Top LPN Programs in Wyoming

Wyoming LPN Schools, License Requirements, Job Outlook, and Salary

Wyoming, the state with least population in the United States, promotes the health of its citizens by encouraging more and more individuals to pursue a career in the field of practical nursing and meet the growing demand of the healthcare industry. The curriculum includes the study of cellular structures and functions, physical assessment techniques, methods of documentation, managing internal disasters, and how to handle a panic-stricken situation.

After completion of the course, the LPNs have to pass the NCLEX-PN licensure test to attain the license and start working professionally.The article contains some important information that might help the future nurses decide from where to start and which college to choose. There are six LPN schools in Wyoming that provide courses in practical nursing.

LPN Programs in Wyoming

OUR METHODOLOGY +

A nursing school ranks on the top according to the following criteria-

• Higher Passing Rate of Alumni in NCLEX
• Financial Aid that a school provides
• Higher number of students

The nursing schools were then included in the ranking on the basis of following factors-

• Well-developed Architecture
• Better Infrastructure
• Superior Technology
• Ranking in US News and World Report
• Teachings offered by world-class faculty
• Inclusion of world-class facilities
• World-class Opportunities

We hope that the list will help you to opt the best college as per your preferences in the state. The programs available in these colleges will give you an opportunity to begin your journey as a successful nurse.

Below is the list of accredited nursing schools in Wyoming.

Licensure Requirements

In order to work as an LPN, the candidates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program in Wyoming. In addition to this, it is also required that the candidate clears the NCLEX-PN test that makes the nurses eligible to get the license. The licensure examination tests if the applicant has adequate knowledge to function as an LPN or not. Practicing as a nurse without a license is unlawful. The nursing license certifies that the person is authorized to perform the nursing tasks.

Licensure by Examination

The nurses applying for license by examination should request the application from the Wyoming Board of Nursing and follow the procedure given below.

• The applicant should complete the application form. An application containing blanks would be considered incomplete.
• The candidate should submit a copy of the social security card and a form of lawful presence (if the driver's license is used, then the license must bear the same name as the social security card). The application remains valid for a duration of a year after which, it is considered invalid.
• The fees should be paid through money order, VISA, or MasterCard. Wyoming Nursing Board does not accept personal check or cash.
• After filling the application, the candidate must get the criminal background check done.
• Submit the fingerprint card and fees.
• The candidate should request the graduating institution to send the official transcripts to the WSBN with the
• Graduation date
• Degree or the certificates
• Seal of the institution from where you have graduated

Next, the applicant must register for the NCLEX by following the instructions provided at
https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex-application-and-registration.htm

OR

http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex

The board would notify the Pearson VUE to email you the Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. The ATT email comprises of an expiration date, candidate identification number, and the authorization number. After receiving ATT email, you must appear for the test within the validity dates. If you fail to give test within these dates, you are supposed to reregister and repay the exam fee.

On receiving the completed application and fee, the board mails the fingerprint cards. The candidates are required to submit the completed fingerprint cards to the board. The permanent license is issued when the board gets CBC (criminal background check) results from DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation). It may take 35-55 days.

LPN application for licensure can be downloaded by clicking the below-given link:
https://nursing-online.state.wy.us/Resources/LPN%20Application%2010.20.16.pdf

Temporary Permit

To get a temporary permit in the state, you need to submit the following:

• A completely filled application
• Documents regarding any ‘yes' to the disciplinary history questions
• Proof of lawful presence
• License verification from the original state of licensure
• Payment of the requisite fee

Temporary permit remains valid for a certain time and can’t be renewed. The candidates can get the temporary permit after 24 hours of receipt of the application. The temporary permit will expire if you don’t clear the NCLEX-PN test.

If you have a disciplinary history and fail to disclose it, then the issued temporary permit will expire immediately when Wyoming Board of Nursing receives the notification of such information.

Licensure by Endorsement

LPNs, who have graduated from a college outside the United States, can also get the LPN license in Wyoming through endorsement.

• The candidates must submit a complete application.
• Along with that, submission of fingerprint cards and fees is also mandatory.
• Fulfill continued competencies requirement.
• Submit verification of licensure from your original state via nursys.com. Contact your original state if it doesn’t participate in Nursys.

Wyoming Nursing License Renewal

The LPN license remains valid for two years, after that, it has to be renewed to continue practicing as a licensed practical nurse. The candidate should submit a complete application along with the renewal fees. You are also supposed to meet any one of the following continued competencies requirements:

• Worked as an LPN for at least five hundred hours during the last two years; or
• Worked as an LPN for at least 1600 hours during the last five years; or
• An evidence of 20 LPN continuing education hours in the past two years; or
• Provide proof of completion of a refresher course in the past five years; or
• The applicant should have passed the NCLEX-PN test in the last five years; or
• Submit a copy of certification in a particular field of nursing by a nationally recognized accrediting agency that has been accepted by the board in the past five years.

License Reinstatement

If the license is not renewed before the date of expiry, it lapses and has to be reinstated to start practicing again. A nurse practicing with an expired license is punishable.
If the candidate has not practiced nursing for the last five years, he/she must meet one of the following conditions:

• Complete an LPN refresher course in the last five years and submit the official certificates and transcripts
• Complete a nursing education program that grants a degree beyond the licensee's basic education
• Obtain a certification in a specialty area of nursing by a nationally recognized accrediting agency accepted by the board in the last five years
• Clear the NCLEX-PN licensure test.
• Complete 20 hours of continuing education within 2 years.
• The practical nurses must provide the employment history of the past five years. The candidate should include dates of unemployment and school.
• If the candidate has worked as a traveling nurse, s/he must mention the agency from which s/he has received the traveling assignments.

Wyoming Nursing License Verification

The candidates can check the status of their license at any time by visiting the following link:
https://nursing-online.state.wy.us/verifications.aspx

The website is regularly updated. The candidate has to provide:

• type of license
• first and the last name
• license number

Wyoming Nurse Aide Registry maintains the records of all the nurses who are licensed in the state. The registry can also be used to verify the license.

Change of Name on the License

For getting your name changed, you will have to submit a notarized "Change of name Affidavit" with a money order for $20.00 to the Wyoming Board of Nursing. The processing of the application takes 5-7 business days.

Salary of Licensed Practical Nurses in Wyoming

As per the information provided by indeed.com, the average annual salary of licensed practical nurses in Wyoming was $42,000 (as of Nov 4, 2015). According to the survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary of the LPNs was $44,080 and mean hourly wage was $21.19 (as of May 2015).

Information Source: indeed.com

The information provided by the above table states that the Psychiatric Nurses earned the maximum salary (i.e., $47,000) whereas the Patient Care Technician Students received the least (i.e., $14,000).

Average Annual Salary of LPNs/LVNs in Different Cities

Information Source: Salary.com

According to the salary.com, LPNs earned the highest salary (i.e., $41,229) in Casper and Laramie, whereas their wages were the least in Gillette (i.e., $32,185).

Job Outlook for Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurses in Wyoming

The LPNs have a bright future ahead as indicated by the reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which states that 2.710 LPNs were employed per 1000 jobs (as of May 2015). Presently, there is a shortage of LPNs in the state, and to bridge this gap, employers are paying a decent salary to these professionals.