Master’s in Nursing Schools in Hawaii

If you’re looking for a way to increase your scope of practice as a nurse, play a more significant role in Hawaii’s nursing community, and delve into a nursing specialty, a Master’s in Nursing may be the next step in your career.

Featured Programs:

Nursing Education in Hawaii

There are many routes you can take to earn a Master’s in Nursing. Nursing schools in Hawaii offer a variety of MSN routes such as adult nurse practitioner, Master’s in Nursing/Master’s in Business Administration, nursing education, and pediatric nurse practitioner. The amount of credits you have to complete depends on what your prior education is. If you have an ADN or a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, you may spend up to four years in school. If you have a BSN, your degree should take between two and three years.

Some of the core courses required for all specialties include Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Foundations of Nursing Science. If you go the route of nurse practitioner, you may need to take many clinical courses in caring for adults, children, and other populations. Nursing education courses take you into local classrooms so you can learn how to teach basic and advanced nursing principles to students.

There are many high-value nursing scholarships in Hawaii. Apply early and often to have a better chance of getting selected. The Army Nurse Corps Association awards scholarships to graduate-level nurse practitioner and nurse anesthesia students. You may be eligible for a $2,500 scholarship from the AfterCollege Scholarship Fund if you are pursuing an RN-to-MSN program. If you are a native Hawaiian, consider applying for the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship. This scholarship requires you to work in a Critical Shortage Facility after graduation.

Working With Your MSN in Hawaii

Hawaii has two accredited programs for RN-to-MSN students. Becoming an advanced practice nurse provides career opportunities for nurses.

For instance, if you choose to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist’s (CNL) with advanced training and skills, you may have many opportunities in hospitals and other locations. CNLs can lead, mentor or consult with other healthcare staff in an acute care setting.

They may become board certified in specialty areas, such as cardiology, diabetes, intensive care, pediatric, emergency department or in cardiothoracic surgery. As the environment of nursing care in Hawaii changes, there may also be more openings for nurse midwives. JAMA reports that nurse midwives are being used more and more to provide high-quality and affordable maternity care.

Advanced Public Health Nurse (PHN) is another career choice in the RN–to–MSN programs in Hawaii. PHNs with a graduate degree may supervise and collaborate with other healthcare professionals in the Hawaii Department of Health, in schools or in a variety of other facilities to provide care at the community level.

PHNs are client advocates, health educators and health screeners as they facilitate healthy lifestyles to prevent disease across the lifespan.

An RN-to-MSN may advance your career in a very positive manner, with a higher level of responsibility and a higher income. Contact the schools below to learn more.

Nursing Schools in Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, HI

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

Hawaii can be an excellent place to continue your nursing education and career with an Master’s degree in Nursing. Despite its many large cities and tourist centers, there’s still quite a prominent need for health practitioners that are willing to work in the state’s rural areas. In towns and villages that are far from tourist cities, residents often have limited access to the care they need to stay healthy. If you’d rather work in a large city, there are many opportunities in those parts of Hawaii too. On top of the residents living in large island cities, the islands see millions of tourists every year that may need minor or emergency care while traveling.

Contact the nursing schools in Hawaii that offer MSN programs today to learn more about your options.

If you’re interested in advanced practice direct patient care, becoming a nurse practitioner may be a good career choice for you. KHON 2 notes that a major topic at the Hawaii Healthcare Summit was the state’s lack of doctors. Since nurse practitioners in this state have full freedom of practice, nurse practitioners can help relieve the physician shortage and give residents greater access to care, while often improving outcomes as well.

Per Hawaii Workforce Infonet, nursing professionals are in high demand in this state. As the state’s employers try to increase their hiring of LPNs and RNs, many local schools may try to address their nursing educator shortage and hire more instructors. This allows them to take on more RN students and put more registered nurses out into the field. The importance of nursing education is clear when you look at the recent grant given to the UH Foundation. The $729,000 grant was established to expand the MSN program.

One benefit of studying in Hawaii is the number of resources available to nursing students and professionals. The Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses offers numerous benefits to nurse practitioners, and the Hawaii Society of Nurse Anesthetists works to advance the field of nurse anesthesia.

MSN programs can be a challenging test of your critical thinking skills, your practical nursing abilities, and your dedication to the field of health care. Most graduate-level nursing programs focus on several primary learning outcomes. You may be expected to develop your advanced clinical practice skills while learning all about what evidence-based practice entails. Leadership and ethics in nursing are also crucial parts of this experience. Throughout your classroom hours and clinical experience, you may develop a deeper understanding of health policy, transcultural care, and health care informatics. Of course, you will need to demonstrate even more impressive skills in your specialty of choice.

