4 Best DNP Programs in Hawaii – 2025


Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Why do DNP-educated nurses earn $142,850 a year on average in Hawaii? Because these nurses are prepared to assume advanced clinical and leadership roles within hospitals, clinics, healthcare systems, and nursing education programs throughout the state. Despite the high number of primary care providers in the more densely populated areas of the Aloha State, many of Hawaii’s numerous rural regions are medically underserved, and DNPs can deliver the care those areas need. As a graduate of one of the DNP programs in Hawaii, you’ll provide the highest quality of patient care and organizational management. Are you ready for your nursing career to take off? This directory of the 4 best DNP programs in Hawaii is an outstanding resource.


WHAT ARE THE BEST DNP PROGRAMS IN HAWAII (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 4 Best Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in Hawaii (Online & Campus) for 2025.


1. University of Hawaii at Manoa - Honolulu


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Organizational Leadership


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are searching for the best online DNP programs in Hawaii, you may need to look no further than the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The university offers an excellent program with new cohort admissions occurring in the fall semester each year. The BSN-to-DNP program is designed to be completed in three years or eight semesters and is formatted as a full-time program with three nurse practitioner specialties available.

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care specialty is a 77-credit pathway. In this program, you will prepare to provide comprehensive care to young, older, and elderly adult patients. The program includes 765 supervised clinical hours and 735 DNP Essentials hours.

The Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 77-credit curriculum designed to prepare you to meet the primary healthcare needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. The FNP pathway includes 765 clinicals hours.

Students who pursue the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty complete 74 credits. Additionally, this pathway includes 810 supervised clinical hours and 225 hours for DNP project completion.

The first year of each BSN-to-DNP pathway has the same curriculum. During this year, you will complete 27 prerequisite courses, including Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice, Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning, and Leadership, Role Identity, & Organizational/System Change. Beginning in the second year of the program, you will begin taking specialty-specific courses and participating in clinical practicums. The program culminates with a DNP Project.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing earned at an accredited college or university and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must complete both a Graduate Admissions Application and a Department of Nursing application. You must provide official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended and proof of your current, unrestricted RN license.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Hawaii at Manoa also offers post-master's pathways to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. The MSN-to-DNP program has two specialty options: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Organizational Leadership. Both pathways admit students in the fall semester annually.

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program follows a full-time cohort model that is designed to be completed in three years. The program features a 62-credit curriculum, building upon the core foundation of advanced practice knowledge and skills you gained in your master’s nursing program. The program has 810 hours of supervised clinical hours and 225 supervised hours for the DNP project embedded into the curriculum. However, you may complete fewer hours based on the number of transferrable clinical hours from your master's nursing program.

The post-Master's Organizational Leadership program is a part-time program delivered exclusively online. The time it takes to complete this pathway depends on your previous education, post-baccalaureate practicum hours, and prior professional experience. In this MSN pathway, you will complete a minimum of 29 credit hours from classes, including Leadership, Identity, & Organizational Change, Applied Biostatistics & Epidemiology for Nurses in Advanced Practice, and Effective Program Evaluation for Quality Improvement. The program has 225 clinical hours included in the curriculum. However, you may be required to complete more based on an evaluation of your master's nursing program. All DNP students must complete at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the post-master's DNP program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, you must complete a UH Manoa Graduate Division application and a NursingCAS application. You must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree earned from an accredited college or university. Your master’s degree program must have included APRN-level courses including Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Physical & Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology. A minimum graduate-level grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. All candidates must possess a current RN license and an unrestricted APRN license in the United States. You must provide one transcript from each post-secondary school you have attended.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• There is much to consider when choosing a school or program to earn your degree. One thing I recommend to prospective students is to see if the program has a good success rate or is ranked well. For example, the DNP program in Hawaii at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice category. This ranking speaks very highly of the program, placing it among the best programs in the nation to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice education.
• Graduates of the University of Hawaii-Manoa DNP program have excellent records of passing national certification exams on their first attempt. This is a positive indication that the program is of good quality and will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in a DNP role.


2. University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo - Hilo


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a post-baccalaureate DNP program with the option to specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program admits students in the fall semester and is designed to be completed in three years or eight semesters.

