Best RN Programs in Hawaii for 2024

Kapiolani Community College is located in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Their motto is "Kulia I Ka Nu'u - Strive for the Highest." The nursing program at Kapiolani Community College ranks as one of the best in both the state and nation. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii prepares nurses to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, community healthcare settings, and so on. 

Kapiolani Community College has incorporated a career ladder model into their Associate in Science degree in Nursing program. This model aims to allow students to acquire skills to become a nurse aid while also training for their licensure to become practical nurses and registered nurses.

The students are considered capable enough to become a nurse aide after completing the first semester of the ADN program in an acute setting. Similarly, the students who are interested in obtaining certification as a nurse aide in a long-term care setting need to apply and be accepted into their Long-Term Care Nurse Aide course. 

To guide potential students and help them evaluate their eligibility, Kapiolani Community College holds Nursing information sessions regularly. The college also provides federal financial aid, UH System tuition waivers, and private nursing scholarships to their students.

Undergraduate Programs: Kapiolani Community’s Associated Science Degree in Nursing Program prepares nurses to participate in the planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care in various settings. Graduates of this degree are eligible to both work as RNs or get direct admission in the fourth year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs at UH Manoa and UH Hilo.

The Division of Nursing and Allied Health offers two separate nursing programs: the Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing leading to licensed practical nursing and the Associate of Science in Nursing leading to registered nursing. Adult Residential Care Home Operator classes are also offered. Upon completing the prescribed ARCH coursework, students will be eligible for licensure by the State Department of Health as an Adult Residential Care Home Operator.

The Nursing and Allied Health Division of Hawaii Community College ranks among the best in both the state and the country. The college is the perfect educational center for students who want to be a part of a close-knit community. Hawaii Community College is no less than a Hawaiian village composed of a family of administrators, faculty, staff, students, their family, and the Hawaii Island Community. 

Hawaii Community College has made a commitment to become the center for the study of Hawaiian culture, where students prosper in a work-based learning environment as they apply classroom education to the community. There are program advisory councils for each program, and continuous efforts are made to learn how the students and the college can assist in the development of the community. 

There are also multiple financial aid options to help students achieve their maximum academic potential without the burden of financial constraints. 

Undergraduate Programs: Hawaii Community College offers two undergraduate programs, one of which is the Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing. The course prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for entry-level positions as LPNs. Graduates are also eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

Their Associate in Science Degree in Nursing prepares nurses to practice as RNs in all kinds of healthcare facilities such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community-based settings.

Located in Lihue, Hawaii, the nursing school of Kauai Community College ranks among the state’s finest. Kauai Community College strives to create an inclusive environment for all kinds of students, and thus the college doesn’t tolerate discrimination of any kind. If you are looking for a safe and close-knit environment to thrive in, then you should definitely turn to Kauai Community College. 

The nursing students here benefit through the Career Ladder Nursing program, which allows students to get a Certificate of Achievement and eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN after the completion of the first year of the ADN curriculum. Similarly, graduates of the program are eligible for direct admission to the fourth year of the BSN program at UH Manoa. 

In addition to the courses, the college also encourages students to keep learning through its non-credit courses of business and lifelong learning through the Office of Continuing Education. The college provides open access, affordable education in small classes that value students’ individuality and quality education. 

Undergraduate Programs: The three-year ADN course at Kauai Community College helps to prepare competent nurses who develop clinical insights through reflective practice, self-analysis, and self-care. Nursing graduates of Kauai Community College are well-versed in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and client-centered care.

The Nursing Program at the University of Hawaii, Maui College, provides a collaborative learning experience that teaches the students the values of hope, harmony, compassion, responsibility, and goodness. The university itself is committed to providing affordable, convenient, and inclusive education to every student.

Nursing education at the University of Hawaii, Maui College incorporates knowledge, skills, and attitudes with quality learning and compassionate care in their education. The students learn nursing skills and theory from top-class instructors in small classroom sizes where each students’ individuality is valued. They also practice their clinical skills in a variety of healthcare institutions in the area where they learn clinical reasoning, judgment, patient evaluation, and communication. Various nurse leaders and care providers graduating from UHMC have gone on to work in a plethora of healthcare facilities all over the world.

Undergraduate Programs: UHMC has two undergraduate programs as a part of the Nursing Career Ladder program. The students are awarded a Certificate of Achievement (CA) when they graduate with their Practical Nurse degree. There is also an Associate in Science Degree (AS) for students who want to sit for their NCLEX-RN exam and become Registered Nurses.

IN addition to it, students who have successfully completed their PN and RN courses can study in the BSN program at UH Manoa or get admitted to the third level UHM Bachelor of Science courses offered at UHMC