Regardless of what your career goals are, you need to take classes like Applied Drug Therapies, Advanced Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, and Community Health Care Policy. If you plan on becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist, you can plan on completing hundreds of hours of clinical courses that can give you lots of hands-on experience working with patients. Going into nursing leadership may put you in classes that focus on business skills, managerial traits, and other leadership principles. You can learn how to connect with patients and enhance the field of nursing in nursing education courses.

Hawaii organizations and government agencies have a lot of scholarship and grant opportunities for advanced nursing students. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities, since you want to take on as little student debt as possible. The Maui Nurses Scholarship Foundation funds a number of scholarships for nursing students at different levels of education. If you are a native Hawaiian, consider applying for scholarships through the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program. Interested in nurse midwifery? The March of Dimes graduate nursing scholarships may help you reach your goals.

It’s important to meet the licensing requirements of the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Whether you must keep an RN license or an advanced practice license, keeping up on licensing expectations can help you enjoy a fruitful career.
In Hawaii, nursing salaries tend to be quite a bit higher than the national average.

Regardless of the focus you want to take with your MSN degree in Hawaii, you should begin by amassing as much information as you can and reviewing it all to determine which school is right for you. We can help, as we’ve made it possible for you to contact nursing schools in Hawaii that offer MSN programs directly from our site.

Hawaii RN to MSN Bridge Programs

Across Hawaii’s many islands, there are hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other facilities that rely on the availability of skilled nurses to provide care. In fact, a recent report by the Healthcare Association of Hawaii shows that 35 of Hawaii’s nursing centers meet nationwide standards set for nursing centers. Whether you’ve used your RN degree to work in emergency care or another nursing specialty, you may be ready to take the next step in your career and education. These options change each year, as Pacific Business News reports that Hawaiian students can choose from a growing number of nursing programs. If you’re considering an RN-to-MSN program in Hawaii, learn more about what these degree programs entail by requesting information directly from our site.

There are two main components to RN-to-MSN bridge programs in Hawaii. The first is the bridge part of the program, which brings you up to the knowledge level of a Bachelor’s degree graduate. This part of your curriculum may include training in different areas of specialty nursing and administrative nursing career options.

The second part of your RN-to-MSN bridge program is the same as any other MSN program, giving you a background in high-level nursing theories and skills. Before you start classes that specifically relate to your chosen specialty, you take courses that cover many different nursing specialty areas. In this part of your training, you may take classes like Epidemiology, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Nursing Research, and Advanced Physical Assessment. Nurse practitioner students may take classes like Pharmacotherapeutics, Ethics in Advanced Nursing Practice, and Fundamentals of Nurse Practitioner Care. Nurse administration students often take courses like Leadership in Nursing, Nursing Informatics, and Finance & Policy in Health Care.

As you finish out your curriculum, you may be required to complete a capstone project or thesis on top of your clinical hours. This project may serve as a testament of your skills when it’s time to look for employment, so it should fully encompass all you have learned in your MSN program.

In Hawaii, there may be quite a few scholarship opportunities for you to consider as a nursing student. Becoming familiar with the offerings in your area can help you get as much money as possible for your college education. The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program is well-suited to native Hawaiians who want to further their nursing education. If you live in the Maui area, consider applying for the Maui Nurses Scholarship. If you are willing to work in a rural area, consider applying for funding through the Hawaii State Center for Nursing. On a federal level, you may get loan repayment assistance or a scholarship through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

Though Hawaii is broken up into a number of islands, the nurse licensure process is the same across the entire state. The Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of Hawaii requires those who go into advanced clinical practice to complete an advanced licensing process. The process includes an exam in your specialty and a separate application.

The job outlook for MSN graduates in Hawaii varies between job titles. For example,O*Net expects a 15 percent increase in nurse management jobs from 2012 to 2022. In this time frame, O*Net believes that job openings for nurse instructors may also increase by 34 percent.

In this field, experience and education can make a big difference in your career path, your potential earnings, and your job satisfaction. Taking the next step by attending an RN-to-MSN program can have great benefits for you and your nursing community. Reach out to the schools in Hawaii that offer RN-to-MSN programs by contacting them through our site today to learn more.

