Overview
River Valley Community College’s Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN-RN) Degree requires 2 years of focused nursing and core liberal arts courses designed to prepare students to graduate with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
We offer several RN pathways:
1) Traditional ASN-RN Program (4 semesters)
2) For existing LPN’s (see “Current LPN’s) header below for more information.
- LPN-RN Bridge Program
- LPN-RN Direct Entry Program
Program Updates
Now accepting applicants may apply for Fall, 2024, program entry. Priority application deadlines are as listed below. Click the “Admissions” tab above to apply.
- ASN-RN Program: December 31, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
- LPN-RN Bridge Program: February 15, 2024
- LPN-RN Direct Entry Program: March 15, 2024
Why Choose RVCC’s Nursing Program?
- Affordable tuition: $21,000 for entire program (in-state)
- Low faculty-to-student ratios
- In-person education with online components
- Approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing (NHBON)
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Clinical placements at both critical access hospitals and Dartmouth Health
- 2 geographic options: Claremont and Keene
- 2 new RN pathways for current LPN’s (see “Current LPN’s” below)
Everything you need to know about RVCC Nursing!
View our online presentation here: Nursing Informational Session.
If you have additional questions, click on the light blue-colored “Request Information” button.
Informational Sessions Via Zoom:
- Monday, December 4th at 5:00pm
- Wednesday, December 13th at 4:00pm
- Tuesday, December 19th at 12:00pm
Please use this link to attend.
Current LPN’s
Are you an LPN that wants to continue your education? Note our 2 new LPN-RN pathways:
LPN to RN Direct Entry Program:
- For RVCC graduates only who have graduated with LPN certification within 2 years from program entry.
- Two semesters (Fall, Spring)
- Application deadline: March 15 of each calendar year.
- LPN to RN Direct Entry Program link
LPN to RN Bridge Program:
- For LPN’s who have graduated with LPN certification (from RVCC or alternate school) greater than 2 years from program entry.
- 3 semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring)
- Application deadline: Feb 15 of each calendar year.
- LPN to RN Bridge Program link
RVCC also offers a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. Details here: RVCC LPN Program Link
Application Process & Details
Step 3: Submit all high school and college transcripts to the Admissions Department. Official transcripts may be sent directly to [email protected] or via mail to:
River Valley Community College
Admissions Department
1 College Place Claremont, NH 03743
For credits to be considered for transfer into RVCC, you must have achieved a grade of “C” or higher from an accredited institution and be less than 10 years old.
Step 4: Register for and take the Test of Essential Academic Skill (TEAS) test. Additional TEAS details are below under the “TEAS” heading.
Step 5: Current Nursing Assistant licensure is required for entry; however, you may be eligible to have this requirement waived if you are currently working in Allied Health. Please contact Connie Powell, RN Program Director, at [email protected] to receive an a skills self-survey to see if you are eligible.
If do not have a LNA, RVCC offers a Licensed Nursing Assistant Program.
TEAS Testing
The TEAS test is presently offered only online. Students must register at least 48 hours prior to a testing date in order to be eligible.
Use our step-by-step instructions to register for the TEAS now!
- Register here: TEAS Registration
- Select “River Valley CC Teas”
- You will need to have free proctoring software installed on your computer prior to testing. Details are here: Proctorio Software and Quick Start Guide
2023 TEAS testing dates are as follows:
October 11 & 23
November 8 & 20
December 6 & 18
- Estimated cost: $120
Selection Criteria for Admission
Achievement of a TEAS composite score of 66.0 or greater.
Applicants are ranked using a point system for individual TEAS scores, completed science courses, and courses taken at RVCC.
Additional Requirements
Upon acceptance into the Registered Nurse program, students must provide proof of the following:
- CPR Certification – American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Criminal Background Check
- Drug Test
- Current physical examination with immunizations and vaccinations
- Medical Insurance
All documents must be submitted by set deadlines in order to begin the nursing program.
