Overview
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (UH Hilo) School of Nursing (SON) program offers direct entry into nursing for dedicated Hawaiʻi high school graduates seeking to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in four years. In order to be considered for direct entry into the BSN program at UH Hilo, students must be graduates from a Hawaiʻi high school, complete the UH Hilo and SON application process, and meet the continuation requirements while taking prerequisite courses prior to the start of their cohort in the BSN program.
Admission Requirements: Prospective freshman students applying to the Direct Entry into Nursing program must first apply to UH Hilo Undergraduate Admissions and meet the admission requirements to UH Hilo for Admission of First-Time Freshman. Students must also submit a supplemental application for the Direct Entry into Nursing to the SON along with nationally recognized standardized test scores from either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT) exam. In addition, students must submit proof of:
- Minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or higher at the end of the applicant’s junior year of high school
- SAT scores of 1100 or higher OR
- ACT scores of 22 or higher
Application deadlines for the Direct Entry into Nursing are November 1 for freshman entry in the fall semester of the following year. Results of the standardized test scores and GPA are tabulated and ranked:
- Standardized test score results
- 50%
- Overall GPA
- 50%
Continuation Requirements: Successful completion and passing of the freshman and sophomore year prerequisite nursing courses is required to retain status as a direct entry into nursing student. The following conditions must be met during the freshman and sophomore years:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher every semester
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in Natural Science courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.7 in all other prerequisite courses
- All prerequisite courses during years 1 and 2 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better prior to starting the nursing program in the fall of the 3rd year
The UH Hilo BSN Program offers
- A curriculum developed with input from a highly qualified community advisory board.
- A unique transcultural thread throughout its curriculum emphasizing respect for multi-ethnic populations.
- An emphasis on facilitating learning pathways for RN's.
- An emphasis on research, practice and education in the nursing professions.
- Students have an opportunity to engage in health-related projects in the community (i.e. health teaching in the elementary schools, blood pressure and diabetic screening activities).
- The only Baccalaureate Nursing program on the outer islands, in a smaller community setting. UH Hilo students are offered rural clinical learning experiences.
- A learning lab with low and high fidelity manikins in a simulated hospital environment