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Advance Nursing Practice, Transform Hawai‘i’s Health

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa prepares nurses for the highest level of clinical practice, leadership, and evidence based practice — learning opportunities are rooted in the unique health needs of our local communities and grounded in the University’s mission of serving Hawaii and the Pacific through excellence in teaching, research, and service. 

Designed to meet the growing demand for highly skilled nursing professionals across the islands, the DNP program equips graduates with the expertise to deliver safe, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care across the state of Hawai‘i, including underserved and rural areas of Hawaii. The curriculum emphasizes independent advanced nursing practice, leadership in health systems, and advocacy for equitable healthcare access throughout the state.

Students in our DNP program receive:

  • A rigorous, student-centered curriculum designed to integrate clinical practice, leadership, quality improvement, health policy, and systems-level thinking
  • An emphasis on interprofessional care and collaboration
  • A DNP Scholarly Project that applies research and practice innovation to address real-world health challenges in Hawai‘i
  • For clinical tracks, school-coordinated clinical site placements, including opportunities to serve rural, neighbor island, and underserved populations
  • Advanced clinical education in areas such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and Psychiatric Mental Health

Rooted in the mission and vision of UH Manoa, our program fosters nursing leaders who embody Aloha, cultural competency, and a commitment to community health. We empower our graduates to take initiative, drive change, and serve with excellence—whether on the frontlines of clinical care or in policy and leadership roles across the healthcare system.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Clinical Tracks

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Leadership Tracks

Post-Master’s in Organizational Leadership

EMBA to DNP

UH Manoa Shidler College of Business, Distance Learning EMBA – Health Care Management Track to Doctor of Nursing Practice

The UH Manoa School of Nursing & Dental Hygiene Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a proud partner of the Hawaii Interprofessional Education Group.

Contact

Picture of Aeza Hafalia, M.Ed
Aeza Hafalia, M.Ed
DNP Program Coordinator & NEXus Campus Staff Coordinator

Contact for applicants and current students in the DNP program and the NEXus Program.

Email: dnpnurs@hawaii.edu

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 201
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-8401
Fax: 808-956-5977

Schedule an Advising Appointment
via Star Balance
Picture of Courtnee Nunokawa, DNP, APRN-Rx, AGPCNP-BC, BCN
Courtnee Nunokawa, DNP, APRN-Rx, AGPCNP-BC, BCN
DNP Program Director, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty Program Coordinator & Assistant Professor

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 219
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-3445
Fax: 808-956-3257
Email: courtnee@hawaii.edu

For students who do not have a degree in nursing, contact the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing Coordinator.

Picture of Justin Lau, M.Ed.
Justin Lau, M.Ed.
Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) Coordinator

Contact for applicants and current students in the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing (GEPN) Program.

Email: gepn@hawaii.edu

School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster Hall 201
Honolulu, HI 96822
Ph: 808-956-0445
Fax: 808-956-5977

Schedule an Advising Appointment
via Star Balance
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