Hawaii is an ethnically and culturally diverse state that is currently experiencing a shortage of primary healthcare providers. According to 2009 data, the big island of Hawaii needs almost 50 additional medical professionals to adequately provide primary care services for the island's population. More, of course, are needed to provide care to all the residents of Hawaii, including the 15 percent of the population that is uninsured.
Hawaii's close to 1000 nurse practitioners provide important primary care services in a relatively autonomous environment. A collaborative agreement with a physician is not required to diagnose and treat patients. A professional relationship with a physician is required to prescribe medications.
Nurse practitioners in Honolulu, the largest city on the largest island of Hawaii, earn about $99,000 annually. NPs who practice in rural areas and on smaller islands earn slightly less.
NP programs for Hawaii nurses include:
- University of Hawaii at Manoa. This school offers different master's-level NP tracks, including a unique dual NP program, which allows graduates to complete either a family or pediatric nurse practitioner program with advanced public health nursing. Other NP tracks include adult/gerontology nurse practitioner, adult nurse practitioner and pediatric nurse practitioner.
- Pacific University Hawaii. Pacific U students can select either full-time or part-time study to earn a master's degree as a family nurse practitioner.
- Georgetown University. Georgetown University in Washington D.C. offers online NP programs that are accessible to nurses in Hawaii: a Family Nurse Practitioner program and a Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program. Classes are web-based, and clinical experiences can be arranged close to home.
Accredited schools with NP programs in Hawaii:
