Hawaii has more to offer nursing professionals than just beautiful beaches, a rich culture, and surfing. The Aloha State is also the second highest-paying state for RNs in the country, right behind California, and healthcare practitioners are the seventh largest occupation title in the state. So if you’re in search of nursing jobs in Hawaii, know that there’s plenty of opportunity here. Take a look at what else you’ll find both on the job and off.
Quick Facts About Hawaii Nursing Jobs
- Does Hawaii belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact? No. You will have to become licensed to work as a nursing professional in Hawaii.
- How much do nurses make in Hawaii? The average annual salary for nurse jobs in Hawaii depends on your license/certification:
- Where can I learn more about Hawaii requirements for nurse licenses? Check out the Hawaii Board of Nursing for the latest information regarding applications, renewals, verifications, and more. If your license is about to expire, explore our three-step guide to Hawaii nursing license renewal.
- What are the most populous cities in Hawaii? The top five Hawaii cities by population are:
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Hawaii
More than 1.4 million people live in the Aloha State, and more than 9 million visitors come here every year. Whether you’re caring for residents or vacationers, you’ll be kept busy, which is excellent news for job seekers. To streamline your search, explore jobs by your license type:
Choose full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem employment, or you could even decide on travel nurse jobs — Hawaii has options.
In terms of your patient base in Hawaii, the median age of residents is around 40, and people ages 65 and over make up just over 21% of the population. There are roughly equal numbers of women and men, and 51% of people are married. Around 33.5% of married couples have children, while 14% have children but are not married. Additionally, Hawaii is home to more than 250,000 military personnel and their families.
Want to stand out from the competition? Be sure cultural competence is part of your skill set when pursuing nursing jobs — Hawaii is a diverse state. An estimated 37% of Hawaiians are Asian, 22% are White, 19% are two or more races, 10% are Hispanic or Latino, 9% are Pacific Islander, and about 2% are Black. If you’re bilingual, be sure to call it out on your resume and during your job interview, as it could help you communicate with patients who are more comfortable speaking a language other than English.
Working in Hawaii
Public schools are the largest industry in Hawaii, followed by computer manufacturing, hotels and motels, health and medical insurance, and warehouse clubs and supercenters. Wondering what leading acute care employers are on the islands? Some of the hospitals and medical systems in Hawaii include:
There are also a number of rural health clinics and community health resources that need nursing professionals like you. If you prefer to focus your search for post-acute nurse jobs in Hawaii, you’ll have no trouble finding assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities that are hiring. Consider exploring roles in these centers:
So what would a commute look like if you were living on one of the islands? It takes just over 27 minutes for Hawaiians to get to work, which is marginally longer than the national average. The majority of residents (67%) drive solo to work, 14% carpool, and almost 7% take mass transit.
You may be wondering where to send your kids while you’re working. The Hawaii Department of Education offers a variety of Out-of-School Time (OST) programs for working families. But what about your pets? Don’t worry. Hawaii has lots of pet sitters who can take good care of your dogs and cats. They might even see more beach time than you do!
Living in Hawaii
If you love nature and the great outdoors, there are few states that can compete with Hawaii, which is the only U.S. state that is entirely composed of islands. The eight major islands by population are:
- Oahu
- Hawaii (aka The Big Island)
- Maui
- Kauai
- Molokai
- Lanai
- Niihau
- Kahoolawe
Whether you prefer to surf, hike, paddle board, kayak, mountain bike, swim, or just go for walks, Hawaii offers near-perfect backdrops year-round. Haleakalā National Park (Maui) and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island) are two of the many destinations that offer sights and terrain you simply can’t find anywhere else in the country.
To appreciate the culture and heritage of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, explore the Bishop Museum, established in 1889 to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop of the Kamehameha royal family. From oil paintings to model canoes to contemporary murals, the museum features millions of objects and is among the world’s most expansive natural history specimen collections.
When it comes time to eat, Hawaii offers much more than the poke bowls for which it has become renowned. If you live here, chances are Spam musubi, loco moco, lau lau, and shaved ice are the dishes you hold dear. Looking to dine out? You’ve got your choice from fine dining to food trucks and everything in between.
Because of the micro-environments found at varying elevations on the islands, the weather can be quite diverse. That said, there are really only two seasons in Hawaii: summer (May through October) and winter (November through April). In the summer, the daytime average reaches 85 degrees; in the winter, it’s around 78 degrees.
Thanks to the fantastic weather and culture, island life isn’t cheap. Hawaii’s cost of living index is around 193.3 (based on a national average index of 100). The average price of a home in Honolulu is nearly $800,000 and a one-bedroom rental is around $2,175 per month. To take some of the edge off, remember that an RN’s paycheck in the state averages six figures.
Find Great Nursing Jobs in Hawaii on Credenza
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