BSN Programs in Hawaii
There are a handful of different nursing schools in Hawaii that are in our database and have Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing programs, with 5 total schools.
Below are some featured online BSN or BS of healthcare programs, which you can get in touch with directly by clicking the “MORE INFO” button. These programs are currently accepting applicants and are 100% online. Following our featured list is the entire list of all nursing schools in Hawaii.
Full List of BSN Programs in Hawaii
Featured BSN programs accepting Hawaii applicants
Campus-based programs in Hawaii
Hawaii Pacific University
1164 Bishop St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Hawaii Pacific has an entry-level BSN degree designed for students seeking initial licensure. To be considered for the major, students must have attained a GPA of 2. 75 on all science courses and a similar cumulative GPA on all other prior college work. Students who have taken courses at HPU are given more priority than those attempting to transfer credits. At HPU nurses will learn in a culturally diverse and rich environment.
Most nursing courses are offered at their Loa Campus on a full-time basis with selected courses being offered in the evenings and weekends. There are unique features about the BSN at HPU in that students can be allowed to take extra nursing courses in either transcultural or forensic nursing. This enables students to graduate with either a Forensic Health Science Cert or a Transcultural Nursing Cert. There is also an option for the international BSN pathway whereby students complete HPU courses but apply for licensure in their home country.
* * * *
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 W. Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720
The undergraduate generic BSN program at UH Hilo has a transcultural and rural focus hence has a curriculum congruent to giving nursing care to a culturally diverse and rural environment. Students interested in the program first apply to the university via a common application but should indicate interest in the major. Admission into the university is not a guarantee that students will be allowed for the nursing major. Consideration for the major is based on TEAS V test scores, completion of prerequisites courses, and cumulative GPA. To be eligible for the major, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on all college work. A student may however be admitted with 16 outstanding credits of which natural sciences must not exceed 8. Admission is once annually in the fall semester and is competitive, limited, and based on space availability. Starting at UH Hilo as a BSN freshman takes 8 semesters to complete the program.
* * * *
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarty Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
The school of nursing at UH Manoa has a CCNE accredited traditional BS in Nursing Program. The university boasts to be the only Research University in the state hence offers students great opportunities in learning and nurse training. The curriculum for the program is divided into three segments: 29 credits in pre-nursing courses, 15 in general education requirements, and 79 credits in nursing courses. The first two can be completed in one year following admission into the university. Nursing Cohorts are admitted twice annually for the fall and spring semesters. A passing score of 50 % on a National League of Nursing NLN entrance exam and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on prerequisite coursework are required. Students can carry out nursing research at the 3 student-nurse dedicated research centers of the university.
Hawaii Community College Nursing Program Review
Hawaii Community College (HCC) serves students in Hilo and the surrounding area, offering associate degrees and certificates in a whole range of disciplines. True to its foundation as a vocational school, the college mainly offers professional programs, but it does also offer a few liberal arts programs as well. As a work force training college, one of its main areas of focus is the rapidly growing and changing healthcare field.
Students who wish to take advantage of the many opportunities in the field can find opportunities through the Division of Nursing and Allied Health at Hawaii Community College, which offers two tracks for prospective nurses. Both nursing programs are accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Hawaii Community College itself is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Practical Nursing (PN) Program – Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing
The Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing program at Hawaii Community College prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN), and seek work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). The PN program consists of forty credit hours in total; six credit hours of core requirements and thirty-four hours of nursing courses. This is a quick way for prospective nurses to enter the field, since it only requires a year of study in total. Students begin the program in the fall semester, continue through the spring, and wrap up with an eight-week summer course. One year from the time of entry, then, students are prepared to work as LPNs.
Associate of Science in Nursing
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program is more intense, both in its core requirements and in its nursing requirements. Students must take thirty credit hours of core classes and forty-two credit hours of nursing classes, for a total of seventy-two credits. The program generally takes about five semesters to complete; students should plan on an entire year of prerequisite core classes before applying to the program. After acceptance, they will spend three semesters focused entirely on learning nursing skills. The nursing classes start in the fall, and follow a set progression, so students must plan prerequisite classes accordingly. All prerequisites must be completed prior to the start of the fall semester, otherwise the student will have to wait a year to start the ASN program. The classes for the ASN degree are offered at the Hawaii Community College campus in Hilo, and some classes are also available through the University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii, but this can vary depending on student interest and faculty availability. If there are sufficient faculty and students, an ASN program will also begin in West Hawaii each fall. At the end of the ASN program, students are ready to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If they are successful, they will receive the title of Registered Nurses (RN) and may seek work in hospitals, out-patient clinics, in patients’ homes, and other settings.
