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. |
For Hawaii students looking for an accelerated path to RN licensure, these online and hybrid ABSN programs accept applications from the islands and offer a blend of remote coursework with required in‑person labs and clinical rotations. While none are based in Hawaii, each school below has a strong track record of preparing career changers for the NCLEX‑RN. Remember that ‘online’ nursing programs still require hands‑on clinical hours and may include short on‑campus residencies.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $40,000 – $45,000/yr | Career changers seeking a prestigious hybrid | |
Georgetown University’s Accelerated BSN is a rigorous 12‑month hybrid program pairing synchronous online classes with intensive on‑campus labs and over 700 clinical hours at MedStar Health facilities. Designed for second‑degree students, it holds a 96% NCLEX pass rate and follows a holistic care philosophy. Federal data reports a median graduate income of $103,494 and a 95% institutional graduation rate.
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| #2 | Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO | $24,000/yr (net price) | Second‑degree students needing flexible admission | |
Saint Louis University’s Accelerated BSN was the nation’s first such program and remains a top choice for second‑degree students. The 12‑month hybrid curriculum features rolling admissions, a 9:1 student‑faculty ratio, and modern simulation labs. Graduates earn a median $70,783 with an institutional graduation rate of 80%. Clinical rotations span diverse healthcare settings.
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| #3 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northeastern University’s 16‑month hybrid ABSN accepts students with any bachelor’s degree and offers three annual start dates. The curriculum blends online learning with nursing labs and clinical rotations at top facilities. Graduates show median earnings of $92,538, and the university’s graduation rate reaches 91%. Scholarships and transfer options add flexibility.
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| #4 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | $17,000/yr (net price) | ||
Ohio State University’s 5‑semester hybrid ABSN is a public‑university option for non‑nursing degree holders. It requires summer start and provides clinical placements at the Wexner Medical Center. Graduates see median earnings of $60,409, while institutional graduation rate stands at 88%. Out‑of‑state tuition applies for Hawaii residents, but financial aid may offset costs.
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| #5 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing, NJ | $20,000 – $26,000/yr | ||
The College of New Jersey offers a 14‑month hybrid ABSN for second‑degree students, with synchronous and asynchronous online classes. The program includes a high‑fidelity simulation lab and clinical rotations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. A holistic admissions process and cohort model support students, though working during the program is discouraged. The net price is $27,646.
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| #6 | Felbry College | Columbus, OH | $55,000 – $60,000/yr | ||
Felbry College’s online RN to BSN Completion Program is designed for current registered nurses holding an associate degree or diploma. The 100% online, 16‑month accelerated track builds leadership and evidence‑based practice skills. Advanced standing is granted for RNs, and no NCLEX is required after completion. Institutional graduation rate is 91%.
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| #7 | Angeles College | Los Angeles, CA | $29,000/yr (net price) | ||
Angeles College in Los Angeles provides a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Prelicensure Nursing that can be completed on an accelerated timeline. The program prepares students for the NCLEX‑RN and Public Health Nurse certification, with hands‑on clinical experiences in the LA area. Federal data shows a median graduate income of $49,108 and a net price of $28,639.
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| #8 | Baylor University | Waco, TX | ~$41,000/yr (est.) | ||
Baylor University’s Distance ABSN is a 12‑month, primarily online program with only two required visits to the Texas campus. It holds a 96% NCLEX pass rate and includes 720 clinical hours with placement support. However, the program is restricted to Texas residents only, making it unavailable to Hawaii students unless residency requirements change.
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| #9 | Unitek College | Fremont, CA | $25,000/yr (net price) | ||
Unitek College in Fremont, CA, offers a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing that can take two to three years and an LVN to BSN pathway for licensed vocational nurses. Both programs combine online coursework with hands‑on labs and clinical rotations at partner facilities. Small class sizes and personalized coaching are highlighted. Median graduate earnings are $79,550.
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| #10 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa, OK | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
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.
Because Hawaii has a relatively small population and only a few nursing schools, no institution offers a stand-alone Accelerated BSN. The Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) at UH Mānoa provides a second-degree pathway to RN licensure, and several accredited online ABSN programs welcome Hawaii residents for didactic courses and arrange local clinical rotations.
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.
Searching for an accelerated BSN at Chaminade University or Hawaii Pacific University? As of 2026, neither school offers a dedicated second degree ABSN program. Chaminade provides a traditional BSN track, not designed for career changers with a prior bachelor's. Hawaii Pacific University also does not list an accelerated second degree option. This means Hawaii residents must consider online or out of state ABSN programs that welcome Hawaii students.
Got questions about accelerated BSN pathways for Hawaii students? Below we answer the most common queries about program options, prerequisites, licensing, and more.
In addition to the top-ranked programs, Hawaii students have access to many other online ABSN programs from across the country. These programs accept out-of-state residents and offer flexible online coursework combined with in-person clinical placements. The following schools provide additional accelerated nursing pathways worth considering.
