A Guide to Nursing in Wyoming

Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Wyoming

This state boasts some of the most beautiful natural parks in the United States. Visit Yellowstone and Old Faithful. Hike the Grand Tetons. If you want a taste of the Wild West, get some grub at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson, or visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. You will probably see some majestic elk. Do not feed, or touch, or basically anything else. Remember, they have antlers.

If you are a registered nurse (or are thinking of becoming one) read on to find the information you need, from licensing info, continuing education requirements, job & salary outlook, top hospitals, and nursing associations. Let us help you find your dream job!

---

In this article, we will cover:

• Licensing information
• Steps for renewing a Wyoming nursing license
• Continuing education requirements
• Job & salary outlook for nurses in Wyoming
• Top hospitals in Wyoming
• Nursing organizations & associations in Wyoming
• Basic steps for licensing and certification
• Contact information

---

Licensing information

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Wyoming whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Wyoming from another state. For more information visit the Wyoming licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX exam fee: $200
• Application fee: $190 without a temporary permit (RN/LPN); $250 (APRN, RN license not included, $70 per certification, $70 Rx authority)
• Temporary permit: $25
• Criminal background check fee: $60

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $195 (RN); $180 (LPN); $385 (APRN; RN license not included)
• Multi-state license application fee: $25
• Temporary permit: $25
• Criminal background check fee: $60

License renewal fees:

• Application fees: $110 (RN); $90 (LPN); $180 (APRN, RN license not included, $70 per certification, $70 Rx authority)

Additionally, Wyoming is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

*Fees are subject to change.

BACK TO TOP

---

Steps for renewing a Wyoming nursing license

---

---

---

Continuing education requirements

RN/LPN: Complete every 2 years:

• 30 hours of continuing education; or
• 200 hours of active nursing practice and 15 hours of continuing education; or
• 400 hours of active nursing practice; or
• Successfully pass the NCLEX

APRN:

Current national certification as an APRN in the recognized role and population focus area; or

If recognized as an APRN in the State prior to January 1, 1999,
and has maintained continuous licensure, but is not nationally certified, the APRN shall submit
evidence of:

• 60 hours of continuing education; and
• 400 hours of active nursing practice as an APRN 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

Effective July 1, 2019, all licensees with prescriptive authority are required 3 hours of continuing education related to the prescribing of controlled substances or the treatment of substance abuse disorders every two years.

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Wyoming State Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

---

---

BACK TO TOP

---

Job & salary outlook for nurses in Wyoming

Due to the shortage of nurses, these healthcare professionals are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the profession will grow by about 6% between 2021 and 2031. The annual average wage for RNs is $82,750.

We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if Wyoming is the right state for you.

[ MORE: Average nurse salary in Wyoming ]

BACK TO TOP

---

Top hospitals in Wyoming

If you’re not already picking up the phone to call movers, maybe this list of the best hospitals in Wyoming will sway you in the right direction. Here are the top hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report:

• Cheyenne Regional Medical Center – Cheyenne, W: This hospital is a member of the Magnet Recognition Program^® and is rated high performing in 3 adult procedures and conditions. Some specialties include:
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney failure
  • Stroke

• Cody Regional Health Medical Center – Cody, WY: This hospital is rated high performing in 1 adult procedure or condition. Some specialties include:
  • Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion)
  • Hip fracture
  • Hip & knee replacement

BACK TO TOP

---

Nursing organizations & associations in Wyoming

Once you become a registered nurse (or even if you’re in the process), joining a nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and a wealth of information shared between fellow nurses. Here are a few of the organizations and associations for nurses in Wyoming:

Wyoming Nurses Association – “Our Vision is to collaboratively lead to advance nursing practice through the distribution of resources, influence, and advocacy for the promotion of healthcare in Wyoming.”

The Wyoming Center for Nursing – “The Wyoming Center for Nursing is committed to creating a culture of health that promotes the development of a diverse health care workforce by transforming nursing education, advancing the health of individuals, and improving communities through fostering collaborative partnerships.”

Wyoming School Nurses Association – “Our purpose is to optimize student health and academic success by supporting school nurses across Wyoming.”

Check out the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.

BACK TO TOP

---

Basic steps for licensing and certification

Step 1: Education

Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years to earn a BSN. If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year. These programs will save you time and money. The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream job. 

Step 2: Licensing

When you are six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before you can try again.

The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics to test nursing candidates’ knowledge:

1. Safe and effective care environment
2. Health promotion and maintenance
3. Psychosocial integrity
4. Physiological integrity

Step 3: Experience

This step in the process is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients making you attractive to future employers.

Step 4: Certification

The final step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary so it is important to check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses in order to obtain or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.

---

---

BACK TO TOP

---

Contact information

Wyoming State Board of Nursing
Phone: (307) 777-7601

Website: https://wsbn.wyo.gov/home 

130 Hobbs Ave
Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002

---

---

BACK TO TOP