Overview of Nursing Schools in Hawaii
- There are 8 nursing schools in Hawaii. The CCNE accredits 3 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 7 schools in Hawaii.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Hawaii is between 76.73% and 89.15%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Hawaii is between 73.33% and 86.45%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Hawaii can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Recommended Nursing Schools for Hawaii
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
About Nursing Schools in Hawaii
There are currently 11,410 Registered Nurses and 390 Nurse Practitioners working in the state of Hawaii. The average annual salary of the former is $104,920, while NPs earn $72,930; this figure only goes on to show how Hawaii is a great place for nurses to work and thrive in.
While both RNs and NPs work in a culturally diverse and ever-changing environment in Hawaii, the latter has been given Full Practice Authority by the State Board of Nursing. A Full Practice Authority allows NPs to evaluate patients, diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests, and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.
One of the best qualities of nursing schools in Hawaii is that they create a close-knit community-like environment for their students to learn and thrive in.
Nursing Schools in Hawaii prepare professional, competent, and compassionate care providers who are culturally sensitive. The schools allow their students to practice in high-end healthcare clinics as well as in rural settings, so that they are competent enough to work in any kind of setting. The nursing schools mentioned in this article are some of the best in the state and the entire country and they provide their students with countless opportunities to excel at their study and profession while also being accessible and affordable.
Hawaii RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 4 | 4 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 81.00% | 80.18% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 76.73% to 89.15% | 73.33% to 86.45% |
Nursing Programs Offered by Hawaii Nursing Schools
- Registered Nursing: 8
- Family Nurse Practitioner: 3
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
- Adult Nurse Practitioner: 1
- Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: 1
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
Hawaii Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types
- University of Hawaii @ Manoa-MEPN: 5
- Hawaii Pacific University: 3
- University of Hawaii at Hilo: 2
- Hawaii Community College: 1
- Kauai Community College: 1
- University of Hawaii – Maui College: 1
- Kapiolani Community College: 1
- University of Phoenix-Hawaii Campus: 1
Best Ranked RN Programs in Hawaii
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Hawaii and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 4 ADN degree programs and 4 BSN degree programs in Hawaii. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Hawaii to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii
University of Hawaii @ Manoa-MEPN
School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
Pass Rate
- 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI - 96822-2217
- (808) 956-8111
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 99.21%
- Programs: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated MSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 1344
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $12,186
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 72%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,675
Percent Admitted: 84%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 20%
Graduation Rate: 62%
Kapiolani Community College
Pass Rate
- 4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI - 96816-4421
- (808) 734-9000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 165
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,284
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 58%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,072
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 22%
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Pass Rate
- 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI - 96816-1578
- (808) 735-4711
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.29%
- Programs:
- Award Levels:
University Information
Total Faculty: 91
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,600
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 100%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $15,545
Percent Admitted: 89%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 18%
Graduation Rate: 59%
Hawaii Community College
Pass Rate
- 1175 Manono Street, Hilo, HI - 96720-5096
- (808) 934-2500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 90.40%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 82
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,204
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 76%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,424
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 27%
University of Hawaii - Maui College
Career Ladder Nursing Program Professional/Community
Pass Rate
- 310 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului, HI - 96732-1617
- (808) 984-3500
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 89.27%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 70
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,278
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 66%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,391
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 25%
Kauai Community College
Pass Rate
- 3-1901 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue, HI - 96766-9500
- (808) 245-8311
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 86.30%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 52
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $3,252
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 73%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,033
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 25%
Hawaii Pacific University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Pass Rate
- 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI - 96813
- (808) 544-0200
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 82.81%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 159
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,300
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 97%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $12,723
Percent Admitted: 81%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 8%
Graduation Rate: 46%
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Pass Rate
- 200 W Kawili St, Hilo, HI - 96720-4091
- (808) 932-7446
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 81.81%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP
View More
University Information
Total Faculty: 191
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,838
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 89%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,680
Percent Admitted: 74%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 20%
Graduation Rate: 38%
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Hawaii
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Hawaii
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Hawaii offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Online NP Programs Liked by Hawaii Nurses
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Hawaii RN Licensing Requirements
Hawaii State Board of Nursing
King Kalakaua Building
335 Merchant Street, Room 301
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-3000
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $40
License renewal (every two years), RN: $160
Continuing Education Requirements:
None
It is recommended that an RN candidate should enroll in a professional nursing program that is nationally accredited or state approved. There are five BSN programs within Hawaii: three in Honolulu, one in Hilo, and one in Kaneohe. Programs that have been completed in the armed forces are not usually found to be equivalent to RN programs.
