Advanced Nurse Aide Training in Hawaii: A New Affordable Pathway

Hawaii Medical College and ALU LIKE, Inc. have opened a 12-seat Advanced Nurse Aide cohort in Honolulu with a remaining student balance of just over $400. The 10-week program, announced on August 11, 2026, prepares students for two credentials: the Hawaiʻi Certified Nurse Aide exam through Prometric and the NHA Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam.

For aspiring CNAs, that dual pathway turns an entry-level credential into broader patient-care eligibility across hospitals, long-term care, and home health. In a state reporting hundreds of open nursing assistant positions, this is less a tuition discount than a direct response to a persistent staffing shortage.

What Is an Advanced Nurse Aide? Core Skills and Dual Certification

Advanced nursing assistant roles are expanding in Hawaii as employers seek candidates who can handle both bedside care and basic clinical tasks. In simple terms, an advanced nurse aide is a CNA who has gone beyond the state minimum in CNA training Hawaii. While the state minimum is 30 classroom hours and 70 supervised practical hours², and some college programs run up to 150 hours³, Hawaii Medical College's Advanced Nurse Aide program runs 252 hours over 10 weeks⁴. That extra time includes a 100-hour externship under direct supervision and adds phlebotomy and ECG/EKG lead placement to core CNA clinical skills such as vital signs, activities of daily living, and professional communication.¹

Core skills and dual certification

Graduates can sit for two separate credentials.¹ The first is the Hawaiʻi Certified Nurse Aide exam administered by Prometric. The second is the National Healthcareer Association's Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) exam. The dual path matters because the CPCT/A credential signals broader patient care technician competencies. The NHA publishes its own detailed exam content outline, so check current NHA materials before testing, but Hawaii Medical College's inclusion of phlebotomy and EKG lead placement targets the acute-care skills commonly associated with that role.

What the 10-week structure looks like

The program is not just a longer CNA class. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training and a 100-hour supervised externship. Students practice full patient and resident care in bed and chair, take vital signs, and build professional communication habits. Those foundations stay close to standard CNA training, but the added acute-care skills push graduates beyond the typical nursing assistant entry point.

Broader job options

Hawaii Medical College lists career outcomes that include Nurse Aide, Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, and Patient Care Technician.¹ That last role is the key differentiator. A standard CNA credential often leads to long-term care or hospital nursing assistant jobs. The CPCT/A preparation can open doors in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and other settings where phlebotomy or EKG tasks are part of the daily workflow.

What the New Hawaii Medical College-Alu LIKE Partnership Means for Aspiring CNAs

The Hawaii Medical College and ALU LIKE partnership, announced on August 11, 2026, in Honolulu, creates a supported Advanced Nurse Aide cohort for up to 12 participants. The program lasts 10 weeks and combines nurse aide training with direct patient-care skills. After ALU LIKE's sponsorship, selected students are responsible for a remaining balance of just over $400.

How the sponsorship lowers barriers

ALU LIKE is a nonprofit focused on supporting Native Hawaiians and other underserved populations. By covering most program costs, the organization directly removes one of the biggest obstacles for aspiring CNAs: upfront tuition. For many Hawaii residents, a total program cost of just over $400 makes entering healthcare realistic without taking on significant debt. The sponsorship also aligns with ALU LIKE's broader mission to expand access to career training and economic opportunity.

Why the accelerated format matters

The 10-week structure lets students move from little or no healthcare background to exam-eligible in under three months. Graduates may sit for the Hawaii Certified Nurse Aide exam through Prometric and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) CPCT/A exam. That dual certification option can open doors in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home care agencies, and skilled nursing facilities, where demand for trained nursing assistants remains strong.

What leaders are saying

Hawaii Medical College President Ashton Cudjoe said, "We're proud to partner with ALU LIKE to help more residents gain the skills, credentials, and confidence needed to enter one of our state's most essential industries." For prospective CNAs, that message translates into a practical next step: a short, supported CNA training partnership with multiple credential options and a clear route to landing your first CNA job in a field that is actively hiring.

How to Enroll in the Supported Advanced Nurse Aide Cohort

How do you actually get one of the ALU LIKE-supported seats in Hawaii Medical College's Advanced Nurse Aide program, and what does the enrollment timeline look like for the September 14, 2026 start?

Start with a Direct Admissions Inquiry

Because the supported cohort has a small cap and no published deadline, the first step is to confirm current availability before you spend time on paperwork. Call the admissions office at (808) 468-7571¹ or the main Hawaii Medical College line at (808) 237-5140² and ask specifically about the Advanced Nurse Aide cohort that starts September 14, 2026. Admissions is currently accepting applications, but the school has not published a remaining seat count, so treat this as a rolling, seats-limited process.

