While Hawaii Pacific University serves as the primary in-state option for aspiring Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, local RNs should also consider high-quality online programs from across the country to find the best fit for their schedule and budget.
These programs offer a wide range of pathways, with tuition costs spanning from approximately $28,000 for certificates to over $82,000 for terminal DNP degrees. Depending on your previous education, you can expect to complete your training in as little as 12 months or up to 3 or 4 years for more comprehensive doctoral tracks.
Quick Summary Table
| School | Program / Track Details | Clinical Support |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Pacific University | MSN-AGACNP — $52K • 24 mos • 630 hrs BSN-DNP AGACNP — $82K • 34–44 mos • 630 hrs Post-Master’s Certificate — $28K • 2 mos • 500 hrs | Placement support provided |
| Chamberlain University | MSN-AGACNP — $43K • 3 yrs • 700 hrs Graduate Certificate — $33K • 22 mos • 700 hrs | Practicum Commitment® program |
| South College | BSN-MSN: $52K–$54K • 21 mos Post-Graduate Certificate: $35K–$36K • Varies by pace | College-assisted placement |
| Walden University | BSN-MSN — $45K • 2 yrs • 640 hours RN-MSN — $66K • 2.5–3 yrs • 640 hours BSN-DNP — $66K • 3 yrs • 1,000+ hours MSN-DNP — $58K • 2.5 yrs • 1,000+ hours Certificate (Standard) — $32K • 1.5 years • 640 hours Certificate (Fast Track) — $32K • 1 year • 500 hours | Practicum Pledge® |
| West Coast University | MSN — (Accelerated) — $48K • 20 months MSN — (Working Professional) — $49K • 32 months RN-MSN — (Accelerated) — $56K • 28 months Post-Master’s Certificate — Varies • 16 months • 540 hours | Dedicated clinical coordinator |
Hawaii ACNP Program Summaries
Chamberlain University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $760 cpc | Certificate / MSN
Chamberlain University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs give Hawaii nurses the flexibility to complete coursework online while still gaining required hands-on experience through scheduled immersion events. Students can choose between an MSN track or a post-graduate certificate depending on prior education and career goals. With guided clinical placement support, Hawaii RNs can advance into acute and critical care roles without relocating.
Hawaii Pacific University ACNP Programs
Honolulu | $1,117 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
The Hawaii Pacific University Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) programs offer MSN, BSN-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate pathways delivered online with flexible coursework and supported clinical placements in high-acuity hospital settings. Across all tracks, students complete rigorous evidence-based acute care coursework and 500–630+ supervised clinical hours, preparing them for national board certification and advanced practice roles in ICUs, emergency departments, and trauma units. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the programs combine competitive tuition, strong certification outcomes, and dedicated clinical placement support to prepare nurses for leadership in complex acute care environments...read more.
South College ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $615 cpc | Certificate / MSN
South College offers online AGACNP tracks, including a 21-month BSN-MSN and a Post-Graduate Certificate, designed to accommodate working nurses in Hawaii. The curriculum blends asynchronous coursework with intensive clinical practicums, preparing graduates to manage complex, high-acuity conditions in elderly populations. Students in Hawaii can benefit from the college's support in securing preceptor placements to meet the rigorous clinical residency requirements.
Walden University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $775 cpc | Certificate / MSN / DNP
Nurses in Hawaii can pursue Walden University’s Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) specialization through three flexible, predominantly online degree tracks, including the MSN, DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate. The curriculum prepares students for high-acuity roles by integrating comprehensive didactic content with a virtual skills lab and the Practicum Pledge® to assist with securing clinical placements across the islands. The DNP track, estimated to take three years, specifically requires over 1,000 post-baccalaureate practicum hours, ensuring advanced preparation for clinical leadership roles in Hawaii's healthcare system.
West Coast University ACNP Programs
Fully Online | $700 cpc | Certificate / MSN
West Coast University offers CCNE-accredited Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) tracks delivered primarily online, which is ideal for working RNs in Hawaii seeking advanced practice education without relocating. The programs, including the MSN, RN to MSN, and Post-Master's Certificate, utilize flexible 8-week terms and multiple start dates per year to accommodate busy schedules. While mostly online, students must attend two mandatory on-site intensive weekends for hands-on skills practice and will receive dedicated coordinator support for arranging clinical placements in their area.
Choosing the Right AGACNP Program for Hawaii
A practical guide for Hawaii-based RNs pursuing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP licensure — covering pathways, costs, clinicals, and state-specific requirements.
What Hawaii Requires to Practice as an AGACNP
Before selecting a program, it helps to understand exactly what Hawaii’s Board of Nursing requires. Hawaii is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means all practicing nurses — including AGACNPs — must hold a Hawaii-specific license. Out-of-state credentials do not transfer automatically.
