Wyoming Nursing Schools
In the field of health care, there are many degree options and career paths that may be suited to you. As you think about your career, what do you want to accomplish? If you want to spend your time working with patients, building connections with other health care professionals, and using your health care skills in a variety of ways, learn more about nursing degrees in Wyoming.
Contact the Wyoming nursing schools listed below to request information about how you can enter the nursing profession.
Wyoming has a great respect for its nurses, including LPNs and RNs. No matter which part of the state you work in or what specialty you want to work in, you may benefit from the support and respect of your local community. The Ranger, Riverton, and Lander reports that nurses are important health care providers who combine the science of health care with the art of caring for patients.
As the field of health care changes throughout the state, you may find that there are many opportunities for new nurses who are ready to take on the challenges of this new health care industry. In the state, some hospitals and nursing homes are merging with other care providers or changing care models.
Throughout Wyoming, employers and industry leaders are trying to find new ways to increase the nursing workforce. To this end, a local nursing school recently received a competitive $150,000 grant to encourage innovation in nursing education.
Nursing Education in Wyoming
Depending on whether you want to become a licensed practical nurse, an Associate’s-level registered nurse, or a Bachelor’s-level registered nurse, you may spend between one and four years in school as a nursing student.
Many courses are similar between nursing degrees, since the same core skills are expected of nurses at different levels. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Professional Nursing, Adult Health, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, Evidence-Based Nursing, Public Health Nursing, and Diversity in Family Health Care. As you work your way through these courses, you may put your new knowledge to work in various clinical settings. Student nurses often get practice in nursing homes, clinics, and hospitals.
The state of Wyoming has many scholarships opportunities for academically strong nursing students. If you have financial need, you may also be able to apply for a range of programs Through the Wyoming Department of Health, nurses who are willing to work in a rural area after graduation may apply for scholarship money. The Margaret Wynn Memorial Nursing Scholarship is awarded through the Benefis Foundation.
Nursing Schools in Wyoming
What draws you to the field of nursing? You may be interested in the strong job outlook, the opportunity to make a difference in your community, or the potential for upward growth. Whatever you have planned for your future in this industry, it’s important to begin with the right education. Wyoming is home to a wide variety of nursing programs that cover all levels of education, allowing you to compare options and pick which degree is right for you.
Wyoming LPN Programs
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma, proof of residency, negative drug screen, negative TB test, physical exam, and background check
- Credit hour range: 30 to 45 credits
- Online degree options: Unavailable, as clinical work is a mandatory part of your education
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-PN
For some students, a licensed practical or vocational nursing program is the logical choice. There’s no doubt that it’s the fastest option; in fact, you need just one year to become an LPN. By the time you’ve earned your 30 required credits, you should be able to get a certificate or diploma.
BSN Programs in Wyoming
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma, proof of residency, negative drug screen, negative TB test, physical exam, and background check
- Credit hour range: 120 to 129 credits
- Online degree options: Not offered, due to clinical work requirements in Wyoming
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-RN
As you explore nursing school Wyoming options, you may become interested in earning a Bachelor’s degree. The experience you get as a baccalaureate student can impact your future career options, making you a valuable asset to local healthcare institutions. You have to get plenty of clinical experience at this level, with most schools requiring multiple clinical rotations throughout your education. General education is mandatory, comprising approximately half of your credits.
Wyoming MSN Schools
- Admissions requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and Wyoming nursing license
- Credit hour range: 30 to 66 credits
- Online degree options: Only available at some schools and in some areas of advanced study
- Licensing exams: Determined by each national certification agency
Earning a Master’s degree may broaden your career horizons and allow you to take on leadership roles in your place of employment. Rather than focusing on nursing as a general field, graduate programs hone in on one specific area of nursing. Some areas you may concentrate on include leadership, administration, informatics, and anesthesia. Most programs can be finished in two to four years of full-time study, but there are part-time options available as well.
