Nursing

Mission: The UHMC nursing programs provide a collaborative learning experience with access to multiple levels of nursing education, offering personal enrichment and career opportunities for our students. We provide a learning milieu in which faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds work together with the community to create state of the art nursing education and practice.

Vision: We envision a nursing education program that produces caring, competent, and professional nurse leaders prepared to meet the healthcare demands of a diverse community and the challenges of a dynamic healthcare environment.

Core values:
• malama (to take care of, protect)
• mana’olana (hope)
• lokahi (harmony, unity)
• aloha (compassion, kindness)
• kuleana (responsibility)
• pono (goodness, ethical and moral qualities)

Program Philosophy

The UHMC Nursing faculty aims to inspire and support students in the pursuit of lifelong learning. We prepare students to recognize healthcare trends, respond to the increasing complexity of clinical environments, and adapt to economic shifts.

We believe learning is most effective when students are self-directed. Our curriculum challenges students with academic rigor, aligned with the scientific neurocognitive basis of learning, while supporting them as they take responsibility for their professional growth.

Academic Foundation & Pathways

As a member of the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium (HSNC), our curriculum is built upon the liberal arts, behavioral and natural sciences, bioethics, technology, and evidence-based practice.

Our Educational Pathways:

• CNA to LPN: Leads to a Certificate of Achievement and LPN licensure.
• LPN to RN Bridge: Leads to an Associate of Science (AS) degree and RN licensure.
• AS to BSN: Students may continue for a third year to earn a Bachelor of Science (BSN) from UH Mānoa.
• UHMC BSN: A full four-year HSNC curriculum leading to a Bachelor’s degree and RN licensure.

Clinical & Theoretical Framework

Our philosophy is informed by the work of Patricia Benner, Christine Tanner, and the QSEN Institute. We believe nursing education must incorporate:

1. Knowledge: Acquiring and applying science.
2. Skills: Utilizing clinical reasoning and technical "know-how."
3. Attitudes: Developing ethical comportment and professional formation.

Following the principles of the HSNC, we prioritize replacing decontextualized knowledge with real-life case studies, integrating classroom and clinical teaching, and guiding the formation of a strong professional identity.

Upon graduation, students are expected to meet the following professional behaviors and nursing care competencies:

1. A competent nurse’s professional actions are based on core nursing values, professional standards of practice, and the law.
2. A competent nurse develops insight through reflective practice, self-analysis, and self-care.
3. A competent nurse engages in ongoing self-directed learning and provides care based on evidence supported by research.
4. A competent nurse demonstrates leadership in nursing and health care.
5. A competent nurse collaborates as part of a health care team.
6. A competent nurse practices within, utilizes, and contributes to the broader health care system
7. A competent nurse practices patient-centered care.
8. A competent nurse communicates effectively.
9. A competent nurse demonstrates clinical judgment/critical thinking in the delivery of care of patients while maintaining safety.

References:

Benner, Patricia, Molly Sutphen, Victoria Leonard and Lisa Day. "Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical Transformation." 1st ed., Jossey-Bass, 2010

Magnussen, L., Niederhauser, V., Ono, C., Johnson, N. K., Vogler, J., Ceria-Ulep, C. (2013). Developing a statewide nursing consortium, island style. Journal of Nursing Education 52(2), 77- 84.

Tanner C. A. (2006). Thinking like a nurse: a research-based model of clinical judgment in nursing. The Journal of nursing education, 45(6), 204–211. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20060601-04

UH Maui College is part of the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Program (HSNC).  There are two exit options from UHMC: Practical Nurse (PN), and Associate in Science Registered Nurse (RN). A Bachelor of Science Registered Nurse (BSN) option is available from UH Mānoa (UHM). Maui College students who successfully complete the required RN courses from Maui College have the opportunity to be admitted to the third level UHM Bachelor of Science courses, offered on Maui.

Health care students are required to complete University prescribed academic requirements that involve clinical practice in a University affiliated health care facility setting with no substitution allowable. Failure of students to complete the prescribed clinical practice shall be deemed as not satisfying academic program requirements. It is the responsibility of students to satisfactorily complete affiliated health care facility background checks and drug testing requirements in accordance with procedures and timelines as prescribed by the affiliated health care facility. Per UH Board of Regents policy, priority for admission is given to fully qualified State of Hawaii residents as determined by the registrar for tuition purposes.

• Practical Nurse – Certificate of Achievement (CA): PN graduates with the CA are prepared to work under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician in hospitals, extended care facilities, private nursing agencies, home health agencies, clinics, and physician offices.

• Registered Nurse – Associate in Science Degree (AS): RN graduates with the AS degree are prepared for beginning level positions in hospitals, extended care facilities, clinics, physician offices, private nursing agencies, and home health agencies.

• Apply to UH Maui College. Send one copy of official transcripts from previous colleges (outside of the University of Hawaii system) to “Registrar, UH Maui College.” Call 984-3306 as soon as possible for an appointment with an academic counselor for a transcript evaluation for “advanced standing credits.”

• Complete all required prerequisites.

Selection for the Nursing program is competitive. Criteria include grades in prerequisite courses listed above and other non-nursing courses required for graduation such as FAMR 230, and Humanities elective; experience in health care (nurse aide preferred); and Test of Essential Academic Skills score. MICRO 140 is not required but 1 point is awarded toward selection. In the event students have the same points in the Program Application, the student with the highest UHMC grade point average will be offered admission to the program.

• Effective with courses taken in the Fall 2018 semester, courses may be repeated twice to raise a grade. Of the three times that the course has been taken, the higher grade will be utilized. Only grades in the first three attempts will be considered for admission to the PN/RN program.

• The science courses, ZPHYL 141 and 142 (4 credits-lecture and lab) and Microbiology 130 (3 credit lecture), have a ten-year time limit, which must be completed within the last 10 years prior to the application deadline. (Note: Students do not have to repeat the lab course; PHYL 141 and 142 may be repeated in the UH system online as 3 credit lecture classes only.)

 Contact the Program Coordinator, Kathleen Hagan by email at  khagan@hawaii.edu for information.

The Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates are deemed eligible by the State of Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing to take the Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse examination and apply for licensure in the State of Hawaiʻi.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) issues national, uniform requirements for licensure by exam or endorsement, renewals and reinstatement. These include proof of completion of an approved nursing education program, successful completion of the NCLEX exam, proficiency in English, and self-disclosure of misdemeanors, felonies and substance abuse. However, each state’s Nursing Practice Act outlines its unique requirements. From state to state, license application fees, length of application process, renewal timelines and requirements, clinical hours served, continued education units (CEU), and temporary practice permits vary. Here is a link to certification and licensure information for all 50 States: https://nursinglicensemap.com/states/.

Out of State Students

If you are not a resident of Hawaiʻi and you are taking an online course or program leading to professional licensure, UH Maui College cannot confirm whether the course or program meets your state’s professional licensure requirements. If you intend to seek certification or work in another state, it is highly recommended that you contact the state that you intend to work in to determine the requirements for certification and the ability to work in that state. The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This allows us to offer distance education to students in member states without seeking individual state’s approval. More information on professional licensure can be found on the NC-SARA webpage.

Professional Licensure Information for NURSING PROGRAMS