Concord Hospital Welcomes 19 New England College Nursing Students Across 3 Campuses

CONCORD, NH — Concord Hospital Health System has welcomed 19 nursing students from the New England College Class of 2028 for clinical training in Concord, Franklin and Laconia, continuing a partnership aimed at preparing future nurses through hands-on education.

Fifteen students will train in Concord, while four will train in Franklin and Laconia.

The cohort marks the fourth group of New England College students to enter the system through the partnership. Concord Hospital Health System reported that, for the first time since the program began, one student will complete her employee nursing shifts as a licensed practical nurse at Concord Hospital-Franklin.

“We are proud to continue strengthening our partnership with New England College and creating meaningful opportunities for nursing students to learn and grow within our health system,” Emily Higgins, the system’s academic-practice partner and student placement coordinator, said. “Programs like this provide students with the opportunity to build confidence and strengthen their clinical skills while serving in both student nurse and nursing assistant roles. For many students who must continue working while pursuing their nursing education, the cooperative model offers this ability while helping to strengthen our healthcare workforce.”

The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program combines classroom instruction with clinical training across the health system. According to the health system, students work as healthcare employees while completing student nurse clinical rotations under nurse preceptors, gaining patient care experience as they complete their degree.

“Concord Hospital was the inaugural partner for the NEC’s earn while you learn program,” Higgins said. “The Class of 2028 represents the fourth cohort we have welcomed into our health system. Many of the graduates remain in our organization as new graduate nurses, demonstrating exceptional clinical skills developed through working and training in our organization throughout their clinical rotations. The program is designed to allow students to gain experience across the full continuum of care, including critical care, perioperative, emergency, maternity, behavioral health, and outpatient services, allowing them to explore diverse areas of nursing and identify the settings where they hope to build their careers after graduation.”

This summer, the students will begin a 14-week clinical rotation working directly with registered nurse preceptors, according to Concord Hospital Health System. The system said it continues to support clinical education and workforce development through nursing programs, residencies, apprenticeships, and student placements.

“With students now training in Concord, Franklin, and Laconia, we are continuing to expand opportunities for experiential learning while helping strengthen healthcare access across the regions we serve,” she added.

Concord Hospital Health System includes hospitals in Concord, Franklin, and Laconia, along with more than 60 ambulatory and specialty care locations in New Hampshire.