List of the Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii

Hawaii's best nursing schoolsThe state of Hawaii has been a part of the United States since 1959. Hawaii provides its residents and tourist with tropical climates, diverse scenery (i.e. beautiful greenery, waterfalls, streams, and mountain vistas), and of course sandy beaches with great ocean views. Hawaii is a great place to earn a nursing degree, and you can confirm if the school offers an online associates degree in nursing, especially if you like great weather and great schools, that is of course if you would like to become a nurse. Whether you live in a big city like Maui and Honolulu or a much smaller island in Hawaii, you can get the education you need to work in the medical field. The key here is to find the right nursing schools in Hawaii to get you where you need to go.

Due to Hawaii’s beautiful landscapes it is home to over a million residents and annually the state experiences over millions of tourist who visit the islands for many reasons. As a result, Hawaii continually has an revolving need for healthcare professionals and healthcare services. Hawaii is home to medical clinics, medical centers, and large hospitals that are currently in need of hiring nursing professionals. These facilities, that are hiring nursing professionals, are especially looking for registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs or LVNs). Read on to learn more on how to become a nurse in Hawaii, possible accelerated nursing programs, and to learn more about some of the best nursing schools in Hawaii.

How to Become a Nurse in Hawaii

The first step necessary to become a nurse in Hawaii is to obtain some education in nursing. While you can become a nursing assistant without any formal training, most employers prefer to hire people who have already learned the skills needed for the job. Look for a degree program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). This will ensure that your education is as good as it can possibly be. All you have to do from there is get through the degree necessary for your line of work. This list showcases the most common nursing degrees in Hawaii, along with information about how long they each take to complete:

  • Diploma of Nursing (DN): 1 year
  • Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2 years
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4 years
  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): 6 years
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): 8+ years

Once you get through your degree program, you may apply to obtain your nursing license. You may also take tests to get certified in certain skills related to the field. Learn more by contacting the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Also, here is a list of possible nursing career paths and related articles for additional reading:

Tuition for Hawaii Nursing Schools

Tuition rates in Hawaii are considered high overall, but you should be able to find financial aid to help you cover part of that. The list below shows cost estimates for different types of colleges and universities in Hawaii. Use these numbers and the timeframes in the section above to approximate your education costs. (College Board)

  • Public Two Year College: $3,254 per year
  • Public Four Year University: $9,097 per year
  • Private Four Year University: $14,694 per year

Job Prospects for Hawaii Nurses

There is a great demand for nurses in Hawaii, much like there is throughout the country. The more educated you are in this field, the more money you have the potential to make. The list below shows the average wages for different nurses in Hawaii so you can get an idea of what your income may be like. (BLS)

  • Nursing Assistant: $29,920 per year
  • Licensed Practical Nurse: $45,740 per year
  • Registered Nurse: $85,800 per year
  • Nurse Practitioner: $106,900 per year

Check out the many Hawaii nursing schools and nursing programs in Hawaii available to you to start a new chapter in your life.

Browse Best Nursing Schools Hawaii

University of Hawaii

The University of Hawaii is the main campus for the University of Hawaii community of colleges.

  • University of Hawaii:
  • Location: Hilo, HI
  • Student Enrollment:
  • Tuition: $453 per credit hour
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Degree Programs: BS/BSN

University of Hawaii at Hilo

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UH Hilo), works in collaboration with other universities to offer distance learning for students seeking a Baccalaureate Nursing degree. Here are provided details on how the course is delivered from their site, “The courses for the BSN program will be delivered to distant sites using any of a variety of methods, such as: (1) interactive television (ITV), (2) Internet-based e-mail, WebCT, and/or streaming video, and (3) on-site, in-person instruction. Plans are for 1-2 courses to be progressively added for distance delivery until the full RN to BSN program is available via distance, as planned, by 2006.” (Source)

  • City: Hilo
  • Tuition: $288 per credit hour
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s RN to BSN

University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) was founded in 1907, is located in the city of Honolulu, and is part of the University of Hawaii System. The college consistently is reviewed as a “best value” among U.S. colleges and universities.