Hawaii Direct Entry MSN

Hawaii is known for its selection of high-quality educational institutions that help prepare students for a variety of careers. If you’ve thought about becoming a nurse, you might be confused by the variety of degrees available in Hawaii. However, if you already have a Bachelor’s degree in any field, you may be able to bypass undergraduate requirements and move directly to an MSN program.

Contact the schools you find on this page that offer Direct Entry MSN programs in Hawaii to get program information. Once you take some time to compare what’s offered, you’ll be more likely to make a well informed decision about your nursing future.

Direct entry MSN programs in Hawaii are typically 18-to-24 month long programs that are designed for those who have completed their prerequisite courses through a prior undergraduate degree. Before starting a program like this, you’ll need to demonstrate your competence with a number of science courses. Most programs require classes like Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology. By requiring intensive science courses, Hawaii schools can help you proceed through your degree program very quickly.

In the first year of your nursing program, you’ll take entry level Bachelor’s degree nursing courses that provide you the skills needed to earn an RN. Some of the classes you may take during your first year include Health Assessment, Foundations of Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, and Community & Public Health.

Some schools require you to earn your RN before you proceed to MSN courses. This means that you will likely take the NCLEX-RN at some point during your program, which is the test you must pass in order to become a Registered Nurse (RN). When you move into Master’s degree courses, your curriculum will be determined by the nursing career you decide to pursue.

Although options vary depending on which school you attend, you may be able to choose from popular choices like nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, nurse leader, and nurse educator. Some of the courses you may be required to pass as an MSN student include Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing, Theory of Advanced Nursing Care, and Advanced Care of Adults. In total, your direct entry MSN program may have over 1,000 clinical hours.

There are many private organizations and associations in Hawaii that provide scholarships for advanced nursing students. The Gromet Foundation is one such organization, offering dozens of scholarships. Available grants include Nursing Scholarships for Kamehameha School Graduates, the Filipino Nurses’ Organization of Hawaii Scholarship, and the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society Nursing Scholarship. The Maui Nurses Foundation has a scholarship foundation that awards grants to students in the Maui area. Quite a few nursing scholarships are available through the Hawaii Community Foundation.

Before beginning your nursing career, it’s important to make sure you have the proper license to work in Hawaii. In addition to a registered nursing (RN) license, which is required for all working nurses, you may need an advanced practice license if you plan on working as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or clinical specialist. The Hawaii Department of Professional and Vocational Licensing is responsible for all licensing in this state.

Thanks to the above-average cost of living in Hawaii, nursing salaries are often higher than the national average.

Given all that Master’s-level nurses can do in Hawaii, it’s clear that an MSN can propel your career forward while making a difference to your patients. With so many diverse career options, you can likely find a choice that suits your skills and interests. Contact the schools on this page to learn more about your options for entering a direct entry MSN program in Hawaii.

Hawaii CRNA Programs

The health care system of Hawaii relies on many different medical professionals to ensure a high standard of care, provide patients with the service they need, and maintain the safety and cleanliness of any health care environment. Of particular importance in health care is anesthesia; a patient that has received proper pain management for their situation may enjoy a lower risk of infection, a safer and more sterile work environment for their procedure, and a more comfortable recovery.

Anesthesiologists are not the only health care professionals that can offer pain relief services to patients. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, professionals with a Master’s degree in Nursing Anesthesia, can use their experience in patient care and pharmacology to make sure that each person they see gets the right medication, dose, and monitoring for their needs. Completing a degree and getting licensed in this field can make you a leader in the nursing field and in the anesthesiology field.

Consider a career in nurse anesthesia if you want your skills to make a significant difference in patients’ lives and in patient outcomes. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists reports that anesthesia is almost 50 times safer now than it was in the beginning of the 1980s. Your education in this area may make you a valuable addition to a surgical unit, a labor & delivery unit, an emergency room, or a pain management wing. With the right training and education from a Hawaii CRNA program, this career may open many doors for you. Contact Hawaii nursing schools today to learn about your options for study.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Hawaii

Before you can start realizing your dream of becoming a nurse anesthetist, you must be accepted to a CRNA program in Hawaii. The schools you can choose from depend on which Hawaiian island you live on. However, admissions requirements tend to be fairly strict across all Hawaiian schools, so you can get a good feel for the work you need to do in order to be a good fit for this program.

To start, you must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited school. Some graduate programs do allow you to transition directly from an Associate’s degree in nursing to a Master’s degree in nurse anesthesia; if this is what you’re looking for, you need an RN-to-MSN program that focuses on nurse anesthesia. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required, although some schools do look for students with a 3.5 or higher GPA. The type of nursing experience you have is another crucial part of the admissions process. Because of the type of work nurse anesthetists do, you must have at least one year of full-time experience in an emergency or trauma care setting.

