Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii: If you’re considering some of the best nursing schools in the US and the best nursing programs in the US you’re certainly going to find some in Hawaii.

As a prerequisite before you can start a nursing career in Hawaii, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). This process requires a minimum number of nursing practicum hours and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN.

To be able to achieve that, you must enroll in any of the best nursing schools in Hawaii to get adequate training.

This guide is going to lead you to the best colleges for nurses in Hawaii.

Ready?

Let’s get the ball rolling!!!

List Of The Application Requirements To Apply To Nursing Schools In Hawaii

The basic requirements to apply to any of the colleges for nurses in Hawaii include;

ACT and/or SAT scores
College entrance essay(s)
Letter(s) of recommendation
High school transcript (GPA).

However, note that requirements are school-dependent, therefore visit each school’s website to know their requirements before applying.

Factors To Consider When Choosing A Nursing School In Hawaii

Here are the important factors you must consider before enrolling in any of Hawaii’s best schools below;

NCLEX pass rate
Program outcomes
Cost of living on-campus or in the area
Type of program (BSN or associate degree)
Distance from hospitals for clinical practice
School and nursing program acceptance rate
Annual tuition and total nursing program cost
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
School accreditation (regional and national).

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in Florida 2023 | A Detailed Guide

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii Today

Here is a list of the best colleges for nurses in Hawaii that will train you to become a professional RN in the state.

Our basis for bringing these schools to the top 10 is consideration of the NCLEX pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate, and accreditation from ACEN or CCNE;

1. University of Hawaii at Hilo

Location: Hilo, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 82.50%
Nursing Degrees Offered: BSN and DNP
Tuition Per Year: $14,688 (In-state), $40,608 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Hawaii at Hilo is one of Hawaii’s best nursing schools and one of the best regional schools.

A large number of the 2,700 undergraduate students at UH Hilo are enrolled into the traditional BSN program.

In addition to the traditional BSN program is the transfer-friendly BSN, 2 doctoral programs, and the BSN-DNP program which is a 3-year on-campus degree.

One reason to enroll into the University of Hawaii Hilo’s nursing program is that UH Hilo is the only BSN program on the outer islands that offers students exclusive rural clinical learning experiences.

APPLY TO UH HILO’S NURSING PROGRAM

2. University of Phoenix Hawaii

Location: Kapolei, Oahu.
NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A
Nursing Degrees Offered: RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP
Tuition Per Year: $12,736 (based on per-credit tuition rate)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Phoenix Hawaii is an online school with a physical campus location in Kapolei, Oahu.

What this means is that although the nursing programs are majorly online, students can still enjoy the campus lifestyle.

The nursing programs available at the University of Phoenix Hawaii include RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs.

APPLY TO UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX HAWAII NURSING PROGRAM

3. Chaminade University of Honolulu

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.45%
Nursing Degrees Offered: BSN
Tuition Per Year: $28,544 (All students)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Chaminade University is the only Catholic college in Hawaii and has over 1,028 undergraduate students.

The only nursing program option at Chaminade University is the traditional BSN program in which students have established a track record of good NCLEX pass rate.

APPLY TO CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAM

4. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.62%
Nursing Degrees Offered: BSN, online RN-BSN, MSN, DPN
Tuition Per Year: $11,304 (In-state), $33,336 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is one of the best nursing schools in Hawaii and the oldest school in the UH system.

Although a large public school, the University of Hawaii at Manoa has a small class size of just 20 students.

Keep in mind that the BSN program has a direct entry option for current high school students, and most of the graduate-level degrees can be completed online.

APPLY TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA NURSING PROGRAM

5. Hawaii Pacific University

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.19%
Tuition Per Year: $35,040 (For all nursing students)
Nursing Degrees Offered: BSN, RN-BSN, HM-BSN, LPN-BSN, MSN, DNP: MSN-DNP and BSN-DNP
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Hawaii Pacific University is one of the best nursing programs in the US and one of the best nursing schools in the US.

HPU is a non-religious private school that offers a variety of nursing programs.

The HPU Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students to use evidence-based practices and patient care technologies for practice.

Also, Hawaii Pacific University features an exceptional opportunity for graduates of the BSN program that wish to continue their nursing education.

