Hawaii Community Colleges
Nursing Programs
Compare nursing programs across community colleges in this state. ADN, LPN, and pre-nursing pathways with section counts and transfer details.
6 colleges · 908 sections · 114 unique courses · Fall 2026
Hawaii community colleges are the most popular launchpad into nursing in the state — 6 UHCC institutions offer the coursework and clinical hours required for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam, and many graduates step directly into staff-nurse roles at local hospitals without ever attending a four-year school. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) typically takes two years full-time; LPN programs run 12–18 months.
This term, the 908 sections across these 6 colleges span the full nursing pipeline: pre-nursing prerequisites like anatomy and microbiology, the clinical ADN sequence, and bridge-to-BSN pathways for nurses planning to continue toward a bachelor's. Programs vary in clinical site partnerships, NCLEX pass rates, and waitlist length, so it pays to compare each college's awards-per-year and graduate earnings below before choosing where to apply.
Colleges offering Nursing
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Community College | 280 | 114 | 100 | — | — |
| Kauai Community College | 280 | 114 | 100 | — | — |
| Leeward Community College | 280 | 114 | 100 | — | — |
| Kapiolani Community College | 36 | 13 | 36 | — | — |
| Hawaii Community College | 27 | 11 | — | — | — |
| Windward Community College | 5 | 5 | 2 | — | — |
Nursing Availability Snapshot
How nursing sections are being offered across 6 colleges in Hawaii this term (908 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person570 (63%)
- online338 (37%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)512
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)68
- Evening (5 PM and after)14
- Asynchronous / TBA314
Start dates
Sections begin on 9 distinct dates. 52 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 96 distinct instructors across 6 colleges.
Common Nursing courses
- NURS 120C8Integration Nurse Practice C(24 sections)
- NURS 120L8Integration Nurse Practice L(24 sections)
- NURS 210L0Health Promotion Across the Lifespan Lab(21 sections)
- NURS 320C8Hlth-Illness II: Family Hlth C(21 sections)
- NURS 321L0Women, Newborn, and Family Health Lab(21 sections)
- NURS 322L0Child and Family Health Lab(21 sections)
- NURS 220L5Health and Illness I Lab(20 sections)
- NURS 254L3Fam Hlth I-Mat/Newbn Lab(20 sections)
- NURS 255L3Fam Hlth II-Ped/Adult Lab(20 sections)
- NURS 320L5Health and Illness II Lab(20 sections)
- NURS 360L5Health and Illness III Lab(20 sections)
- NURS 347L1Hlt Assessment Practicum(19 sections)
Career outlook for Nursing graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Hawaii’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a registered nurse from a community college?
- Yes. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) from any accredited Hawaii community college qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam — the same exam BSN graduates take. ADN-prepared RNs work in the same hospitals and earn the same starting wage as BSN-prepared RNs at most Hawaii employers, though some larger health systems prefer or require a BSN within 5 years of hire.
- How long does the nursing program take?
- The ADN is typically a 2-year full-time program (4 semesters of core nursing courses after prerequisites). Most Hawaii community colleges expect students to complete 1–2 semesters of prerequisites — anatomy, physiology, microbiology, English, statistics — before applying to the competitive nursing cohort, so the total time from first enrollment is often 3 years.
- Do nursing credits transfer to a bachelor's program?
- Yes. Every UHCC ADN program has at least one RN-to-BSN bridge partnership with a four-year university — usually the closest state university. ADN graduates can typically complete the BSN online in 12–18 months while continuing to work as an RN, often with their employer covering tuition.
- What's the demand for nurses in Hawaii?
- Strong and growing. BLS projects RN employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average occupation — and Hawaii faces the same aging-population pressure driving demand. Most Hawaii ADN graduates have job offers before completing the program; rural hospitals and long-term care facilities offer signing bonuses and tuition forgiveness to recruit RNs.
Compare Nursing programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Hawaii’s nursing programs stack up.
Other programs in Hawaii
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.