Department of Nursing and Health Professions

Rivier's Department of Nursing and Health Professions prepares students to become licensed registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nurse leaders throughout the United States.

For more than 30 years, Rivier University’s Department of Nursing and Health Professions has prepared students to meet the rapidly changing demands of the healthcare environment. Rivier continually builds on its strengths, offering programs that provide students with individual attention, quality education, and numerous opportunities for practical experience.

Earn Your Degree—from ASN to Doctoral

Rivier offers nursing degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Students develop the skills and work ethic that prepare them to excel in today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Graduates of our nursing programs are prepared for professional practice ensuring they are able to provide safe, high-quality, and equitable health care for all people.

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.

Top Ranked Nursing School in New Hampshire and the Nation

Following a comprehensive evaluation of U.S. nursing schools for 2024, Nursing Schools Almanac has once again ranked Rivier University as the #1 Nursing School in New Hampshire and #10 in New England. Rivier also ranks #47 nationwide among private nursing schools. 

Watch the video to learn more about Rivier’s Nursing programs!

Exceptional Pass Rates

  • Graduates of Rivier’s BSN program who sat for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) from 2018 – 2021 achieved an average pass rate of 95.39% for first-time test takers. During that same period, the national BSN average pass rate was 85.1%, putting Rivier students well above graduates of other colleges and universities.
  • From 2016-2021, the average first-time pass rate for ASN students was 87.1%, above the national ASN average of 85.1%.
  • The Rivier University combined 2020, 2021, and 2022 ANCC pass rate for first-time candidates for Family Nurse Practitioner track was 95.45%, exceeding the overall ANCC 1st time candidate pass rate of 86.29%.
  • The Rivier University combined 2020, 2021, and 2022 ANCC pass rate for first-time candidates for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track was 95.65%, exceeding the overall ANCC 1st time candidate pass rate of 91.05%.

View the Undergraduate Nursing Program Outcome Data,  Graduate Nursing Program Outcome Data, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Outcome Data.

View the Division of Nursing and Health Professions Competencies and Program Outcomes.

View the Undergraduate Health Science Program Outcomes, Undergraduate Public Health Program Outcomes, and the Master of Public Health Program Outcomes.

State-of-the-Art Nursing Education Facilities

Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center at Rivier University

Completely renovated in 2022, Rivier’s Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center provides state-of-the-art educational resources for nursing students. Center features include six simulation labs and assessment areas, two classrooms, a lecture hall, a suite of nursing administrative and faculty offices, and several areas for faculty-student collaboration. Simulation 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. Designated labs accommodate undergraduate nursing, public health, and advanced nurse practitioner training.

The Center’s simulation resources and technology enhance student preparedness through a focus on hands-on learning. While all clinical nursing courses include simulation, students also have the opportunity to participate in supervised clinical experiences.

Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center at Rivier UniversitySimulated Experiences

Simulation is an educational strategy that re-creates real-life situations and allows the participant to develop or enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will prepare the student to deal with actual patient issues.

The simulation experience provides students with a safe environment that supports the development of reasoning, critical thinking, and judgment skills. All clinical nursing courses include simulation utilizing our family of high-fidelity mannequins from infant to adult. Our physical assessment and nursing skills simulation laboratories are equipped with a wide array of patient examination equipment, including SIM Man, SIM baby, SIM Kid, and Noelle, the birthing simulator. Labs offer interactive learning systems, where students can gain hands-on experience on campus.

Rivier University - Nursing Clinical ExperiencesClinical Experiences

The hallmark of all of the University’s nursing programs is the faculty-supervised clinical experience in hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the greater Boston and central New England regions. These experiences combine instructor-directed and independent learning to develop procedural skills and enhance the clinical decision-making process throughout the students’ academic endeavors.

Guided by Industry Leaders

Our faculty consists of highly qualified and experienced nurse educators and practitioners who share their expertise and perspective with students and help them find their niche in nursing.

Rivier’s faculty have been recognized for excellence by a number of agencies and organizations. They also hold key leadership roles in regional and national organizations, such as the NH Nurse Practitioner Association, NH Nurses Association Government Affairs Commission, Association of Public Health Nurses, and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

Industry professionals serve on the Nursing and Public Health Advisory Councils providing guidance and insight into the development of academic programs that meet the needs of healthcare in the 21st-century workforce.

I made some of the most profound relationships in my life at Rivier. And I’m still benefiting! Having Rivier on my resume is something that employers immediately recognize. I was selected for the Dartmouth-Hitchcock nurse residency program, and the manager who interviewed me was also a Rivier graduate! Now that I’m hiring for my departments, I too favor Rivier nurses. I know that their education is well-rounded and useful in the workforce.

A Commitment to Quality

Rivier University’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 associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
  • The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
  • The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master’s nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
  • The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the post master’s certificates nursing programs is Continuing Accreditation.
  • The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the doctoral nursing program is Initial Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

As part of ongoing efforts to make the accreditation process responsive to a broad range of constituents, the ACEN invites written and oral third-party comments on nursing programs being reviewed for initial or continuing accreditation. The ACEN welcomes comments from interested individuals from the nursing community, students, and graduates as well as the public. Contact the ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (acenursing.org).

Undergraduate Programs

Our Undergraduate programs prepare students for a rewarding career in the nursing field through a focus on experiential learning and extensive hands-on clinical experience.

Professional Studies Programs

Designed for working professionals, our Associate and Bachelor's degrees in nursing and public health are offered both on-campus and online to fit your personal and professional needs.

Graduate Programs

Our Graduate nursing programs prepare professionals for positions in advanced practice nursing and/or to teach in schools of nursing or other healthcare settings.

Doctoral Programs

Our DNP program prepares graduates for leadership roles on multidisciplinary healthcare teams working to improve systems of care, patient outcomes, and population health.

Department of Nursing and Health Professions