Your CRNA curriculum may be multifaceted and demanding, as you might expect. This type of degree program may help you become a leader in nursing, develop the confidence needed to work independently, and properly administer all different types of anesthesia. Early courses required in a CRNA program include Physiology for AP Nursing, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, and Pharmacokinetics & Dynamics of Anesthetic Agents. Other courses that may play an important role in your education include Introduction to Clinical Practice, Advanced Principles of Anesthesia, and Pathophysiology of Human Disease. In these courses, you may visit various clinical sites to meet your practical experience requirements. To become licensed as a CRNA, you must work with at least 550 different patients over the course of your two to three years in school.

Scholarships can go a long way to making your education more affordable, particularly if you apply early and often to find as many opportunities as possible. Some scholarships are specific to different Hawaii nursing schools, like the UH Manoa Achievement Grant and the UH Foundation Grant. The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program may be another option to consider. If you live in the Maui area, consider applying for aid through the Maui Nurses Scholarship Foundation.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Hawaii

Once you have completed your education in Hawaii, it’s time to go through the licensure process. This can take quite a bit of time, so you may want to start preparing ahead of time by applying to take the certification exam and preparing your licensure application. Before you can seek licensure at the state level, you must pass the exam administered by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Once you pass this exam, you may submit your score to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in Hawaii. You must submit your completed application for nurse anesthetist licensure, which requires a valid registered nursing license. Once you complete these steps, you can receive your license and begin working as a CRNA in Hawaii.

Your income may start out lower, particularly since you may need supervision or guidance from other CRNAs or anesthesiologists while you get accustomed to your new job title. However, as you gain skill and experience, your earning potential may increase accordingly.

With more and more people getting health insurance and finally going through the medical procedures they need, Hawaii’s demand for nurse anesthetists may continue to grow throughout the years. If you’re interested in taking your place in this nursing specialty, reach out to Hawaii CRNA schools for more information.

Forensic Nursing in Hawaii

Nursing means being there for patients when they need you, no matter how difficult the situation may be. Forensic nursing is the perfect example of this core tenet. When you go into the field of forensic nursing, you may come face-to-face with the results of terrible crimes. However, this simply means that you have the chance to truly impact victims’ lives and do everything you can to make sure justice is served.

While forensic nurses work with victims and perpetrators of various crimes, one of the most common applications of this field is sexual assault examination. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners work in places like the Sex Abuse Treatment Center in Hawaii, a local resource that works to combat the high sexual assault rate in Hawaii. They report that 1 out of 7 women in Hawaii experienced sexual assault (SATC Hawaii).

Find out how you can be a bridge between healthcare and the legal system. Explore the list of schools below to learn more about forensic nurse degrees in Hawaii.

Master’s Degree Programs in Forensic Nursing in Hawaii

First and foremost, the duty of a nurse is to provide evidence-based care and emotional support to patients. That does not change in the field of forensic nursing, which is why most Master’s degree programs require applicants to have at least one year of full-time nursing experience. This allows you to keep your care responsibilities in mind while learning how to navigate the legal side of forensic nursing.

Featured Programs:

Courses Commonly Required in Forensic Nurse Programs

Criminalistics
Investigation of Injury and Death
Forensic Psychology
Research in Forensic Nursing
Evidence Analysis
Ethics in Forensic Nursing

You need extensive clinical experience in multiple forensic settings to graduate. This experience is also a requirement for most certification programs. You may pursue certification through the Commission for Forensic Nursing Certification awards the title of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and the title of Advanced Forensic Nurse. The former requires two years of experience and a 40-hour training course, while the latter requires a Master’s degree in nursing and 2000 hours of forensic nursing experience. Through the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, graduates may look into Legal Nurse Consultant Certification.

The Role of Forensic Nurses in Hawaii

Forensic nursing is a valuable part of collaboration efforts between healthcare and law. Depending on the clinical rotations you choose and your professional areas of interest, you may become a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and work with adults and children who have been victimized. Many government agencies and nonprofit organizations in Hawaii hire nurses in this position to ensure that victims always have access to a specialist (YWCA Hawaii).

Assault can happen any time and anywhere, so your hours may be erratic when you transition into this field. Facilities across the country are working toward 24/7 SANE staffing, an effort that ensures that victims do not have to wait for care. This is important, since healthcare practitioners without specialized training may unintentionally further traumatize victims of crime.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level and learn how to become a forensic nurse? You could make a huge difference in the lives of Hawaii residents by doing so.

