How To Become a Nurse in Wyoming 2025

Nurses are in-demand public health professionals, and the need for registered nurses (RNs) continues to expand as the American population and its healthcare needs grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that 194,500 new nursing jobs will be added to the economy each year through 2033. This 6% annual growth rate is among the highest in the country.

In this article, we review how to become a nurse and the requirements in the state of Wyoming. We cover steps to RN licensure, accredited nursing programs, and the nursing career outlook. Read on to learn more about how to begin a challenging and rewarding career in nursing.

What Does an RN Do?

A certified registered nurse is responsible for a wide range of patient care duties. Specific duties depend on where an RN works and what type of patients they care for. An RN's general responsibilities include:

• recording patients' symptoms and medical histories
• delivering treatments and medicines
• monitoring and operating medical equipment
• performing diagnostic tests and helping to analyze results
• assessing patients' conditions
• coordinating with doctors and other healthcare professionals

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Wyoming?

Exactly how long it will take you to become a registered nurse in Wyoming depends on your career goals and any prior education or experience. A standard Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program takes about two years to complete. A traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is four years long.

Accelerated nursing programs online offer faster pathways to becoming an RN. If you are already a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can graduate in one year by enrolling in an ADN advanced placement program. If you have already earned your bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN degree program and graduate in 12 to 16 months.

If you want to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and become a nurse practitioner, you will need to go to graduate school for another two to three years to earn your master's degree. Your continuing education may take longer, but it will afford you even more opportunities in the job market.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Wyoming

The following steps outline the process to becoming a registered nurse in Wyoming, including the educational requirements for nurses, the nursing exam process, and items needed for the RN license application.

Step 1: Enroll in a Nursing Program

Registered nurses must graduate from an accredited nursing program, like an ADN or BSN program. The curriculum for these programs includes online or in-person nursing theory courses and hands-on experience through simulation labs and clinical rotations.

Nursing programs are accredited by independent organizations, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This ensures that all students receive a quality nursing education.

Step 2: Pass the Licensure Exam

You will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) after graduating from your chosen nursing school program. The NCLEX-RN tests for knowledge in four categories: psychosocial integrity, physiological integrity, health maintenance and promotion, and effective and safe care environments.

The NCLEX-RN exam is a test developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Pearson VUE is the company that administers the NCLEX-RN at Wyoming testing centers.

Step 3: Apply for Licensure

After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you may apply for your Wyoming nursing license. You must submit your application to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WBSN).

Required application items include your official school transcripts, your NCLEX-RN results, and an application fee. Some items need to be sent directly from the granting institution to the WSBN. For example, you must arrange for your college or university to send your nursing program transcripts to the WSBN. You will also need to undergo a criminal background check, which includes two fingerprint cards.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Wyoming

This list represents a selection of accredited nursing degree programs offered at Wyoming schools. Program curriculums are conducted mainly on campus and at local healthcare facilities. Online nursing programs are a good option for accelerated and advanced degree programs.

1. Eastern Wyoming College

Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) is a small public school based in Torrington, WY. EWC offers a two-year ADN program with two scheduling options: a night cohort on its Torrington campus and a day and night cohort on its Douglas campus. This gives working adults more flexibility as they pursue their associate degree.

There are several financial aid opportunities at EWC, including grants and scholarships. You must apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial aid eligibility.

• Estimated tuition cost: $149 per credit (in-state); $359 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

2. Casper College

Located in its namesake city, Casper College is a small public school with a two-year ADN program. Nursing theory coursework is delivered in person while gaining practical skills in simulated labs. Clinical experiences take place in a variety of healthcare settings, most of which are located within five miles of the college's campus.

If you decide you want to continue with a more advanced degree, Casper College helps ADN students transfer seamlessly to the University of Wyoming's bachelor's degree program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,935 per year (in-state); $11,235 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Laramie County Community College

Laramie County Community College (LCCC) offers an ADN program that can be completed in two years over four semesters. Nursing students take in-person classes and travel to healthcare settings around Laramie County to complete their clinical rotations.

Financial assistance is available at the federal, state, and institutional levels. Students may apply for grants, loans, and scholarships. LCCC also offers military benefits to veterans and active service members.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,612 per year (in-state); $10,912 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

4. Central Wyoming College

Located in Riverton, WY, Central Wyoming College has a 65-credit ADN program designed to be completed in two years. The curriculum focuses on clinical judgment, professionalism, leadership, and health promotion.

Nursing theory courses are delivered through classroom instruction. Students hone their skills through simulation labs and clinical experiences. Direct patient care clinical rotations begin in the first semester and continue throughout the program, which provides an enhanced approach to nursing education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,935 per year (in-state); $11,235 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

5. University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie, WY, is the state's main educational institution offering BSN program options. UW's basic BSN track is an on-campus program designed to be completed in four years. The curriculum consists of three semesters of pre-clinical courses followed by six semesters of clinical coursework.

Nursing students develop hands-on skills at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing's Clinical Simulation Center and clinical sites across Laramie and Cheyenne counties. During the last semester of senior year, students may be required to travel to clinical sites across the state to complete their capstone practicum.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,800 per year (in-state); $44,040 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Wyoming

There is a growing need for registered nurses in Wyoming and throughout the U.S. The BLS expects that nursing job growth will continue across all healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, and residential care facilities.

Nurses' salaries depend on degree level and industry specialization. For example, a nurse with an ADN who works in an entry-level position will earn less than a nurse with a BSN in a leadership role. On average, registered nurses earn $93,600 per year, with annual salaries ranging between $66,030 and $135,320.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Wyoming

Here, we answer some frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse in Wyoming, including topics such as degree costs and educational prerequisites.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Wyoming?

How much your nursing degree will cost depends on your chosen school, degree program, financial aid status, and whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident. Generally speaking, ADN programs are less expensive than BSN programs. Wyoming ADN degrees range between $10,000 and $60,000; BSN degrees can range from $20,000 to $80,000.

Online colleges that accept FAFSA help keep education costs low. Applying for FAFSA determines your eligibility for grants, scholarships, and loans.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Nursing degree prerequisites depend on your school's particular program and whether you are pursuing an ADN or a BSN degree. Most education prerequisites are math- and science-based. These include courses like biology, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and statistics.

If you would like to take these self-paced nursing prerequisites online, consider investing in one of the best laptops for nursing students. Reliable technology will help support your nursing education.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

If you have no previous nursing experience or higher education, the shortest degree pathway to becoming a registered nurse is an ADN program. Most full-time students earn their ADNs in two years.

If you are a LPN, the fastest way to become a nurse is to enroll in an LPN-to-RN bridge program. Your prior experience enables you to move directly into nursing courses, and you can graduate in one year.

If you already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program. These fast-track pathways are typically 12 to 16 months long.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

No one nursing degree can be considered the easiest nursing degree. Nursing is an exciting and intensive career, and its degree programs can be challenging.

Generally speaking, an ADN program requires the shortest time commitment. Traditional ADN tracks are two years long and can be taken part-time. However, your personal interests and career motivations will ultimately decide which is the easiest nursing degree option for you.

Find a Nursing Degree

If you're ready to get started on your nursing education journey, reach out to the institutions featured on Learn.org. There are various schools that can support your professional goals.