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Let us help you land on your dream job here in Wyoming! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in Wyoming, and more!
Through this article, you will be able to know the following:
Fees for the licensing
Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)
Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing
Licensing and certification
Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Wyoming
Popular hospitals in Wyoming
Nursing associations in Wyoming
Contact details
Fees for the Licensing
The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. You can also visit the Wyoming licensing page to know more details.
As a nursing compact state, Wyoming lets nurses hold multi-state licenses.
*Fees may change without any notice.
Licensing Renewal Process
Check when your license expires by visiting the Wyoming Board of Nursing website. Wyoming has a Verification page for you to verify your license.
Before your license expires, make sure that you have completed the requirements for continuing education.
Apply for your renewal process by going to the Wyoming Board of Nursing. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information. Be reminded that if your Primary State of Residency is not Wyoming, you can not apply for a licensure in Wyoming because it is a compact state. You must declare that Wyoming is your Primary State of Residency to be able to do so.
Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing
The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in Wyoming.
For RN/LPN, you must obtain the following every two years:
Continuing education - 30 hours; or
Active nurse practice - 200 hours & continuing education - 15 hours; or
Active nursing practice - 400 hours
Successfully passing the NCLEX
For APRN, you must have current national certification as an APRN and population focus area; or
If before January 02, 1999, you are already recognized as an APRN in the state, and has maintained continuous licensure, but not nationally certified, you shall submit the following:
Continuing education - 60 hours; and
Active nursing practice as an APRN - 400 hours obtained in the last 2 years
An APRN with prescriptive authority shall also submit evidence of 3 hours of continuing education related to responsible prescribing of controlled substances every 2 years; and
Prescriptive authority requires an additional 15 hours of pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy every 2 years
Following July 01, 2019, 3 hours of continuing education related to prescribing controlled substances or the treatment of substance abuse disorders are required to all license holders with prospective authority every 2 years.
The Wyoming State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
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Licensing and Certification
Step 1: Education
To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. Roughly you will spend 4-5 years to earn this degree. For those who already have ADN, there are certain programs that lead you to BSN and it will only take you 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. The said programs will let you save a bunch of money and time and you can easily take chances to be on your dream job.
Step 2: Licensing
Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.
The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.
Step 3: Experience
This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.
Step 4: Certification
Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.
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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Wyoming
Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. Currently, the average annual salary is $73,130.
Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if Wyoming is the right place for you.
Popular Hospitals in Wyoming
Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in Wyoming or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in Wyoming.
Cheyenne Regional Medical Center – (Cheyenne, WY):
Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 9 procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®
Some specialties of the hospital include Heart failure, Kidney failure, and Stroke
Cody Regional Health Medical Center – (Cody, WY):
Rated high performing in 1 adult procedure and condition
General medical and surgical facility
Specialties include Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip fracture, and Hip & knee replacement
Star Valley Medical Center – (Afton, WY):
Rated high performing in 2 adult procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Some specialties of the hospital include Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), and Hip fracture
St. John’s Medical Center and Living Center – (Jackson, WY):
Rated high performing in 4 adult procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Some specialties of the hospital include Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy), Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion), Hip Fracture, and Pneumonia
Wyoming Medical Center – (Casper, WY):
Rated high performing in 2 adult procedures and conditions
General medical and surgical facility
Specialties include Ha\eart Failure and Stroke.
*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.
Nursing Associations in Wyoming
Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Center for Nursing “The priority of this institution is to produce a culture of health which emphasizes the growth of a diverse healthcare through transformation of nursing education,”
Wyoming Nurses Association “This organization envisions to advocate for advanced practice in nursing by distributing resources and give emphasis on the healthcare in the state,”
Wyoming School Nurses Association “This group aims to maximize the health and academic success of the learners by providing support to school nurses in the state.”
For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.
Contact Details
Wyoming State Board of Nursing
Phone: (307) 777-7601
Website: https://wsbn.wyo.gov/home
130 Hobbs Ave
Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002