Hawaii RN to BSN Programs
If you are currently looking to expand your nursing education in Hawaii, there are a few universities that offer RN-BSN programs located on the islands of Hilo and in Honolulu. Due to the limited number of on-campus programs in the state, distance learning is becoming more popular for many nursing students. Additionally, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) notes that there are currently more than 390 RN to Baccalaureate programs that offer online options, which are intended to broaden the scope of nursing practice by building upon teh education you received in your diploma or associate degree program.
At BestNursingDegree.com, we believe that an educated nurse is one of the most powerful players within the healthcare team. We are dedicated to helping you find the best educational resources available to you, so that you can focus on expanding your knowledge base, instead of spending your valuable time searching for schools.
We have compiled a list of RN to BSN programs available to nurses in Hawaii, including our featured schools, which offer distance education and online options. Simply submit a request for information to the schools you are interested in, and review the program characteristics to decide which nursing school can best meet your needs.
Curriculum of RN to BSN Programs
RN to Bachelor’s programs have a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, important to nurses who practice in the multicultural environment of Hawaii. As you learn more about the programs available, remember that accreditation status, transfer of credits, student services, accessibility of instructors, tuition and financial aid are all important considerations when choosing an RN–BSN program.
Below is a list of some of the most common courses offered at Hawaiian RN to BSN programs:
- Multicultural Care and Health Promotion
- Adult Health Care II
- Mental Health Care
- Nursing Research
- Community Health Care
- Collaborative Health Care Leadership and Management
- Parent–Child and Newborn Health Care
- Professional Nursing Issues & Trends
- Nursing Review with Practicum
Most programs also require you to choose three elective nursing courses, which include a variety of special healthcare topics. Examples include:
- Computers and Nursing
- Spirituality in Health Care
- Gerontological Nursing
- Introduction to Rural/Home Health Care
Many online programs provide students with a Distance Learning Coordinator who maintains the website and coordinates student services. In these programs all of the required and elective theory courses are offered online, however most programs require six credit hours of clinical study, which can usually be completed locally. The majority of RN to BSN program clinical requirements are community based, and are intended to develop nursing skills related to population based health and wellness activities.
Careers for RN to BSN graduates in Hawaii
At the heart of enhancing nursing education, is the fact that a more highly educated nurse is able to provide safer, more effective patient care. Hawaii’s nurses now have a wonderful opportunity to access that education, and the subsequent benefits to patients and the state’s residents. In 2012, the state was chosen as one of nine recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Academic Progression in Nursing grants. The $300,000 grant is to be used to create strategies that lead to a more highly educated and diverse nursing workforce.
As a Bachelor’s prepared nurse, you may find that there are additional job opportunities available to you based on your educational level. Hospitals in Hawaii often have open positions for the BSN nurse with experience to move into mid–level positions, such as nurse managers, department managers, utilization review coordinators and wound care management.
Hawaii has a strong home health industry, and is one of just three states receiving superior grades when they were graded on eight different federal quality measures for home healthcare. A Bachelor’s degree in nursing is often a requirement to obtain a case management position in home health.
The Department of Health in Hawaii also has a variety of specialized nursing positions, which are fitting for a Bachelor’s prepared nurse. They include:
- Public Health Nursing
- Special Needs Children
- Genetics
- Immunizations
- Emergency Medical Services
- Early Intervention for at Risk Children and Families
- Chronic and Contagious Diseases
- Rural Health
As of May 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual salary of $67,930 for Hawaii nurses. Hawaiian salaries begin at $45,040 and range to $94,720. Salaries may vary greatly, and they depend on many factors, such as education, years of experience, the size and geographic location of the company and any specialization you may have. Wages in Hawaii tend to be higher than those in the continental United States, partially due to a higher cost of living.
RN to BSN programs for Hawaii nurses include:
- Hawaii Pacific University: Nurses who want to complete a BSN degree at Hawaii Pacific University must complete general education writing courses before enrolling in upper level nursing courses, which include coursework in leadership and management, nursing research and community nursing.
- University of Hawaii at Hilo: The University of Hawaii at Hilo has offered a distance learning RN to BSN program since 2004. Like most colleges, the University of Hawaii at Hilo may give credit for previously completed college courses.