Contact:
Hawaiʻi Community College
200 West Kawili Street.
Hilo, HI 96720
[wpgmza id=”299″]
Hawaii Pacific University Nursing School Review
Serving students from all fifty states and over one hundred countries, Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) prides itself on its cultural diversity, as well as its academic excellence. Hawaii Pacific University offers over fifty undergraduate programs, as well as fourteen graduate programs.
The College of Business and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences are located in downtown Honolulu, while the College of Natural and Computational Sciences and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences are on Hawaii Pacific University’s residential campus in Kaneohe, eight miles outside Honolulu. Through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, students can pursue both undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees. The programs are approved by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Here is a review of the available programs:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Hawaii Pacific University consists of a minimum of 124 credit hours. These credit hours are broken down into several categories: general core education requirements (university requirements), nursing prerequisite requirements, transition to Level 1 nursing classes, and Levels 1 through 5 nursing. Students must fulfill all general education requirements, nursing prerequisites, and the one transition to nursing class with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in order to be eligible to begin the nursing classes. The program emphasizes clinical experience; the groups of students for clinicals range in size from six to ten. At the end of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If they are successful, they may seek work as Registered Nurses (RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN-BSN
A student who already is licensed as an RN can earn his BSN much more quickly than a traditional nursing student. Hawaii Pacific University only requires the student to take two prerequisite classes (in writing) and eleven nursing classes. Depending on whether the student is full time or part time, this program could be completed in as little as three semesters.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN-BSN
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with at least one year of experience can earn her BSN at Hawaii Pacific University, but it will take almost the same amount of time as the traditional BSN pathway. She must fulfill all general education requirements, all nursing prerequisite courses, and the transition to nursing class before applying to the BSN program. She must maintain a GPA of 2.75 throughout the prerequisite classes. If accepted to the program, her experience as an LPN will allow her to skip four nursing classes, for a total of ten credit hours. She must complete all the other nursing major courses in order to receive her BSN and be eligible to take the NCLEX_RN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – International Pathway
In keeping with its reputation as a culturally diverse university, Hawaii Pacific University offers a special pathway for nurses who are licensed in their own country, but not in the United States. Students must complete all general education classes and nursing prerequisites. After this, they are eligible to take the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Examinations II and, if successful, to receive credit for fourteen nursing classes toward the BSN degree. Alternatively, students can take the NCLEX_RN. If successful with this exam, students transition into the RN-BSN pathway.
Transcultural Nursing Certificate
Also in keeping with its reputation as a university that appreciates cultural diversity, Hawaii Pacific University offers a unique program for any nursing student or current, practicing RN or LPN who wishes to better understand how to offer nursing care to people of different cultural backgrounds. The certificate program is thirteen credit hours, and includes courses in religion, psychology, anthropology, and communication, as well as nursing.
Master of Science in Nursing
Students who have already earned a BSN have the option of continuing their education through Hawaii Pacific University’s Master of Science (MSN) program. Within this program, they can choose between two tracks, leading to different certifications. Through the MSN program, they can either become Community Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) or Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). Becoming an FNP requires forty-eight credit hours, and becoming a CNS requires forty-two credit hours. Students can pursue the MSN program on either a part-time or full-time basis.
Master of Science in Nursing – RN-MSN
An RN who wishes to earn both his BSN and MSN can enter the RN-MSN program, rather than completing the RN-BSN program and then completing a traditional MSN program. The RN-MSN pathway will take three and a half (for full-time enrollment) to four or more years (for part-time enrollment). The length of the program also depends on how many prerequisites are necessary. An advisor will evaluate the student’s transcript for previous academic work and clinical experience, and determine how many prerequisite classes are necessary. As with the traditional MSN program, a student in the RN-MSN program can choose to specialize as a CNS or a FNP.
