Rising Demand for Nurses and Teachers in Hawaii

The big demand in Hawaii’s growing economy is going to be teachers and nurses, according to labor officials.

Openings in teaching and nursing are expected to be the most plentiful with salaries of more than $50,000 a year.

The further good news is that the median annual pay for registered nurses is $84,060 in Hawaii as compared to $65,950 nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

According to reports there should be an average of 330 new jobs in each occupation in the state every year through 2018.  Officials are already noting an increase in the number of people seeking training in the health care industry.  Hawaii Pacific University’s nursing program is up and there are larger numbers of students going back to school after having spent some time in the workforce.

Several prerequisite steps and requirements are necessary before becoming a nurse in Hawaii.  To enroll in a state-accredited nursing program in Hawaii, it is recommended that you complete a bachelor’s degree in a related health field such as biology, or obtainin an associate’s degree in nursing.  Becoming a practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN) are two nursing paths one could follow.

Lise Choucair, director of student retention and progression at HPU’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences says, “”We’re seeing a lot of people looking for second careers coming into the program, especially with these hard economic times,”

Of note, many of the students comprise of single parents, a lot of mature students and very few who are living at home with mom and dad. 

Many lower-paying occupations, for example cashiers and the food service industry are also experiencing numerous openings.  Wages in these occupations range from $18,220 to $32,300 annually.