Four-year colleges and universities specialize in education with a broad spectrum. While a two-year institution typically focuses on specific trades, a four-year college ensures that students receive a well-rounded foundation in the basic sciences before taking a serious look at a selected concentration.
This works out well for students who remain focused on their chosen careers, as they end their studies on a four-year campus with a much better understanding of related skills and disciplines. In particular, a four-year university is perfect for aspiring registered nurses. Nursing is an interactive field, and a well-rounded education will assist in caring for patients that vary in age, disposition, and background.
In Hawaii, graduates of a four-year institution can receive a bachelor's degree in registered nursing, typically called a "BSN." RNs in Hawaii earn an average wage of $41 per hour. For those who seek further education, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University both offer master's programs in nursing ("MSN" degrees), and the University of Hawaii at Manoa also has doctorate programs in registered nursing and nursing science. Nurse practitioners with these advanced qualifications earn wages close to $50 per hour.
Employers prefer nurses with bachelor's or master's degrees and pay higher salaries for these qualifications. The Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the top nurse employers in Hawaii and is frequently hiring recent graduates.
If you want to increase your chances of entering the job market with stable well-paid employment, have a look below at the best four-year colleges and universities in Hawaii for nursing students.