If your nursing career goal is to earn better incomes working amidst natural beauties, then Hawaii can achieve your dream because nurses receive attractive wages in the state, higher than majority US states. Hawaii is also full of natural wonders and amazing views consisting of white sand beaches, warm tropical climates, active volcanoes, endemic flora and fauna, enticing waves, canyon and towering cliff, sea caves, and incredible sunrises. The students can enrol in Registered Schools in Hawaii for nursing education to enjoy these benefits.
The state also offers massive employment opportunities and higher salary to licensed nurses. The need for nursing services is higher in the Hawaii due to a greater inflow of visitors from all over the world, nursing scarcity, ageing population, and location of a large number of hospitals and health clinics. In addition, Hawaii is also coming up as the fastest growing 65 years and above population state in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census Summary File, 14.3 percent of the total population in Hawaii consists of 65-plus, and 2.2 percent includes 85-plus population. These baby boomers and ageing population have constant health care needs, and RNs and other category nurses are best placed to meet them. The healthcare requirement of elderly citizens is also one of the crucial reasons for the increased nursing demand in the state.
Hawaii also ranks among the top 5 states that pay best salaries to registered nurses. The reasons for better salaries include the higher cost of livings and greater demand for nurses. According to the Wikipedia List of U.S. states by income, 11 July 2014, the state of Hawaii is one of the ten US states that have highest Median Household Income. The Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2013 also informs that the state provides employment to 10,300 RNs, and their Median Hourly Wage is estimated at $41.32, Mean Hourly wage – $41.05, and Annual Mean wage – $85,380.
However, for working as a nurse in the state, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse must hold a Hawaii license to practice professional nursing. RNs will not be authorised to provide nursing services or delegate nursing tasks to licensed practical nurses, nursing aides, and other ancillary nurses unless they are issued a license. The process to earn a License include enrolling in approved RN programs, completing the program successfully, taking the National Council Licensure Examination for a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN), and passing the exam. The applicants who successfully pass the exam receive a license and permission to practice and delegate tasks.
Hawaii RN Programs
Presently, there are 6 Baccalaureate Degree programs and 4 Associate Degree Programs in Hawaii that can provide nursing skills and knowledge to nurses for competent nursing care services. These programs feature classroom instructions and extensive clinical training in approved nursing facilities. The programs must be approved by Hawaii Board of Nursing and accredited by the accrediting agencies recognized by the Board. The programs that do not meet the minimum standards set by the state law and Board are granted Probationary approval for a limited period. Simultaneously, notices are also served to these programs to rectify their discrepancies, but if the irregularities are not corrected within the stipulated time, the programs may lose approval of the Board.
The student to instructor ratio for a registered nurse and practical nurse program must be eight to one, and for clinical training, the ratio should not cross ten to one. The curriculum for the program must be approved by the Board recognized national accrediting agency. The curriculum consists of general and nursing courses and features 120 semester credits for Bachelor’s degree including forty percent laboratory and clinical hands-on experience. The Associate degree curriculum comprises of sixty-four semester credits including forty percent lab and clinical training.
The successful completion of Bachelor’s degree programs or Associate degree program by applicants allows them to take NCLEX-RN exam that lead to a licensure. The passing standard for the exam is determined by the NCSBN or the Board.
Financial Aids
In Hawaii, students can apply to state, federal, and private donors financial aids, consisting of loans, work, scholarships, and grants. There is also merit and academic record based awards. The needy students can also receive financial aids if they show financial needs.