MSN Programs Wyoming

The demand for nurses in Wyoming, and around the country, far outweighs the supply. The gap between demand and supply is expected to widen due to the shortage of nurse educators and resources at nursing schools. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massive job growth for nurses, including advanced practice registered nurses, who can help fill the need for primary care in rural Wyoming. Although the Wyoming State Board of Nursing recognizes four categories of APRNs, there is no master of nursing programs available for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetists within the state. This lack of master’s programs poses a challenge to meeting the primary care needs of the population. It forces those interested in advanced practice to enroll in programs offered in other states, pursue the study through distance education, or enroll in the DNP program at the University of Wyoming. The University of Wyoming offers a Master of Science (MS) program designed to prepare nurses for a nurse leader or nurse educator role in an academic or health-related setting. The MS prepares students to fill the demand for nurse educators who will be available to prepare more students to fill the demand for registered nurses.

Specialized Learning

Registered nurses will benefit personally and professionally with any decision to pursue continued education from the bachelor’s degree and beyond. Constant changes in technology, implementation of best practices, and innovation in health all demand a workforce capable of meeting the opportunities and effectively managing challenges that arise beyond the traditional hospital setting. Those who continue their education past the associate degree will be empowered to improve the delivery of care within the health care system and embrace opportunities that require advanced practice preparation.

While the MSN program prepares students for the delivery of specialized care to a specific population and focus, the MS offered at the University of Wyoming also prepares students to meet a critical need – that of educating the future generation of nurses. With access to a wider pool of educators, nursing schools can expand enrollment and produce more graduates to fill the demand for registered nurses.

Outside of Wyoming, there are numerous master’s programs that prepare students for an advanced practice role and population focus. Your career goals and calling will determine your track and your choice of university. General courses such as health assessment, community health, pharmacology, pathophysiology, population health, health policy, and leadership will proceed more specialized courses that will prepare students for the practice role and population focus.

At the conclusion of the program, graduates will be prepared to succeed on a national certifying exam and engage in the evidence-based practice to improve health outcomes and use their leadership skills to promote excellence in the delivery of care to populations in rural areas.

To obtain an MSN degree, you’ll have to choose from one of the following options:

RN to MSN: RN to MSN programs are designed for the registered nurse who wants to earn a master’s degree in the quickest way possible. This track to the MSN is both economical and efficient as students will complete the program in less time than it takes to complete the BSN and the MSN separately. Students will commence some graduate study while completing the requirements for the BSN. At the conclusion of the track, graduates will be eligible to sit a national certification exam related to their area of study.

Direct Entry MSN: Universities across the nation offer the MSN program online to give registered nurses the opportunity to prepare for advanced practice at their convenience. With part-time study, students can complete the requirements for the master’s degree in just two years. In addition to classroom lectures, the curriculum requires specialty training in a licensed facility and under the direction of an experienced preceptor. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing – some programs will admit candidates with a master’s or baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing discipline but will require completion of prerequisite courses and any additional enrollment requirements.

Post-Master’s Certificate: Post-master’s entry requires a master’s degree in nursing. This track prepares nurses for practice in an area that is related to or different from their current specialty. Like the direct-entry program, clinical experiences may be required. At the conclusion of this track, the graduate may be eligible to sit a national certification exam for licensure in a specialty area and population focus. A registered nursing and APRN licenses are common requirements for admission.

Admission to the RN to MSN requires an associate degree in nursing. Direct entry MSN programs require a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The availability of online programs reduces the competitiveness of the admission process – in part – and removes the barriers to continued education. Students must demonstrate their commitment and competence to succeed in the program. Check the university for specific details related to enrollment and submit your application and accompanying documents before the deadline.

Summary of Enrollment Criteria

• Obtain admission for graduate study at the university
• Apply to the school’s Department of Nursing
• Submit proof of completing an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree in nursing – official transcripts must be submitted directly to the university
• Prepare and submit a statement of your goals, including your experience in nursing, reason for choosing the field of study, and commitment to healthcare
• Have an overall GPA or 3.0 or higher
• Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Provide written and signed references from professional and academic sources

Additional enrollment requirements may be necessary based on your field of study, previous study and experience. Candidates applying for admission based on completing a baccalaureate or master’s degree in a non-nursing field may need to complete additional requirements.

How Much Do MSN Programs Cost?

The demand for highly educated nurses assures that graduates of the master’s program will receive competitive offers that will make the time and money invested worthwhile. An advanced practice registered nurse may earn up to 55 percent more than a registered nurse in some states, indication that higher education pays. Preparation and planning will cut cost, as nothing will. Take time to research to find a credible and affordable program and available scholarships and grants that you can apply toward your tuition costs and expenses. The AACN maintains a current list of scholarships and sources of funding for graduate study.

Requirements For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Wyoming

APRN recognition in Wyoming requires a master’s degree in nursing with a clinical specialty or an advanced practice nurse specialty. The candidate must also have completed an accredited nursing program covering advanced study in an area of specialty and passed a national certification exam in the same area. All candidates must submit to a criminal background check and provide proof of lawful presence.

