Hawaii RN Programs

How to Become a Nurse in Hawaii (HI)

The average RN salary in Hawaii is $111,070 a year in 2024. Nursing is universal and you can practice it everywhere. Hawaii is an island that is often associated with sand and beaches. Most people don’t know that the island also needs nurses. There is a shortage of nurses everywhere and Hawaii is no exception. The Hawaiian population is aging and the number of elderly is increasing. Nurses are now more in demand than ever. It’s time that people start thinking of taking up nursing.

The first thing you need to do to become a Registered Nurse (RN) is to enroll in classes. You have two choices when it comes to nursing. You can go for an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) which will take about two years to complete or take up a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) for 4 years. The nursing diploma used to be a popular choice but fewer schools are now offering it.

The Associates RN Program is often the stepping stone of most people in the nursing field. Students here are trained for general nursing. Basic anatomy, science and math are the courses offered. You can take the NCLEX-RN test after you graduate. If you pass it then you can become a Registered Nurse.

The Bachelor Program is a 4-year course designed to train potential nurse leaders. Students here have leadership and management studies to prepare them for hospital management positions. Students can also proceed to higher education such as Masters and Doctorate degrees with this nursing program. A lot of nurses often become RNs first before pursuing a BSN degree. There are a lot of RN to BSN degrees offered in various universities in Hawaii. Like the ADN, you also have to take the qualifying exam to become a fully licensed nurse.

The Nursing Diploma takes 2-3 years of hospital training. Students care for patients in the hospital during this type of program. The purpose of the training is to give students on the job experience in hospitals and other nursing facilities. After studying in the program, you can be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN test to become a licensed nurse.

Apart from the courses offered above, people with Bachelors degrees in other fields can also take up fast track programs to become RNs. There are a lot of schools in Hawaii that offer these types of programs. Another popular trend in nursing education is to take online courses. You can get the courses offered online but you also have to do training in hospitals. Search for various schools that have affiliations in hospitals near you.

If you really want to pursue a long and fruitful career in nursing, then the Bachelor’s degree program is an excellent choice. You can pursue higher education and have a future as a nurse executive.

Hawaii Associates Degree RN Programs

Accredited Hawaii RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified pre-licensure RN schools in Hawaii that meet the registered nursing education requirements. The Hawaii Board of Nursing is the organization responsible for making sure that each Hawaii nursing program provide adequate education to prepare students to become an RN. Before receiving a nursing license the graduating student will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam in the state of Hawaii.