Best Nursing Schools in Hawaii

Best RN Programs in Hawaii

Hawaii Nursing RN Programs – Diploma, ADN, and BSN Degrees

To begin your new career, you’ll need a degree to get licensed. Entry-level nursing degrees include an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), a nursing diploma, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). To learn about the differences and how they may apply to you, read below.

Comparing RN Diploma vs. LPN-to-RN vs. ADN Programs

If you’re looking for the quickest route to licensure, you’ll want to go with either an ADN or a nursing diploma. These degree programs are designed to supply you with the minimum training required to get licensed and usually can be completed in only a year or two. If you’re already working as an LPN, you may be able to enroll in an LPN to RN bridge program which can lead to either an ADN or a BSN in a shorter amount of time than if you eroll in a traditional ADN or BSN program.

Common admissions requirements for ADN and diploma programs in Hawaii include:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum GPA, typically 2.5 or higher
• Some programs require scores from the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI Admission Assessment

For further admissions requirements and more information, check out our page on ADN degree programs.

More information on RN diplomas, LPN to RN, and ADN programs:

ADN, LPN to RN, and nursing diploma programs require hands-on clinical training hours under supervision in order to be eligible for RN licensure. These will need to be completed in person, even if you opt for an online or hybrid program. Not sure if you’re ready for an RN career? Consider an LPN or CNA program in Hawaii.

Comparing Traditional BSN vs. RN-to-BSN vs. ABSN Programs

ADN degree programs and nursing diploma programs are great options for students looking to get into the field as fast as possible, but if you’re hoping to get a little more training before diving into a new career, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is likely the better option. BSNs can also help you secure job opportunities faster as this degree is usually the more attractive option to employers (compared to ADNs and nursing diplomas). A traditional BSN takes four years to complete, but if you are already licensed as an RN, you can take advantage of RN to BSN programs. Accelerated BSN programs may also be a viable option if you have a bachelor’s degree already.

Admissions requirements for BSN programs in Hawaii typically include:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0
• Completion of prerequisite courses

For more information on BSN admissions requirements and more, see our BSN degrees page.

Several alternative pathways are also available to qualified students who want to pursue a BSN. Compare your options below:

RN to BSN

Working nurses who want to go back to school to get their BSN degree have an easy path to do so through a Hawaii RN to BSN program. These programs are open to students with an RN license, an ADN, an at least a year of nursing experience. From start to finish, most nurses can complete an RN to BSN program in as little as 2 years.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

If you have a bachelor’s degree already (even if it’s in a subject other than nursing) you can switch your major and get your BSN in only a year or two through a Hawaii ABSN program. This is a great option for students looking for a career change later in life.

Advanced Practice RN & Nurse Practitioner Programs

Lastly, if you’re hoping to eventually practice independently as a nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse, you’ll need to graduate from either a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Nurse Practitioner (NP) program, or a doctorate degree such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These programs range between 2 and 6 years following a bachelor’s degree program.

Earning a graduate-level degree in nursing opens the door to numerous Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) roles, leadership roles, and even careers in academia or research. Read more about APRN pathways in Hawaii:

• Hawaii Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Hawaii MSN Program
• Hawaii Accelerated MSN Program
• Hawaii RN to MSN Programs
• Hawaii Post Master’s Nursing Certificate Programs
• Hawaii DNP Programs

Getting an RN License in Hawaii

The final step in the process is getting licensed. To get licensed as an RN, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and send a completed application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing and pay the required fee. Once the board has processed your application, you should receive your license within the coming weeks or months. Remember, you’ll need to maintain licensure through continuing education courses.

Requirements for RN Licensure in Hawaii

• Completion of an accredited RN program (ADN or BSN)
• Passing the NCLEX-RN exam
• Application to the Hawaii Board of Nursing
• Renewal: 36 hours of CE every three years for license maintenance

Why Choose an Accredited RN Program?

Before you begin applying to nursing programs, it’s important that you double-check each one to make sure that it meets the proper requirements for RN program accreditation. Accreditation for nursing programs in the US is supplied by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). If your program is not accredited by one of these two organizations, you will not meet the board’s requirements for licensure.

Continued List of All RN Programs in Hawaii

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