This DNP program in Hawaii features a 71-73 credit curriculum.. You will study in classes, including Health Policy: Local to Global, Primary Care of Older Adults, Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology, and Rural Health Promotion. The program includes a variety of clinical practicum experiences, giving you opportunities to provide hands-on patient care to patients across the lifespan in diverse clinical settings. By the time you complete the program, you will have completed at least 1,000 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree earned from an accredited nursing program and a current RN license in Hawaii and the state where clinical practice or the practice inquiry project will be completed. Applicants must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities they have attended. Additionally, candidates must submit a personal goal statement, three letters of recommendation, a current CV or resume, and participate in an interview with graduate faculty.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with an advanced practice specialty, you can expand your knowledge and experience by earning a doctorate in nursing at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The MSN-to-DNP program is a two-year or five-semester program that admits students annually in the fall.

The curriculum for post-master's DNP program requires you to complete 38 to 40 credits. 500 hours of supervised practicum are included in the MSN-to-DNP curriculum plan. However, a GAP analysis is required to determine if additional clinical hours are needed to meet the minimum 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours that are needed to graduate.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited nursing program and a minimum college GPA of 3.0. You must have a current Hawaii RFN license and a current RN license in the state where you intend to practice. All candidates must complete a University of Hawaii Graduate Application and School of Nursing Supplemental Application. Additionally, you must provide official transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities you have attended, three recommendations (two from faculty and one from an employer/professional), a Professional Goal essay, and a current resume or curriculum vitae.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• I have always appreciated nursing programs that create opportunities to serve underserved populations or communities, which is one reason I like the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Students in the DNP program have several opportunities to visit rural sites to learn about indigenous health practices and participate in health-related projects aimed at reducing healthcare disparities among underserved communities.
• The DNP program in Hawaii at UH-H is the most affordable doctoral nursing program in the state. Program cost is a crucial factor to consider and one of the things that makes the University of Hawaii at Hilo appealing because program cost is often the determining factor for adult learnings deciding whether to pursue a degree.


3. Chaminade University of Honolulu - Honolulu


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Executive Leader


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: At the Chaminade University of Honolulu, you will find another of our featured DNP programs in Hawaii. The BSN-to-DNP pathway offers three specialty concentrations, allowing you to choose a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The program can be completed in three years.

Each post-bachelor's to DNP pathway features online coursework delivered in 15-week terms. Students attend multi-day immersions each year, which include experiential learning opportunities and clinicals. The BSN-to-DNP programs each have a 66-credit hour curriculum. All students take courses, including Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Population Health, Theoretical Foundations of Evidence-Based and Advanced Practice Nursing, and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan. After completing DNP core courses, each pathway integrates specialty-specific coursework and population-specific clinicals. All post-baccalaureate DNP students complete at least 1,000 supervised clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the Chaminade University of Honolulu is contingent upon meeting the following criteria: Candidates must have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited School of Nursing and have a current, unrestricted RN license. Applicants must provide official transcripts from any post-secondary they have attended, a professional resume or CV, two letters of professional recommendation, and a personal statement detailing why they wish to pursue a DNP. An in-person or web/zoom interview with program faculty is also required.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Chaminade University of Honolulu also offers registered nurses with a master’s degree in nursing the opportunity to earn a nursing doctorate and specialize in executive leadership. The MSN-to-DNP Executive Leadership track is a 36-credit pathway designed to be completed in as little as two years. The program features classes, including Transforming Healthcare through Health Policy & Advocacy, Leading Quality Innovation in Advanced Practice Nursing, and The Steps to Practice Inquiry: Analyze, Evaluate, Synthesize, & Apply the Evidence. The program culminates with the completion of a DNP Scholarly Project.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Candidates seeking admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at Chaminade University must have a BSN and an MSN earned from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school and possess a current, unencumbered RN license. Candidates must submit a current curriculum vitae or professional resume, a personal statement, two letters of professional recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities they have attended. Once all other admission requirements are met, viable candidates will be asked to interview with program faculty via web/zoom or in person.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• If you are searching for a DNP program that has a foundation based on the Christian faith and that is designed to promote holistic development, Chaminade University of Honolulu is an excellent choice! The DNP program utilizes the Marianist educational values, integrating values such as the development of faith, family spirit, justice, peace, service, and quality education. Each of these values is essential to providing effective, high-quality, holistic nursing care.
• When choosing a nursing program to earn your doctorate, one thing I advise is to research the success rate of each program. For example, does the program have a good retention rate of students? How many graduates pass their national certification examinations, and how long does it take graduates to find employment after they graduate? At Chaminade University of Honolulu, the DNP program reports high retention and graduation rates. Also, the school reports program graduates perform exceptionally well on national certification exams and have high job placement rates. Each of these factors is a great indicator of the program's quality and strength.