Get more information on this field now by reaching out to nursing schools in Hawaii.

Hawaii Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

It’s impossible to ignore the industry-wide changes that have hit the health care field in recent years. Still, those changes may be more difficult to implement and understand in Hawaii, since it’s over 2,000 miles from the American mainland.

To meet the high standards of this industry, it’s important for health care institutions to have access to nurse leaders who stay up-to-date on current research, commit to providing evidence-based care, and enforce policies and expectations among nurses.

While working as a registered nurse in Hawaii, you have likely noticed the unique challenges of health care and nursing practice in this state. Hawaii is the only state comprise of a chain of islands, which makes it nearly impossible for health care facilities and leaders to standardize procedures across the state. The need for nursing leaders who can utilize research to create evidence-based practices is extremely high in the state.

Health care leaders in Hawaii have had quite a bit of success in recent years. Overall, the state is 11th in terms of health care improvement (Maui Now). These gains can be attributed to the hard work of nurse executives and other leaders in the field.

Becoming a nurse leader puts you in a position to tackle health problems head-on in Hawaii. Dengue cases spiked in Hawaii in late 2015, and the state’s Director of Nursing Resources utilized research and nursing principles to come up with solutions (Yahoo! Travel).

If the demands of a career in nursing leadership sound perfect for your skills and career goals, learn more about this degree program by contacting nursing leadership graduate programs in Hawaii.

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Hawaii?

One thing you’ll discover as you study nurse leadership is the fact that nurse leaders wear many different hats in any given facility. In addition, you may be the only Clinical Nurse Leader in a small facility or department. For these reasons, it is important to obtain high-quality education in every part of this field.

There are differences between Hawaii nursing management programs, but these are the main areas of focus for most schools:

Scientific bases of practice
Organizational and systems leadership for health care systems
Clinical scholarship and evidence-based practice
Advocacy through health care policy
Use of patient care technology
Clinical prevention and population health

You may also find slight differences in curriculum requirements between schools. Required courses and elective options are determined by the goals of the program and the needs of the community. While earning 30 or more credits as a CNL student, plan on taking classes like Advanced Health Assessment, Rural Health Promotion, Nursing Program Development, Health Economics, System-Based Leadership, and Health Policy.

Some of your courses may include a clinical component. Clinical practice is highly recommended in this specialty, since transitioning from a registered nursing role to one that involves leadership and management can be difficult. Getting leadership experience in a variety of settings can prepare you for your new career.

The Hawaii Department of Professional and Vocational Licensing requires you to renew your nursing license by June 30 of every odd-numbered year. At this time, you must also supply proof of 30 continuing education credits.

The registered nursing license is required for a Clinical Nurse Leadership license from the AACN. After meeting the organization’s educational standards and passing the licensing exam, you get the credential of CNL. Renewal occurs every five years.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

The CNL role is one that largely focuses on clinical work, making it an ideal choice for nurses who most enjoy working with patients and providing them with evidence-based care. However, the parameters of your job title may shift slightly when you become a nurse leader. You may spend some of your time managing and supervising nursing professionals.

A huge area of responsibility for nurse leaders is the creation of patient care plans. These plans must integrate individual patient needs, relevant research and evidence, and cohort data. After creating a plan, you may carry it out and supervise its execution.
Connecting with other nursing leaders in Hawaii can help you develop confidence in your new position. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Executives offers many professional benefits, including an annual conference with networking opportunities.

Patients deserve evidence-based care from professionals who care. Take your patient care further by reaching out to Master’s in nurse management degree programs in Hawaii.

Hawaii Research Nursing Graduate Programs

Nursing is an extremely diverse and exciting field that is full of different career options and paths for dedicated workers. If your time as a registered nurse has piqued your interest in nursing advances and technology, take your career to the next level by learning about nursing research degrees.

In Hawaii, nurse researchers have many chances to improve the state of health care and empower medical professionals to make evidence-based decisions. One Hawaii nurse researcher was recently awarded for her study on women’s perception of their maternity care. This research has paved the way for more trusting relationships between nurse-midwives and the patients they serve.

Completing a nurse research degree can give you the chance to research one specific area of nursing, a chosen patient population, or a certain type of procedure. If you’re ready to change the future of Hawaii nursing through your hard work, request more information from research nursing graduate programs in Hawaii.

