Ranked online and hybrid accelerated BSN programs available to Hawaii residents seeking a fast-track nursing career
An accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a fast-track nursing degree for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s in another field, condensing prelicensure coursework into roughly 12 to 18 months. No Hawaii-based school currently offers a stand-alone ABSN. The closest in-state alternative is the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) at UH Mānoa, which blends a master’s entry with RN licensure.
This gap pushes Hawaii residents toward accredited online and hybrid ABSN programs from mainland universities. Didactic courses can be completed remotely, but in-person labs and clinical rotations remain non-negotiable, and securing clinical slots on Oahu or neighbor islands adds logistical complexity. Even so, Hawaii’s persistent nursing shortage means an RN license earned through any accredited path carries strong hiring demand across the state.
For Hawaii students pursuing an accelerated BSN, the regulatory environment is shaped by a unique non-compact licensure system and specific board requirements. Below is a quick-reference snapshot of the Hawaii Board of Nursing essentials, including compact status, licensure pathways, and renewal rules. A full comparison of in-state graduate-entry options like UH Mānoa’s GEPN is covered later in the article.
| Factor | What Hawaii Students Should Know |
|---|---|
| Hawaii Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) Participation | Hawaii is not an active NLC member as of 2025–2026. Nurses cannot obtain a multistate license through Hawaii; a single-state license is required. Even if you hold a multistate license from another compact state, you must still obtain a separate Hawaii license to practice here. |
| Hawaii Board of Nursing (BON) | The board is part of the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. It oversees RN licensure, approves nursing education programs, and administers continuing competency requirements. |
| Licensure by Examination for ABSN Graduates | To become an RN by exam, you must graduate from a board-approved nursing program, submit an application with a criminal history check, and pass the NCLEX-RN. Out-of-state ABSN graduates must provide evidence that their program was approved by its home state board and is substantially equivalent. |
| Licensure by Endorsement (Already Licensed RNs) | If you hold an active RN license from another state, you must apply for licensure by endorsement and complete a background check. Even if your license is from a Nurse Licensure Compact state, Hawaii does not recognize it automatically. |
| License Renewal and Continuing Competency | RN licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewal requires continuing competency units since 2019. Failure to renew results in forfeiture; you can restore within two years with fingerprinting and competency documentation, but after two years you must reapply as a new applicant. |
| Clinical Requirements for Online/Out-of-State ABSN Programs | The Hawaii Board of Nursing may scrutinize the clinical experience of primarily online programs. Ensure your program includes robust supervised clinical hours that meet Hawaii's standards for licensure recognition. |
| Program Selection Guidance | Choose an ABSN program that is approved by its home state board of nursing and prepares you for standard RN licensure. Programs lacking sufficient clinical training may face additional hurdles when seeking Hawaii approval. |
| NCLEX-RN Registration | You must register for the NCLEX-RN through the NCSBN and meet Hawaii Board of Nursing eligibility criteria. After passing, your license is issued by the Hawaii BON. |
Hawaii does not currently have a verified in-state ABSN in our directory, so this list highlights online and hybrid accelerated BSN programs from mainland universities that accept Hawaii residents. Every program below still requires in-person labs, simulations, and clinical rotations, and students should confirm clinical placement logistics before applying. The ordering reflects institutional strength and program-level fit for Hawaii-based career changers.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $40,000 – $45,000/yr (est.) | Career changers preferring synchronous online coursework | |
This private university's hybrid accelerated BSN pairs synchronous online classes with intensive on-campus labs and clinical rotations at MedStar Health facilities across the D.C. metro area. The 12-month program requires over 700 hours of hands-on experience and reports a 96% licensure pass rate. Institution-wide, about 95% of students graduate, and federal earnings data show median early-career earnings around $103,000. CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | Students wanting multiple annual start dates | |
This university offers a 16-month hybrid ABSN with three start dates per year, blending online coursework with hands-on labs and clinical rotations in Boston, Providence, and Charlotte. The program is open to second-degree students and transfer students with at least 62 college credits, and admissions decisions are typically made within weeks. Institution-wide, about 91% of students graduate, and post-completion earnings data show median early-career earnings around $93,000. CCNE accredited
