Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Hawaii
1. University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
- Program: Online RN to BS
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
- Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.62%
UH Mānoa’s Online RN to BS is an easy pick for our #1 Best spot! The School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene often achieves strong national rankings for its graduate nursing programs. It runs a UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center, a Global Health Program, and an academic partnership with the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Faculty are involved in research work on big data, disaster nursing, and maternal health. And the Online RN to BS is full of relevant 21st century coursework, including credits in Genetics & Genomics and Cultural Aspects of Health Management. The only big downside is cost—UH Mānoa is expensive.
Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Hawaii
For our Cheapest HI rankings, we’ve only included Online RN to BSN programs that are under $10,000 in total tuition costs. Prices at UH Hilo are pretty good, but you may also wish to consider schools in our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.
1. University of Hawai’i at Hilo
- Program: Online RN to BSN
- RN to BSN Credits: 27
- Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
- Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 82.50%
In-state tuition rates for UH Hilo’s Online RN to BSN program are very reasonable. There are additional per semester mandatory student fees, but they’re small. We’ve ignored the out-of-state price because this program is only available to students living on Maui, O’ahu, Kaua’i or Hawai’i Islands.
Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Hawaii
Online RN to BSN programs in our Fastest Hawaii rankings had to take less than 3 semesters/1 year to complete on a full-time basis. That’s why this HI school also appears in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.
1. University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
- Program: Online RN to BS
- RN to BSN Credits: 30
- Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); Part-Time Schedules Available
- Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
- NCLEX Pass Rates: 97.62%
On a full-time schedule, UH Mānoa’s 30-credit Online RN to BS can be completed in 2 semesters. In this scenario, you might take 4 courses in the first semester, including a Population Health Nursing Lab/Practicum, and 4 courses in the second semester, including a Complex Nursing & Leadership Lab/Practicum. Admission is in January or August. Part-time plans of study are also available.
RN to BSN Scholarships in Hawaii
Statewide Scholarships for Hawaii RN to BSN Students
Hawaii Nursing Organization Scholarships
The Hawai’i Nurses’ Association (HNA) doesn’t appear to offer scholarships to RN to BSN students, but it never hurts to ask! State nursing associations often have funds for continuing education. You can always apply for:
- American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) Hawaii Scholarships
- Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP)
Hawaii Healthcare System & University Partnerships
Do you work for a Hawaii hospital or healthcare system? Talk to your HR representative about your plans. In addition to regular employee benefits, you may be eligible for special tuition discounts or loan forgiveness programs. Check out:
Hawaii Hospital Scholarships
Some Hawaii hospitals and healthcare associations even offer their own awards. Examples for RNs include:
- Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH): Hawaii Hospital Education and Research Foundation (HHERF) Scholarships
- Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital Scholarships
Hawaii Community Foundation Scholarships
As a Hawaii resident, you’ll also be eligible for local awards & scholarships. Explore the opportunities in:
- Hawaii Community Foundation Grants & Scholarships
- Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) Scholarships
University Scholarships for Hawaii RN to BSN Students
University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
- Nursing Scholarships (Check if RN to BSN Students Eligible)
- UH Mānoa Outreach College Financial Aid
- UH System Scholarships
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
RN to BSN Requirements in Hawaii
RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. Hawaii universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of acquiring—an RN license. For instance, UH Mānoa is willing to consider Online RN to BS candidates who are still waiting to take the NCLEX exam and earn their RN license.
- If you have any questions about state RN licensure, the Hawaii Board of Nursing is the place to go.
- The Board also posts annual NCLEX Pass Rates and provides answers to Out-Of-State/Online/Distance Learning Nursing Programs FAQs.
State Authorization: Do you live outside of Hawaii? It’s important to note that UH Hilo’s Online RN to BSN is only available to students living on Maui, O’ahu, Kaua’i or Hawai’i Islands. And UH Mānoa’s program states that clinical practicums must be completed in the state of Hawaii.
Hawaii Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs
Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Hawaii Available?
UH Online RN to BSN programs are designed to be online, with no campus visits required for theoretical coursework. However, both UH Mānoa’s Online RN to BS and UH Hilo’s Online RN to BSN contain clinicals/practicums. These can be completed in your local community.
Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Hawaii?
Because of accreditation rules, CCNE- and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs always include BSN-level practicums & fieldwork experiences. For example:
- UH Hilo’s Online RN to BSN has 3 courses with clinical components—Health Assessment, Community & Collaborative Health (e.g. working with an agency on a group project), and Leadership & Transition to Practice.
- UH Mānoa’s Online RN to BS contains labs/practicums in Population Health Nursing and Complex Nursing & Leadership.
If you’re interested in UH Mānoa, talk to the RN to BSN program coordinator. An Experiential Learning Portfolio credit option is available for either practicum course. Eligibility requires RN work experience and documentation of competencies.
Do I Need Statistics to Apply for a Hawaii Online RN to BSN?
We saw it listed as a prerequisite for UH Hilo, but not for UH Mānoa. Check with the RN to BSN program coordinator to learn if it’s required.
Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Hawaii?
Not that we could find.
- UH Mānoa offers a 100% Online RN to MS Program in Advanced Population Health Nursing (APHN), but this is only open to RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
- For alternatives, explore the online options in our comprehensive listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs. There are plenty of accelerated—and accredited—programs in other states.