HPU

U.S.A. Hawaii

Published

I was just accepted to HPU for either their nursing or pre-nursing program to finish a few pre-reqs before starting the nursing program. Does anyone know how this works or have any recommendations or experience? I want to make sure that I am making the correct decision before I move to Hawaii with my children.

Thank you!

Kendra

First of all, congratulations. Getting into a nursing school is a goal that many, unfortunately, are unable to achieve. You've overcome one major hurdle. With that said, if you do a search on this site, there are quite a few threads about HPU to be found. While they may be older, I think they may still give you a good feel for the school. I am not an HPU student, but have talked to people about the school. I have seen exasperated looks from those who have had to deal with the nursing program. I think that the school is good at selling itself, but if you are able to talk to students and former students, you may get a more honest opinion. Other schools here are cheaper and have a better reputation, although they are more competitive to get into.

In regards to moving to Hawaii with children, just a warning--the cost of living is high. I have small children myself, and my husband and I are struggling to make it...and I have a pretty strong familial support system here. If you don't mind my asking, what are the ages of your children and have you begun to think about a financial plan to cover your living and education expenses while attending school?

My husband can get a job in Honolulu with a company that he used to work for in Oregon. My children are 5 and 8. It has been really hard trying to get into a college here in Oregon with a GPA that's less than a 4.0. I don't have a GPA below 3.5 though. I have completed all of my pre-reqs and even additional coursework. This will be the second year that I have applied in Oregon and haven't been accepted into a program yet.

Wow, the nursing school situation sounds pretty rough there. Continue to do more research about living in the islands to prepare yourself for what you may be getting into. I know that you've begun to do so by asking for advice on a message board, but take a look at sites such as Craigslist to get an idea about housing prices here. Be prepared to downsize or pay much more for the amount of space you're accustomed to. I have family living in Portland who haven't moved back to the islands because they get much more house for their money there. In addition, food costs a lot more here. I remember family members returning with cases of Campbell's soup (pre-baggage fees) because it was so much cheaper there...about half the price it was here at the time. You can probably find Sunday fliers on the websites of mainland-based retailers (i.e. Safeway, Walgreen's, etc.) to get an idea about food prices and everyday items. In addition, be prepared to pay at least 4.5% more for stuff because of the sales tax. Also, if you want to visit the mainland or a different island, be prepared to spend money on airfare.

If you come to Hawaii, just come with eyes wide open. In addition, if you feel comfortable with the idea of moving to Hawaii, look into some of the other schools out here. After establishing residency, tuition will be considerably less than that of HPU.

Thank you so much for your advise! :)

To start HPU's actual nursing courses, you pretty much need about 2 years of HPU credits. In other words, even if you have completed every single pre-requisite at another school and aced them, you cannot start the program until you have taken 2 years worth of credits.

That's about $70k before starting actual nursing courses.

It's a brilliant business model. Many students who are unable to gain acceptance at KCC or UHM will bite the bullet and drop the cash to get into HPU's program.

http://www.hpu.edu/CNHS/BSN/Level_One_Entry_Process.html

HPU credits. Students will be awarded points for this category based on the number of earned Hawaii Pacific University credits.

I'm beginning to think that. I've also read many negative comments about HPU as well. I will probably decline. But, I did want to get as much information as I could before making a final decision.

I'm beginning to think that. I've also read many negative comments about HPU as well. I will probably decline. But, I did want to get as much information as I could before making a final decision.

I'm pretty sure that's just a general acceptance letter to the school, not the actual nursing program. A bit misleading if they don't disclose what you'll need to actually start the nursing program itself..

to start hpu's actual nursing courses, you pretty much need about 2 years of hpu credits. in other words, even if you have completed every single pre-requisite at another school and aced them, you cannot start the program until you have taken 2 years worth of credits.

that's about $70k before starting actual nursing courses.

it's a brilliant business model. many students who are unable to gain acceptance at kcc or uhm will bite the bullet and drop the cash to get into hpu's program.

http://www.hpu.edu/cnhs/bsn/level_one_entry_process.html

hpu credits. students will be awarded points for this category based on the number of earned hawaii pacific university credits.

it does not take 2 years of hpu credits to be eligible for selection into clinicals at hpu, you just have to be currently enrolled there. so transfer students have to come at least a semster early. if you dont have all the pre-reqs, then it may take longer because you cant start clinicals until your pre-reqs are done. they do selection for current enrolled students in october and february each year and look at overall gpa, science gpa and teas test. i think they take in about 140 students into clinicals each semester. it is expensive in hawaii, and hpu's financial aid packages are typically a little bit in scholarships and grants, but the rest is loans. good luck!

it does not take 2 years of hpu credits to be eligible for selection into clinicals at hpu, you just have to be currently enrolled there. so transfer students have to come at least a semster early. if you dont have all the pre-reqs, then it may take longer because you cant start clinicals until your pre-reqs are done. they do selection for current enrolled students in october and february each year and look at overall gpa, science gpa and teas test. i think they take in about 140 students into clinicals each semester. it is expensive in hawaii, and hpu's financial aid packages are typically a little bit in scholarships and grants, but the rest is loans. good luck!

how many hpu credits does it take to be competitive? the information that admission is based on hpu credits comes directly from hpu's website. the only logical rationale for such a requirement is monetary incentive.

the last i heard, most accepted students had ~50-60 hpu credits. that's about 2 years worth. if that has changed i would be very interested to hear what the avg number of hpu credits for accepted students is. also the lowest number of hpu credits for an accepted student.

i just got accepted to the nursing program to start this fall i was also a transfer student. i only had to take two semesters before i applied. that was because i did not have my entire prerequisite done. yes it helps to have more credits through them but it’s not the number one factor. they look at your overall gpa that has to be at least 2.5 or higher, you’re gpa in your science courses, and the teas test. learn from me and don’t go by hear say call a nursing advisor and tell them about your situation and see what possible opportunities you have. ask for [color=#343434]wendy agrusa she has helped from the beginning and has been nothing but helpful and gave me the best advice. if you need any help or have question just let me know =) i was in the same boat as you.

I didn't want to wait it out with the lottery system in California so I made the big move to Hawaii to attend HPU as a transfer student in 2008. I got the same letter and let me assure you, you are NOT in the nursing program you are a pre-nursing student. It took me three semesters (a year of my life and $18,000 extra dollars) to get into the nursing program and start my clinicals. And truth be told my problems with HPU didn't really even start until I was in the program.

If HPU was a well-run school and less costly I would think it would be an awesome place to get your nursing degree since the state schools everywhere are so crammed. But its not. Save yourself so much money, so many headaches and issues, and wait it out in your state. Believe me, its just not worth it. Even though I'm done, graduated and working in acute care I wish I had just stuck it out in California and saved myself the epic misadventure that was HPU. I know the temptation to go to HPU, they know it as well. There's a reason so many go there...1700 pre-nursing students all trying for those 110 spots. Its the same problem as the overcrowded state nursing schools its just dressed up to look differently at HPU. And the problem is once you get into HPU you're not at a solid state nursing program, you're at Hocus Pocus University.

+ Add a Comment