Hawaii NP Programs at a Glance
| State practice authority | Full Practice Authority – NPs evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe independently |
| Hawaii Board of Nursing | Hawaii Board of Nursing |
| Hawaii median NP wage | ~$135,000 (Payscale/BLS, 2024). See Hawaii state OES tables for current detail. |
| National median NP wage | $129,210/year (BLS, May 2024) |
| Projected NP job growth | 46% (2023–2033) nationally – one of the fastest-growing professions |
| Primary accreditors | CCNE · ACEN |
| Common NP specialty tracks | FNP, AGNP (Primary/Acute), PMHNP, PNP, WHNP, NNP |
| Typical program length | 2–3 years (MSN-NP) or 3–4 years (BSN-to-DNP), full-time post-BSN |
Our Editorial Process
This guide is written by a credentialed nurse and reviewed against source-of-truth references at least annually. Program accreditation is verified against the CCNE program directory and ACEN directory. Hawaii licensure information is verified against the Hawaii Board of Nursing. Salary and growth figures come directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Hawaii data. Read our full editorial standards.
2026 Updates for Hawaii NP Programs
- Hawaii practice authority. Hawaii is a Full Practice Authority state. Licensed nurse practitioners can evaluate, diagnose, order tests, and prescribe medications independently of physician supervision. Hawaii is one of 27 states + DC granting full NP autonomy under state law.
- BLS data refresh (May 2024 OES). National median NP wage is now $129,210; Hawaii-specific data is published in the Hawaii state OES tables.
- Projected NP job growth. 46% projected employment growth from 2023 to 2033 nationally – one of the fastest-growing occupations the BLS tracks.
- AACN 2025 Position Statement. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reaffirmed the DNP as the preferred terminal degree for advanced practice. BSN-to-DNP and post-master’s DNP pathways continue to be the dominant educational routes for new NPs in Hawaii.
- Telehealth permanence. Federal and state telehealth flexibilities introduced during 2020 have largely been made permanent, expanding remote NP roles across primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management.
- PMHNP demand surge. Mental health workforce shortages are particularly acute nationwide; PMHNP-specific job postings have outpaced general NP postings consistently. See our PMHNP career guide.
Research shows that Hawaii has a shortage of nearly 800 full-time physicians. Many of the surrounding neighboring islands are significantly medically underserved, with residents flying to the Big Island for care. Nurse practitioners are specially trained advanced practice nurses prepared to step in and fill these critical care gaps.
In Hawaii, nurse practitioners have full practice authority. They can assess, diagnose, and treat patients, including prescribing medications. NPs can work in a variety of settings with a wide range of patients, even going into private practice if that’s what they’re interested in.
Hawaii may be a small state, but it offers plenty of opportunities. For professional networking, there are organizations like the Hawai’i American Nurses Association, Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, and the Hawaii Center for Nursing. Most of the large hospitals are located in larger cities, like Queen’s Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center in Honolulu and Adventist Health Castle in Kailua, but there are employment opportunities all over the state.
If you’re considering going to school to pursue a career as an NP in Hawaii, there are many exciting ways to fill your spare time. Hawaii is home to the world’s most active volcanoes, countless beaches, and exciting opportunities for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re interested in surfing, snorkeling, whale watching, touring a coffee farm, or learning more about the state’s unique history, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stay and work in the Aloha State.
In Hawaii, there are three universities that offer NP degrees. Below, we detail these schools and the programs they offer.
Program Overview:
Chaminade is the only Catholic University in Hawaii. It was founded in 1955 as a two-year college, growing rapidly over the years and adding master’s programs in 1977. Doctorate-level nursing programs and post-doctoral certificates are offered through the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
The school offers two DNP tracks: a BSN to DNP FNP and a BSN to DNP PNP. These programs are designed for advanced practice nurses and use a technology-enriched approach to help future NPs address the healthcare needs of the community. DNP programs at Chaminade are designed to be flexible. Online courses are structured in 15-week terms, and students must come to campus several times throughout the program for multi-day in-person immersions.
Chaminade also offers post-doctoral certificate programs for nurses who already have a doctoral degree but wish to practice as an NP in another specialty. Both the Post-Doctoral FNP Certificate and Post-Doctoral PNP Certificate offer online classes with an annual on-campus intensive, and students can finish the 18-credit, 630-clinical-hour program in a year.
Program Overview:
Hawaii Pacific University was formed from three smaller schools and gives students a traditional college experience in the Aloha State. It offers multiple campuses, including a downtown campus in the heart of Honolulu’s business district, the Makapu’u Campus on the site of the Oceanic Institute, and satellite campuses on multiple military installations, including on the island of O‘ahu and Pearl Harbor Naval Base.
The nursing school is located on the downtown campus. It has an innovative simulation center where students can perfect their critical thinking, clinical, and teamwork skills using high-fidelity mannequins designed to respond realistically to medical interventions. Students also use wearable hands-on simulators that provide interactive training opportunities for skills like inserting IVs and dressing wounds.
HPU offers several NP tracks, with options both online and on campus. Nurses who wish to pursue an FNP or AGNP in acute care can attend the program in person or online. The in-person 45-credit BSN to FNP track is face-to-face, though some classes may be offered in hybrid or online formats. Classes are generally scheduled two afternoons a week for the full-time program. Students complete didactic care courses before starting practicums, and practicum courses are completed in the summer. The BSN to FNP Online track also has 45 credits with 500 clinical hours, and all classes are online and offered in a mobile-friendly format.