RN Licensure by Exam
The state of Hawaii has strict guidelines for RNs to meet in order to gain licensure. In addition to completing the NCLEX exam (which costs $200 to take and cannot be completed until the candidate has received Authorization to Test), the candidate must also submit the following:
- Verification of educational requirements
- $40 for the application fee
It is worth noting that a candidate may retake an exam but it has to be done within two years of completing the application. The exam is the second to last step in the licensing process with the last step being paying the licensing fee.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Candidates who completed a program in one of the other 50 states may be able to obtain licensure by endorsement. They will need to provide license verification through an official document
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
International candidates are required to have equivalency evaluated through the CGFNP. They are also responsible for the NCLEX, with the exception of some Canadian nurses who took the SBTPE.
RN Salaries in Hawaii
It is a fact that a highly educated nurse has the ability to provide safer and more effective patient care. Hawaii was chosen as a recipient of the Robert Wood Johns Foundation Academic Progression in nursing grant in 2012. It was a $300,000 grant that was used to create strategies that led to highly educated and diverse nursing population. There is a wide selection of jobs available in the nursing market of Hawaii that are based on your educational level. The Department of Health in Hawaii also has a variety of specialized nursing positions, which are perfect for a nurse with a Bachelor’s degree and they include:
- Public Health Nursing
- Genetics
- Immunizations
- Emergency Medical Services
- Early Intervention for at Risk Children and Families
- Rural Health
Hawaii Registered Nursing Salaries
Honolulu has both more nursing opportunities and higher wages than the non-metropolitan areas of Hawaii like Maui and Kauai. Yet, both areas offer very high salaries for RNs compared to the continental United States.
City | Employment | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
Kauai Nonmetropolitan | 1,730 | $47 | $97,950 |
Lahaina | 1,160 | $49 | $101,080 |
Honolulu | 8,370 | $51 | $106,770 |
Nursing Salary Comparison in Hawaii
According to the BLS, see what nurses earn depending upon their education and occupation.
Occupation | Employment | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
Nursing Instructors | 280 | - | $76,540 |
Registered Nurses | 11,260 | $50 | $104,830 |
Nurse Anesthetists | - | $97 | $201,930 |
Nurse Practitioners | 390 | $57 | $118,780 |
LPN / LVN | 930 | $26 | $54,160 |
Nursing Assistants | 4,050 | $19 | $38,650 |
Hawaii Nursing Salaries by Experience Level
This culturally rich and inclusive state allows experienced RNs to earn up to $134,660 while NPs with more than 20 years of experience earn up to $163,520. Thus it is safe to say that nursing as a profession is well paid for and has a lot of room to grow in Hawaii.
Occupation | Employment | 1 to 4 Years | 5 to 9 Years | 10 to 19 Years | 20+ Years |
Nursing Instructors | 280 | $53,300 | $57,450 | $94,620 | $117,860 |
Registered Nurses | 11,260 | $70,090 | $90,080 | $124,880 | $134,660 |
Nurse Anesthetists | - | $176,280 | $184,120 | - | - |
Nurse Practitioners | 390 | $72,930 | $95,790 | $145,350 | $163,520 |
LPN / LVN | 930 | $43,100 | $47,290 | $60,070 | $64,600 |
Nursing Assistants | 4,050 | $28,500 | $33,120 | $44,230 | $51,070 |
Projected Number of Nurses Needed in Hawaii Through 2028
It has been estimated that the number of RNs working in Hawaii will increase by 12.2% from the year 2018 to 2028, taking the total number of working RNs to 13,040. Similarly, with an average annual opening of 40 NPs, the total number of them working is expected to rise to 520 by the year 2028.
Occupation | 2018 | 2028 | Change | %Change | Avg. Annual Openings |
LPN / LVN | 1,240 | 1,400 | 160 | 12.9 | 120 |
Nurse Anesthetists | 80 | 90 | 10 | 12.5 | 10 |
Nurse Practitioners | 420 | 520 | 100 | 23.8 | 40 |
Nursing Assistants | 4,930 | 5,480 | 550 | 11.2 | 640 |
Nursing Instructors | 260 | 320 | 60 | 23.1 | 30 |
Registered Nurses | 11,620 | 13,040 | 1,420 | 12.2 | 800 |