BSN Programs in Hawaii

By EveryNurse Staff on June 14, 2021

Getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing increases the number of jobs available to individuals with an interest in entering the field, or who are already working in a healthcare environment. The more skills and experience a job applicant possesses, the more opportunities they will encounter when seeking employment in an inpatient or community setting. Since there are few on-campus opportunities to enter a BSN program in Hawaii, students in the state often choose to obtain their education through online instruction.

Schools With BSN Programs in Hawaii

The School of Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University provides a BSN curriculum for four-year traditional students, as well as an option for RNs looking to advance their careers. Applicants may pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the university as a part- or full-time student. The flexible program places students in clinical groups of six to ten, where they receive a range of experiences in health care facilities across the island of O’ahu. Students can take classes in the daytime and evening during the week or on weekends. Students will start nursing core courses once they complete all prerequisite classwork (all non-NUR courses). They must also maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Upon fulfilling an array of the basic, core, and integrative requirements for the BSN program offered at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, a student must complete 120 semester hours before earning their degree. Some of the pre-core courses that the program requires include Cultural Anthropology, Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab), General Pharmacology, and Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. The University also offers an RN to BSN program that a registered nurse may enter after fulfilling all general education and prerequisite requirements for entry into the Nursing Program.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa has a campus in Honolulu, which offers students five different ways to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. High school students may apply for direct admission in the fall. Registered nurses may choose either the Executive RN to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing or RN to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing program. Other choices to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University include the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium (HSNC) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing, and the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium (HSNC) Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing ADN Graduates from Consortium (Kapiolani, Kaua’i, and Maui).

Degree Guides

Accelerated BSN Programs

BSN Degree

RN to BSN Programs

Hawaii BSN Checklist

Apply to a college or university that offers an accredited BSN program appropriate to current circumstances. For example, registered nurses will enter an RN-to-BSN program.
Upon graduation, pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam in Hawaii.
Submit an application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing to gain licensure as a registered nurse in Hawaii; and pay the ~$88 fee.
Renew RN license every two years. There are no continuing education expectations for nurses renewing his or her license; simply pay the applicable renewal fee.

Hawaii Nurse Salary & Job Outlook

Surveys have shown that employers tend to favor nurses who possess a baccalaureate-level degree over those with an associate degree. It is not uncommon for hospitals and other places of employment to view nurses with a BSN as having more skills and experience. In many cases, earning the degree leads to a greater wealth of nursing opportunities that pay a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses with a BSN stand to make a median salary of $84,750 in Hawaii, which is the second-highest figure for that profession across the nation – beaten only by the state of California.

While earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing by taking classes within a campus setting is the most traditional way towards earning a degree – not everyone will have a chance to attend one of the few on-campus BSN programs in Hawaii.