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| #3 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | $17,000/yr (est. net price) | Cost-conscious learners preferring public university | |
This large public university's five-semester accelerated BSN combines online classes with in-person labs and clinical rotations, including placements at Wexner Medical Center. Designed for students with a prior bachelor's degree, the 59-credit program starts in summer and reports a strong nursing reputation and alumni network. About 88% of students graduate institution-wide, and federal data show median early-career earnings around $60,000. CCNE accredited
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| #4 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ | $20,000 – $26,000/yr (est.) | ||
This New Jersey public college offers a 14-month hybrid second-degree BSN with synchronous or asynchronous online classes and on-campus simulation labs. Clinical rotations take place in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the program lists a total tuition of about $34,000. Institution-wide graduation is roughly 86%, and median early-career earnings are around $73,000. CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | $24,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
This private Jesuit university runs a 12-month hybrid ABSN with rolling admissions and two start dates per year. It describes itself as the first accelerated BSN program in the U.S. and uses a low student-to-faculty ratio with clinicals across diverse settings. About 80% of students graduate institution-wide, and median early-career earnings are around $71,000. CCNE accredited
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| #6 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | $15,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
This Oklahoma university's online accelerated BSN takes as few as 21 months and includes a one-week on-campus skills bootcamp plus 630 hours of clinical rotations in the student's local community. The program reports a 100% licensure pass rate, three start dates per year, and textbooks included in tuition. About 72% of students graduate institution-wide, and median early-career earnings are around $61,000. ACEN accredited
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| #7 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | $19,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
This public university offers a 16-month hybrid accelerated BSN with online didactic lectures and face-to-face labs and clinicals on a block schedule. Admission is open to degree holders, active LPNs, and military medics, and requires a state nurse aide course before starting. Institution-wide, about 71% of students graduate, with median early-career earnings around $59,000.
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| #8 | Bethel University | Saint Paul, MN | $29,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
This Christian university in Minnesota offers a faith-based hybrid post-baccalaureate nursing program that can be completed in 15 to 20 months. It combines online coursework with in-person skills labs and clinical placements across more than 230 healthcare organizations. About 71% of students graduate institution-wide, and median early-career earnings are about $64,000. CCNE accredited
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| #9 | Assumption University | Worcester, MA | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
This private Massachusetts university's hybrid ABSN lasts 16 months with asynchronous online coursework and on-campus labs one to two days per week. The flat-rate tuition of $61,500 includes an iPad and access to ATI and CastleBranch, and the 2025 cohort reported a 100% NCLEX pass rate. About 75% of students graduate institution-wide, and median early-career earnings are around $75,000. CCNE accredited
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| #10 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | ||
This Nashville university offers a 16-month hybrid ABSN with online coursework, in-person labs, and clinicals in the city's healthcare hub. The program is ACEN accredited, reports a 100% job placement rate, and uses a Christ-centered curriculum. About 72% of students graduate institution-wide, with median early-career earnings around $56,000. ACEN accredited
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The promise of online nursing education meets a hard reality in Hawaii: no online ABSN program fully delivers clinical training in the islands. While didactic coursework can be completed remotely through a mix of recorded lectures and live sessions, every accredited ABSN requires in-person labs, simulations, and clinical rotations. Students who assume a program is entirely virtual risk significant disruptions once they discover mandatory on-site components.
Online ABSN programs deliver nursing theory and foundational coursework through a digital platform. However, skills labs and simulation training must be completed in person at designated facilities. Clinical rotations are always hands-on, supervised experiences in hospitals, clinics, or community health settings. No state board of nursing approves a fully remote path to initial RN licensure, so the online label refers only to the didactic portion, not the entire program.
