Hawai'i Pacific University

Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) is a private, non-profit university in Hawai'i with a total of 8,200 students. 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 pus in Kane'ohe. Classes are offered on a variety of days during the week 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 College of Nursing and Health Sciences (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 College of Nursing and Health Sciences is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

Hawai'i Pacific University combines the excitement of an urban downtown campus with the serenity of a traditional campus set in the green foothills of O'ahus's Ko'olau Mountains. The main campus is located in downtown Honolulu, the business and financial center of the Pacific. Eight miles away, situated on 135 acres in Kaneohe is the Hawai'i Loa campus. HPU is also affiliated with the Oceanic Institute, a 56 acre aquaculture research facility at Makapu'u Point.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hawai'i Pacific University is the largest Nursing Program in the state of Hawai'i, with more than 1,500 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 Nursing Programs are built upon a strong foundation of liberal arts to prepare students to practice as professional nurses. 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. HPU's Nursing Programs focus on developing cultural competency so nurses are ready to serve in the multicultural environment of our global community.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences' 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)

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.

Most Nursing lecture classes and laboratories are conveniently held on the Hawai'i Loa camand/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 80 and includes both full and part-time students.

Students are accepted directly into the College of Nursing and Health Sciences when they apply to the University. Nursing students must first complete General Common Core courses and Nursing prerequisites with a minimum 2.75 GPA before progressing into entry-level Nnursing courses. Once these prerequisite courses are completed, the student's portfolio is reviewed again and students are admitted into entry-level nursing courses based on cumulative GPA, Science GPA, TEAS scores, and completed HPU credits. HPU's Nursing program offers 140 new seats in entry-level nursing courses each fall and each spring (280 seats per year). Certificates in transcultural nursing, managing our morality, forensics, and nurse education are available as well.

RN to BSN Pathway

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

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 Hawai'i 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

International nurses who have been admitted to HPU may be eligible to enroll in the International Nurse Pathway.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

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

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 Hawai'i 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.

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Hawai'i Pacific University.