For Associate Degree and Diploma Graduates
In response to changing workforce demands, the UH Manoa Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing has created a new Online RN to BS program for associate degree in nursing and diploma graduates. UH Community College Nursing Consortium students and graduates from non-UH systems apply to the new Online RN to BS program that enrolls in fall (August) and spring (January). Graduates from non-UH System campuses have different requirements from UH graduates. UH System graduates are not required to have the RN license to begin the program.
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for associate degree (ADN) and diploma in nursing graduates is a statewide consortium nursing curriculum available to UH students from Hawai’i Community College, Kapiolani Community College, Kauai Community College, and UH Maui College. The program is also available to ADN graduates outside of the UH system. The program is designed to provide an efficient bridge to the baccalaureate degree. The program builds upon initial nursing preparation with coursework to enhance professional development, prepare for a broader scope of practice, and provide an increased understanding of the cultural, economic, and social issues that affect the delivery of safe, quality patient care.
The 30-credit nursing curriculum provides flexibility and can be completed in 2 or more semesters – both part-time and full-time routes are available. UH Manoa requires a student to complete a minimum of 30 credits from the Manoa campus to be awarded the BS degree.
Students take asynchronous online lecture courses while balancing work and family responsibilities. Worksite cohorts can be created in partnership with local healthcare organizations and agencies interested in increasing the number of BS prepared nurses delivering direct patient care.
At this time NAWSON is unable to offer out-of-state clinical experience to the RN-BS online 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 NAWSON is unable to accommodate clinical placement for students residing outside of this state.
Specific licensure requirements for admission are listed below.
Fast Facts
- Two-step application process
- Admission in January (Spring) and August (Fall)
- Individual academic advising and support throughout the program
- Asynchronous, online format for lecture courses
- Two in-person clinical labs
- Full-time and part-time options
- Experiential learning portfolio credit option available
Online RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing Class Profile
| Spring 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Fall 2024 | |
| Total Applicants | 74 | 40 | 34 | 57 |
| Resident | 31 of 74 | 37 of 40 | 16 of 34 | 55 of 57 |
| Non-Resident | 43 of 74 | 3 of 40 | 18 of 34 | 2 of 57 |
| Enrolled | 9 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
| Resident | 9 of 9 | 25 of 25 | 10 of 10 | 49 of 50 |
| Non-Resident | 0 of 9 | 0 of 25 | 0 of 10 | 1 of 50 |
| Acceptance Rate | 20.9%
(9 of 43) |
62.5% (25 of 40) | 29.4%
(10 of 34) |
87.2%
(50 of 57) |
| Average ADN GPA | 3.29 | 3.464 | 3.60 | 3.58 |
Experiential Learning Portfolio for Credit
The admitted student with RN experience may request to receive nursing coursework credit by submitting an electronic Experiential Learning Portfolio. The portfolio is a collection of descriptions and material that provide direct evidence of an individual’s learning, mastery, or accomplishments over time. The descriptions and exemplars may be drawn from an individual’s job and academic related experiences.
How to Apply
Fall (August) 2025 Admission
Applications Available: September 1, 2024
Final Deadline: January 5, 2025, 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Spring (January) 2025 Admission
Applications Available: January 6, 2024
Final Deadline: September 1, 2024, 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 submissions 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
- https://www.uh-manoa.org/transfer
- Fee: $70
- Major: Nursing
Step 2 – Apply to Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NCAS)
- Required for ALL applicants
- http://www.nursingcas.org
- Fee: $60
- Planned Course of Study: Online RN to BS
Admission Requirements
Education
Completion of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Diploma Program in Nursing.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
- UH System ADN graduate: 2.0 or higher
- Non-UH System ADN graduate: 2.5 or better
RN Licensure
UH System ADN graduate: current unrestricted RN license in the United States, or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam, prior to the start of the second semester of the program.
Non-UH System ADN or Diploma graduate: current unrestricted RN license in the United States at the time of application.
Information Session Attendance
We recommend that prospective applicants attend an online informational session. Visit the UHM Nursing event page for a listing of upcoming events.
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 UHM 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 does a personalized review of completed college coursework to develop the 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 Option
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 is available online at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/admissions/factsheet/clep.html.
Curriculum & Estimated Tuition
The curriculum listed is for information purposes and may vary depending on the year of enrollment
| General Education, ADN and Elective Credits Approximately 90 Credits |
|
|---|---|
| General Education | UHM 2023-2024 General Catalog: Undergraduate General Education and UH Manoa Special Graduation Requirements UHM 2023-2024 General Catalog: General Education Designations |
| Associate Degree in Nursing and Electives | |
| Upper Division Nursing Core Curriculum 30 Credits |
|
| UH Manoa Nursing 30 credits |
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 460 Complex Nursing and Leadership (4) ** NURS 460L Complex Nursing and Leadership Lab (W) (6) ** Nursing or Healthcare Related Elective (3) *** |
* UH Nursing Consortium graduates who completed N363 prior to the beginning of the fall 2021 semester will receive equivalent credit for NURS 364 and will only need to complete NURS 399 – 1 credit.
** Experiential Learning Portfolio credit option is available for either: NURS 451/NURS 451L or NURS 460/NURS 460L. Eligibility for portfolio credit option requires RN work experience, and documentation of required competencies.
*** Elective must be approved by the student advisor prior to registration.
Estimated Tuition
- RN to BS nursing students enroll and register through the UH Manoa Outreach College. Tuition is charged per credit as illustrated in the table below. All students in this program will be charged resident tuition.
- The experiential portfolio is graded as pass or fail. The passing student is awarded the full credit for the course and the lab and will be charged a nominal processing fee. The student will not be charged tuition for the courses.
- 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).
| Description | # of Nursing Credits | # of Credits Awarded for Portfolio | Total Credits | Tuition $471 Per Credit * | Tuition for Nursing Courses |
| Nursing Credits | 30 | 0 | 30 | $471 | $14,130 |
| Portfolio Credit in NURS 451/451L Population Health | 23 | 7 | 30 | $471 | $10,833 |
| Portfolio Credit in NURS 460/460L Complex Nursing and Leadership | 20 | 10 | 30 | $471 | $9,420 |
* UH Outreach College Undergraduate Rate for Academic Year 2024-2025. The tuition will increase to 2025-2026 at $480 Per Credit and 2026-2027 at $490 Per Credit. UH Manoa and UH Foundation Scholarships are available for admitted nursing students.