Nurse Educator Certificate
An RN who wishes to train future nurses is eligible to complete a Nurse Educator Certificate. This program is open to MSN students, as well as to Registered Nurses who work in the community. This is a short program, consisting of only five classes. The classes cover teaching methods and theories, and a practical teaching experience is included.
Post-Master’s Certification – Family Nurse Practitioner
If a nurse already holds an MSN with a different specialization, she can become an FNP without going through the whole MSN program again. At Hawaii Pacific University, the Post-master’s certification process includes six classes, totaling twenty-seven credits. The classes cover children’s healthcare, adult healthcare, and women’s healthcare, and include clinical hours.
Master of Science in Nursing/Master in Business Administration
For nurses who wish to become business leaders in the healthcare field, Hawaii Pacific University offers a joint MSN/MBA program. This is an intense program, requiring at least sixty-six credit hours on top of any required prerequisites. Both the MBA program and the MSN program have prerequisites, so a student must meet all of these in order to be eligible to apply to the program.
Contact:
Hawai’i Pacific University
1164 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
[wpgmza id=”298″]
Kapiolani Community College Nursing Program Review
While perhaps best known for its Culinary Institute of the Pacific and its extensive continuing education/non-credit classes (which enroll up to 25,000 students a year), Kapiolani Community College (KCC) in Honolulu offers many other work-training and liberal arts programs. It enrolls nearly 10,000 for-credit students, and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges to offer certificates and associate degrees.
Among its program offerings, Kapiolani Community College (previously Kapiolani Technical School) offers both a certificate and an associate degree in the nursing field, and provides an excellent opportunity for prospective nurses who wish to enter the nursing field quickly. These programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Hawaii Board of Nursing. In addition, the college offers training and continuing education for nurse aides. Here is a review of the nursing programs at Kapiolani Community College:
Long-Term Care Nurse Aide Training
Prospective Certified Nurse Aides (CNA) can enroll in Kapiolani Community College’s Long-Term Care Nurse Aide Training program. Throughout the program’s 150 hours, students will learn the basics of caring for patients, from feeding and bathing to transporting and performing simple medical procedures. The program is offered continually, year-round. Graduates earn a certificate of completion and are eligible to take the American Red Cross’s certification exam for nurse aides.
Adult Residential Care Home Operator (ARCH) Training
A CNA who wishes to advance in the field can attend a continuing education training course through Kapiolani Community College. In order to be eligible for the ARCH course, a CNA must have at least six months of full-time experience. If accepted, the CNA will spend 100 hours over the course of three weeks learning more complex medical skills such as changing dressings.
Practical Nursing Certificate
For a quick entry into the nursing profession, students at Kapiolani Community College can complete the Practical Nursing Certificate (PRCN) program. This program prepares them to work with the elderly in long-term care facilities and with children in home healthcare settings. The program consists of forty-four credits in total, and can be completed in as little as three semesters. Of the forty-four credit hours, twelve are for prerequisite classes that must be completed prior to applying to the practical nursing program. At the end of the program, if they are successful in taking the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN), graduates may seek work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). If they wish to advance in the nursing field at a later date, graduates of the practical nursing program have the option on building on their certificate by pursuing a full degree in nursing.
Associate of Science in Nursing
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) program at Kapiolani Community College is competitive; approximately one-third of the program applicants are accepted. The program requires a time commitment of four semesters and a summer term, and entails completing seventy-two credit hours. Of these credit hours, thirteen are for prerequisite courses that must be completed before applying to the program. At the end of the program, students can take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If they are successful, they can begin working immediately as Registered Nurses (RN). Alternatively, students have the option of bridging into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii – Manoa. The ASN program at Kapiolani Community College is designed so that students can transition smoothly into the BSN program.
Associate of Science in Nursing – Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse
After completing a practical nursing certificate program, an LPN has the option of completing a full associate degree through Kapiolani Community College’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (LPN to RN) track. This program takes three semesters, and consists of fifty-six credit hours. Like the traditional ADN program, it is designed to allow students to bridge into the BSN program at the University of Hawaii- Manoa, if desired. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX_RN.
Contact:
Kapiʻolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
[wpgmza id=”297″]
University of Hawaii at Hilo Nursing School Review
The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH, or UH Hilo) is part of the state university system of Hawaii. It is not a large school. It serves approximately 4,000 students, and offers thirty-six undergraduate majors, along with ten graduate programs. It takes pride in its small class sizes, percentage of full-time professors, and its hands-on approach to learning. These qualities that the school emphasizes are especially important when it comes to the study of nursing.
