Best Nursing Schools in Wyoming in 2024

Known as the Equality State, Wyoming is home to nearly 5,000 registered nurses who care for its residents across vast prairies and rugged mountain ranges. With registered nurses earning an average annual salary of $73,130 in the state, Wyoming aims to recruit over 300 new nurses each year by 2030 to fill an expected shortage. Currently, 4,890 registered nurses work in Wyoming, filling critical roles in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities across the state’s 97,914 square miles.

With registered nurses in Wyoming earning an average of $35.16 per hour or $73,130 per year, the career offers competitive wages in locations ranging from Cheyenne to Yellowstone. Looking ahead, projections estimate the need for 5,630 registered nurses statewide by 2030, meaning Wyoming will need to graduate over 300 new registered nurses annually in the years to come to meet increasing healthcare demands. For those seeking meaningful work in a rugged western setting, the top nursing schools in Wyoming provide paths to rewarding healthcare careers.

• There are 7 nursing schools in Wyoming.
• The CCNE accredits 1 nursing school(s)
• The ACEN accredits 5 nursing school(s).
• The NCLEX passing rate for BSN students in Wyoming is between 76.19% and 87.94%.
• The NCLEX passing rate for ADN students in Wyoming is between 77.97% and 93.13%.
• RNs currently employed in Wyoming are 4,890.
• RNs in Wyoming earn an average of $73,130 per year or $35.16 per hour.
• Wyoming needs 5,630 new RNs by 2030 or 330 new nurses per year.

Overview of Nursing Programs in Wyoming

Wyoming offers accredited nursing programs across levels:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Usually takes 2 years and prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become RNs. Offered at community colleges statewide.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Traditional 4-year degree for RNs, covers more advanced topics versus the ADN. Graduates still take the NCLEX-RN. Offered at universities and colleges.
• RN to BSN programs – For current RNs with an associate’s degree to bridge to the bachelor’s level. Expanding leadership skills and career options. Can often be completed online in 1-2 years.
• Accelerated BSN (ABSN) – Intensive 12-18 month bachelor’s degree for those who already have a bachelors in another field. Coursework plus hundreds of clinical hours prepare graduates to be RNs.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Graduate-level degree for advanced specialty nursing careers like nurse practitioner or educator roles. Usually takes 2+ years.
• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) – Designed for very high level nursing practice in a chosen specialty, with more clinical hours and residency components. Leads to titles like DNP or DrNP.
• PhD in Nursing – Focused on nursing research and academia. 4+ year program typically requires a dissertation and specializations are available.

The first step towards a nursing career starts with gaining licensure as an RN through either an ADN or BSN program. While ADN programs are shorter in length, the BSN provides advanced skills that set nurses up for leadership positions and the best careers over time.

Many nurses start with an ADN, obtain their RN license, then complete an RN to BSN online program while working. Others opt for Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing programs to switch careers fast.

What Are the Best Nursing Schools in Wyoming?

High-quality undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are offered across the state through public universities, private colleges and online degrees with local clinical rotation partnerships.

Public Universities and Colleges

Multiple community colleges across Wyoming provide accredited ADN degrees with competitive tuition rates for in-state students.

Private Nursing Programs

Private, non-profit colleges also offer bachelor’s degree options for aspiring nurses. While private tuition is typically higher, small class sizes, personalized mentorship, research opportunities and academic support services provide advantages.

Online Nursing Programs

Nationally ranked nursing programs from prominent universities enable Wyoming residents to complete degrees remotely with coordinated local clinical rotations. These flexible online options are great alternatives to balance work and academics. Some even offer accelerated formats taking just 12-24 months.

Accelerated BSN Programs in Wyoming

For those looking to switch careers fast into nursing, Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs compress a traditional 4-year BSN into 12-18 months of year-round intensive nursing coursework. Designed for students who already hold bachelor’s degrees in other fields, ABSNs enable becoming a registered nurse rapidly.

