| BS Curriculum for Registered
Nurses
(RN to BS Pathway)
The School of Nursing undergraduate nursing curriculum offers an upper division degree path for those with an associate degree in nursing from within the University of Hawai'i system. This curriculum is also open to registered nurses who have graduated from associate degree or diploma programs outside the University of Hawai'i system. The upper division courses build on the knowledge, skills, socialization, and experience in the discipline of nursing and from General Education Core requirements. Emphasis is on critical thinking and the integration of new information and competencies. The RN to BS pathway offers nursing content not included in the AS degree curriculum.
Registered nurses interested in furthering their formal education by earning a BS in nursing but who have graduated from a diploma school or non-NLN accredited associate degree program are encouraged to apply to the School of Nursing. These nurses are required to take placement examinations and complete the prerequisite lower division courses prior to entry into the upper division nursing major.
The track requires 67-71 credits of General Education Core and nursing prerequisite courses. Thirty (30) upper division nursing credits are granted for prior nursing education. Thirty-six (36) additional upper division nursing credits are required to complete the articulated BS track with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a grade of C or higher in all nursing courses.
Semester 1
Nursing Elective (3)
NURS 310 Psychosocial Nursing Concepts (3)
NURS 330/330L Professional Nursing I/Lab (2/3)
Language 101 (3-4)
Humanities (3)
Semester 2
NURS 311 Pathophysiologic Nursing Concepts (3)
Any undergraduate statistics course (3)
FSHN 475 Nutrition for Health Professionals (3)
Language 102 (3-4)
Humanities (3)
Summer Session
Humanities (3)
HIST 151 World Civilization (3)
Semester 3
NURS 471/471L Community Health Nursing/Lab (2/3)
NURS 441 Introduction to Nursing Research (3)
Language 201 (3-4)
HIST 152 Civilization (3)
Social Sciences (3)*
*may be taken at any time
Semester 4
NURS 439 Professional Nursing Management (3)
NURS 475/475L Complex Nursing Practice/Lab (2/5)
NURS 486 Professional Issues and Trends (2)
Language 202 (3-4)
Math/Logic Requirement *
*may be taken at any time
Graduate Study
Master's Degree
Using a community-based approach, the master of science in nursing program prepares nurses for advanced practice or clinical systems management. Students can select courses that prepare them for primary health care, teaching, administration, or public health-related positions.
Areas of Concentration
Advanced Practice Nursing
Primary Health Care Options
The advanced practice nursing option in primary health care prepares nurses to practice as nurse practitioners in adult, family, gerontology, women's health and child health. Post-master's certificates are also available in these specialties. The curriculum prepares students with the skills to deliver care in a changing health care system, job market, and to further develop in the professional discipline of nursing.
Academic advisors from the graduate faculty will assist students in developing individualized programs of study and monitoring progress toward completion of the program. All clinical specialties require at least 4 semesters of full-time study. Part-time study can also be arranged. Thesis (Plan A) and non-thesis (Plan B) are available.
The total number of credits required vary from 45-54 depending on clinical specialty. Core courses include: NURS 630 Information Systems in Health Care; NURS 639 Disciplinary Knowledge, NURS 620 Methods and Measurements in Nursing Research; and a health policy course. Clinical specialty courses include: NURS 612 Advanced Health Assessment; NURS 613 Complex Physiology: NURS 621 Advanced Practice Nursing I; NURS 629 Advanced Pharmacology; NURS 631 Advanced Practice Clinical I; NURS 643 Advanced Practice Nursing II; NURS 644 Advanced Practice Clinical II; NURS 733 Advanced Practice Nursing III; and NURS 734 Advanced Practice Clinical III. Included in the above are 12 credit hours of clinical practicum (12 contact hours per week in the clinical area). Additional courses dependent upon clinical specialty include: NURS 633 Child Health; NURS 635 Women's Health; NURS 695 Successful Aging; NURS 634 Child Health Special Problems; NURS 636 Women's Health Special Problems; NURS 637 Delivery of Nursing Care in the Rural Community; and NURS 641, 642 Ke Ola Community Educational Partnerships. The number of clinical hours required for national certification varies by clinical specialty and the range is 500-600. Students may select a thesis for an additional six credits.
Psychiatric Mental Health Options
The advanced practice psychiatric/mental health specialization offers a clinical nurse specialist preparation that focuses on the expanded role of the psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurse in the health care system. The focus is on psychosocial and biological knowledge for the core specialization with practice in primary, acute, chronic, and population-based care. The total number of credits required for graduation range from 39 to 45 (if the thesis option is selected). The core courses are NURS 630 Information Systems in Health Care; Nurs 639 Disciplinary Knowledge; NURS 620 Methods and Measurements in Nursing Research; and a health policy course. Twenty-seven credits are required for the specialty area concentration: NURS 612 Advanced Health Assessment; NURS 611 Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis; NURS 618 Biobehavioral Concepts; NURS 615 Mental Health Nursing I, NURS 645 Advanced Practice Mental Health Practicum I; NURS 632 Therapeutic Modalities; NURS 623 Psychopharmacology (or NURS 624 Clinical Management Issues in Psychopharmacology); NURS 622 Mental Health Nursing II; and NURS 646 Advanced Practice Mental Health Practicum II. Included in the above, ten credit hours of clinical practicum (12 contact hours per week in the clinical area) are required. Students may select a thesis for an additional six credits. A post-master's certificate option is also available in this area.
A work/study cooperative program may be arranged when available as a summer session option for students who wish to reduce their load through part-time study. Under the work/study cooperative program, students may be paid for clinical practice while fulfilling clinical practice requirements under the supervision of a clinical faculty.
Clinical Systems Management
A clinical systems management area of focus is also offered. The clinical systems management curriculum provides the student with the content and practical experience needed to succeed in an administrative position in today's competitive marketplace. The curriculum prepares professional nurses for entry and mid-level positions in the management of clinical systems.
Academic advisers selected from the graduate faculty will assist students with the development of individualized programs of study and monitor progress towards degree. This specialty area requires at least three semesters of full-time study and leads to a master of science degree. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.
The total number of credits required for graduation is 36. Core courses (12 credits) are NURS 630 Information Systems in Health Care, NURS 639 Disciplinary Knowledge, and NURS 620 Methods and Measurements in Nursing Research, and a health policy course. Eighteen credits are required for the clinical systems management area of concentration: NURS 662 Management and Leadership of Clinical Systems, NURS 663 Clinical Systems Management I, NURS 664 Clinical Systems Practicum, NURS 665 Clinical Economics and Finance, NURS 774 Clinical Systems Management II, NURS 775 Capstone Field Study. One 3 credit course in human resources management plus an elective are also required. Twelve contact hours of clinical practice per week are required in the final semester. Students may select a thesis option for an additional six credits.
Concurrent Degree Option
The School of Nursing, in conjunction with the Public Health program, offers an unique career development program for nurses who wish to function at an advanced level as specialists in the community. The program leads to an MS with a major in nursing and an MPH with a major in public health. This concurrent degree program requires application to both schools.
*RN to MS Program (*with non-nursing baccalaureate)
The *RN to MS Program targets registered nurses (RNs) who are graduates of an NLN accredited associate degree or diploma and have a baccalaureate degree in an area other than nursing. The following baccalaureate nursing courses are required prior to enrolling in the master's program: NURS 441 Nursing Research; NURS 439 Management; NURS 471/L Community Health Nursing, and FSH 475 Nutrition. The admission progression, and graduation requirements are the same as for options within the master's program. |