Hawaii Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

Getting your graduate degree is the first step to becoming a contributing part of the nurse research community of Hawaii. Most programs have fairly stringent admissions requirements, so make sure that you have all the experience you need first. You must have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and a valid nursing license in the state of Hawaii. Each school has their own experience requirements; typically, at least one year of full-time nursing experience is required.

As you move through the curriculum for your program, you should explore the various issues facing the nursing industry, how to properly conduct research, and the roles you may fill as a researcher. Some of the classes you may enroll in include Nursing Science: Epistemology, Evaluation Methods, Synthesis in Nursing, Theory Development in Nursing, Quantitative Research in Nursing, Qualitative in Research in Nursing, and Current Issues in Nursing.

In addition, you may get many types of clinical experience as a nursing research student. Your coursework may take you into laboratories, nursing schools, hospitals, clinics, and other research facilities. As you learn more and more, you may be able to take on a more interactive role in research studies. In addition, this experience may help you discover what type of research you want to conduct throughout the course of your career.

Applying for different scholarships and grants may help you offset the costs of a Master’s degree. The Gromet Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships to Hawaii students every year, including scholarships that are only for nursing students.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Hawaii

Completing your degree should make you an involved part of the nursing research community of Hawaii, giving you the chance to see what research others are conducting and what problems are most severe in Hawaii’s health care industry. You may conduct research on patient care, on development within the industry, or on different types of technologies and tools that are used by nurses. A recent study in Hawaii discovered that a lack of school nurses negatively affects absentee rates in Hawaii schools. This type of research can find weaknesses in the industry and areas for potential growth.

Are you ready to take your career into the academic side of nursing? Make your move now and reach out to nursing research programs in Hawaii.

Hawaii Certified Nurse Midwife Programs

Certified Nurse Midwives are legal in Hawaii by statute but licensing is not currently available. Becoming a nurse midwife in Hawaii requires different licensing than in many other states. Because specific licensure as a certified nurse midwife has been determined to be too expensive, Hawaii requires licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in lieu of specific licensure.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Board of Nursing has all of the applications and information online. Nurse Practitioners, thus certified nurse midwives, have been given authority to practice as primary care providers and are able to extend the full scope of practice as such.

Learn more about becoming a nurse midwife in Hawaii today by requesting information from the schools you see listed on our site. This is an extremely rewarding career that continues to elevate the profession of nursing while providing essential healthcare services to Hawaiian women.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Hawaii

Becoming a certified nurse midwife in Hawaii has different requirements than most states. The state of Hawaii has deemed licensure as a CNM too expensive so the process is a bit different. Hawaii does require licensure as an advanced nurse practitioner, which carries the full weight of a primary care provider.

To become a nurse midwife in Hawaii, obtaining the right education and experience is the important element. Experience as an RN will be invaluable as you continue your education to becoming an advanced nurse practitioner. Training that specifically focuses on midwifery is available through a variety of online programs. Requesting program information from the schools below is the best way to get details and specific information.

To become a certified nurse midwife, one must take and pass the national certification exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB). The exam costs $500 and certification is valid for five years. A continuing education program called the Certification Maintenance Program includes three self-study modules in each five year period. In addition to this program, nurse midwives must complete 20 hours of continuing education through the licensing board each five years as well.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Hawaii

Becoming a nurse midwife can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, careers in nursing. One must be able to make decisions quickly and authoritatively and work flexible schedules, on call many nights and weekends. However, the benefits of being such an integral part of a family’s life can far outweigh many of the challenges.

Many nurse midwives become part of their patient’s life and continue as primary care providers throughout the life cycle. Certified nurse midwives extend the reach of the field of nursing into every aspect of a woman’s life (and her family’s life as well).

Don’t wait any longer before continuing your career as a health care professional. There are many accessible educational programs available that can help further your nursing career. Contact the schools here to learn more.

Hawaii Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

By starting a career in the field of nursing, you’ve likely developed a strong set of patient care skills that make you a valuable team member in any hospital or clinic you choose to work for. However, you may be ready to take the next step in your career. Becoming a clinical nurse specialist can allow you to specialize in a variety of areas, from pediatrics to gerontology.

Contact the schools listed on our site that offer CNS programs in Hawaii to learn about all of your options.

Clinical nurse specialists often do a lot in terms of population health. By studying this field, you can help Hawaii’s residents and tourists enjoy their time in Hawaii safely, minimize disease outbreaks, and encourage good health routines.

