The competition is fierce to get into one of Hawaii's nursing schools.
But applicants now have another option.
Chaminade University has just received the thumbs up from the State Board of Nursing to begin its nursing program.
What was once the old Sullivan Library in Henry Hall will soon become the new home for the Chaminade University Nursing Program.
The program will welcome its first class this fall.
When asked if Chaminade can guarantee the students get jobs straight out of college, Helen Turner, Chaminade Natural Sciences Dean said: "I think it's hard to say. Our students will be very well prepared and will be competitive if we put them through the curriculum we're planning to put them through."
Although there's a nationwide shortage of nurses, the economic downturn has made it harder for new graduates to find jobs, even here in Hawaii.
"So we're really waiting for this wave to hit us. There's no question there's going to be a massive shortage it's a question of when," said Turner.
UH, HPU, and KCC are the only schools in Hawaii that currently offer nursing degrees.
According to the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, an overwhelming majority of nursing students and new graduates want to work in a hospital.
Coty Ishitani works at the Kapiolani Medical Center as a registered nurse. She graduated from UH Manoa in the fall of 2007.
When asked how hard it was to get a job after she graduated, Ishitani replied: "Some of my classmates after they passed their licensing exam it took at least 6 months to get a position if they didn't already have something set up before graduation. I was kind of lucky because I did that internship and got in pretty shortly after."
She says those who didn't get a job as an RN in Hawaii, either moved to the mainland, or have settled for other positions or professions.
Chaminade plans to focus its curriculum on areas like care of the aging, rural and community care.
"So you'd see our nurses will be competing for jobs in areas where there's a huge demand and not being met currently," said Turner.
Tuition is $21,480 a year for the four-year program.
Chaminade has already gotten 260 applications for 72 spots, but they're still accepting applications.
Those from Hawaii and the other Pacific Islands will get preference.
