Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Wyoming’s nursing education programs offer structured pathways for learners at every career stage, from foundational certification through advanced practice specialization. Whether you’re beginning as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from a Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or preparing for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s colleges, universities, and healthcare systems blend rigorous academic coursework with immersive clinical experiences. Through hands‑on practicum placements at accredited care facilities and flexible online modules tailored to diverse learning needs, Wyoming’s nursing programs equip graduates with the expertise, credentials, and competitive salary potential required to thrive across the state’s varied healthcare settings.
Laramie, WY - Public 4-Year - uwyo.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Wyoming's Basic BSN program is a four-year, on-campus offering that provides a comprehensive education for aspiring registered nurses. With state-of-the-art facilities and a small school atmosphere, students benefit from hands-on clinical experiences in Laramie and Cheyenne. Admission is open to both freshmen and non-freshmen, and the program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Financial aid and scholarships are available to support students. As a bachelor's level program, it may require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, though specific requirements should be verified with the institution.
Torrington, WY - Public 2-Year - ewc.wy.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Eastern Wyoming College's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is ACEN-accredited and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a Registered Nurse. This two-year, campus-based program includes rigorous coursework and practical experience, covering health promotion, chronic and acute illness care, and complex patient needs. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and prerequisites in biology, English, algebra, and human anatomy. Cohorts start every two years at the Douglas and Torrington campuses, with financial aid options available to support accessibility. No entrance exam is required for this bachelor's-level equivalent program.
Riverton, WY - Public 4-Year - cwc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central Wyoming College's Associate Degree in Nursing is a 65-credit, ACEN-accredited program that fast-tracks students to RN licensure. It integrates classroom instruction, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations from the first semester, preparing graduates for the NCLEX exam. Admission is competitive, requiring a 2.5 GPA and the TEAS entrance exam, along with prerequisites in biology and anatomy. Clinical mandates include immunizations and a background check. This program is ideal for those seeking quick entry into nursing or further BSN studies.
Rock Springs, WY - Public 4-Year - westernwyoming.edu
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Western Wyoming Community College's hybrid Nursing, ADN program prepares students for RN licensure with a blend of in-person and online learning. It emphasizes health promotion and care for various illnesses through a concept-based curriculum, requiring prerequisites in biology, anatomy, English, and algebra. Clinical experiences are hands-on across the service area, contributing to high NCLEX pass rates and strong graduate outcomes. Applications are accepted from January to March, with early applicants prioritized. No entrance exam is required for this associate-level program.
Sheridan, WY - Public 2-Year - sheridan.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Northern Wyoming Community College District offers an Associate Degree in Nursing, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN with hands-on simulation training and clinical experiences. This program does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, as it is an associate-level offering. With a median pay exceeding $65,000 and a 19% job growth rate, it provides a secure pathway into nursing. Scholarships are available for eligible students, emphasizing practical skills for success in the high-demand healthcare field.
Wyoming’s LPN programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and rural clinics. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Wyoming licensure, graduates bolster the practical nursing workforce, enhancing access to quality care across both urban centers like Cheyenne and the state’s most remote communities.
Wyoming’s CNA programs run six to twelve weeks, fusing interactive lessons on infection control and patient‑safety measures with supervised practicums in healthcare facilities. Students master daily‑living assistance, vital‑sign checks, and accurate care documentation under professional guidance. Upon certification, CNAs contribute to care teams in both clinical and community settings. Their efforts help extend compassionate support to patients across the state’s varied landscapes.
Wyoming’s RN to BSN programs are built for the state’s vast and varied terrain, offering primarily online coursework in areas like leadership development, rural health, informatics and nursing policy, alongside targeted clinical practicums at community and regional hospitals. With part-time and accelerated options, they let RNs keep working, even in shift-based roles, while progressing toward their bachelor’s degree. Completing a BSN deepens skills in evidence-based care coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration, fulfills employer and accreditation requirements, and readies nurses for specialty certifications, supervisory posts and public health initiatives. By earning a baccalaureate, Wyoming’s nursing workforce becomes better equipped to serve both remote ranch communities and more populated centers.
Wyoming’s Nurse Practitioner programs build on a BSN with two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend advanced coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at the University of Wyoming and other state institutions, they prepare nurses for APRN certification and Wyoming licensure. Graduates step into roles as primary care providers, chronic disease coordinators, and telehealth clinicians in Cheyenne and Casper medical centers as well as remote mountain-community clinics. By expanding advanced-practice capacity into underserved frontier regions, these programs fortify Wyoming’s healthcare network.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Most common entry, ADN programs serve rural areas, many advance via RN-to-BSN |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Wyoming |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 state, BSN-prepared nurses preferred statewide |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs practice independently statewide |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs have full practice authority statewide |
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website