Nursing Programs in Honolulu, HI

Last Updated On Feb 19, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

3 Min Read

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Honolulu

Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for aspiring nurses. To help students make informed decisions, Registerednursing.org is creating rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Honolulu. These rankings focus exclusively on NCLEX pass rates, providing a clear metric of program effectiveness in preparing graduates for licensure. For more details on how these rankings are compiled, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Analysis of yearly NCLEX pass rate trends reveals patterns in nursing education performance over time.

No statistically significant data available for Honolulu yearly pass rate trends.

Top Performing Schools

Identifying top performing nursing schools helps prospective students target programs with strong track records.

No statistically significant data available for Honolulu top performing schools with minimum 20 students total.

Pass Rate by Program Size

Examining pass rates by program size category shows how school scale relates to student success.

No statistically significant data available for Honolulu program size categories.

Biggest Improvements

Tracking schools with significant pass rate improvements highlights programs making positive changes.

No statistically significant data available for Honolulu biggest improvements analysis.

Consistently High Performing Schools

Schools maintaining consistently high pass rates demonstrate reliable quality in nursing education.

No statistically significant data available for Honolulu consistently high performing schools.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI - Public 4-Year - manoa.hawaii.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Hawaii at Manoa's Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides a comprehensive three-year cohort curriculum preparing students for NCLEX-RN licensure. This competitive program requires ACT or SAT entrance exams and emphasizes holistic patient care through diverse clinical experiences. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023, graduates demonstrate exceptional readiness for professional nursing roles. The program prioritizes Hawaii residents in admissions while offering financial aid opportunities. Coursework spans health promotion, pathophysiology, and professional practices, with strong focus on cultural competence for serving Hawaii's diverse communities.

Cohort program completed in 3 years.
Prepares for NCLEX-RN licensure.
Holistic admission review process.
Preference to Hawaii residents.
Hands-on clinical experience.
Courses in health promotion.
Pathophysiology included.
Professional nursing practices taught.
Cultural competence emphasized.
Financial aid available.

Bachelor's - High School Direct Entry in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The High School Direct Entry in Nursing program offers a direct pathway for high school graduates into a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of Hawaii at Manoa. This full-time program requires ACT or SAT entrance exams and prepares students for NCLEX-RN licensure with fall-only admissions. Focusing on evidence-based care and professional nursing values, the curriculum develops leadership skills for generalist nursing practice. The program's 100% NCLEX pass rate for BSN students in 2023 reflects strong preparation for diverse healthcare settings, making it ideal for recent graduates seeking a structured nursing education path.

Four-year full-time program.
Direct entry for high school graduates.
Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
Fall admission only.
Focus on professional nursing values.
Emphasizes evidence-based care.
Leadership in nursing included.
Campus-based program.
For class of 2025 graduates.
Secure academic path.

Bachelor's - UH West Oahu Pre-Nursing to UH Manoa Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The UH West Oahu Pre-Nursing to UH Manoa BSN pathway provides a competitive transition into nursing with a 3.0 minimum GPA requirement and prerequisite course completion. This program requires ACT or SAT entrance exams and prepares students for NCLEX-RN licensure through a curriculum blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Individual academic advising supports students throughout the program, which emphasizes health promotion, illness management, and professional development. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate for BSN graduates in 2023, the program effectively equips students for diverse healthcare careers in Hawaii and beyond.

Competitive admission process.
Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
Minimum GPA requirement 3.0.
Comprehensive nursing curriculum.
Individual academic advising.
Focus on health promotion.
Illness management training.
Professional development included.
Theoretical and practical blend.
Diverse healthcare settings prep.

Show 2 More Programs ˅

Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, HI - Public 2-Year - kapiolani.hawaii.edu

Associate - Associate in Science Degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Kapiolani Community College's Honolulu-based Associate in Science Degree in Nursing prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam with a 95.45% pass rate in 2023. This campus program requires the ATI TEAS entrance exam and emphasizes clinical practice alongside theoretical instruction in safety, ethics, and evidence-based care. Graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare settings and can seamlessly transition to BSN programs at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo. Admission requires prerequisite courses with a 'C' or higher, a 2.5 GPA, and prioritizes Hawaii residents. The program is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Hawaii State Board of Nursing.

Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
Blends theory and clinical practice.
Eligible for BSN programs at UH.
Requires 'C' or higher in prerequisites.
2.5 GPA requirement for admission.
ATI TEAS exam required.
Focus on safety and ethics.
Evidence-based practice emphasis.
Offered at Diamond Head campus.
Also available at Leeward CC site.

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Honolulu, HI - Private 4-year - chaminade.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Chaminade University of Honolulu's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a four-year, full-time campus-based program that prepares students for the healthcare sector through evidence-based practice and diverse clinical experiences. This Roman Catholic-affiliated institution emphasizes a values-based approach with strong community partnerships and individualized mentoring. The program requires completion of prerequisite courses with a competitive GPA for admission, though specific entrance exam requirements (ACT/SAT) are not mentioned. For 2023, the NCLEX pass rate was 89% among 100 students, indicating solid preparation for licensure. Accredited by CCNE, the program focuses on developing leadership, communication, and clinical skills through hands-on learning and health compliance requirements.

Four-year full-time program.
Emphasizes hands-on learning.
Requires health compliance.
Values-based approach.
Strong community partnerships.
Individualized mentoring.
Clinical courses included.
Competitive GPA required.
Prerequisite courses needed.
Leadership skills development.

Hawaii Pacific University

Honolulu, HI - Private 4-year - hpu.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Hawaii Pacific University's campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Honolulu immerses students in a multicultural environment with hands-on clinical rotations across O'ahu. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, teamwork, and evidence-based practice to address Hawaii's unique healthcare needs. Admission requires prerequisite courses like Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology, but no ACT or SAT exam is mentioned as required. The program's 2023 NCLEX pass rate was 81.51% for 119 BSN students, indicating solid preparation for licensure. This comprehensive program supports professional development for aspiring nurses seeking diverse clinical experiences in a supportive setting.

Campus-based program
Multicultural learning environment
Hands-on clinical experiences
Focus on patient-centered care
Teamwork and collaboration emphasis
Evidence-based practice curriculum
Prerequisite courses required
Located in Honolulu, HI
Prepares for healthcare careers
Supports professional development

*Analysis based on: NCES IPEDS 2024 survey data.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Honolulu, HI

The first step in a career as a registered nurse is a training program that will prepare you for the NCLEX licensing exam. For those new to the nursing profession, there are Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs to choose from, as well as LPN to RN programs that are aimed at practical nurses who want to make the transition to registered nurses.

LPN to RN Programs

Many practical nurses decide to pursue a career as a registered nurse in order to have more job opportunities and higher earning potential. For these nurses, specialized LPN to RN bridge programs provide a pathway to either an ADN or BSN and prepare students to pass the NCLEX and begin working as an RN. For example, Hawaii Pacific University offers an LPN to BSN in which students complete 120 credit hours including 60 credit hours of nursing curriculum.

ADN Programs

ADN programs, like the one offered at Kapiolani Community College, prepare students to take the NCLEX exam and for their first jobs as registered nurses. Coursework includes human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, health promotion across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and professionalism in nursing.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Usually four-year programs that include more in-depth coursework in nursing as well as general education courses, BSN programs are becoming increasingly popular entry points to nursing. Hawaii Pacific University offers a BSN program that teaches nursing through challenging coursework, clinical placement in healthcare facilities throughout Oahu and practice hours in the on-campus Experiential Learning Center.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Honolulu, HI

Nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher tend to make more money than registered nurses who hold an ADN. Not only do BSN-educated nurses make more money, they have a wider range of job opportunities available to them, and can also pursue the graduate-level study of nursing. Because of these factors and others, many nurses are considering going back to school to earn their BSN or MSN.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs provide an accelerated pathway to a BSN degree for experienced nurses who hold a valid RN license. The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers an accelerated part-time program that allows nurses with two or more years of professional working experience to finish their bachelor’s degree in 15 to 23 months.

Learn more about Hawaii RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

There are also some schools that offer RN to MSN programs that help ADN-educated nurses go straight from an associate’s degree to master’s-level nursing study. Hawaii Pacific University offers an RN to MSN program with a Family Nurse Practitioner qualification that prepares nurses for certification as FNPs in only one additional year of study.

Learn more about Hawaii RN to MSN Programs

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

We provide a list of RN to BSN and MSN programs to help nurses advance their careers. The table below shows schools with program highlights, city and state locations, and links to program pages. This information supports your search for the right educational path. Explore the options to find a program that fits your goals and schedule.