,” said Paul Forte, FedPoint’s former CEO who initiated the program.

“These scholarships are intended to help attract qualified candidates to the profession, make a meaningful financial contribution to their training, and serve as a token of our gratitude to those who commit to this venerable field,” he added.

FedPoint recently announced its latest four recipients, each receiving $5,000, from a field of more than 350 applicants.

“Nurses play a critical role in our health care system, and I am proud to see these exceptional students choose to pursue a career in helping others and making our communities healthier,” Gov. Ayotte said in a statement. “I wish them all the best as they go to college and I encourage them to choose to grow their careers in New Hampshire when they finish their degrees. Thank you to FedPoint for supporting the growth of our health care workforce.”

The recipients are from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine (2).