If you are a Registered Nurse and would like to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in Hawaii then you have options. Such a degree can prepare you for a career as a Nurse Educator, a Nurse Administrator, or an Advanced Practice Nurse. Below you will find the list of all colleges and universities in Hawaii offering nationally accredited MSN programs.
Hawaii Pacific UniversityCollege of Nursing and Health Sciences
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are offered by Hawaii Pacific University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. They offer students a traditional BSN to MSN pathway as well as an RN to MSN pathway.
Those seeking an MSN can choose from two specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Community Clinical Nurse Specialist
Hawaii Pacific University also offers a dual MSN/MBA degree program. Students can pursue the degree on either a full-time or part-time basis.
The RN to MSN pathway offers Registered Nurses without a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (i.e. those with nursing diplomas or Associate’s degrees in nursing) to transition into the MSN program. Students are granted conditional admission status to the MSN program until a set of core undergraduate bridge courses have been completed with a 3.0 GPA.
Applicants to the BSN to MSN programs should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program in the US (or an international program that has been analyzed and approved by the university) with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed undergraduate courses in Statistics, Research, and Health/Physical Assessment. Students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Hawaii, and provide evidence of one year of full-time (or 2000 hours) experience as an RN.
Applicants to the RN to MSN program should hold a nursing diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing (or be internationally educated as an RN who is missing required components). Graduates from programs without NLNAC accreditation or it’s equivalent will be required to take the NLN Mobility Profile II Tests (there are 4) and receive a score of 100 on each. Based on transcript evaluation, and clinical experience, those entering the program may be required to take up to seven bridge courses and have a 3.0 cumulative GPA on those courses before being allowed to transition into the actual MSN courses.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1164 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 544-0200
University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene offers students three pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree: a BSN to MSN pathway, an RN to MSN Pathway, and a Direct Entry MSN program.
The MSN program offers students several specialty programs from which to choose. They include the following:
- Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Dual Family and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Advanced Public Health Nursing
- Advanced Public Health Nursing/
- Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Advanced Public Health Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Public Health Nursing/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Executive Leadership
- Dual Nursing Executive leadership/MBA Dual Degree
The Advanced Public Health Nursing specialization is available in an online format. The Nursing Executive Leadership specialization is available in a hybrid (online and classroom based) format. The other specializations are available in a classroom format. The hours required for completion of the MSN program varies depending on the specialization.
The RN to MSN program is designed for Registered Nurses who are graduates of an accredited Associate’s degree or nursing diploma program. Applicants to the program must hold a current unrestricted license as an RN in Hawaii or the student’s state of residence as well as a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Students may be required to complete undergraduate bridge course before transitioning into taking Master’s course.
The Direct Entry MSN program is an accelerated program designed for adult learners who have not attended an RN education program, who have a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field of study, and are seeking a career in advanced nursing. One year of study is delivered across three semesters to prepare the student for licensure as a Registered Nurse. After being licensed as an RN, students transition into Master’s course work in one of several nursing specialties.
Applicants who hold a current unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in Hawaii or state of residence and hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater can enter the traditional BSN to MSN program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2528 McCarty Mall
Webster Hall
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-8522