UH Hilo’s nursing program creates degree pathway for local high school students
Changes are happening at the School of Nursing! New programs have started in answer to student and community needs, and there are brand new colors and design for the schools’ scrubs.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s School of Nursing has made a number of updates in its programs, taking on new directions in response to student and community needs.

“We respond to the call for nurses in Hawai‘i,” says Jeanette Ayers-Kawakami, associate professor of nursing and director of the UH Hilo nursing program, about the main mission of the school. “We want to make it more manageable for them to stay in Hawai‘i and are looking into expanding our cohorts.”
“What we have learned from the pandemic is we need nurses, and that will never end,” Ayers-Kawakami emphasizes. “The bachelor of science in nursing program hopes to create a space for aspiring nurses in Hawai‘i to have the resources, ability, and support to stay home and support their community.”
She also notes that “there is a transcultural focus in the nursing program. We want to create a sense of community so that those who want to stay here, are able to.”
In that spirit, the School of Nursing has made some program changes in answer to feedback from students and the community. And a Native Hawaiian protocol facilitator has designed new scrubs for the school that reflect both the placed-based nursing program at UH Hilo and the unique island where it is located.
New pathway for high school students into nursing program
This will be the first year the nursing program is offering High School Direct Entry, reserving two seats for high-school applicants entering the university as freshmen. Typically, students apply for the bachelor of nursing (BSN) program after two years of general education, however, through this new program, students can apply early on.
To perpetuate this sense of community, the High-School Direct Entry program is being limited to high-school graduates in Hawai‘i.
“I think this shows we listen to our students and the community’s needs,” says Ayers-Kawakami.
Once a high school student applies for the program and is accepted, they will first need to complete their two-year general education requirements while maintaining the standard grade point average for the nursing program. After completing the two years, the student will then directly enter the nursing program as juniors.
“It’s very exciting for students to take this path,” says Ayers-Kawakami.
Quick and affordable for registered nurses earning bachelor degree

The School of Nursing also has restructured the RN to BSN program that registered nurses can take to earn their bachelor of science in nursing. Typically, completing this program for registered nurses can take two to three years, but now can be completed within one year.
The school is also now offering eligible registered nurses credit for prior work experience, commonly called Prior Learning Experiences or PLE, in the required curriculum areas of community health and leadership.
“They can submit a portfolio to receive credit and waive clinical hours for these two courses towards their BSN degree,” explains Ayers-Kawakami.
This change also makes the program more affordable.
New scrubs!

The nursing program recently redesigned its traditional nursing scrubs with fresh and meaningful designs that reflect Native Hawaiian values and UH Hilo’s school colors of red and black.
Ayers-Kawakami happily describes how junior nurses eagerly waited at the UH Hilo Bookstore to purchase their new scrubs the day they arrived. Students, faculty, and graduates expressed their admiration for the new scrubs and the meaning they hold.
“They look amazing on the students and we’re so excited to share this news,” says Ayers-Kawakami.
The original scrubs were traditional white, the classical representation of purity and cleanliness with a crisp appearance. However, students voiced their concerns with issues such as easy staining and wardrobe malfunctions. Listening to students’ suggestions, it was decided to create a new uniform that students could wear proudly and comfortably.

The revamped scrubs are designed by Dane “Malu” Dudoit, a lecturer of Hawaiian studies at UH Hilo and facilitator at Uluākea. The Uluākea program seeks to transform UH Hilo into a Hawaiian place of learning, and Dudoit develops and coordinates activities for UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College administrators, faculty, staff, and students, such as cultural training, workshops and activities, to achieve that aim.
The new scrubs now consist of a red top and black pants to represent the university’s school colors. For the top, placed alongside the school of nursing logo, Dudoit created a graphic design comprised of water, ‘ōhi‘a lehua blossoms, and Hilo-style lei braid.
The water in the top two squares of the print represents never-ending learning because water currents and motions are constantly moving around the ‘āina (land).
Dudoit chose the ‘ōhi‘a lehua blossom because of its representation of Hawai‘i Island. “It connects us back to our volcanic roots,” Dudoit explains. “Volcanic activity, although seemingly destructive, is our prime source of foundation, energy exchange, and growth.”
The idea of the Hilo-style lei braid is representative of Kamehameha and the story of how he gave Hilo its name to honor workers’ good deeds.
Dudoit emphasizes that his design shows that “we are of Hawai‘i Island, but also focuses on our Hilo environment and community [where] education is taking place for the nursing program.”
Story by Cheylan Zimmermann, an English major at UH Hilo.