2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Wyoming

Overview of Nursing Schools in Wyoming

About Nursing Schools in Wyoming

There are currently more than 5,070 nurses working in various healthcare settings in Wyoming. However, it has been proven that most nursing graduates move to other states from Wyoming; thus, the state has been developing different programs like the ReNEW (Revolutionizing Nursing Education in Wyoming) program to encourage nurses to stay in Wyoming to uplift the healthcare status of the state. Therefore, multiple factors, including the success of this program, have led to the prediction that there will be about 5,890 nurses working in the state by 2028. Currently, the average annual opening for nurses in Wyoming is 380, and the number is expected to rise as with the rise in healthcare needs of the people in the state.

Similarly, Wyoming is one of the many states that allow Full Practice to NPs in the area. A Full Practice authorization means that the NPs are permitted to evaluate patients; diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances under the exclusive licensure authority of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. 

This further proves that this state is very welcoming of RNs and NPs alike and is working hard to create better working and education environments for them.

Nursing Schools at Wyoming provide a safe and family-like environment for their students while giving them the highest quality education through small class sizes, simulation labs, and hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Multiple educational institutions offer quality nursing education on all levels, from ADN to Ph.D. We have compiled here a list of nursing schools in Wyoming that have been producing highly skilled and competent nurses and nurse leaders.

Wyoming RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Nursing Programs Offered by Wyoming Nursing Schools

• Registered Nursing: 7

Wyoming Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

• Western Wyoming Community College: 1
• University of Wyoming: 1
• Casper College: 1
• Central Wyoming College: 1
• Laramie County Community College: 1
• Northwest College: 1
• Northern Wyoming Community College District-Sheridan: 1

Best Ranked RN Programs in Wyoming

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Wyoming and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 6 ADN degree programs and 1 BSN degree programs in Wyoming. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Wyoming to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

ADN Programs In Wyoming

In the fall of 2016, Wyoming began its ReNEW program - "Revolutionizing Nursing Education in Wyoming."  The goal of this RN program is to prepare all nursing students for a bachelor's degree at some point in time.  ReNEW standardizes nursing education for the community colleges and University of Wyoming, which means that there are ample opportunities for LPNs and RNs to further their education.

We studied student NCLEX-RN passing rates across RN programs in Wyoming and found some interesting results that we want to share with you. We found wide differences in student outcomes when comparing NCLEX-RN passing rates.

NCLEX Passing Rates for Wyoming  ADN Programs

Northern Wyoming Community College District-Sheridan has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Wyoming of 94.96%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $7,399.00 a year.

• ADN Programs Offered in Wyoming: 6
• Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 89.16%
• NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 85.77% to 94.96%

How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Wyoming?

We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Wyoming so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.

When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.

The lowest cost ADN program in Wyoming is offered by Central Wyoming College at about $4,088.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 91.54%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by  Florida Career College-Miami and it will cost about $7,464.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 85.63%.

• Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inWyoming: $5,896.83
• Net-Price Range for Wyoming ADN Programs: $4,088.00 to $7,464.00

Associate Degree in Nursing Net-Price

• Average Net-Price for ADN Programs in Wyoming: $5,896.83
• Net-Price Range for Wyoming ADN Programs: $4,088.00 to $7,464.00
• Lowest Net-Price ADN Program: Central Wyoming College at $4,088.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 91.54%
• Highest Net-Price ADN Program: Laramie County Community College at $7,464.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 85.63%

Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs

• Average Student Borrowing for Wyoming Schools: $5,936.17
• Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Wyoming: $4,725.00 to $7,017.00

BSN Programs In Wyoming

Wyoming has strict admissions requirements nursing students must meet in order to be accepted into a BSN program. These requirements include completion of prerequisite classes, Wyoming registered nurse licensure, and a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Courses in a typical program may include (but are not limited to):

• Cultural Diversity in Family Care
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Healthcare Promotion
• Nursing Leadership
• Capstone Project

RN degree programs in Wyoming are designed to help to make nurses well rounded and independent. Baccalaureate-prepared nurses are able to care for patients across many different age groups in a wide variety of settings and situations.

We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Wyoming and found some interesting data for you to use in your nursing school selection.

The average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.

What is the best RN program for you to attend? Your sweet spot might be the least expensive school with the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate. Or, it might the school that offers the best NCLEX-RN passing rate no matter the total cost of attendance. You might want to attend a school with high enrollment rate and have a large set of alumni to stay in touch with. Find your ideal program from information and data below.

