MSN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q:	What type of graduate nursing degrees does HPU offer?
A:	The HPU Nursing Program offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or a Community Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Additionally, Hawai'i Pacific University offers a joint MSN/MBA degree. Registered Nurses can also enter the graduate nursing program without a baccalaureate nursing degree through the RN to MSN pathway.

Is the graduate nursing program accredited? by the

Both the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs hold National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) accreditation until the year 2013. The University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (P.O. Box 9990, Oakland, CA 94613-0990 or (510) 632-5000). The National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission can be reached at 61 Broadway, New York, New York 10006 or (212) 363-5555 extension 153.

Q:	Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT for admission?
A:	No. These tests are not required for admission.

What are the admission requirements for the MSN program?

Completion of a baccalaureate nursing degree from a nationally accredited school of nursing OR for non-U.S. graduates, their credentials must be analyzed by the university.
Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics, research and health or physical assessment.
An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Those with GPA’s under 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.
Two letters of recommendation (one from a professional associate who preferably holds a graduate degree and is able to assess your potential for graduate study and the other from your immediate supervisor detailing your clinical performance).
A personal handwritten statement of your career goals and reasons for seeking graduate admission.
A current license as a registered nurse in Hawaii.
Evidence of one year’s full time (or 2000 hours) experience over the preceding 36 months as a registered nurse.
Outcome of a personal or telephone interview with a graduate faculty member.
Non-Native English speaking students must have TOEFL proficiency scores of 550 or greater with a TWE of 5 or more.

Q:	Does a waiting list exist for this program?
A:	No.

Q:	Can this program be taken full or part time?
A:	Yes. Full -time study is nine credits per semester and part-time study is part of the flexible plan for this program. Graduate tuition for the 2008-2009 Academic Year is $600 per semester credit hour.

How long will it take to finish a MSN degree?

The MSN with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner requires 48 credits and the Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration requires 42 credits. If a student attends the program full time, it would require a minimum of five or six semesters to complete the program. A dual MSN/MBA would likely require a minimum of seven semesters or more based on the student’s past educational preparation. Part time students would require longer intervals based on number of credits taken each semester and course availability.

Q:	How do I apply?
A:	Request a graduate nursing admissions packet from the Center for Graduate and Adult Services, Hawai'i Pacific University, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 911, Honolulu, HI 96813 or call (808) 544-0279 or (800) 669-4724. E-mail the Graduate Admissions Office.

Q:	How soon do I need to apply?
A:	Early enrollment is encouraged so you can prepare for your return to school and be eligible for scholarship funds. But applications will be taken for each semester until classes begin. Applicants should be informed of their suitability for the program within two weeks of the completion of all application materials.

Q:	What are the course prerequisites for the MSN program?
A:	There are three prerequisite courses that all candidates for the MSN program must complete to be adequately prepared for the rigors of graduate school: MATH 3323 Statistics, NUR 3370 Health Assessment and NUR 4700 Nursing Research. These courses maybe transferred in from your original degree or from other programs if applicable.

What are the course prerequisites for the RN to MSN Pathway?

This pathway is for nurses without baccalaureate degrees in nursing or nurses educated internationally who may be missing some components of a baccalaureate degree. Graduates of nursing programs without NLN accreditation or its equivalent must take the NLN Mobility Profile II Tests (4) and receive a positive evaluation (score of 100 on each test). These tests cost $142 for the entire set of four.
There are seven courses that may be required of the registered nurse based on transcript evaluation. The two prerequisite courses are Statistics and Advanced Composition (WRI 1200 at HPU). The five nursing courses are: Health Assessment, Nursing Research, Health Teaching, Leadership and Management in Nursing, and Community Health Nursing. Prior academic course work and clinical experience may substitute for these courses upon evaluation. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required in these courses in order to transition into the MSN course work.

How long will it take to complete the RN to MSN Pathway?

That depends on what course prerequisites are necessary. On average, the course prerequisites can take one year to complete for the registered nurse on a part-time basis. The RN to MSN program takes three to three and one half years with full-time enrollment and four years or more with part-time enrollment. So three to four years is a good estimate of the time commitment for the RN to MSN pathway.

Q:	I just arrived in Hawaii and don’t have my RN license here yet. Can I still apply?
A:	Yes. You could receive a provisional admission until this requirement was satisfied.

Q:	What is the tuition for the RN to MSN Pathway?
A:	RN to MSN applicants take the program prerequisites or transition courses with the RN to BSN students. This provides the applicant the opportunity to be in an all RN class. These courses are typically held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Tuition for these RN to MSN courses is currently $600 per credit.

What is the difference between a FNP and a CNS?

A Family Nurse Practitioner is a specially trained nurse with advanced assessment and diagnostic skills who can provide primary health care across the lifespan. Nurse Practitioners can perform physical assessments, treat common conditions, promote health through education, and manage chronic conditions. Some people see Nurse Practitioners as similar to the family practitioners many of us saw as children before specialization became a focus in medicine.
While a Clinical Nurse Specialist traditionally was a nurse with advanced training or skills employed in a hospital to lead, mentor, manage, educate, consult and/or advocate. Many of these nurses were considered the expert nurse on the unit. As health care has evolved, these nurses with expertise in a certain area of care along with management skills have moved into the community settings as case managers, consultants, educators, specialty physician extenders and executive director of agencies.

What are the practicum requirements for these concentrations?

Practica are coordinated experiences to take what has been learned in the program into the work place. During a practicum which is usually 175 hours of focused clinical time, you will be mastering and utilizing your skills under the supervision of an advanced practice registered nurse or physician. Both the FNP and CNS concentrations have three practicums each. The FNP practicums focus on adult health, women’s health, care of the childbearing family and care of children. These have the most prescribed requirements in order to prepare the graduate for certification.
The CNS practica have more opportunities for creativity and diversity because of fewer restrictive requirements for certification. One practicum is focused on management training, another on the population of interest to the applicant and the last is self designed by the student but approved by the faculty. The student might decide to focus on developing teaching skills or might even consider taking a practicum with their FNP peers. For example, a nurse wanting to become a CNS with a focus on chronic illness, might do the management practicum with the local chapter of a voluntary health agency, focus the population practicum working in a clinic with these individuals and taking the adult or pediatric assessment practicum with their FNP classmates or expanding their teaching skills. The practicums occur in the second year of the program and follow completion of the core courses.

Where are the clinical experience practica offered?

The sites for the clinical experiences will depend on many factors. Currently the nursing faculty are very active on the North Shore and Palolo providing health care to the underserved in collaboration with the Waikiki Community Health Center. Many of our adjunct faculty are advanced practice nurses and preceptor MSN students in their work settings. The opportunities are very diverse and we strive to match the needs of the students with these opportunities. Students are free to propose sites to the faculty for their practica but the faculty are responsible for the final placements.

Q:	I need more information specific to nursing, who should I contact?
A:	You may contact the College of Nursing and Health Science main office at 808.236.3552 for additional information.

Download the 2009-2010 Master of Science in Nursing Student Handbook.