Accelerated BSN Programs – Wyoming Nursing Schools
Wyoming, with its remote regions and communities, has more need for good nurses than many other states. Because of this need, many Wyoming students are returning to school to earn a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. This degree offers job security, good earning potential, and the opportunity to work in many different fields.
As nursing advocates, we at BestNursingDegree.com aim to facilitate the development and improvement of the nursing profession. One of the things we can to do help is provide you with an accurate listing of nursing degree programs that may be available to you. Below, you will find all of the Second Degree/Accelerated BSN programs for Wyoming.
We recommend exploring the featured box first, as these schools typically offer online and distance learning option for nursing, which can lead to more flexibility. Submit a request for information to all of those schools that offer the type of program you are interested in, and you should receive program details from each. Once you have taken the time to review the materials, you will likely know enough about what is offered by each school to make a well informed decision about your nursing education.
An accelerated BSN program is an available choice for students that already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, as it builds upon the courses you have already taken. With 12-18 months of intensive study, you can be trained to begin your nursing career, serving your community with your nursing skills. With both online and traditional schools offering this degree, there are many educational opportunities for you to earn your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
Accelerated BSN Curriculum in Wyoming
There are limited accelerated BSN programs in Wyoming, highlighting the importance of online degrees for students who may not be able to attend classes on campus. Whether you go to regular classes or decide to earn your BSN through distance education, you can expect to spend upwards of 30 hours per week learning and studying for your accelerated BSN program.
The early stages of the accelerated BSN program include courses in basic nursing assessment and skills. Students learn how to draw blood, take vital statistics on patients, and communicate effectively and appropriately with patients.
Once you have the basic groundwork laid for your nursing education, you learn about specialty nursing fields that only BSN students get to study. Classes at this level include epidemiology, maternity care, pediatric nursing, and nursing for older adults.
The final part of your nursing education requires you to practice what you learned and studied during your courses. Your program advisor should assign you to a local Wyoming clinical site. Here, you can get experience in many different nursing fields—maternity, pediatrics, surgery, and more. As you go through your nursing clinical practice, you can learn how to work more efficiently, how to talk to patients, and which nursing field you want to work in when you graduate.
Nursing Career Outlook and Nursing Issues in Wyoming
With the large amount of rural communities in Wyoming, there is a great need for educated nurses who can work in these communities. Nurses here earn an average of $59,600 per year, as reported by O*Net (2013). Registered Nurses with experience in a specialized field may be able to earn over $78,000 per year (O*Net, 2012), also depending on education and location.
From rehab centers to hospitals, there are many nursing employers in Wyoming. Some of the largest employers of nurses in this state include Dialysis Clinic Inc, Deseret Health & Rehab at Rock Springs, Sava Senior Care, and West Park Hospital. Graduates can choose from a variety of nursing jobs, as there is expected to be a 26% growth in nursing jobs by 2020 (O*Net, 2013).
Nursing Licensing Requirements and Considerations in Wyoming
Working as a nurse in Wyoming can be a very satisfying experience, but in order to practice as a nurse, you must get your license from the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. The board has license paperwork for advanced practice nurses, CNAs, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
You have to first pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and then you may fill out the licensure paperwork and submit it to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. Once you have received your license, remember to renew it every two years. To renew your license, you have to have completed 20 hours of continuing education in the last two years.
New nurses often find it beneficial to join a professional association, like the Wyoming Nurses Association. Nurses in this association can find regularly updated information on Wyoming legislature pertaining to nurses, attend educational conferences, and get special access to continuing education events.