Nursing students need one-on-one time with instructors and hours of practical experience. The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers just this through its nursing programs, which are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, preparing students to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). The program consists of 120 credit hours in total. Students spend the first two years taking prerequisite courses and general education classes required by the university. After completing these, they may apply to the nursing program. If accepted, they spend two years taking nursing classes and completing clinical rotations. The program focuses in particular on training prospective nurses to deliver care in a culturally sensitive manner.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
A non-traditional BSN program is also available at the University of Hawaii- Hilo for Registered Nurses (RN) who hold a diploma or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree. An RN who holds a diploma (or has a degree from a foreign country) must take the National League for Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam II in order to be eligible for admission. The program consists of at least fifty-four credit hours, thirty of which apply to the university’s general education requirements and twenty-four of which apply to the nursing program. Students may pursue the RN to BSN program either full-time or part-time.
Doctor of Nursing Practice – MSN to DNP
As with the BSN program, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program focuses on transcultural nursing. With this special focus in mind, it trains nurses to be leaders and educators in the healthcare field, and to impact patient care, healthcare administration, and healthcare policies, as well as train a new generation of nurses. The MSN to DNP program is open to RNs who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The program trains students to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), with a specialization in gerontology, transcultural nursing, rural health care, or evidence-based practice. A nurse with an MSN degree only needs to commit to thirty-four credit hours. The course sequence generally takes place over four semesters: fall, spring, summer, and fall. The DNP program allows nurses with an MSN degree to specialize in an area of evidence-based practice. The DNP program requires 1000 hours of clinical experience and completion of a practice inquiry project (thesis).
Doctor of Nursing Practice – BSN to DNP
An RN who holds a BSN degree is welcome to complete the DNP program, but instead of the thirty-four credit hours that an MSN-trained nurse must complete, he must complete seventy-two credit hours. This BSN to DNP bridge program takes eight semesters: three full years plus two additional summer semesters. As with the MSN-entry students, BSN-entry students must complete 1000 hours of clinical practice, and cap the program with a thesis.
Contact:
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720
[wpgmza id=”296″]
Kauai Community College Nursing Program Review
Kauai Community College (KCC), part of the University of Hawaii system, prepares students for careers through its work-training certificates and associate degrees, as well as preparing students for transferring into baccalaureate programs at other colleges. It is the only college to serve the island of Kauai, and it offers courses in the liberal arts, education, business, health sciences, technology, and hospitality.
Among Kauai Community College’s health sciences programs are two nursing programs, both of which are accredited by the Hawaii State Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. In addition, Kauai Community College offers a short certificate program for nurse assistants. Here is a review of the available nursing options at Kauai Community College:
Certified Nurses Aide Certificate
Students who earn a Certificate of Completion for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program can seek a license from the state board of health in order to perform entry-level work in healthcare facilities, especially in long-term care facilities. Kauai Community College’s 150-hour training course consists of sixty hours of classroom instruction in addition to ninety hours of clinical practice. The program emphasizes caring for the elderly. Ten students are accepted into each CNA training class.
Practical Nursing Certificate
The Practical Nursing program at Kauai Community College takes three semesters, not counting the required prerequisites. Generally, students must take eight prerequisite classes, in English, psychology, anthropology, and the sciences, although a student with a very high SAT/ACT score or a high score on Kauai Community College’s COMPASS placement exam may test out of a few prerequisite courses. On the other hand, exam scores may also dictate that a student must take additional, developmental courses in math, English, and writing before beginning the Practical Nursing program. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 in all prerequisite classes in order to be considered for admission. The nursing program admission process is competitive, but Kauai Community College has implemented some measures to make sure that the admission process does not favor a certain gender or ethnicity.
Forty percent of admitted students are admitted on the basis of their qualification; these students have the best test scores, GPAs, recommendations, etc. The other 60 percent of the nursing class is admitted on the basis of first come, first served. If a student meets the minimum qualifications for the program and applies early enough, he should be accepted. The program begins in the fall, and goes through the following spring and summer semesters. It consists of thirty credits, half of which are for in-class instruction and half of which are for hands-on instruction. At the end of the program, graduates are prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN). They can then seek work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) or go on to work on a further nursing degree.
