Hawaii MSN Programs

Hawaii Pacific University: RN to MSN Program Review
Hawaii Pacific University, 1164 Bishop Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is a private university with another campus location in Kaneohe. It is the largest private university in the central Pacific and has a large nursing program. The University was established in 1965. Today, there is a Master of Science in Nursing program offered with concentrations in Community Clinical Nurse Specialist or Family Nurse Practitioner. A joint Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is also offered at HPU.

Neither the GRE or GMAT is required for admission, but applicants must have a baccalaureate nursing degree. Non-U.S. graduates will have their credentials analyzed by HPU. A grade point average of 3.0 is expected, but those with a lesser grade point average may be considered for conditional admission. Two recommendation letters are required, as well as a personal statement of career goals. The applicant must also be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in Hawaii. One year of full-time experience is required, as well as an interview with a graduate faculty member.

The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration and Community Clinical Nurse Specialist-Educator Option require 30 credits each to complete. The Community Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration requires 24 credits of studies. Nurses who want training in both advanced nursing practice and in the business aspect of nursing administration will want to complete the MSN/MBA Option, which requires 66 or 72 credits of graduate study. HPU also offers Registered Nurse (RN) to MSN Pathway Bridge Courses for nurses without a bachelors degree who want to enter the MSN program. The Bridge Courses consist of 14 credits that are required before the nurse completes upper level bachelors degree nursing courses and then the MSN courses in the chosen specialty.

University of Hawaii at Manoa: RN to MS Program Review

University of Hawaii at Manoa

2528 McCarthy Mall

Webster Hall

Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

This public university was founded in 1907 as a land grant college. The Department of Nursing at the University offers a Master of Science (MS) with specialties in the following advanced nursing concentrations:

Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Dual Nurse Practitioner with Advanced Public Health Nursing

Advanced Public Health Nursing

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Advanced Public Health Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Executive Leadership

Nursing Executive Leadership/Master of Business Administration (MBA) Dual Degree

Admission requirements are that the applicant must apply to both the Graduate Division and to the Department of Nursing and meet both departments’ requirements. Candidates must forward a copy of their Hawaii Registered Nursing license, or their nursing license from another state. They also need to submit a writing sample, a current resume or curriculum vitae, and two completed reference forms. A bachelors degree in nursing with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is also required.

The Masters Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is another masters degree in nursing program offered at the University. This program is for those with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing who want training for a career in advanced nursing. Students who enter this program are not Registered Nurses. Studies consist of three continuous semesters that lead to a license in nursing before beginning the MSN program. Admission requirements are a bachelors degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 and admission to both the Graduate Division and the Department of Nursing MEPN program. A goal statement and three recommendation letters are also required. In addition, applicants must make a YouTube video. Details of this requirement will be online shortly.

Another option offered at the University is the Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science (MS) program (with non-nursing baccalaureate). This program is for the RN with an associate degree or diploma in nursing who also has a bachelors degree in another field. A Registered Nursing license in Hawaii or in another state is required, as well as a 3.0 grade point average or above on undergraduate coursework. The applicant must submit a writing sample and must complete prerequisite courses before entering the MSN program.