Even if a hybrid format sounds appealing, geography creates a second filter. Many nationally advertised online ABSN programs have residency requirements that limit applicants to specific states. For example, Rockhurst University's online ABSN serves only students in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri and requires a 10-day on-campus residency in Kansas City.1 Edgewood College's online ABSN is restricted to Wisconsin residents and includes three immersion labs in Madison.2 These limitations are common; programs often build clinical partnerships within a regional network and cannot accommodate remote learners from distant states. Hawaii residents should always check the program's eligibility criteria before investing time in an application.
The most significant barrier is securing clinical placements in Hawaii. As of 2025-2026, no nationally available hybrid or online ABSN has publicly confirmed the ability to arrange clinical rotations on Oahu or any neighbor island. Programs that accept out-of-state students may still require relocation to their local clinical sites, or they might ask students to find their own preceptors. Given Hawaii's limited number of healthcare facilities and stringent administrative requirements, self-sourcing a clinical spot is extremely difficult. Before enrolling, always request written confirmation from the program about where clinical rotations will take place and who is responsible for securing those hours.
Some hybrid ABSN programs offer theoretical coursework online but require periodic campus intensives on the mainland. For Hawaii-based students, this means budgeting for round-trip flights, hotel stays, and weeks away from home each semester. Even a few short residencies can add thousands of dollars to the total cost. Travel fatigue and time-zone differences can also affect academic performance. If a program does accept Hawaii residents and claims to support clinical placements anywhere, verify whether that includes Hawaii specifically, and at what level of assistance.
In Hawaii, the only second-degree nursing pathway that guarantees local clinical rotations is the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN), which is an on-campus, full-time master's entry program, not an ABSN.3 For students determined to pursue an ABSN, the current landscape requires relocation to a U.S. mainland city with an established program. The absence of in-state accelerated BSN programs makes careful vetting of any online or hybrid promise essential.
For second-degree seekers in Hawaii, the decision often comes down to two very different routes: an online accelerated BSN (ABSN) offered by mainland universities or the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN). While both prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and start practicing as a registered nurse, the degree you earn and the experience you have along the way diverge significantly. An online ABSN typically leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, whereas the GEPN culminates in a Master of Science in Nursing (with an option to pursue a DNP). Understanding what each path offers helps you align your choice with your career goals, budget, and willingness to stay in the islands.
If staying in Hawaii through your nursing education matters, the GEPN holds a clear advantage. UH Manoa places students in clinical rotations at major healthcare systems across the state, including hospitals and community sites on Oahu and potentially neighbor islands. You build your professional network right where you intend to work. By contrast, most online ABSN programs run clinical rotations near their home campuses or within designated mainland partner sites. Even programs that advertise clinical placement nationwide rarely have deep roots in Hawaii. This can mean months of travel, temporary relocation, or significant delays in securing a slot. The GEPN keeps your clinicals local and integrated.
Both pathways lead to entry-level RN positions, and employers generally do not pay a new graduate more solely because they hold an MSN. However, the master's degree can accelerate movement into roles such as clinical nurse leader, nursing educator, or quality improvement coordinator without requiring additional BSN-to-MSN bridge programs. If you eventually pursue advanced practice as a nurse practitioner, having an MSN may shorten certain doctoral tracks. For those who are certain they want to work at the bedside and have no immediate graduate ambitions, a BSN may feel more straightforward. But if you envision leadership or a specialized non-provider role sooner, the GEPN offers a built-in head start.
Consider your tolerance for upheaval. An online ABSN might be appealing if you find a program with a start date, cost, and clinical placement path that works for you, but be prepared for logistical hurdles in Hawaii. The GEPN demands an on-campus commitment in Manoa and a fast-paced graduate curriculum, yet allows you to build a career without crossing an ocean. Weigh costs realistically: online programs often quote attractive per-credit rates but can balloon with fees and travel. The GEPN's public-university pricing may be kinder to local students. Your best bet is to map your long-term nursing goals, compare total program expenses, and decide which set of tradeoffs you can live with.
