Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) is a private, non-profit
institution of higher learning strategically located in the heart
of the Pacific Rim. Students are provided a rigorous and
contemporary education with undergraduate degrees available in
more than 50 acclaimed programs and graduate degrees available in
12 distinguished programs. Truly a global university, students at
Hawai'i Pacific University hail from all 50 U.S. states and more
than 100 countries around the world. The experienced faculty
challenge students with an exciting integration of theory and
practical application. Hawai'i Pacific University's goal is to
provide students the knowledge and resources they need to become
distinguished and productive leaders in their field of study, the
local community, and throughout the world.
Hawai'i Pacific University is accredited by the Accrediting
Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The School of Nursing
(BSN and MSN degrees) is approved by the Hawai'i Board of Nursing
and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing is a member of the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League
for Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner
Faculties.
The School of Nursing at Hawai'i Pacific University is the
largest nursing program in the state of Hawai'i, with more than
1,650 students in the baccalaureate and master's programs. HPU
prides itself on maintaining small class sizes and providing
individual attention to students. At HPU, students enjoy all of
the technological and academic resources expected at a large
university, delivered within the atmosphere of a small school.
HPU's School of Nursing program is built upon a strong foundation
of liberal arts to prepare students to practice as professional
nurses in the multicultural environment of our global community.
HPU's liberally-educated baccalaureate nurse has the ability to
analyze, think critically, and yet express the compassion needed
in today's ever-changing health care environment.
The School of Nursing's challenging curriculum and competent,
caring faculty guide students in learning the skills and
knowledge necessary to care for individuals of all ages, their
families and their communities. HPU partners with facilities all
over the island of O'ahu so that students have many different
options for gaining hands-on clinical experiences. Students have
the opportunity to apply classroom and laboratory concepts,
theories and skills in a wide range of clinical settings.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Hawai'i Pacific University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
program offers hands on learning and one-on-one instruction in
both classroom and clinical settings. Students learn in
classrooms with an average of 30 students and in clinical groups
of eight to ten students. Hawaii Pacific University spans three
campuses:
- Hawai'i Loa campus
- Downtown Honolulu campus
- Oceanic Institute
Most nursing lecture classes and laboratories are conveniently
held on the Hawai'i Loa campus in Kane'ohe. Classes are offered
on a variety of days during the week and/or weekends, with both
day and evening courses available. Health care facilities all
over the island of O'ahu are utilized for clinical experience.
The nursing program accepts students from varied backgrounds;
from those just out of high school to returning students, as well
as those seeking a second degree. The nursing student body is
ethnically and internationally diverse, spans the ages of 19 to
60 and includes both full and part-time students.
Students are accepted directly into the School of Nursing when
they apply to the University. Nursing students must first take
general required courses and achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in them
before progressing into nursing courses. HPU's School of Nursing
offers 140 new seats in nursing courses each fall and each spring
(280 seats per year). Students with the greatest number of earned
HPU credits are seated in nursing courses before a student with
less HPU credits. Certificates in transcultural nursing, managing
our morality, forensics, and nurse educator are available as
well.
RN to BSN Pathway
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Students who have been admitted to HPU, who are currently
licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Hawai'i are
eligible to take the RN to BSN Pathway.
LPN to BSN Pathway
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Students who have been admitted to HPU, who have graduated from a
Practical (Vocational) Nursing Program and who are currently
licensed as a Practical (Vocational) Nurse in Hawaii may be
admitted into the LPN/BSN Pathway. Upon acceptance into the
LPN/BSN Pathway, students may be evaluated for validation of
previous knowledge.
International Nurse Pathway
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International nurses who have been admitted to HPU may be
eligible to enroll in the International Nurse Pathway.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Hawai'i Pacific University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
program is designed to prepare students for enhanced roles in
community-based care as advanced practice nurses. The Master of
Science in Nursing offers three concentrations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Community Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Community Clinical Nurse Specialist Educator
In the Master of Science in Nursing program, students learn
contemporary approaches to delivering cost effective, quality
health care, especially to chronically under-serviced populations
such as the poor, the elderly and those in multi-ethnic
communities. The program focuses on those skills needed by nurses
to succeed in the changing health care environment:
- Enhanced critical thinking
- Assessment
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
Opportunities exist within the graduate nursing program to obtain
a stand alone Nurse Educator Certificate as well as a
Post-Master's Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner. It is
also possible to seek a joint degree of a MSN/MBA at HPU.
RN to MSN Pathway
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The RN to MSN Pathway allows registered nurses without
baccalaureate degrees in nursing to transition into the MSN
program. This pathway requires that the student have a license as
a Registered Nurse in Hawaii for admission. Students entering the
RN to MSN Pathway are granted provisional admission status until
all prerequisites have been completed. Students who successfully
complete the program receive an MSN degree.