RN Programs in Wyoming

Wyoming RN Program Guide

Now is a great time for nurses to pursue an RN or BSN degree program in Wyoming. Nursing schools across the state are introducing RN to BSN programs that can be completed online to help meet the needs of busy, working nurses. Generally programs can be completed online and there are many clinical sites located across the state. Wyoming needs nurses more than ever as the state is currently facing a nursing shortage in the rural areas. The number of nurses with a bachelor’s degree is increasing, but it is still not enough to meet the high demand. If you have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, look into the second degree BSN degree or Direct Entry MSN degree programs.

There is a wide variety of nursing specialties to choose from as well as many opportunities to serve rural and undeserved communities. Nurses from all distinctions are in high demand due to the nursing shortage. Look into the Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Guide.

A few of the in-demand RN careers for the state include:

• Trauma Nurse
• Operating Room Nurse
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Public Health Nurse
• Parish Nurse
• Wound Care Nurse

In our Wyoming RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Wyoming RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.

The State of Wyoming offers 7 RN programs in 7 different cities. Public institutions offer 7 of the RN programs in the state while there are 0 private, for-profit and 0 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.

In the State of Wyoming, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.

Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Wyoming RN Programs.

Accredited RN Programs in Wyoming

Nursing school accreditation is one of the most important aspects to consider at when deciding which RN program to attend. If you ever plan to continue your education, academic credits from an accredited program are more easily accepted or transferred between accredited programs. Some employers will prefer to hire nurses from an accredited program.

Not all nursing programs in Wyoming are accredited by either Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the two primary accrediting agencies for nursing programs.

• Total Wyoming RN Programs: 7
• ACEN Accredited RN Programs: 0
• CCNE Accredited RN Programs: 1

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

Sheridan College 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: 88.34%
• NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 84.71% 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 90.45%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by  Laramie County Community College and it will cost about $7,464.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 86.15%.

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

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

ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions

• Public Institutions: 6
• Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
• Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 0

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.

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 90.45%
• Highest Net-Price ADN Program: Laramie County Community College at $7,464.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 86.15%

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 83.53%
• Highest Net-Price BSN Program: University of Wyoming at $11,484.00 and NCLEX-RN passing rate of 83.53%

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: $13,429.12

MSN Programs in Wyoming

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.

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Wyoming offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties

Wyoming RN Licensing Requirements

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

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $135
License renewal (every two years), RN: $110

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.

Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2018 Data