Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

For Associate Degree and Nursing Diploma Graduates

The Online RN to BS Nursing Program offers registered nurses the opportunity to elevate their careers by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through convenient, flexible, and asynchronous online lectures with tailored practice experiences that move students from an Associate Degree or diploma level to the baccalaureate level of proficiency.. This program is designed to provide specialized knowledge and advanced clinical skills that prepare nurses for leadership roles, enabling them to influence healthcare practices, improve patient outcomes, and meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry with confidence and expertise.

Skills Gained

• Evidence-based Practice: Gain the ability to critically evaluate and apply the latest research findings and clinical guidelines to inform patient care decisions, ensuring improved clinical outcomes, enhancing patient safety, and fostering continuous improvement in healthcare practices and outcomes.
• Leadership and Management: Develop skills to lead nursing teams, manage healthcare projects, and improve organizational practices. Implement strategies that improve patient care delivery across all populations. Foster a collaborative, patient-centered work environment that focuses on improving health outcomes for individuals and populations.
• Advanced Clinical Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of clinical decision-making and health promotion by learning how to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based strategies that effectively prevent illness, promote wellness, and manage chronic conditions. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions that result in better patient outcomes, while contributing to the broader public health landscape.

Program Benefits

• Career Advancement: The program opens doors to higher-paying positions, leadership roles, and greater career satisfaction. Earning a BSN also positions you for opportunities in advanced practice areas, such as nurse education, policy-making, and healthcare consulting, which can lead to greater professional growth and long-term career fulfillment.
• Flexible and Asynchronous Learning: Study at your own pace, balancing work and family commitments while advancing your education. The flexibility of asynchronous learning allows you to design your academic schedule around your life, making it easier to pursue your degree without sacrificing your personal or professional responsibilities. You can access coursework at times that suit you, ensuring you stay on track while maintaining work-life balance.
• Increased Job Security: With a BS, you will be more competitive in the evolving healthcare industry and meet the increasing demand for highly skilled nurses. As healthcare systems move towards higher standards of care, including a BS workforce, this degree enhances your job stability and positions you as a highly valuable asset. Additionally, the program prepares you to adapt to future healthcare trends, ensuring you remain relevant in an ever-changing field.

Program Description

The Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is available to ADN and diploma nursing graduates from UH community colleges, as well as ADN graduates outside the UH system. It bridges to a baccalaureate degree, enhancing nursing skills and addressing cultural, economic, and social factors impacting patient care.

The 30-credit curriculum can be completed full-time (2 semesters), or part-time (more than 2 semesters). Students must complete at least 30 credits at UH Manoa. The program is delivered through asynchronous online courses, with worksite cohorts available in partnership with local healthcare organizations.

At this time, the School of Nursing is unable to offer out-of-state clinical experience to the Online RNBS program students. This is due to the varying state regulations and licensing requirements that can impact the clinical placement of nursing students who are enrolled in out-of-state educational institutions. Students who relocate to another state while enrolled in the RN-BS online will need to complete the clinical portion of their curriculum in the State of Hawaii as SONDH is unable to accommodate clinical placement for students residing outside of this state.

Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admissions Statistics

Admission Requirements

The following is a summary of the admission requirements for this program. Details for each requirement are available in the sections below. All deadlines and minimum requirements must be met to maintain eligibility for admission.

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Nursing Diploma
• Minimum ADN GPA
• RN Licensure
• English Language Proficiency (for applicants born outside of the U.S.)

All official non-UH college transcripts are required to be submitted (via mail or electronically) to the UH Manoa Office of Admissions, or to the Office of Student Services at the School of Nursing. A document is considered official only if it is sent directly by the issuing college to the University. Student copies, faxed documents, and unofficial documents will not be accepted for review towards this nursing pathway. Mailing information for the Office of Admissions and School of Nursing is listed below.

Application Deadlines

Spring (January) 2026 Admission

• Applications Available: January 6, 2025
• Final Deadline: September 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Fall (August) 2026 Admission

• Applications Available: September 1, 2025
• Final Deadline: January 5, 2026, 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Two-Step Application Process

Application requirements are found in the online applications listed below. All required applications and admissions materials for each semester must be submitted by their respective final deadlines above. Late applications and documents will not be accepted.