Program Goals
The goal of the nursing program at River Valley is to provide the upcoming workforce with well trained, effective and prepared nurses to care for populations within a community.
End-of-Program Student Achievement
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 ytd | |
| RVCC Pass Rate | 83% | 94.8% | 97.3% |
| NH Pass Rate | 93.4% | 90.5% | TBD |
| National Pass Rate All Programs | 82.5% | 80.9% | 94.3% |
| National Pass Rate ADN Programs | 82.8% | 78.9% | 88.5% |
Program Retention Rates
(within 2 years of program start)
2020 | 2021 | 2023 |
86.6% | 76.1% | 76.% |
Program Retention Rates
(within 3 years of program start)
2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
93% | 90% | 78.7% |
End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the RVCC Associate in Science in Nursing Program will be proficient in the following End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Patient-Centered Care: Recognize the patient or designee as the source of control and a full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for the patient’s preferences, values, and needs.
2. Teamwork and Collaboration: Function effectively within nursing and interprofessional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to achieve quality patient care. Collaborate with the patient and family using effective communication to develop patient-centered, goal-oriented, culturally appropriate plans of care.
3. Evidence-Based Practice: Integrate best current evidence with clinical expertise and patient/family preferences and values for delivery of optimal health care.
4. Quality Improvement: Use data to monitor the outcomes of care processes and use improvement methods to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of health care.
Use self-reflection for continuous improvement in professional actions, behaviors, and clinical practice.
5. Safety: Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. Integrate knowledge, judgement, and skills to practice nursing safely and competently within structured health care settings.
6. Informatics: Use information and technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
End of Program Outcomes
- The first-time pass rate for RVCC nursing graduates is equivalent to or exceeds 80% for all first-time test-takers annually.
- Seventy percent (75%) of students will graduate from the RVCC Nursing Program within 2 years of the initial admission into the program.
- Eighty percent (80%) of students will graduate from the RVCC Nursing Program within 3 years of the initial admission into the program.
- Within six months of graduation from the RVCC nursing program, 90% of graduates will be employed as Registered Nurses.
Revised 09/17/2023
Course Sequencing
First Year: Fall Semester
First Year: Spring Semester
Second Year: Spring Semester
The Associate in Science Degree nursing program at River Valley is approved by the State of New Hampshire as an entry-level nursing education program. Details may be located here:
https://www.oplc.nh.gov/entry-level-programs-registered-nurse
The Associate in Science Degree nursing program at River Valley Community College located in Claremont, New Hampshire, is 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 in Science Degree nursing program at River Valley Community College is Continuing Accreditation Status through Spring, 2029.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at:
ACEN accredited programs search link
Questions about accreditation should be addressed to ACEN at the address listed above.
The Associate in Science Degree nursing program at River Valley Community College meets the state education requirements for Registered Nurse licensure in the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. River Valley Community College has not determined if the Associate in Science Degree nursing program at River Valley Community College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
Additional Details
The New Hampshire Board of Nursing’s licensing regulations may restrict candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal proceedings. Questions about licensing restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, 7 Eagle Square, Concord, NH 0330
Sonya Kuykendall
NursingProfessor & Clinical Coordinator, Nursing
Mission
The RVCC Nursing Student Handbook can be found in the hyperlink below, and is updated every summer.
Health Sciences and Services61-63 Credits Required
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in 2021
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in 2020
The clinical portion of the degree program is offered at area health care facilities (“clinical sites”). Clinical sites establish their own requirements for persons entering their facilities for educational purposes. Clinical sites may have established vaccination requirements, including vaccination for COVID-19. As with all clinical program requirements, the clinical site reserves the right to deny participation to any student who does not meet required clinical criteria and do not follow clinical site policies. Individual programs of study do not have the authority to secure clinical experience(s) for students who do not meet eligibility criteria. Students participating in clinicals must adhere to the sites’ requirements. While these are not college requirements, failure to adhere to the clinical site requirements will result in ineligibility to complete the Nursing program.