Complete the Application and Required Information

Submit the Application for Admission form. For students comparing free CNA training options, ALU LIKE aid has published eligibility criteria that include being at least 18 at enrollment, a Hawai'i resident, enrolled at least half time, and maintaining a 2.0 GPA.² Be ready to confirm any standard screening steps such as a high school diploma or GED verification, background check, drug screen, and health clearance; Hawaii Medical College will tell you exactly which items apply. If you have questions about documentation, ask for a checklist before you submit. The catalog asks students to fulfill listed program requirements within 35 days after the training start date.²

Finalize Payment and Documentation

After ALU LIKE sponsorship, selected participants have a remaining balance of just over $400, but the total published program cost is $2,967⁴, including tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and the application fee.³ As you map out how to pay for nursing school, budget for the $100 application fee up front unless admissions says otherwise. With a 10-week, 252-hour format⁴, you can move from application to exam eligibility within a single season. Because seats are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, do not wait for a hard deadline; call now to confirm the next intake and secure your place.

Hawaii CNA Certification Requirements and Exam Pathway

Before you can work as a certified nurse aide in Hawaii, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program, pass a background check, and pass the Prometric exam.

1. Complete a state-approved training program

   Hawaii requires 100 hours of training, typically 30 classroom hours plus 70 clinical hours. Hawaii Medical College's Advanced Nurse Aide program is designed to meet this requirement, so graduates can sit for the state exam.
2. Pass a criminal background check and health requirements

   Applicants must complete a criminal background check through Fieldprint Hawaii or submit a current Criminal Abstract. Many programs also require a physical exam, negative TB test, and up-to-date immunizations before clinical placement.
3. Pass the Prometric Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam

   The exam includes written and skills portions. Commonly reported costs are a $25 initial application fee plus $200 for the written/skills exam or $210 for the oral/skills exam. Some guides list combined totals of $225 or $235, so confirm current fees with Prometric before applying.
4. Get placed on the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry

   After passing the exam, you must be listed on the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry to work in licensed facilities. Employers verify this registry before hiring.
5. Renew your certification every two years

   Renewal requires at least 8 paid hours of nurse aide or related work during each 24-month period, plus a $27 renewal fee. Some CNAs may also need 24 hours of continuing education or a competency evaluation course, depending on work setting.
6. Dual certification may add separate professional listings

   Graduates who also pass the National Healthcareer Association Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam may hold an additional national certification. This is separate from the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry but can broaden job options.

Comparing Advanced Nurse Aide Training to Standard CNA Programs in Hawaii

Choosing between a standard CNA program and an advanced nurse aide pathway in Hawaii often comes down to three factors: cost, credentials, and how quickly you can start working. The supported ALU LIKE cohort at Hawaii Medical College is a standout because it combines a 10-week schedule, dual certification, and a student balance of just over $400 after sponsorship. Standard CNA programs in Hawaii typically cost between $800 and $2,500, though a few lower-cost options exist, and they generally prepare you for the CNA exam only.

Career Benefits and Job Opportunities for Advanced Nurse Aides in Hawaii

Nursing assistants in Hawaii earn a median annual wage of $44,830, with the middle half of earners making between $39,700 and $51,110. Employer demand remains strong: the state reported 636 open nursing assistant positions in 2024, up by 178 from 2022, and Honolulu employers take about 24 days to fill openings. Advanced nurse aides who complete dual CNA and CPCT/A certification can qualify for patient care technician roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home care agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.

Salary by Metro Area in Hawaii for Nursing Assistants

The table below shows 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics metro area data for nursing assistants in Hawaii. Urban Honolulu accounts for 3,430 of the 3,770 nursing assistant jobs across the two reported metro areas, making it the state's dominant employment hub. Kahului-Wailuku posts a slightly higher median annual wage at $46,260, but its employment base is much smaller.

Take the Next Step: Apply for the Supported Cohort

The real tradeoff is simple: a fast, affordable pathway to healthcare credentials versus a very small window of available seats. Only 12 participants are accepted into this ALU LIKE-supported Advanced Nurse Aide cohort at Hawaii Medical College, so timing matters more than most application processes.

Because the supported cohort keeps your remaining program balance at just over $400, seats are expected to fill quickly. Contact Hawaii Medical College or ALU LIKE directly to confirm current availability for CNA classes in Honolulu and ask whether the application deadline is still open.

In 10 weeks, the program prepares you for two credentials: the Hawaii CNA exam through Prometric and the NHA CPCT/A exam. That dual certification can open doors in hospitals, long-term care, and home care settings, supporting your CNA career progression.

Do not wait if this fits your situation. Verify your eligibility with Hawaii Medical College or ALU LIKE today, confirm the next start date, and begin the application process while seats remain.

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