Those who receive recognition from the WSBN will have the right to use the title “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” and the abbreviation “A.P.R.N.”

Guidelines for APRN Licensure by Examination

Submit the following to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing:

• A completed application. Input your information into the fillable PDF or print the document and complete in ink. Fill out all the fields or indicate N/A if the question is not applicable to you. Applications with blank forms will not be processed.
• A copy of your social security card and another document verifying lawful presence. The name on your driver’s license must match your name on your social security card.
• A valid email address to receive prompt notifications from the Board.
• Enclose the payment of $120. The WSBN accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money order, or cashier’s check.
• Completed fingerprint cards. Get the cards from a local law enforcement office and get fingerprinted in two blue FBI cards. Turn in the cards with your completed application and fees.
• Documentation of RN licensure.
• Official transcript from the graduate program where you completed the advanced practice nursing education program. The transcript should indicate the graduation date, degree or certificate conferred, and the seal of the graduating institution.
• Documentation that you successfully passed a national certification exam must be sent from the certifying board directly to the WSBN.

Guidelines for APRN Licensure by Endorsement

Submit the following to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing:

• A completed application. Input your information into the fillable PDF or print the document and complete in ink. Fill out all the fields or indicate N/A if the question is not applicable to you. Applications with blank forms will not be processed.
• A copy of your social security card and another document verifying lawful presence. The name on your driver’s license must match your name on your social security card.
• A valid email address to receive prompt notifications from the Board.
• Enclose the payment of $120. The WSBN accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, money order, or cashier’s check. Additional certification costs $70 each.
• Completed fingerprint cards. Get the cards from a local law enforcement office and get fingerprinted in two blue FBI cards. Turn in the cards with your completed application and fees. The background check fee is $60.
• Documentation of current/active RN licensure in another jurisdiction.
• Official transcript from the graduate program where you completed the advanced practice nursing education program. The transcript should indicate the graduation date, degree or certificate conferred, and the seal of the graduating institution.
• Documentation that you successfully passed a national certification exam must be sent from the certifying board directly to the WSBN.
• Meet the competency requirements for practice.

Candidates applying for licensure for endorsement must meet one of the continued competency requirements:

• Current national certification as an APRN in a recognized role and population focus area.
• Completed 60 or more contact hours of continuing education.
• Completed 400 or more hours of practice as an APRN during the last two years.

Temporary Permit

Temporary permits are time-limited (90 days) and cannot be renewed. Complete the following actions if you need a temporary permit to begin practice while your application is in process:

• Check the box requesting a “Temporary Permit” on the application for APRN licensure. Indicate the date when you want to permit to begin.
• Disclose your discipline history. If your answer “yes” to the disciplinary history questions, your application will be reviewed by a Review Committee and the temporary permit may not be issued.
• Provide a letter from the licensed physician or APRN who will supervise your practice as a Graduate APRN. The letter must show a relation between the APRN role and the supervisor’s role or specialty.

You must submit a completed application with accompanying documents, including proof of lawful presence, fee, and verification of licensure from the state of original licensure, before a temporary permit issued. Prescriptive Authority is not available for temporary permit holders.

Prescriptive Authority

To obtain prescriptive authority in Wyoming, you must complete 30 contact hours of education in pharmacology and clinical management or drug therapy or pharmacotherapeutics within the 5-year period before applying for prescriptive authority. Prescriptive authority is optional. If you do apply to receive PA, your name will be added to the Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy database. You may apply for prescriptive authority with your application for APRN recognition or separately using the Application for RX Authority.

APRN Renewal Requirements Wyoming

APRNs licensure expires at the same time as the Registered Nurse licensure on December 31st of every even-numbered year (biannually). The renewal period begins October 1st and runs through December 31st. You may submit your renewal request online anytime during this renewal window.

Renewal requires:

• Documentation of current national certification
• The renewal fee of $70. Prescriptive authority costs $70 for renewal. RN renewal costs $110. There is an additional charge of $5 for processing credit card payments.

If you received your recognition as an APRN before July 1, 2005, and maintained continued recognition, but are not nationally certified, you must meet the following competency requirements:

• Complete 60 hours or more of continuing education in the last two years related to your specialty, and
• Complete 400 hours of employment as an APRN in your area of specialty – must be completed in the last two years.

Renewing prescriptive authority requires completion of 15 hours or more of continuing education in pharmacology and clinical management of drug therapy in the last two years.

There may be continuing education requirements for maintaining your national certification.

If your license expires, you must submit an application for RN and APRN licensure, fingerprint cards for a background check, a relicensure fee of $135 and other required documents.

Contact the Board of Nursing

Wyoming State Board of Nursing

130 Hobbs Avenue, Suite B,
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7601
Fax: (307) 777-3519

MSN Programs Wyoming

Laramie, WY MSN programs:
University of Wyoming
1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071
307-766-1121