Maria Delgado, RN
June 26, 2025
Hawaii’s nursing programs span pathways from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification to advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP) degrees, all contextualized by the state’s island‑wide healthcare needs. Whether you’re gaining foundational skills as a CNA, transitioning from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), completing Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training, or pursuing a specialty NP track, Hawaiian institutions deliver a mix of online coursework, in‑person labs, and clinical rotations at Honolulu medical centers and neighbor‑island clinics. This blend of theory and real‑world practice prepares graduates to deliver culturally competent, high‑quality care across diverse communities, and positions them for competitive roles in Hawaii’s unique healthcare environment.
Honolulu, HI - Public 4-Year - manoa.hawaii.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Hawaii at Manoa's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a competitive, campus-based program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam over three years. It emphasizes holistic patient care, cultural competence, and hands-on clinical experience in diverse settings, with a curriculum covering health promotion, pathophysiology, and professional practices. Preference is given to Hawaii residents, and financial aid is available. Admission requires an ACT or SAT exam, as it is a bachelor's level program.
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The High School Direct Entry in Nursing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is a full-time, four-year program for high school graduates, starting in fall 2025. It focuses on evidence-based care, leadership, and professional values, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam and careers as generalist nurses. Admission requires an ACT or SAT exam, as it is a bachelor's level program, and includes campus-based learning with informational sessions for prospective students.
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The UH West Oahu Pre-Nursing to UH Manoa Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a competitive pathway program requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisites with specific grades. It blends theoretical and practical training in health promotion and illness management for the NCLEX-RN exam, offering individual advising and support. Admission requires an ACT or SAT exam, as it is a bachelor's level program, and prepares graduates for diverse healthcare roles.
Hilo, HI - Public 4-Year - hilo.hawaii.edu
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The University of Hawaii at Hilo's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program focuses on culturally congruent care for rural settings, emphasizing hands-on learning through transcultural nursing and community health projects. With limited cohort sizes of 30 in Hilo and 10 in Waianae, it offers personalized education, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and competitive admission based on Natural Science courses and TEAS scores. This program requires the TEAS entrance exam and prepares students for leadership and lifelong education in nursing.
Honolulu, HI - Private 4-year - hpu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Hawaii Pacific University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, based in Honolulu, offers a campus-based education emphasizing a multicultural environment and hands-on clinical experiences on O'ahu. The curriculum integrates patient-centered care, teamwork, and evidence-based practice to prepare graduates for Hawaii's healthcare demands. Prerequisite courses in Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology are required for admission, and as a bachelor's program, it may require ACT or SAT entrance exams. This program is military-friendly and focuses on professional development, making it ideal for aspiring nurses seeking a comprehensive and supportive educational setting.
Honolulu, HI - Private 4-year - chaminade.edu
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Chaminade University of Honolulu's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a four-year, full-time campus-based offering that prepares students for the healthcare sector through evidence-based practice and clinical experiences. Emphasizing a values-based approach rooted in its Roman Catholic affiliation, the program features strong community partnerships and individualized mentoring to develop leadership and communication skills. Admission requires a competitive GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, and health compliance, including vaccinations. As a bachelor's level program, it may require ACT or SAT entrance exams, though specific details are not provided in the data. Accredited by CCNE, it is military-friendly and focuses on diverse, hands-on learning for a rewarding nursing career.
Honolulu, HI - Public 2-Year - kapiolani.hawaii.edu
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Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu, HI, offers an Associate in Science Degree in Nursing, which prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a blend of theoretical instruction and clinical practice. This program focuses on safety, ethics, and evidence-based practice, equipping graduates for entry-level roles in diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires prerequisite courses with a 'C' or higher, a 2.5 GPA, and the ATI TEAS exam. It facilitates seamless transition to BSN programs at UH M?noa and UH Hilo, with accreditation by ACEN and approval by the Hawaii State Board.
Hawaii’s LPN programs equip students with the nursing knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver care across the islands’ varied settings, from Honolulu’s major hospitals to remote neighbor‑island clinics. By combining coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, and fundamental nursing techniques with supervised clinical rotations, learners gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Hawaii licensure, graduates bolster the practical nursing workforce and help ensure consistent, quality care is accessible throughout the state.
Hawaii’s CNA programs offer a six‑ to twelve‑week curriculum designed to address the state’s island‑wide care needs, blending patient‑safety lectures with clinical practicums in both hospital and community settings. Students learn to assist with basic activities, transfers, hygiene, feeding, while managing vital‑sign monitoring and documentation. After certification, CNAs become indispensable in delivering daily care across all islands, where every team member’s contribution is critical. Their role supports licensed nurses and ensures continuity of care in unique, geographically dispersed communities.
Hawaii’s RN to BSN programs combine flexible online courses in leadership, population and community health, informatics and policy with clinical rotations in both major medical centers and neighbor island clinics. Offered in part-time and accelerated formats, they let RNs continue working while they earn a BSN. This degree enhances expertise in evidence-based practice and care coordination, aligns with employer and accreditation standards for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, and unlocks specialty and leadership opportunities across the islands.
Hawaii’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN foundation by combining advanced graduate coursework with extensive hands-on clinical rotations, typically completed in two to four years, in specialties like family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Delivered through online, hybrid, and on-campus formats at institutions across the islands, these MSN and DNP tracks prepare nurses for APRN certification and Hawaii licensure. Graduates step into vital roles as primary care providers, chronic care coordinators, and telehealth practitioners in major medical centers, community health clinics, and remote neighbor-island facilities. By extending access to high-level care in both urban and rural settings and helping alleviate provider shortages, NP programs are key to strengthening Hawaii’s unique healthcare landscape.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Still common, especially on neighbor islands, BSN completion strongly encouraged |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Not offered in Hawai‘i |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, programs include cultural and rural health training |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs have full practice authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
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Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website