Typical ABSN Program Model

ABSN students take condensed upper division nursing classes full-time covering topics like:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Adult Health and Medical Surgical Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pediatrics Nursing
• Maternal, Newborn and Women’s Health
• Community Health and Capstone

The programs integrate lectures, simulations, labs and clinical rotations sequentially based on prerequisite course completion from an existing bachelor’s degree. This academic preparation combined with previously demonstrated study skills is what enables accelerated progression.

Admission Requirements

ABSN admission is highly competitive with limited class sizes, requiring:

• Existing Bachelor’s degree
• 3.0+ GPA
• Completed Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry prerequisites
• Strong letters of recommendation
• Healthcare experience
• Goal statement conveying motivations

Careful academic planning is required to complete prerequisites before enrollment. It’s mandatory for ABSN students to arrange reliable transportation for travelling to off-campus clinical sites. Extensive time commitments are also required for studying, skills practice and coursework.

RN to BSN Degree Programs in Wyoming

Over 50% of the RN workforce enters practice through Associate Degree programs. While many RNs begin working after passing the NCLEX licensing exam from an ADN program, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offers significant lifelong advantages.

The additional BSN coursework builds skills in leadership, research, community health, health policy, transcultural nursing, statistics, and nursing informatics. This equips nurses for supervisor, manager, and advanced specialization roles over time.

Ultimately earning a BSN remains crucial for career growth. The “BSN in 10” initiative has over 700 nursing employers requiring newly hired nurses to complete BSN degrees within 10 years of their hire dates.

RN to BSN programs understand working nurses have extensive time limitations between family, professional and academic responsibilities. Most provide flexible online delivery with optional in-person elements that fit around existing work schedules.

Some programs enable completing a BSN in as little as 12 months while working full time. Offering rolling admissions with multiple annual start dates helps nurses enroll immediately when they’re ready. Some schools also provide generous transfer credit to cut redundant coursework.

Financial aid like scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement can significantly offset costs. Dedicated nursing academic advisors help map out individual degree plans focusing precisely on remaining upper division requirements.

Reputable RN to BSN programs emphasize relevant curriculum and clinical intensives that translate directly into expanded nursing roles. They are invested deeply in the success of nursing professionals across the state.

When researching schools, look into each program’s accreditation, curriculum quality, graduate outcomes, and student experience. Consider both online and campus-based programs to find the right fit.

Nursing Licensure in Wyoming

To begin practicing as an RN in Wyoming, candidates must:

1. Graduate from an approved Registered Nursing program
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
3. Complete background check requirements
4. Apply for state RN licensure through the Wyoming State Board of Nursing

Newly licensed RNs can work across diverse settings like hospitals, private practices, schools, and long-term care facilities. They have the opportunity to impact entire communities through service while building enriching life-long careers.

The Wyoming State Board of Nursing protects the public by overseeing standards for nursing licensure, education, practice and discipline. They approve nursing programs and monitor periodic reports on outcome metrics. The 12 governor-appointed Board Members serve 4-year terms dedicating time, experience and passion towards advancing nursing education and practice across the state.

Master’s in Nursing Programs

The MSN curriculum prepares registered nurses for career growth in high-demand specializations like:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP) – Prescribe medications and provide primary care in clinics. Specialties include adult-gerontology, pediatrics, women’s health, mental health, etc.
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) – Deliver babies and provide gynecological care.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Work in specialized care areas like oncology, palliative care, rehabilitation.
• Nursing Administration – Manage nursing teams and hospital units as department heads.
• Nursing Informatics – Design, implement clinical information systems and telehealth solutions.

MSN programs take 2-3 years to complete depending on full-time or part-time formats. Courses blend online delivery with intensive campus/clinical residencies to master specialized skills under direct expert supervision and discussion.

