B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

  • BSN
  • Undergraduate
  • On Campus
  • Nursing & Health Professions

Whether you dream of a future in pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, oncology, surgery, or private care, Rivier’s top ranked Nursing program prepares you for a successful career in healthcare.

Why Study Nursing at Rivier?

Rivier University is ranked as the #1 nursing school in New Hampshire and a top 50 private nursing school nationally by Nursing Schools Almanac in 2024. As a BSN-prepared nurse, you’ll enjoy a broad scope of practice and develop the skills necessary to advance patient care. Rivier’s B.S. in Nursing program will prepare you for a rewarding career in the nursing field through a focus on experiential learning and extensive hands-on clinical experience.

A recognized leader in nursing education, Rivier graduates the largest number of nurses throughout the state of New Hampshire. Known for exceptional faculty and hands-on clinical experiences, Rivier nursing programs prepare you for a career in nursing and healthcare. Watch the video to learn more!

Learn in World-Class Facilities

Rivier’s nursing labs were transformed in 2022 with a $5 million total renovation. The Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center is open and fully operational for hands-on learning and high-tech simulation for nurses and nurse practitioners. State-of-the-art skills and simulation labs offer the newest technology for clinical assessment, community nursing, and telehealth simulation.

The Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center provides students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in controlled clinical settings. Labs mirror the settings in which nurses most often provide care: medical/surgical and pediatric/neonatal hospital rooms, an obstetrics room, examination rooms, and telehealth offices.

In the B.S. in Nursing program at Rivier, you will:

  • Learn how to provide patient-centered, priority-based nursing care to individuals, families, and groups through independent and collaborative application of nursing process
  • Utilize technology that supports clinical decision-making, patient education, error prevention, and care coordination
  • Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Become an effective communicator and collaborator

Streamlined Admissions

Standardized Test Scores are optional for all majors, including nursing. And, Rivier offers rolling admissions; this means you can apply at any time.

Generous Aid

We award more than $14 million in need-based and merit-based institutional aid annually. Rivier awards 100% of our full-time undergraduate students some form of aid. Find out more from our Financial Aid Office.

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Rivier Ranked Top Nursing School in New Hampshire

Once again, Nursing Schools Almanac has recognized Rivier’s exceptional nursing education, ranking the University as the #1 nursing school in NH!

Get Ready for the World with a B.S. in Nursing from Rivier

Our partnerships with a variety of healthcare organizations throughout the region offer opportunities to experience a wide range of specialties. Our Nursing majors work with practicing healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical placements, including:

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Elliot Health Systems/Elliot Hospital
  • Lowell General Hospital
  • Catholic Medical Center
  • Home Health & Hospice Care, Inc.
  • Lowell Community Health Center
  • Nashua Public Health Department
  • Saint Joseph Healthcare
  • Southern NH Health System

Licensure and Accreditation

Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates of Rivier’s BSN program who sat for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) from 2020-23 achieved an average pass rate of 93.81% for first-time test takers. During that same period, the national BSN average pass rate was 84.38%, putting Rivier students well above graduates of other colleges and universities.

Rivier University is unable to accept students from some states due to the post-secondary higher-education requirements. There are also some restrictions for programs that lead to professional licensure due to the various requirements of individual state boards of nursing. See State Guide.

For further information on Professional Nursing Licensure at the state level, please use the following contact list (also available on the NC-SARA website).

Commitment to Quality

Rivier’s ASN, BSN, MSN, Post Master’s Certificates, and DNP programs located in Nashua, NH are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

The dedication of the nursing professors to their students' success is remarkable. They are truly invested in teaching future nurses. The profession is challenging and fast-paced, but Rivier prepared me for success in my role as an RN.

Where Will Your Bachelor of Nursing Degree Take You?

You will be workforce ready and well-positioned for success in a competitive job market.

Careers

  • Medical-surgical nurses
  • Pediatric nurses
  • Oncology and other specialty nurses
  • School nurses

Graduate Studies

Our graduates are well prepared to pursue advanced study in nursing, healthcare administration, and other related fields.

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Contact

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

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Join the workforce in this fast-growing field with a B.S. in Nursing in New Hampshire from Rivier University.