ABSN programs available to Hawaii residents set clear academic guardrails that candidates must meet before applying. These requirements are not merely formalities; they ensure every admitted student enters with the foundational science knowledge and academic readiness to succeed in an accelerated, full-time nursing curriculum.
To apply, you must hold a regionally accredited bachelor's degree in any non-nursing field. Most programs set a cumulative undergraduate GPA minimum of 2.75 to 3.0, though competitive cohorts often enroll candidates with a higher GPA. Some schools also evaluate prerequisite course GPA separately, so a strong performance in science prerequisites can offset a slightly lower overall GPA.
The list of required prerequisite courses varies by program, but the following courses are almost universally expected for Hawaii students targeting online or out-of-state ABSN options:
Additional courses, such as Sociology or English Composition, may be listed by individual programs, so review each school's catalog carefully.
Hawaii residents can complete the required lab science courses right at home. Kapiʻolani Community College and Leeward Community College both offer in-person anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry courses with the hands-on lab components ABSN programs require. For example, Kapiʻolani CC's Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (PHYL 141L) gives students a full lab experience1 and the credit transfers to institutions such as Oregon State University2, a model that many online ABSN programs recognize. If you need schedule flexibility, accredited online providers like Portage Learning and Straighterline offer self-paced, lab-inclusive options that many programs accept; always verify a program's transfer policies before enrolling.
Once prerequisites are underway, you will typically submit official transcripts from every college attended, two or three letters of recommendation (usually from academic or professional references), and a personal statement that explains your choice to pursue nursing as a second career. Many online ABSN programs offer multiple cohort starts each year, spring, summer, and fall, so applicants can plan prerequisite completion around the next available start date. Application deadlines often fall several months before the cohort begins; early preparation and submission improve your chances of securing a seat.
Balancing a fast-track nursing degree against its price tag is a central challenge for career changers in Hawaii. With no in-state accelerated BSN program, Hawaii students face the added variable of out-of-state or private school tuition; the lowest total cost option is not always obvious when travel, fees, and lost income during full-time study come into play.
Tuition for the online and hybrid programs available to Hawaii residents spans a wide range. Among the ranked options, the most affordable path is North Dakota State University’s hybrid ABSN: out-of-state students pay roughly $15,564 in tuition for the entire program. On the higher end, the University of Tulsa’s online ABSN carries a flat tuition of $49,546, though it bundles textbooks and includes a one-week on-campus skills bootcamp. Other programs fall between these extremes, for example, Ohio State University charges $40,022 for non-Ohio residents, Harding University’s hybrid ABSN sits at $25,962, and Fairleigh Dickinson University’s program is $37,468. These figures reflect tuition only; total cost of attendance will be higher.
The tuition amount that appears on a school’s website is rarely what a Hawaii student will pay. Public universities like North Dakota State and Ohio State base their rates on residency; Hawaii students almost always fall into the out-of-state category for these schools, which can double the price compared to in-state peers. Private institutions, including Tulsa, Harding, University of Evansville, and Marian University, typically charge a single tuition rate regardless of residence, which simplifies cost comparisons. When evaluating a program, verify whether the listed price is a flat rate or if out-of-state surcharges apply. This directly impacts affordability and should be factored before applying.
A realistic budget must account for prerequisites, books, uniforms, clinical supplies, immunization tracking, background checks, and NCLEX preparation. Many programs also require one or more intensive on-campus sessions: for Hawaii students, these mean round-trip airfare, lodging, and ground transportation. For instance, Tulsa’s one-week bootcamp in Oklahoma and hybrid labs at Harding in Arkansas add travel expenses that should be estimated early. Some schools include textbooks or NCLEX review in tuition; others bill them separately. It is wise to request a full cost breakdown from each admissions office.
