FYI, if you are interested: UNH's direct master's in nursing program to expand - Boston.com

The University of New Hampshire is expanding a program to help people earn master's degrees in nursing.

UNH also is giving students in the Direct Entry Master's in Nursing program the option of taking three years to get their degrees rather than two.

The program is for people who are not registered nurses but have a bachelor's or higher degree in another field.

The program takes new students each January, and will expand from 24 to 32 students beginning with the next class.

Lynette Hamlin -- head of UNH's Department of Nursing -- says the expansion is part of an effort to head off a serious shortage of nurses in the coming decade.

An information session will be held May 13 at UNH.