Hawaii Pacific University Online NP Programs
#14 Most Flexible NP School
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
- RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
- RN to MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
The School of Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) offers an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN to DNP) with three nurse practitioner specializations: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). There is also an RN to MSN program for nurses who have an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and have not yet earned a BSN. The programs offer 100 percent online coursework with local clinical preceptorships in approved states, and no campus visit requirements.
Hawaii Pacific University prides itself on being an international learning community, providing education to students around the United States and the world. The values of HPU include Pono which means righteous, moral, and honest; Kuleana which means responsibility and rights and the concern for all people, belongings, and interests; and Aloha which means hello and goodbye, unity, humility, love and kindness, grace, and patience. These values apply especially to the nurse practitioner programs where practitioners will encounter patients from many different cultures and religious and ethnic backgrounds.
HPU is committed to small class sizes with expert faculty who are focused on student success and well-being, dedicated student support services throughout the entire program, and 100 percent online mobile-friendly course delivery.
Family nurse practitioners serve patients across the lifespan with primary care services, health education and prevention, and acute and chronic health issues. Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners serve patients 13 and older and typically work in acute care environments in clinics and hospitals such as intensive care units, surgery units, and rehabilitative facilities. Psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners serve patients of all ages with psychiatric/mental health conditions, prescribing medications and providing individual, family, and group counseling.
Graduates of the FNP specializations are eligible to take the FNP certification exam through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Graduates of the PMHNP specialization are eligible to take the PMHNP certification exam through the ANCC. Graduates of the AGACNP specialization are eligible to take the AGACNP certification exam through the ANCC or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
Hawaii Pacific University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The MSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Hawaii Pacific University is located in Honolulu, HI.
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What to Expect from the Hawaii Pacific University Online NP Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the nursing programs at Hawaii Pacific University must have an unrestricted RN license in their state of residence. MSN applicants must hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. RN to MSN applicants must hold an associate’s degree in nursing or nursing diploma with the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA requirement. BSN to DNP students must hold an MSN with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. The GRE or GMAT is not required.
A prerequisite of undergraduate statistics is required. Application materials include an application and fee, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume or CV, and a statement of purpose.
State Restrictions: Hawaii Pacific University accepts students from most states and is an NC-SARA participant. However, students from Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, and Washington are not eligible to complete the HPU online nursing programs at this time. As always, applicants outside of Hawaii should check with the HPU School of Nursing and their state licensing board to verify eligibility for the nursing programs.
Study Plan: The NP programs begin in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. The MSN can be completed in as little as 28 months. The RN to MSN adds two to three semesters to the MSN depending on how many credits are taken each semester. The BSN to DNP can be completed in 34 months or a little less than three years on a full-time basis and 44 months or a little over 3.5 years on a part-time basis. Students complete online coursework and local clinical preceptorships in approved states of study.
MSN Core Curriculum: The MSN degree includes the following core courses for all specializations: Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Pharmacology; Advanced Physical Assessment; Advanced Nursing Research; Project Proposal Paper; and Health Care Policy and Program Planning.
- MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Curriculum: The FNP track comprises 45 credits plus 504 clinical hours. Specialization courses include Advanced Theory: Primary Care of Children; Practicum I: Child; Advanced Theory: Primary Care of Women; Practicum: Women’s; Advanced Theory: Primary Care of Adults; Practicum III: Adult; Advanced Theory: Primary Care of the Geriatric Adult; and Practicum IV: Geriatric.
- MSN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Curriculum: The AGACNP curriculum comprises 46 credits plus 630 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Fundamentals of Acute Care I-III; AGACNP Practicum I-III; and Advanced Clinical Decision-Making.
- MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Curriculum: The PMHNP program comprises 48 credits plus 630 clinical hours. Specialty courses include Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan; Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing I-III; and Advanced Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Practicum I-III.
RN to MSN Curriculum: The RN to MSN program requires the completion of 17 credits before beginning the graduate MSN program. Courses are Argument, research, and writing from sources; statistics; leadership and management in nursing; nursing research; and developing a healthy community. RN to MSN students must earn a 3.0 minimum GPA in these courses in order to be accepted into the MSN program. Graduates of this program do not earn a BSN.
BSN to DNP Curriculum: BSN to DNP students complete at least 1,000 clinical hours including time spent on the DNP project. Core courses for the BSN to DNP include Introduction to Advanced Practice Roles; Advanced Pathophysiology; Advanced Nursing Research; Advanced Pharmacology; and Advanced Physical Assessment. NP specialty courses follow those listed for the MSN.
DNP courses for all specializations include Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing; Leadership and Systems Management; Informatics and Technology for Advanced Practice; Optimizing Quality in Health Care System; Business and Finance Essentials for the DNP; Development and Implementation of Healthcare Policy; Essentials Competencies for Nurse Educators; Clinical Scholarship and Scholarly Writing; Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice; Doctoral Project I: Development; Doctoral Project II: Implementation; and Doctoral Project III; Data Analysis and Dissemination.
Online Experience: Hawaii Pacific University delivers courses asynchronously for maximum flexibility including mobile-friendly course delivery. Faculty are doctorally educated, active clinicians who lead at the local, national, and global levels. They are dedicated to student success, and along with dedicated student support services, students have a wealth of resources to succeed and fulfill their mission as nurse practitioners. The Center for Academic Success offers testing, tutoring, and accessibility services. Students also have access to counseling and behavioral health services, library and bookstore services, financial aid services, technical support, and career counseling.
On-Site Requirements: The NP programs do not require any campus visits as coursework is 100 percent online and clinical preceptorships are completed local to the student in approved states of study.
Paying for the Hawaii Pacific University Online NP Programs
Hawaii Pacific University’s online nurse practitioner program tuitions are listed in the tables below. HPU may charge some additional fees, in addition to tuition. Interested nurses should contact the HPU School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.
HPU graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans through the FAFSA application. Nursing students are also encouraged to check with their employers as to the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program or tuition discounts. Finally, nursing students may seek outside grants and scholarships for funding.
Hawaii Pacific University offers 100 percent online MSN and DNP nurse practitioner programs with FNP, PMHNP, and AGACNP specializations to residents of most states, including local clinicals, no campus visits, and an RN to MSN option.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
RN to MSN – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner
RN to MSN – Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
1 Aloha Tower Dr
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
76
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
76
$1,065.00
$80,940.00
$1,065.00
$80,940.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
75
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
75
$1,065.00
$79,875.00
$1,065.00
$79,875.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
78
1,000
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
78
$1,065.00
$83,070.00
$1,065.00
$83,070.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
46
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN, WA
Program Tuition
46
$1,065.00
$48,990.00
$1,065.00
$48,990.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
45
504
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN, WA
Program Tuition
45
$1,065.00
$47,925.00
$1,065.00
$47,925.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
48
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN, WA
Program Tuition
48
$1,065.00
$51,120.00
$1,065.00
$51,120.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
63
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
63
$1,065.00
$67,095.00
$1,065.00
$67,095.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
62
504
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
62
$1,065.00
$66,030.00
$1,065.00
$66,030.00
Program Essentials
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fall, Spring, Summer
Yes, plus clinical practicums
0
65
630
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
ADN – Associate Degree in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AZ, LA, MD, NY, TN
Program Tuition
65
$1,065.00
$69,225.00
$1,065.00
$69,225.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.