Associate of Science in Nursing
Kauai Community College has designed its nursing programs in a “career ladder” structure. Students who wish to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree begin with the Practical Nursing Program. They spend the first year (three semesters) studying alongside the LPN students. At the end of the year, the LPN students take the NCLEX_PN and leave the program, and the ASN students go on to a second year of nursing studies. ASN students must complete seventy-two credit hours in total, forty-five of which are for lecture hours, and twenty-seven of which are for clinical/labs. Using Kauai Community College’s career ladder structure, graduates of the ASN program can either take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN) and go into the working world as Registered Nurses (RN), or they have the option of bridging into the University of Hawaii-Manoa’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In order to be eligible for this, students must take an additional twenty-seven credits of prerequisites (which are offered at Kauai Community College) while completing the ASN program. After completing the ASN program and the prerequisites, students can enter the fourth year of the University of Hawaii’s BSN program, which can be completed via distance learning, if desired.
Contact:
Kaua´i Community College
3-1901 Kaumuali Highway
Lihue, HI 96766
[wpgmza id=”295″]
University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing School Review
Serving over 20,000 students and offering over 200 different degree programs, the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa, or UH) is the most prominent member of the University of Hawaii system. Among its many programs are several in the nursing field.
The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs for prospective nurses and nurses who wish to continue their education. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Hawaii State Board of Nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a classic, four-year program. The first year is dedicated to general education requirements/prerequisites, and the following three years focus on nursing instruction. For students who enter the university directly from high school and already know that they want to pursue nursing, the university offers a special bridge program. They enroll immediately in the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene in their first year.
While all the classes are the same as the traditional BSN students, the direct entry high school students join a learning community in their first year to help them transition more smoothly from prerequisites to nursing classes. Students also have the traditional option of applying and enrolling in the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene after completing all prerequisites, generally at the beginning of the second year of study.
They must complete the same curriculum as the direct entry high school students, but they do not join learning communities during their first year. At the end of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN) and seek work as Registered Nurses (RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Executive RN to BSN
The University of Hawaii- Manoa welcomes RNs who hold an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree to earn their BSN degree through the Executive RN to BSN program. In fact, many community colleges throughout Hawaii offer ASN programs that line up with the curriculum at the University of Hawaii – Manoa in order to allow ASN graduates to easily transition into the BSN program.
The University of Hawaii – Manoa’s RN to BSN program consists of only thirty-four credits, but before applying students must have forty-seven credits worth of prerequisites as well as the courses for the ASN. Students who can demonstrate professional experience and competence may be eligible to place out of some of the thirty-four credits of upper-level nursing courses; advisors will evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for students who wish to provide primary care as Nurse Practitioners (NP). Within this NP program, students may specialize in Adult/Gerontology, Pediatrics, Family, Family/Public Health, or Pediatric/Public Health. Depending on the specialty chosen, the total credits required range between forty-five and sixty-two, and over 500 clinical hours are required. The NP program can be completed on either a part-time or a full-time basis, and the program is available via distance-based learning.
Master of Science in Nursing – Advanced Public Health Nursing
Through the MSN – Advanced Public Health Nursing program, students can prepare to take the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center exam for advanced public health nursing and earn the title of Advanced Public Health Nurse. In this role, nurses can oversee the health and wellness of an entire population, and contribute to promoting health awareness and disease prevention. The program requires thirty-six credits in total, and is designed to be completed on a part-time basis over six semesters. Distance learning is available for this program. Students may also complete this program in conjunction with the MSN – Nurse Practitioner program, earning dual certification in public health nursing and pediatric or family health.
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
An RN who wishes to provide advanced care and direct overall care for adult patients can enroll in the University of Hawaii – Manoa’s MSN program, specializing in adult healthcare and working toward certification as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. This program requires forty-two credits in total, and can be completed in two years (full-time) or three years (part-time). Some parts of the program, but not all, can be completed online.
Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration
Each year, the University of Hawaii – Manoa accepts eighteen students into the MSN – Nursing Administration track. This prepares nurses to direct healthcare delivery at an administrative level, affecting and implementing healthcare strategies. The program consists of thirty-six credits, which are completed over the course of eighteen months. The format is hybrid, partly on-site and partly online.
Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration/MBA
Students can simultaneously complete the Nursing Administration MSN track and complete an MBA through the University of Hawaii – Manoa’s Shidler College of Business. The dual degree requires fifty-four credits. While the nursing administration part of the degree is hybrid in format, the MBA classes are only available on-site. The dual degree can be completed on either a full-time or a part-time basis.
Master of Science in Nursing – Master’s Entry Program in Nursing
A student who holds a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing may earn an MSN and transition straight into a leadership position in the nursing field through the Masters Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN). After completing prerequisites in science, psychology, and statistics, students then complete three semesters of bridge classes. At the end of these three semesters, a student can take the NCLEX_RN, and move into one of the MSN programs. The length of time to finish the program then depends on the MSN specialty chosen.
Post-master’s Certification
A nurse who has already earned an MSN may return to school to earn an MSN with a different specialty through the Post-master’s Certification track. This requires a minimum of fifteen credits, but the total number of credits will vary depending on the previous education of the nurse and the new specialty chosen.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program is offered online only, although students must commit to spending one week per year on campus. The program is designed to take four years on a part-time basis, and requires forty-five credits in total. A dissertation is required. The PhD in Nursing program, which is open to nurses who hold an MSN degree, prepares students to influence the way nursing is taught and the way healthcare strategies are implemented.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Building on the MSN program at the University of Hawaii – Manoa, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program continues to train nurses to be leaders in the healthcare field, both on the level of caring for individual patients and on the level of implementing healthcare strategies and promoting wellness in the community. The program takes two years on a part-time basis, and is offered in a hybrid format, partly online and partly on-site. Thirty credits are required in total; this includes an evidence-based project. As with the PhD in Nursing program, the DNP program is only open to nurses who already hold an MSN degree.
Contact:
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2500 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
[wpgmza id=”294″]
University of Hawaii Maui College Nursing School Review
The University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC), formerly Maui Community College (MCC), has grown from its roots as a vocational school to a full college. It offers associate degrees, bachelor of applied science degrees, and certificates, as well as cooperating with other members of the University of Hawaii system to bring baccalaureate and graduate degree programs to the residents of Maui County.
Among these programs are two in the field of nursing, which build upon one another and provide a basis for students to pursue further nursing education in the future. Both programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Practical Nursing Certificate
The Practical Nursing Certificate program is either the first step toward a full Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, or a way for a student to quickly become certified as a nurse and enter the nursing profession. The certificate requires forty-four credit hours, and includes classes in English, psychology, and zoology in addition to the core nursing classes. At the end of the program, students may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX_PN) and seek work as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Alternatively, they may transition into upper-level nursing courses in the ASN program.
Associate of Science in Nursing
At Maui College, the ASN program builds on the Practical Nursing program. After completing the Practical Nursing program, ASN students go on to complete the remainder of the required seventy-three credit hours. After completing the program, students may take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN) or pursue the next step on Hawaii’s Nursing Career Ladder program, which is a full Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, through another member of the University of Hawaii system.
Options for Further Nursing Education
While Maui College itself does not offer any nursing degrees higher than the ASN degree, it does open up its campus to other universities. Through the University Center at Maui, higher education options for nurses are available. Graduates of an ASN program may complete the University of Hawaii – Hilo’s RN-BSN program via distance learning classes; this requires at least fifty-four credit hours, thirty of which apply to the university’s general education requirements and twenty-four of which apply to the nursing program. Students may pursue the RN-BSN program either full-time or part-time. Since the nursing programs offered at Maui College are designed based on Hawaii’s Nursing Career Ladder curriculum, students from the ASN program at Maui College should be able to transition smoothly into the RN-BSN program without fulfilling additional prerequisites.
Nurses who wish to move beyond a BSN but do not want to leave Maui County have the option of pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree through the University of Hawaii at Manoa. There are several different tracks of this program: Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Public Health Nursing, and Nursing Administration. Although the University of Hawaii – Manoa has even more possible areas of specialization for MSN students, only these three tracks are available via distance-based learning.
Contact:
University of Hawai’i – Maui College
310 Kaahumanu Avenue
Kahului, HI 96732
[wpgmza id=”292″]