The in-person BSN to AGNP Acute Care and BSN to AGNP Acute Care Online programs are offered in similar formats, but these programs are 46 credits and 600 clinical hours.
HPU also offers post-master’s options. The Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to FNP and Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to AGNP Acute Care are offered in-person and online. Credit and clinical requirements depend on previous education and experience.
Program Overview:
The University of Hawaii at Manoa was established in 1907 and is the oldest and largest campus in the state university system. The Manoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing began as a one-year public health nursing program for nurses who graduated from hospital schools of nursing in 1932 and began offering bachelor’s degrees in 1952. Master’s degrees followed in 1965, with the family nurse practitioner programs beginning in 1993.
The Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs began admitting students in 2015, and both are still offered by the university today. Both the BSN to DNP FNP and BSN to DNP AGNP Primary Care are 77 credits with 765 clinical hours and are designed to be complete in three years.
Students in the nursing programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa get hands-on experience in the Translational Health Science Simulation Center, an 8,000-square-foot facility. The Center was designed in partnership with major healthcare systems in the state to prepare students to work in the region. It has a ten-bed unit with mid-fidelity mannequins, bedside electronic health records, computerized medication dispensing units, and high-fidelity mannequins, including Sim Man 3G, pediatric HAL, and Harvey Cardiopulmonary Simulator.
Students also get unique experiences using telehealth technology, task trainers, role-playing, and computer-based simulators. The University of Hawaii at Manoa also prepares students for their future careers with HealthCAST (Collaborative Acting Simulation Training), a partnership with the Department of Theatre & Dance in which actors play the roles of patients and family members receiving simulated care and then provide feedback to the students. Graduate students participate in HealthCAST as a part of their teaching assistantships, and the school even partners with the scenic design and makeup departments to make the simulations as realistic as possible.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Hawaii
Five distinct routes appear across the NP schools listed on this page. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Hawaii Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
The traditional Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs who already hold a BSN. Typical length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time, with 500 to 750 clinical hours. Hawaii MSN-NP options are anchored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa (Oahu) and Hawaii Pacific University (Honolulu), with Chaminade University of Honolulu also offering NP-track programs. UH Hilo runs a doctoral-entry DNP path for the neighbor-island market.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge (No BSN Required)
For ADN-prepared RNs who want to skip a separate BSN program. The bridge adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s component begins. In Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade University both offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically lands at 3 to 4 years. See the broader top RN-to-NP programs ranking.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP-specialty training with terminal-degree coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 3 Hawaii schools offer a DNP program — see the full Hawaii DNP programs guide for state-specific detail, or online BSN-to-DNP programs for ranked national options.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate (Existing MSN Holders)
For nurses who already hold a master’s-level NP credential and want to add a second specialty — an FNP adding AGNP, an FNP adding PMHNP, etc. Typical length: 12 to 24 months and ~500 clinical hours. Hawaii post-master’s certificate options are concentrated at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University. The NP Certifications hub covers the certificate landscape in depth.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry (Non-Nursing Bachelor’s)
For career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The student earns an accelerated BSN first (12 to 16 months), then enters an NP master’s or DNP track. Hawaii’s direct-entry option is the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Master of Science in Nursing entry pathway for non-nursing bachelor’s holders. Total time-to-NP-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years from start of accelerated BSN.
Fast & Affordable Hawaii NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All programs listed are CCNE or ACEN accredited and confirmed to currently enroll Hawaii residents.
Fastest Hawaii NP Programs
- Hawaii Pacific University — MSN-FNP: Honolulu-based hybrid delivery with statewide preceptor placement; 24-month accelerated path.
- Chaminade University of Honolulu — MSN-NP: Marianist Catholic university with year-round cohort entry; 5-semester full-time option.
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders adding a Hawaii specialty.
Most Affordable Hawaii NP Programs (In-State Tuition)
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition with the broadest specialty footprint in the state; UHSON anchors Hawaii NP education.
- University of Hawaii at Hilo — DNP: Public Big Island campus rate with statewide distance learning components.
- Hawaii Pacific University — MSN-FNP: Private Honolulu university with competitive total cost.
Hawaii Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Hawaii NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths in the state — FNP and DNP entry. Most Hawaii schools lead with FNP at the master’s level; 3 schools offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice option. Each H3 links to the relevant child page.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Hawaii. All 3 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track in some format — MSN, BSN-to-DNP, or post-master’s certificate.
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
- Hawaii Pacific University
- University of Hawaii at Manoa
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Hawaii
Aligned with the AACN 2025 DNP position statement. The 3 Hawaii schools below offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. See the dedicated Hawaii DNP programs guide for admissions detail.
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Hawaiʻi Pacific University
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Hawaii by City & Region
Hawaii’s 3 featured NP schools are concentrated on Oahu, with University of Hawaii at Hilo running a DNP-track program on the Big Island. Distance-learning components are common given the multi-island geography.
Oahu / Honolulu
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu
- Hawaii Pacific University — Honolulu
- Chaminade University of Honolulu — Honolulu
Hawaii Island (Big Island)
- University of Hawaii at Hilo — Hilo (DNP only)