DNP and PhD Nursing Programs in Wyoming
- Admissions requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and Wyoming nursing license
- Credit hour range: Between 75 and 90 credits
- Online degree options: Generally unavailable, since most programs require clinical work, research, and teaching experience
- Licensing exams: Determined by each national certification agency
If you want to change nursing at an institutional level, a doctoral degree may be necessary. The average PhD or DNP program requires five years of study beyond your Bachelor’s degree, although some students wait to enroll in a doctoral program until they already have their Master’s degree.
Is it time to prepare for a career you love? With our list of nursing schools in Wyoming, you can quickly and easily contact the programs that catch your eye.
Nursing Colleges in Wyoming with Nursing Bridge Programs
When you start to dig into nursing programs in Wyoming, it’s likely that you’ll discover bridge programs. Bridge programs aren’t available to all aspiring students; in fact, they have strict admissions requirements that allow them to offer quicker graduation times. Depending on how much previous postsecondary education you have, you may find one or more bridge programs that fit the bill.
RN to BSN programs are some of the best online nursing programs in Wyoming. To get into this program, you need an Associate’s degree in nursing and at least one year of nursing experience. Most schools permit you to finish your degree in just 18 to 24 months. If you have enough clinical experience, you may be able to do your entire RN to BSN degree online. Some schools also offer RN to MSN programs, although this option isn’t as widely available as the RN to BSN.
Other degrees cater to licensed practical nurses who want to become registered nurses. On average, it takes just one year to finish your LPN to RN degree. LPN to BSN programs are much longer, typically lasting between 30 and 36 months.
Other programs are intended for non-nursing graduates, rather than working nurses. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, you may be able to finish a BSN in 12 to 24 months. These programs have stringent admissions requirements, including several science courses and high grades.
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Wyoming
- Ensure that you are limiting your search to accredited programs. Most schools are accredited by the ACEN or CCNE. Graduating from an accredited program makes it much easier to get your nursing license, since the Wyoming State Board of Nursing can easily verify that your credentials are up to par.
- Get the scoop on clinical requirements. In your search, find out how many clinical hours students get by graduation and where they go for their rotations. If you want to work in a specific facility, you can try to choose a school that offers clinical rotations in that facility.
- Check out networking and development options at each school. You may want to get involved with a student nursing group or a mentorship program that pairs you up with working nurses.
- Financial aid may be a deciding factor for you as you compare schools. In addition to finding out how much each school costs, delve into financial aid opportunities. You may want to ask if financial aid awards are based on financial need, academic performance, or a combination of both.
- Check into the average class size. Each student has different preferences. Perhaps you like the opportunity to form connections in a small class, or maybe you prefer the diverse opinions present in larger courses.
2018 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions
As you prepare to start building your nursing career, you may want to work on your professional network. Meeting nurses at all levels of experience and education can give you a solid overview of the nursing industry in Wyoming. It’s recommended that you become active in local professional organizations, such as the Wyoming Nurses Association. Some regions also have their own organizations, offering you access to continuing education courses and networking events.
At licensed practical or vocational nursing programs, you may discover how to offer support to patients, nurses, and physicians. In the decade between 2014 and 2024, demand for licensed practical nurses may jump 8% in Wyoming (O*Net, 2017). On average, Wyoming licensed practical nurses earn $45,590 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Many LPNs apply for positions at nursing homes, hospice facilities, or home care agencies.
On the route to licensure, you may graduate from a baccalaureate nursing program. Wyoming has a growing need for registered nurses, with job openings expected to jump 20% by 2024 (O*Net, 2017). Throughout this state, the average salary for a registered nurse is $62,980 per year (BLS, 2017).
There are several areas of study available at the graduate level, including nurse practitioner programs. Nurse practitioners are especially crucial, since they help facilities address primary care shortages. Nurse practitioners bring in an average of $113,020 per year (BLS, 2017). A 37% boost in job openings is expected by 2024 (O*Net, 2017).
This is the perfect time to learn more about nursing colleges in Wyoming. Reach out to schools near you to get more in-depth information about financial aid, course requirements, and clinical hours.
