Like many states, Hawaii is facing a shortage of physicians and nurses, but there are many things about the state that make its situation unique. The state’s distance from the mainland and high cost of living make it challenging to attract professionals, and many providers aren’t drawn to the rural areas and outer island regions. The Aloha State also faces a nursing shortage, in part due to a shortage of nursing faculty to train new professionals.
DNP-prepared nurses are well-prepared to step in and fill these gaps, qualified not only to educate and train the next generation of nurses but also to provide direct patient care. Hawaii is a full practice state for nurse practitioners, meaning they can diagnose and treat patients, manage care, and prescribe a wide range of medications without physician oversight. A terminal degree can open exciting and lucrative doors for nurses in this state, and there are several options for RNs who wish to pursue a doctorate in this state.
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Hawaii DNP Programs Quick Facts:
- Universities Offering DNP Programs in Hawaii: 3
- CCNE Accredited DNP Programs in The State: 10
- ACEN Accredited DNP Programs in the State: 0 for DNP programs
- Average Tuition Costs: $7,800 to $62,900 for public universities for residents, $31,900 to $76,600 for private universities
DNP Programs in Hawaii
Although only three universities in Hawaii offer DNP programs, there are a surprising number of options to choose from. Students interested in pursuing a DNP in the Aloha State can choose from hybrid and online options as well as multiple specialities and starting points.
Hawaii BSN/MSN to DNP Programs
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo offers a DNP program with BSN and MSN-entry points. This is the only hybrid program offered in the state, requiring students to come to campus three times throughout the program for in-person experiences.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Hilo, Hawaii
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $797 per credit hour + fees for residents; $1,574 per credit hour + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo offers two entry points for its FNP DNP degree. The BSN to DNP program requires 73-79 credits and takes three years to complete, and the MSN to DNP program requires 37-40 credits and takes two years to complete. All students must complete a Practice Inquiry Project that addresses an issue facing a particular group of patients or health care systems or organizations.
This program requires 1,000 clinical hours total, with 500 clinical hours accepted for students who are already practicing as nurse practitioners. Students with an MSN in a non-clinical specialty will undergo a gap analysis to determine how many hours they need to complete.
For this program, theory and content courses are delivered online, but students must come to campus three times throughout the program: once for a five-day orientation, once for a five-day Spring Institute midway through the program, and once for a seven-day seminar at the end of the program.
Online DNP Programs in Hawaii
Online programs are a convenient option for nurses who intend to keep working while pursuing their degrees. Both the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Hawaiʻi Pacific University offer a variety of options, including terminal degrees in various specialties as well as leadership.
Hawaii Online BSN/MSN to DNP Programs
These online programs offer variety and convenience, with multiple starting points and paths for students to take toward their DNP.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Hybrid
Modality: Hybrid
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $650 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The DNP programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are designed to prepare nurses for the highest possible levels of leadership and clinical practice. The curriculum focuses on independent practice, leadership, and advocacy, offering students multiple options to choose from.
For those interested in taking a clinical track, the school offers three BSN to MSN specialities: BSN to MSN AGNP Primary Care (3 years, 77 credits); BSN to MSN FNP (3 years, 77 credits); BSN to MSN PMHNP (3 years, 75 credits). There’s also an MSN to PMHNP option (3 years, 63 credits) for professionals interested in this specialty area. For these programs, students must complete a DNP scholarly project that addresses health challenges in Hawaii as well as clinical hours, with placement coordinated by the school in various areas, including rural and underserved populations.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers two DNP leadership tracks, too. The 29-credit MSN to DNP Organizational Leadership track prepares students for leadership positions and equips them to drive institutional change and improve healthcare statewide. This program can be completed in one year full-time or two years part-time and offers online, asynchronous courses with in-person fieldwork in the student’s local community.
The other option is the unique Executive MBA to DNP program, offered in conjunction with the Shidler College of Business. Students first complete an executive MBA over five semesters and then enter the DNP portion of the program, which is 12 credits that can be completed over a year of full-time study. Coursework for the DNP portion of the program is asynchronous and online, with fieldwork being completed in the student’s own community.
Hawaiʻi Pacific University
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,065 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Hawaiʻi Pacific University (HPU) offers a number of options for students interested in pursuing a DNP. BSN to DNP students can choose from a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner track and complete the program in as little as 34 months full-time. The MSN to DNP track can be completed in as little as 20 months, and HPU accepts up to 12 transfer credits from accredited programs from other schools.
Courses are 100% online and offered asynchronously so that nurses can complete their coursework around their work schedules. The school also provides clinical placement assistance, helping students find a placement site and preceptor to help them meet their individual career goals.
Shortest/Accelerated DNP Programs in Hawaii
The lengths of these programs can vary, depending on previous education, clinical hours, and experience. If you’re looking for the shortest programs, consider those below.
Shortest BSN to DNP Programs
The shortest BSN to DNP option is at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, where full-time students can finish the program in as little as 34 months.
Shortest MSN to DNP Programs
The MSN to DNP Organizational Leadership track at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the shortest MSN to DNP program; full-time students can complete it in one year.
Best DNP Programs in Hawaii
The best DNP program in Hawaii depends on what you’re looking for. The programs at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo are fairly general, with the BSN track offering an FNP concentration, while Hawaiʻi Pacific University offers three NP concentrations.
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers multiple clinical tracks for BSN students and an MSN to DNP Organizational Leadership and Executive MBA to DNP program that no other school in the state offers.
Cheapest DNP Programs in Hawaii
Each school has its own fees and other costs, but looking purely at cost per credit, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the most affordable, at $650 per credit. The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a close second, at $797 per credit hour for residents.