Hawaii AGACNP Licensure Checklist:
- Accredited graduate degree — MSN, DNP, or post-master’s certificate from a CCNE-, ACEN-, or NLN CNEA-accredited program
- Curriculum standards — Program must include advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and population-specific clinical content
- Clinical hours — Hawaii’s Board requires sufficient, role-specific direct patient care hours. National norms recommend a minimum of 500 hours; most quality programs deliver 540–700+
- National certification — Must pass ANCC or AACN AGACNP board exam prior to licensure
- Active Hawaii RN license — Unencumbered; verified independently from APRN license
- Background check + fingerprinting — Required for initial licensure
- APRN application fee — $186 (as of 2024), submitted through Hawaii’s PVL portal
- Prescriptive authority (optional) — Requires 30 contact hours of advanced pharmacology education including advanced pharmacotherapeutics
- License renewal — By June 30 of every odd-numbered year; 30 CE hours required, 8 in pharmacology for those with prescriptive authority
All programs listed in this guide are CCNE-accredited and prepare graduates to sit for ANCC or AACN AGACNP certification — meeting Hawaii’s core educational requirements. The key differentiators come down to degree level, total cost, clinical hour volume, and placement support.
Understanding the Three Degree Pathways
Hawaii recognizes three entry points to AGACNP licensure, each suited to a different nursing background. Your current education level is the most important factor in choosing a pathway.
🎓 Post-Master’s Certificate — “I already have an MSN.”
The fastest and most affordable route. Skips core graduate coursework you already completed and focuses exclusively on AGACNP specialty content and clinical hours. Typically 12–20 months and $27,000–$35,000.
- Hawaii Pacific University — $27,925 | 12 months
- Walden University — ~$31,170 | 1–1.5 years (Standard & Fast Track options)
- Chamberlain University — ~$32,680 | ~22 months
- South College — $34,450–$35,930 | Varies by pace
- West Coast University — Varies | 16 months
🎓 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — “I have a BSN or RN license.”
The most common pathway. Combines core MSN coursework with AGACNP specialization. Most programs complete in 2–3 years and range from $42,000–$55,000. Some schools also offer RN-to-MSN tracks for nurses without a BSN.
- Chamberlain University — ~$42,230 | 3 years
- Walden University — ~$44,950 (BSN to MSN) | ~$65,100 (RN to MSN)
- West Coast University — ~$47,280–$57,705 (Accelerated & Working Professional, BSN & RN tracks)
- Hawaii Pacific University — $51,382 | 24 months
- South College — $51,450–$53,695 | 21 months
🎓 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — “I want a terminal degree.”
The highest credential available. Adds systems leadership, quality improvement, and doctoral-level evidence-based practice on top of the AGACNP specialty. Ideal for those pursuing leadership or academic roles. Takes 3–4 years and runs $65,000–$82,000. Note: Hawaii only requires an MSN for licensure; DNP is not mandated but increasingly preferred by employers.
- Walden University — ~$58,000 (MSN to DNP) | ~$65,350 (BSN to DNP)
- Hawaii Pacific University — $81,541 | 34–44 months (BSN to DNP)
A Note on Completing Clinicals in Hawaii
Hawaii’s unique geography creates practical considerations for clinical placement. All programs listed allow students to complete clinical hours near their home location — you do not need to travel to the mainland for clinicals. However, Hawaii has a smaller pool of acute care facilities compared to continental U.S. states, making clinical placement support a critical factor in your program decision.
- HPU has the most direct local infrastructure as a Hawaii-based institution with established relationships with Hawaii-area hospitals and health systems.
- Chamberlain’s Practicum Commitment® actively places students who cannot secure their own sites — a safety net that matters in a smaller market like Hawaii.
- Walden’s Practicum Pledge® provides similar structured support with a national field placement team.
- West Coast University assigns each student a dedicated clinical coordinator — particularly helpful for navigating Hawaii’s limited acute care network.
- South College asks students to proactively identify potential sites, placing more responsibility on the student. This is manageable for nurses already embedded in Hawaii’s hospital systems.
Regardless of program, Hawaii residents planning acute care clinicals should be familiar with major health systems such as Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Health System, Straub Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii as potential practicum partners.
How to Choose: A Quick Decision Framework
| Your Situation | Best-Fit Options | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want to stay connected to Hawaii’s healthcare community | HPU (any track) | Hawaii-based faculty, local clinical network, familiar with Hawaii Board of Nursing |
| You have an MSN and want the fastest, cheapest path | HPU PMC ($28K / 12 mos) or Walden Fast Track ($32K / 1 yr) | Lowest cost; shortest duration; skips redundant coursework |
| You’re a licensed FNP or AGPCNP adding acute care | Walden Fast Track Certificate | Up to 20 transfer credits reduce both coursework and clinical hours to 500 |
| You have a BSN and want the most affordable MSN | Walden BSN-to-MSN (~$45K) or Chamberlain MSN (~$43K) | Lowest MSN tuition among listed programs |
| You’re an experienced ICU nurse who wants a fast MSN | South College BSN-MSN (21 mos) or WCU Accelerated (20 mos) | Fastest MSN completion; ICU experience is an asset, not a barrier |
| You don’t have a BSN (diploma or ADN RN) | Walden RN to MSN or WCU RN to MSN | Both offer direct pathways from RN licensure to MSN-AGACNP |
| You want a terminal degree (DNP) without an MSN first | HPU BSN-DNP ($82K) or Walden BSN-to-DNP (~$66K) | Single streamlined pathway; no separate MSN required |
| You’re concerned about finding clinical placements in Hawaii | HPU , Chamberlain (Practicum Commitment®), or Walden (Practicum Pledge®) | Most proactive placement support structures for small markets |
| You need maximum schedule flexibility around a full-time job | WCU Working Professional track or any Walden program | 8-week terms with multiple start dates (WCU) or fully asynchronous pacing (Walden) |