APPLY TO HPU NURSING PROGRAM

6. Hawaii Community College

Location: Hilo, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Nursing Degrees Offered: AS-NURS(RN), LPN to AS-NURS (LPN-RN)
Tuition Per Year: $3,144 (In-state), $8,280 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (No)

Unlike many other nursing schools in Hawaii, Hawaii Community College does not offer a four-year nursing degree program.

By studying nursing at Hawaii Community College you earn an associate of science in nursing (ASN) in two years.

It may interest you to know that Pacific Islander students who aren’t Hawaii residents get a discounted tuition rate.

APPLY TO HCC NURSING PROGRAM

7. Kapiolani Community College

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.08%
Nursing Degrees Offered: ASN (RN)
Tuition Per Year: $3,144 (In-state), $8,280 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Kapiolani Community College offers ASN nursing programs which means there are no traditional nursing programs at KCC.

After completion of the ASN program, students can earn a BSN through an RN-BSN program. With the high rate of NCLEX, future students have a guarantee for quality education.

APPLY TO KCC NURSING PROGRAM

8. University of Hawaii – Kauai Community College

Location: Kauai, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.47%
Nursing Degrees Offered: LPN – RN.
Tuition Per Year: $3,144 (In-state), $8,280 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (No)

The University of Hawaii – Kauai Community College offers many options for students but its nursing students have just one option.

Through the 2 years AS nursing program, students can become an RN and can go further to enroll in any RN-BSN program in any of the other nursing schools in Hawaii.

APPLY TO UH KCC NURSING PROGRAM

9. University of Hawaii – Maui College

Location: Maui, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.47%
Nursing Degrees Offered: PN (LPN), ASN (RN)
Tuition Per Year: $3,144 (In-state), $8,280 (Out-of-state)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Hawaii – Maui College has one of the best nursing programs in the US.

As one of the best nursing schools in Hawaii, UH Maui College boasts small class sizes and a prime location in Maui.

Students who are looking to get a BSN degree can complete their first 2 years at Maui College and then transfer directly into UH Manoa’s BSN as Maui College doesn’t offer a complete BSN program.

APPLY TO UH MAUI COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAM

10. Aspen University

Location: Hilo, Hawaii.
NCLEX Pass Rate: N/A
Nursing Degrees Offered: BSN and DNP
Tuition Per Year: $9,750 (For all nursing students)
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Aspen College is one of the Best Nursing Schools in Colorado and its strong online presence in Hawaii makes it one of the best nursing schools in Hawaii.

Students can complete the entire nursing RN-BSN program online at Aspen University.

However, note that students must first become RNs before they enroll.

In terms of flexibility and affordability, Aspen College is your best bet to acquire a BSN in Hawaii.

APPLY TO ASPEN COLLEGE OF NURSING

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in California 2023 | A Detailed Guide

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Nursing Schools In Hawaii

How Many Nurses Are Currently Employed In Hawaii?

Currently, there are 11,110 nurses in Hawaii. This is quite a low figure and among the lowest in the nation.

However, Hawaii’s low employment rate of nurses is due to the few numbers of residents in the state.

How Much Are Nurses Paid In Hawaii?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Hawaii RNs earn $106,530 annually.

This leaves Hawaii with the second-highest rate in the US after California.

What Accreditation Bodies Are In Charge Of Nursing Schools In Hawaii?

The two official accrediting bodies for nursing schools in Hawaii are;

– Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
– Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

These accrediting bodies ensure that all accredited nursing programs adhere to the same standard and criteria.

Also note that if you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation.

How Do I Get a License To Practice Nursing in Hawaii?

So many people ask questions about how to become a nurse in Hawaii, USA; and this article will give you good knowledge on how to become a nurse in Hawaii.

First of all, you’ll need to get your license if you are going to become a nurse in Hawaii, USA.

Hawaii has a straightforward license process for nurses. As long as you earn an ASN or BSN from an accredited school, you can easily get your requirements by following the following process;

Step 1. – Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Step 2. – Submit electronic fingerprints and pass a criminal background check
Step 3. – Pay an application fee and complete an application through the Hawaii Board of Nursing.

Conclusion

There you have it with the top 10 best nursing schools in Hawaii, USA. It is now up to you to make good use of this information and select the best school for your nursing career.

References

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