If you’re invested in the field of nursing and ready to take the next step in your career, learn more about clinical nurse specialist programs in Hawaii.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Hawaii

The first step to becoming a clinical nurse specialist and working independently in Hawaii is getting the proper education. This is a Master’s-level degree, so you must usually have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing first. Work experience is also a common requirement. Many Hawaii schools only accept applicants with at least one full year of nursing experience.

CNS programs often require between two and four years of study, depending on which specialty you choose to pursue and how many credits you take each semester. Programs often include 30 to 45 credits. Some of these courses focus solely on theory, while others are based in practical experience. Upon graduating, you should have accumulated several hundred hours of clinical experience with your chosen patient population.

In the early stages of your education, you may take core nursing courses that schools require for all advanced nursing students. Classes that fit into this category include Applications of Research to Practice, Context of Healthcare for Advanced Practice Nursing, Statistical Literacy in Nursing Research, and Philosophical Basis for Nursing.

From there, you may move on to more advanced courses that build on your practical skills. This part of your education may involve classes like Clinical Pharmacology, Health Assessment and Measurement, Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Health Promotion.

While earning your Master’s degree in nursing, you may be able to apply for a range of nursing scholarships. Good sources include your school, employers, and nursing associations. The Maui Nurses Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to academically strong students in the Maui area. Contacting the Hawaii Center for Nursing may give you the chance to apply for high-value scholarships. On a statewide level, scholarships are available through the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Hawaii

Becoming a clinical nurse specialist may give you the freedom to work with a specific patient population and increase your earning potential.

You must have the proper professional license before you begin working as a clinical nurse specialist in Hawaii. Professional & Vocational Licensing oversees the licensing of advanced nursing professionals. Once you pass the required CNS exam and supply proof of your graduate education, you can get your advanced practice license.

Becoming a clinical nurse specialist may give you a great sense of personal and professional satisfaction, while giving you the skills you need to change the field of nursing. Get started today by contacting clinical nurse specialist programs in Hawaii.

Hawaii Public Health Graduate Programs

With communities across Hawaii needing direct and indirect medical care, the public health nursing sector provides numerous opportunities for you to further your nursing career. As a public health nurse in Hawaii, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to design and create programs and policies for the islands’ population.

With a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH), you will be able to focus on the population’s health, with your primary goals being to:

Promote healthcare policies
Prevent disabilities and diseases (APHN, 2015, July 20)

In order to work legally as a certified public health nurse in Hawaii, you will need to earn your Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on public/community health. In order to prepare yourself for the licensing exam after graduation, you should attend a college that has the proper accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Accredited master’s degree programs focus on training you to meet ASPA’s code of good practice (CCNE, 2015, July 20).

Contact the Hawaii MPH programs listed on our site to learn more today.

Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Hawaii

No matter what MSN program you enroll in, you will likely need to supply the appropriate transcripts to prove you have completed the necessary prerequisites. Most colleges require you to have already completed courses in applied sciences, nursing research, nursing leadership in acute care settings, and health assessment. You may also need a BSN degree, CPR certification, and a current unencumbered RN license.

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The Role of Public Health Nurses in Hawaii

American Nurses Credentialing Center offers several different certificate options that you can choose from, including the public/community health CNS certification.

As a certified public health nurse in Hawaii, you may find work in the following medical settings:

Clinics
Community health centers
Correctional facilities
Health departments
Home Health
Schools
Worksites

Start a new career path today by learning more about public health nursing program in Hawaii.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Hawaii

Healthcare policy can be a difficult part of legislation, particularly when legislators seem out of touch with the realities of working in healthcare. That’s why more and more nurses are getting involved in healthcare policy and law—it offers the chance to make the industry better for workers and, as a result, improve outcomes for patients.

Undoubtedly, health policy in Hawaii has excelled in many areas. Hawaii is consistently recognized as one of the healthiest states in the United States (Becker’s Hospital Review). This is due to policies that prevent and combat obesity and heart disease. The state also has a high percentage of insured residents and a high physician-to-patient ratio.

The creation of health policies is an essential part of improving the field of nursing. If you are ready to explore graduate education in nursing and step into the world of legislation, contact graduate nursing programs in healthcare policy in Hawaii.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Hawaii

Completing a Master’s degree in healthcare policy in Hawaii is the first step to leaving your mark on the world of healthcare legislation in this state. Although many nursing degrees require approximately 30 credits, health policy degrees tend to require more than 40 credits.This may involve spending five or six semesters in school.