Step 1 – Apply to UH Manoa Undergraduate Admissions

• Required for all new applicants and returning, transferring, and unclassified UH Manoa students
• Link to application: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/
• Fee: $70
• Major: Nursing

Step 2 – Apply to Nursing Centralized Application Service (NCAS)

• Required for ALL applicants
• Link to application: https://nursingcas.org/
• Fee: $65
• Planned Course of Study: Online RN to BS in Nursing

Education Requirements (ADN/Nursing Diploma)

• Prior to beginning this program, completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Nursing Diploma is required.
• For prior UH Manoa students: at the time of application, applicants must be in good academic standing at UH Manoa, with a minimum cumulative Manoa GPA of 2.0.

Minimum ADN GPA Requirements

• UH System ADN Applicants: 2.0 or higher
• Non-UH System ADN/Nursing Diploma Applicants: 2.5 or higher

RN Licensure

• UH System ADN Applicants: Current unrestricted RN license in the United States, or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam, prior to the start of the applicant’s second semester of our program.
• Non-UH System ADN/ Nursing Diploma Applicants: Current unrestricted RN license in the United States at the time of application.

Transfer Credits

Applicants may refer to the UH System Course Transfer Database and cross-reference their equivalent courses with the UH Manoa General Catalog for designations. Information on these requirements can be found in the UH Manoa General Catalog and UH Manoa advising centers. As a disclaimer, the information listed in the Transfer Database is based on historical data, and does not guarantee the transferability of coursework from external institutions. Course equivalencies listed in the Transfer Database are subject to change.

An official evaluation of transfer credits occurs following admission, submission of the intent to enroll, and submission of the tuition deposit. All official transcripts must be submitted to the UH Manoa Office of Admissions. UH Manoa will only accept credits from regionally accredited institutions.

Following admission, the program advisor will perform a personalized review of completed college coursework to develop a plan for program completion. If a student’s previous college coursework does not meet the minimum requirements, additional courses may be required to meet the university’s degree requirements.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants who are not born in the U.S. are required to have a certain skill level of the English language. More information is available on the International Admission Requirements website: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/international/.

College-Level Exam Program (optional)

College-Level Exam Program (CLEP) examinations are a viable option for satisfying course requirements of the Bachelor of Science in nursing programs. Students must consult with their advisor regarding the use and limitations of non-graded course equivalencies to meet current graduation requirements.

Students that successfully pass a CLEP exam approved by the university will be awarded college credit, which can be used to satisfy specific coursework. A list of approved CLEP exams for our institution is available online.

Nursing Major Course Requirements

In addition to the general education requirements and graduation focus requirements, these are the major requirements below.  The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Course offerings may vary based on the student’s year of admission to the program, faculty, and program updates.

• NURS 364 Principles of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (E) (4)
• NURS 451 Population Health Nursing (4)
• NURS 451L Population Health Nursing Lab (O, W) (3)
• NURS 452 Cultural Aspects of Health Management in Populations Indigenous to Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia (H) (3)
• NURS 453 Introduction to Genetics and Genomics for Nursing Practice (3)
• NURS 470 Nursing and Immersion Leadership (4)
• NURS 470L Nursing and Immersion Leadership Lab (W) (6)
• Nursing or Healthcare Related Elective (3)

It is the student’s responsibility to meet regularly with their academic advisor(s) to ensure proper progress and to confirm their academic requirements and timely graduation.

Tuition and Fees

• RN to BS nursing students enroll and register through the UH Manoa Outreach College. All students in this program will be charged resident tuition.
• The nursing student professional fee for the Online RN to BS program is waived.
• All tuition and fee charges at the University of Hawaii campuses and Outreach College are subject to change in accordance with requirements of State law and/or action by the Board of Regents or the University administration (official tuition schedules).

Contact

Christopher Waiamau, MBA, MSCJA
Admissions Specialist & Pre-Nursing Advisor

---

Contact for applicants for all Undergraduate Nursing programs.

• Undergraduate nursing: bsnurs@hawaii.edu

Contact for Pre-Nursing students:

• Undergraduate nursing: bsnurs@hawaii.edu

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 201
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-3794
Fax: 808-956-5977

Schedule an Advising Appointment
via Star Balance