Accredited ABSN programs qualify for federal student loans, and many schools offer scholarships or payment plans. Federal data shows that median loan debt for graduates at these institutions ranges from about $20,000 to $27,000, and school-wide earnings data suggest early-career salaries above $55,000. Since registered nurse wages in Hawaii are among the highest in the nation, the debt-to-income picture remains favorable. Hawaii students should also explore employer tuition reimbursement through major local healthcare systems like Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Health Systems, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, as well as GI Bill® benefits for military-connected families, given Hawaii’s large active-duty and veteran population.
For Hawaii residents considering an online ABSN, comparing program debt against typical early-career earnings helps gauge long-term value. Below are median debt and median earnings for six top-ranked online accelerated nursing programs that accept Hawaii students, based on federal data.
Clinical placements secured by a school’s dedicated team versus sites you must arrange independently: this distinction can make or break your ABSN timeline when you pursue a national online program from Hawaii.
Hawaii’s clinical capacity is concentrated in a handful of large health networks, nearly all on Oahu. These organizations regularly accept nursing students from accredited programs:
Together, these systems form the backbone of clinical education in Hawaii. The Hawaii Clinical Placement Collaborative coordinates placement access across 8 nursing schools and 11 hospitals1, but that coordination currently flows through Hawaii-based institutions2. For nationally available online ABSN programs, the relationship to this network is indirect at best.
While Oahu is home to the vast majority of clinical placements, students on neighbor islands face a steeper path. Clinical opportunities on Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai are limited and often tied to the few local hospitals or clinics. As a result, many nursing students who live outside Oahu must either commute regularly to Oahu or temporarily relocate for the duration of their clinical rotations.
This geographic reality means that before you commit to an online ABSN program, you should map out not just the didactic convenience of remote classes but the physical logistics of completing in-person clinical hours. If you are on a neighbor island, ask programs hard questions about whether they have ever placed a student on that island and what travel or housing costs you should anticipate.
Most nationally marketed online or hybrid ABSN programs do not hold standing clinical contracts in Hawaii3. That does not make placement impossible, but it does make it less predictable. Some programs, such as Elmhurst University’s online ABSN, employ a clinical placement team that actively secures sites near the student’s community; however, success in Hawaii depends on site availability and facility willingness to accept an out-of-state school’s student3.
Programs without such dedicated teams may ask students to identify and secure their own clinical sites. This can be a critical enrollment decision factor: choosing a program that offers placement support, even if not guaranteed, shifts a significant administrative burden off the student. Before enrolling, ask specifically whether the program has previously placed ABSN students in Hawaii, how many sites they have used, and what the average time is from placement request to confirmed site.
Hawaii’s large military-connected population makes Tripler Army Medical Center and the VA Medical Center relevant clinical options. Both facilities accept nursing students, though processes for external school approval may differ from civilian hospitals. For students with military affiliation or those living near these federal sites, exploring clinical rotations through Tripler or the VA can widen the placement pool beyond the four major civilian systems.
Hawaii continues to contend with a significant nursing shortage, which has two practical implications for ABSN students. First, clinical sites are busy, and preceptors may be stretched thin; this can slow clinical placement processing or reduce available slots. Second, and more encouraging, the persistent demand means that graduates who complete their clinicals and earn licensure are entering a market with strong local job prospects. The same hospitals where you complete rotations are often hiring, turning your clinical performance into a long-term career opportunity.
Got questions about accelerated BSN pathways for Hawaii students? Below we answer the most common queries about program options, prerequisites, licensing, and more.
The programs below are additional accelerated BSN options that accept students from Hawaii, offered by schools based outside the islands. Most pair online theory with short campus residencies and regional clinical placements, so applicants should confirm early where hands-on hours can be completed. Use this directory to compare formats, timelines, and costs before narrowing a shortlist.