Bachelor Degree in Nursing Net-Price

• Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Wyoming: $11,484.00
• Net-Price Range for Wyoming BSN Programs: $11,484.00 to $11,484.00
• Lowest Net-Price BSN Program: University of Wyoming at $11,484.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 86.64%
• Highest Net-Price BSN Program: University of Wyoming at $11,484.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 86.64%

Median Student Borrowing for Schools Offering an RN

• Least Amount of Student Borrowing for a School: $4,725.00
• Highest Amount of Student Borrowing for a School: $14,000.00
• Average Student Borrowing for Wyoming Schools: $7,088.14
• Average Student Borrowing for Nationwide: $13,434.43

Wyoming  RN Licensing Requirements

Wyoming State Board of Nursing
130 Hobbs Avenue, Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7601

Continuing Education Requirements:

• 20 contact hours, or 500 practice hours every two years, or 1600 practice hours every five years, or a refresher program.

RN Licensure by Exams

After completing an approved nursing program, RN candidates need to apply to take the NCLEX exam and pay a $200 registration fee. The candidate will need to simultaneously apply to the Wyoming Board for licensure. There is a $130 application fee along with a $60 background fee that the applicant will be responsible for. When both applications have been completed, the candidate will obtain authorization to test (ATT). Following this, the candidate will be able to schedule the NCLEX exam. The board may issue a 90-day temporary permit to the candidate. During this time, the candidate will be required to pass the NCLEX exam. Candidates who are unsuccessful on the first attempt will need to submit an application to retake and pay additional fees.

RN License by Endorsement

A nurse who has obtained licensure in one of the other 49 states will be granted licensure in Wyoming by endorsement. Nurses must be recently practicing nurses, meaning they must have worked 1,600 hours or taken a refresher course in the last five years. The candidate will be responsible for a $135 application fee and a $60 background check. Out of state nurses will be able to work under a 90-day temporary permit if they submit a copy of their current license in good standing.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Nurses who were trained outside of the United States are also eligible for license by endorsement. They may also be granted a temporary permit to work under while the candidate attempts to pass the NCLEX exam. Some candidates will need to demonstrate English proficiency. Last, but not least, nurses will be required to submit verification that the educational program was approved by the appropriate agency in their country where they practiced nursing.

RN Salaries in Wyoming

Wyoming expects many nursing vacancies in the state in the upcoming years. To fill these vacancies, the Wyoming Research and Planning Committee is working hard to evaluate and make changes to education and workforce systems which are intended to attract and keep nurses in the state. Nurses in Wyoming can expect to be in a solid career. The annual median income of nurses in Wyoming ranges from $59,600-$80,000. The salary is dependent on the experience and education level of the individual nurse.

Some of the in-demand nursing specialties for Wyoming include:

• Nurse Administrator
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner – WHNP

Wyoming Registered Nursing Salaries

The Cheyenne metropolitan area has the highest number of registered nurses employed across the state as well as the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.

Wyoming Nursing Salaries by Experience Level

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Wyoming

There are currently 340 NP working in Wyoming who, on average, earn $88,230, with the recent graduates earning $97,860 and those with 20+ years of experience making $160,540 per year. With an average annual opening of 30, the employment rate of NPs in the state of Wyoming is expected to go from 300 to 390 from the year 2018 to 2028. 

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Wyoming

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP).

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1. # of Private Schools in State: 0
2. # of Public Schools in State: 7
3. # of programs offer by Degree type -
   • Registered Nursing: 7
4. # of nursing degrees offered by each school -
   • Western Wyoming Community College: 1
   • University of Wyoming: 1
   • Casper College: 1
   • Central Wyoming College: 1
   • Laramie County Community College: 1
   • Northwest College: 1
   • Northern Wyoming Community College District-Sheridan: 1
5. Comma seperated list of nursing degrees offered by each school -
   • Western Wyoming Community College: 1
   • University of Wyoming: 1
   • Casper College: 1
   • Central Wyoming College: 1
   • Laramie County Community College: 1
   • Northwest College: 1
   • Northern Wyoming Community College District-Sheridan: 1
6. List award types offered in state -
   • Associate Degree
   • Bachelor Degree
   • RN to BSN
   • Accelerated BSN
   • BSN to DNP
   • LPN to RN
   • Master Degree
   • MSN to DNP
7. List award types offered in state -
   • Associate Degree
   • Bachelor Degree
   • RN to BSN
   • Accelerated BSN
   • BSN to DNP
   • LPN to RN
   • Master Degree
   • MSN to DNP
8. Comma separated list of cities with links to city.

Casper, Cheyenne, Laramie, Powell, Riverton, Rock Springs and Sheridan

Options for earning your nursing in Wyoming have never been more flexible. Wyoming nursing programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your nursing degree, no matter your life situation or schedule. You will find 1 different paths to earn your nursing degree in Wyoming including Campus.

There are 0 private and 7 public schools offering nursing programs.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.