To meet the credit hour and training requirements of your school, you may enroll in high-level healthcare policy courses like those listed below:

Health Policy, Politics, and Law
Ethics in Healthcare Policy
Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Policy
Community Health Analysis
Health Program Assessment

Health policy is a large and multifaceted specialty in nursing, so course requirements and learning goals differ quite a bit from school to school. Examine the learning outcomes for each school you are interested in to find one that fits in with your career goals.

Upon graduation, you may be expected to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

Develop policies for improvement of healthcare system
Properly use legal language and terminology
Collaborate with healthcare providers at different levels
Use experience, knowledge, and research to inform decisions

Remember that your nursing experience is what may set you apart from other voices in the legislative sector. To keep that edge, you must keep working as a nurse. Through the Hawaii Department of Professional and Vocational Licensing, you can renew your license by June 30 in every odd-numbered year.

Completing an internship is required at most Hawaii colleges. Whether you are assigned to a public, private, or nonprofit organization, building connections and learning how to present yourself as a policy expert are two huge benefits you may enjoy.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Hawaii?

When you begin your career in healthcare policy, you may need to establish yourself as a local leader before your voice is truly heard. You make it started at local clinics and hospitals. However, as you become known for the lobbying and policy work you do, you may qualify for positions at state and federal agencies. For example, the Hawaii Healthcare Transformation Initiative uses legislation as one of its primary tools in the goal to make Hawaii healthy.

As a nurse, it is important to stay involved with groups like the Hawaii Center for Nursing. Nursing associations maintain a strong political presence, and aligning your interests with theirs may help you and them find more success and growth in the healthcare industry.

In recent years, areas of legislative focus in Hawaii nursing have included the designation of rural hospitals, the allocation of federal healthcare funds, and the standards that establish primary care shortage areas.

The policies made in coming years may influence the nursing community for decades to come. Create a bright future for Hawaii nurses and contact graduate healthcare policy programs in Hawaii.

Hospice Nursing in Hawaii

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare in Hawaii, serving in diverse specialties like pediatrics, emergency care, preventive care, and hospice. Hospice and palliative care is a specialized area of study that aims to help terminal patients maintain their dignity, freedom of choice, and comfort throughout the course of their diseases. In Hawaii, hospice specialists are represented by the Kokua Mau Hawaii Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, a group that supports families through advocacy and education. The core belief of this group is that patients deserve to live out their days where they choose, without pain, and in a way that is respectful of their beliefs.

Take the next step in hospice nursing education. Hawaii schools are listed below. Compare your training options and contact hospice programs for more information.

Master’s Degree Programs in Hospice/Palliative Care Nursing in Hawaii

If you have a current Hawaii nursing license and an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, you may be on your way to become a hospice nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist. Associate’s-level nurses may complete their Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in three to four years, while those who already have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing may qualify for licensure in less than two years.

In both cases, you start with a curriculum of courses that broadens your critical thinking skills and your overall understanding of nursing. From there, you move on to courses that address the healthcare needs of a specific population. You then use that knowledge to study hospice nursing and its role in healthcare.

Each palliative care nurse practitioner program has its own set of learning outcomes. Become familiar with your school’s program goals to discover how you may grow as a nursing professional. You may use your education to provide evidence-based nursing care, utilize appropriate healthcare interventions, and take on advanced nursing responsibilities and tasks.

Hospice and Palliative Nursing Courses

History and Philosophy of Hospice
Dimensions of Bereavement
Holistic Palliative Care
Ethical and Legal Issues in End of Life Care
Grieving Family Systems
Advanced Nursing Roles in Hospice Care
Current Trends and Topics in Hospice

Consider applying for hospice nursing scholarships. The Hospice & Palliative Nurses Foundation awards multiple $2,000 scholarships each year.

The Role of Hospice/Palliative Care Nurses in Hawaii

To fulfill your potential as a hospice nurse, you need to pursue advanced certification and licensure. You can apply for nurse practitioner licensure via Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing. Once you have your nurse practitioner license, you can begin the process of becoming an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.

Palliative care nurse certification is regulated by the Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center. Before you can become certified, you need to earn 500 hours of experience in one year or 1,000 hours of experience in two years.

Hospice is offered by dozens of facilities in Hawaii. However, most of your work takes place in patients’ homes. Local hospice organizations include Hospice Hawaii, Islands Hospice, St. Francis Hospice Care, and North Hawaii Hospice.

Is hospice/palliative care certification the next step in your nursing career?

If you’re passionate about hospice care and helping patients move on peacefully, get started now by contacting Hawaii nursing programs here.