4. Hawaii Pacific University - Honolulu


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner


BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Hawaii Pacific University is home to an excellent BSN-to-DNP program in Hawaii. The program offers three concentrations to choose from: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The BSN-to-DNP program can be completed in as little as 34 months. The program features a flexible, student-centric, asynchronous, online format for all didactic coursework.

The post-bachelor's DNP program begins with six core courses, which are followed by a series of specialized courses specific to your chosen concentration. The curriculum plans require between 72 and 75 credits, depending on the specialization you choose to pursue. The Family Nurse Practitioner pathway includes 504 supervised clinical hours. The Psychiatric Mental Health and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner pathways each include 630 clinical hours.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at Hawaii Pacific University, you must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at a nationally accredited college or university and have a minimum college grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. All applicants must show proof of completing an undergraduate statistics and/or research course and submit copies of all post-secondary transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and participate in a personal interview.


MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at Hawaii Pacific University is an excellent option for RNs seeking an online doctoral degree in nursing. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 20 months and features independent learning, group work, and distance-based collaboration with leaders and organizations for your DNP project.

The MSN-to-DNP program is a 30-credit pathway. You may transfer up to 12 eligible credits into the program with the approval of the Program Director. The curriculum includes classes such as Leadership & Systems Management, Evidence-Based Practice for Advanced Nursing, Optimizing Quality in Healthcare Systems, and Development & Implementation of Healthcare Policy.


MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered as a student for the MSN-to-DNP program at HPU, you must have a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited university and a national certification in a nurse practitioner field of study with at least 500 APRN practicum hours. You must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, a prerequisite or transfer of equivalent coursework in statistics, and an unencumbered U.S. license to practice as an RN and nurse practitioner. In addition to your application, you must provide transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended, two letters of recommendation, and a curriculum vitae or professional resume.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• When I talk to prospective students about choosing a school to pursue their nursing degrees, one thing I encourage them to consider is how satisfied former students are with the programs they are interested in. Student satisfaction with the curriculum, quality of instruction, and availability of faculty speaks volumes about what you can expect from a program. At Hawaii Pacific University, per post-graduation surveys, graduates of the DNP program in Hawaii are extremely satisfied with the program, stating that the faculty are professional and available and that the quality of the instruction and curriculum are excellent.
• The DNP program at Hawaii Pacific University boasts a diverse faculty with many years of experience in clinical nursing and nursing education. Most faculty remain active in some type of clinical practice, which means they are aware of and actively participate in the most recent trends and practices in nursing and can educate you with the most current information.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Who Accredits DNP Programs In Hawaii?




2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited DNP Programs In Hawaii?


4


3. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Hawaii?


Hourly$68.68
Weekly$2,747
Monthly$11,900
Annual$142,850


4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level DNP Graduates Make In Hawaii?


Hourly$50.52
Weekly$2,021
Monthly$8,760
Annual$105,090


5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced DNP Graduates Make In Hawaii?


Level of ExperienceHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
1-4 Years of Experience$57.17$2,287$9,910$118,910
5-9 Years of Experience$67.49$2,699$11,700$140,370
10-19 Years of Experience$75.15$3,006$13,030$156,320
20 Years or More Experience$89.81$3,593$15,570$186,810


6. What Is The Average DNP Salary In Hawaii By Metro?


MetroHourlyWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina$67.46$2,698$11,690$140,310
Urban Honolulu$68.76$2,750$11,920$143,020


7. Average DNP Salary In Hawaii Vs. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Hawaii


Job TitleAverage
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Podiatrist$220,700-$77,850-35.27%
Veterinarian$157,770-$14,920-9.46%
Dentist$154,860-$12,010-7.76%
Optometrist$143,970-$1,120-0.78%
Nurse With DNP$142,850$00.00%
Pharmacist$138,390+$4,460+3.22%
Physician Assistant$130,300+$12,550+9.63%
Speech-Language Pathologist$106,790+$36,060+33.77%
Physical Therapist$103,010+$39,840+38.68%
Occupational Therapist$99,490+$43,360+43.58%
Chiropractor$95,610+$47,240+49.41%
Dental Hygienist$91,070+$51,780+56.86%


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



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