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Top Hawaii RN to BSN Programs

Thanks to an aging population and significant reforms to the US healthcare system, RNs have seen their responsibilities expand in recent years. Taking on more responsibilities has required more nurses to increase their educational credentials, prompting many ADN-educated nurses to headed back to school to earn BSN degrees. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has estimated that by the year 2020, 80 percent of RNs will be required to hold a BSN for employment. Not only can becoming a BSN-educated RN keep you competitive in the job market, but it can also boost your income and position you for career advancement down the road. Academic institutions have responded to the increased demand for BSN-educated nurses by making it more convenient than ever before for RNs to earn their BSN degrees. Today, nurses can complete an RN to BSN program quickly (one to two years), inexpensively, and from the comfort of their own homes. With so many colleges and universities offering RN to BSN programs, however, finding the very best ones can be difficult and time-consuming. To make the process quicker, easier, and less stressful, we've compiled a list of Hawaii's top RN to BSN programs.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Hawaii

Deciding which RN to BSN program you'll attend is a decision that should be taken seriously. While you sift through Hawaii's top RN to BSN programs, take the following into consideration:

  • Cost of Attendance
  • Class sizes
  • Program accreditation
  • Retention rate
  • Student satisfaction rate
  • Cost of living in the immediate area
  • Amount of time the program has been continually operating for
  • Partnership with local hospitals or healthcare facilities
  • Percentage of graduates who found jobs after graduation
  • Acceptance rate
  • Instructor experience

Testing and Certification

In order for an ADN graduate to become a licensed registered nurse, they must first pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Thus, nurses who enroll in RN to BSN programs aren't required to take the exam a second time.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Hawaii

1. Hawaii Pacific University

Hawaii Pacific University is a private university with locations in Honolulu and Kaneohe that offers students a 32 semester credit hour RN to BSN bridge program that can be completed in two semesters. During the program, students will tackle courses like Pathopharmacology, Health Assessment, and Gerontology, among others. Aside from the didactic course material, clinical courses require students to travel to healthcare facilities throughout Oahu for their clinical experiences.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • The Queens Medical Center
  • Straub Medical Center
  • Shriners Hospital for Children - Honolulu

Tuition:

In-state students who enroll in Hawaii Pacific University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $55,774. Out-of-state students can expect to pay an estimated total cost of $57,774.

2. University of Hawaii at Hilo

University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public university located in the city of Hilo that offers its students a hybrid online/in-person, 27 semester credit hour RN to BSN bridge program. The program is flexible, allowing students to choose whether they want to complete it on a full or part-time basis. For students enrolled full-time, they can expect to complete the program in three semesters plus a summer semester. A few courses that students will take during the program include Transcultural Care & Health Promotion, Health Assessment, and Nursing Research, just to name a few.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Hilo Medical Center
  • Kaiser Permanente Hilo Clinic
  • Family Medicine Center

Tuition:

In-state students who enroll in the University of Hawaii at Hilo's RN to BSN program can expect to pay about $48,800. Out-of-state students can expect to pay around $79,256.

3. University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Hawaii system. UHM offers a 40 semester credit hour RN to BSN bridge program that students generally complete in 14 months. The program is delivered primarily in an online format with a few face-to-face meetings. New students are only admitted during the fall semester. During the program, students take courses like Advanced Pathophysiology & Neurobiology, Community, Public & Global Health Nursing, and Nursing Research, among others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children
  • Shriners Hospital for Children - Honolulu
  • Straub Hospital
  • The Queen's Medical Center
  • Le'ahi Hospital

Tuition:

Students attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa's RN to BSN program can expect to pay around $21,400.