Tips for Admissions

Competitive MSN admissions emphasize academic ability, healthcare experience, test scores, leadership qualities and communication skills through:

• Undergraduate GPA – Minimum 3.0 is typical; higher is better
• Entrance Exams – High GRE or MAT scores
• Essays and Interviews
• Professional RN Experience
• Applicant Resume/CV
• Letters of Recommendation

Required undergraduate coursework antes admission often includes statistics, research methodology and health assessment.

Once enrolled, MSN students become eligible for advanced practice nursing certification and licensure exams directly aligned to their specialization pathways.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ensures NP programs meet high standards. Nursing course offerings vary across Wyoming nursing schools. For some schools, the program is competitive. Meanwhile, other schools allow students to transfer seamlessly to the university. The program provides eligibility to take the national licensing exam, respective of each track for each track.

Program Formats

• Full-time, part-time and post-master’s NP program on the main campus.
• Enter the program in formats that fit life and work.

Typical Duration

• Program is designed for 2-3 years of completion leading to a certification or MS or Ph.D. level.

With many solid colleges and universities to choose from, prospective nurses can enter the program and transfer seamlessly to complete their degree. Wyoming offers competitive nursing jobs upon graduation and certification. 

Best Nurse Practitioner Schools in Wyoming

• Best Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Wyoming

DNP & PhD Nursing Programs

Often referred to as terminal degrees in the field, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing programs prepare elite nursing leaders advancing healthcare through practice and research innovations.

DNP pathways ready graduates for executive leadership beyond direct care roles through advanced expertise in:

• Quality Improvement Science
• Health Policy
• Information Systems
• Population Health ManagementDNP applicants generally require a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with existing RN licensure and 2+ years of experience. The curricula covers emerging best practices through practice-based intensive residency hours. Delivering superb patient outcomes culminates with the DNP Capstone Project.

Whereas PhD Nursing programs focus intensely on research rigor developing nurse scientists. The path focuses on producing high-impact scholarly contributions expanding nursing’s body of knowledge. PhD nursing admissions typically require very competitive applicant profiles who envision lifelong research-focused faculty careers.

Coursework emphasizes qualitative, quantitative, translational methods while assessing gaps in practice. Students work closely with tenured faculty advisors based on aligned research interests and practical partnerships. The culminating Doctoral Dissertation project sets graduates up for long-term research career success securing funding, publications and leadership positions.

Both DNP and PhD pathways provide generous research, scholarship and teaching assistanship opportunities. Wyoming needs more doctorally-prepared nurse experts serving as healthcare system leaders, executives and university educators filling statewide talent shortages over this decade.

Graduate nursing program admissions are highly competitive, looking at factors like undergraduate GPAs, entrance exam scores, essay quality, relevant work experience, research initiative and existing nursing licenses.

Once enrolled, a major time commitment is mandatory for weekly reading, assignments, term papers, developing the final DNP Capstone Project, and passing certification exams. Scheduling clinical intensives and residencies in world-class hospital systems also require navigating demanding personal and professional responsibilities.

The good news is graduate level nursing graduates enter into some of healthcare’s highest paying, dynamic leadership roles driving impact through practice. They lead program development efforts improving patient outcomes across entire communities. Furthermore, the U.S. is projected to experience a major nursing faculty shortage by 2030. MSN and DNP graduates interested in academia are encouraged to help fill this major talent gap by educating generations of future nurses.

How to Find the Best Nursing Programs in Wyoming

With nursing providing incredible lifelong purpose along with supply/demand career prospects, finding the right nursing program match is key. Every school varies in cost models, focus areas, campus culture, degree formats, clinical partners and student-to-faculty ratios.

Carefully research each prospective school’s merits against preferences around location, affordability, admission requirements, delivery models, specializations, dissertation formats, accreditations and support services when applying.

Reach out to enrolled students and faculty in programs of interest to gain valuable insider perspectives before enrolling. This level of due diligence ensures the highest likelihood of application, affordability, admission and student life satisfaction. Enrolling in a great program and school in Wyoming is the first step towards earning your nursing license in Wyoming.