This flagship campus for the University of Hawaii is rich in history and offers the following statement from their website, “Today UH Mānoa is a research university of international standing offering a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The campus celebrated its centennial in 2007—concluding with Western Athletics Conference (WAC) championships in football and women’s volleyball and soccer. UH Mānoa launched its second hundred years with its first-ever trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day 2008.” (Source)

  • City: Honolulu
  • Students Enrolled: 18,000+
  • Degree Level: Bachelor’s
  • Tuition: $425.00+ (dependent on course)
  • Financial Aid: Yes
  • Scholarships: Yes

University of Hawaii at Maui

The University of Hawaii, Maui originated in 1931 with the founding of Maui Vocational School before it joined the University of Hawaii system. The university now offers three bachelors degrees in applied science, certificates and associate degrees, and a few distance learning degrees. The school understand the needs of its students to be successful in their education and their future careers. The university’s classroom’s are smaller in size giving student more personalized time with their instructors.

The mission of the University of Hawaii, Maui is specified in this statement, “The University of Hawai‘i Maui College inspires students to develop knowledge and skills in pursuit of academic, career, and personal goals in a supportive educational environment that emphasizes community engagement, life long learning, sustainable living, Native Hawaiian culture, and global understanding.” (Source)

  • University of Hawaii – Maui
  • Location: Kahului Maui, HI
  • Student Enrollment: 3,290
  • In-State Tution: $126.00+
  • Out-of-State Tution: $340.00+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: Yes
  • Degree Programs: Associate, LPN-to-RN, LPN
  • Website: http://www.maui.hawaii.edu

Kauai Community College

Kaua‘i Community College has long aimed to provide its students with the necessary education and training for students to become creative thinkers, ethical, and innovative employees as they lead responsible and fulfilling lives upon graduation.

Kaua‘i Community College’s mission achieved through their goal of providing their students with these six elements: Access, Learning & Teaching, Workforce Development, Personal Development, Community Development, and Diversity.

Kauai nursing program is accredited, “The Kaua‘i Community College Nursing Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).” (Source)

  • Kauai Community College
  • Location: Lihue, HI
  • Student Enrollment: 900
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Degree Programs: Associate

Hawaii Community College

The Hawaii Community College is another school that is part of the University of Hawaii system. This is a two-year community college with a new branch campus in Kona. The mission of the university is stated here, “Hawaiʻi Community College (Hawai’i CC) promotes student learning by embracing our unique Hawaiʻi Island culture and inspiring growth in the spirit of “E ʻImi Pono.” Aligned with the UH Community Colleges system’s mission, we are committed to serving all segments of our Hawaiʻi Island community.” (Source)

As an accredited college is important in personal vocational pursuits, this college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and is reviewed every six years.

  • Hawaii Community College
  • Location: Hilo, HI
  • Student Enrollment: 2,300
  • In-State Tution: $126.00+
  • Out-of-State Tution: $340.00+
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Degree Programs: Associate

Hawaii Pacific University

Hawaii Pacific University was founded in 1965 and is now the states leading private University. The university has students from all 50 U.S. states, and nearly 80 countries giving this university the status of being one of the most culturally diverse universities. The university continues its strong academic programs as they maintain proportionate class sizes allowing students more individual and more attention from their instructor.

The following statement regarding the university’s mission, “Hawai‘i Pacific University is an international learning community set in the rich cultural context of Hawai‘i. Students from around the world join us for an American education built on a liberal arts foundation. Our innovative undergraduate and graduate programs anticipate the changing needs of the community and prepare our graduates to live, work, and learn as active members of a global society.” (Source)

  • Hawaii Pacific University
  • Location: Kaneohe, HI
  • Student Enrollment: 7,000
  • Tution: $11,580
  • Type of School: Private
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Degree Programs: BS/BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, Nurse Educator, Nurse Practitioner

Kapiolani Community College

In 1946, the Kapi‘olani Technical School was founded, which now is the Kapi‘olani Community College, and is another college apart of the University of Hawaii community college system.

You can read about the Community College’s accreditation, “Accreditation is a process by which institutions of higher education are evaluated to ensure that they meet or exceed standards of quality. These standards can be set at College and professional/industry levels.
Kapi‘olani Community College is accredited, as a College, by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges” (Source)

  • Kapiolani Community College
  • Location: Honolulu, HI
  • Student Enrollment: 6,800
  • Type of School: Public
  • College Accredited: Yes
  • Offers Online Programs: No
  • Degree Programs: Associate