Preparing for an RN Career in Wyoming

Wyoming continues facing a major nursing shortage, with RN roles critically needed across hospitals, clinics, schools and long-term care facilities statewide. This steadily high demand is reflected in very competitive nursing salaries, sign-on bonuses, mentorship programs and tuition reimbursement benefits.

Graduate outcomes remain strong with most nursing students receiving multiple job offers well ahead of graduation. Pass rates for required NCLEX-RN licensure exams also continue exceeding national averages. With immense support from the State Nursing Board, nursing schools produce talented, compassionate graduates delivering exceptional patient care. They carry forward Wyoming’s proud legacy of community cooperation and gritty self-reliance, strengthening entire regions.

For driven, caring individuals committed to healthcare, Wyoming welcomes prospective nurses with open arms across scenic rural towns to dynamic cities. From college graduates to second-career prospects, nursing offers lifelong purpose and career enrichment improving lives. The calling for nursing aligned with incredible job prospects, make it an ideal time to pursue nursing programs available across this great State.

Key Factors When Choosing a Nursing Program

With many nursing programs to choose from, making the right selection is key to an enriching educational experience. Here are top factors nursing applicants should consider:

• Accreditation – Ensure the program is accredited through ACEN or CCNE, allowing access to financial aid and licensing exam eligibility.
• Program Types & Length– Choose from BSN, ABSN, ADN, and Master’s programs spanning from 2-4 years long based on your career goals.
• Cost & Financial Aid – Compare tuition costs and available scholarships, grants, loan forgiveness programs per school. In-state public schools offer lower published tuition whereas private and out-of-state costs are higher.
• Admissions Selectivity – More competitive programs require a higher GPA, relevant healthcare experience, and prerequisite coursework.
• Location & Campus Culture– Decide whether an in-person, online or hybrid delivery model works better for your learning style and lifestyle.
• Clinical Rotation Partners – Research which hospitals/clinics the program partners with for direct patient care experience during clinical intensive semesters.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Schools in Wyoming

What is the top-ranked nursing program in Wyoming?

The University of Wyoming’s BSN program offered through the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing is consistently ranked the #1 nursing program in Wyoming. Its competitive admissions and rigorous curriculum prepare exceptional nursing graduates to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and become RNs.

Which Wyoming colleges offer an Associate Degree Nursing program?

Several community colleges including Central Wyoming College, Western Wyoming Community College, Northern Wyoming Community College and Casper College offer accredited ADN programs. These 2-year programs combine nursing coursework and clinical rotations, after which graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Where can I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Wyoming?

Most colleges with 2-year and 4-year nursing programs like the University of Wyoming, Casper College and Laramie County Community College offer CNA training programs for those wishing to provide basic nursing care and enter the healthcare field. These CNA courses include hands-on clinical experience in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities under an RN’s supervision.

What is the acceptance rate for the top nursing program at the University of Wyoming?

The BSN program at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing has an extremely competitive <20% acceptance rate. Applicants undergo a holistic review including GPA, test scores, essays, healthcare experience and recommendation letters. Successfully admitted students rigorously prepare through clinical rotations across Laramie and Cheyenne to take the NCLEX exam after graduation.

Can I complete an RN to BSN bridge program in Wyoming?

Yes, many Wyoming colleges have partnerships with accredited out-of-state universities to offer online RN to BSN completion program options. Registered nurses can continue working while finishing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees through flexible online course delivery with coordinated in-state clinical intensives.

More of the Best Wyoming Nursing Schools

Ranking Methodology and Data Sources

• Ranking Methodology
• University Webpages
• Wyoming State Board of Nursing
• Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings 
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Salary Data
• Department of Labor Projected Employment
• Bureau of Economic Analysis Cost of Living Data

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