Nursing FAQs

General Biology (BIOL 1010), College Algebra (Math 1400) or higher, English Composition (ENGL 1010), and Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 2010)

A minimum 2.5 GPA from the prerequisite course work is required.

No, you do not need to take a nurse assistant course or be a certified CNA. It is highly encouraged to take a nurse assistant course to learn valuable skills needed to provide high quality patient care.  Taking a nurse assistant course also adds one point to your admission score.

1) Complete the Western's admissions process and receive acceptance to the College.

2) Complete prerequisite coursework.

3) Complete the online nursing application located on Nursing webpage. Application period is January through March 31 for fall admission.

4) Take the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam prior to May 1. The first test taking in the current academic year will be accepted.  ATI TEAS scores outside of the current academic year will not be accepted.

Admission into the nursing program is competitive and based on cumulative score of points from prerequisite coursework, ATI TEAS adjusted individual total score, and completed required general education courses. Applicants are rank-ordered according to total points.

Late applications will be accepted until the cohort is filled. Priority is given to qualified applicants meeting the March 31st application deadline. Qualified candidates will be rank-ordered on June 15th and at the end of summer term, pending available space. The process will stop when the cohort is filled.

Forty students are accepted into the program each year.  The number of students accepted each semester is dependent upon the number of faculty.

The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) measures academic preparedness of the student  entering nursing or allied health programs. This exam is used to help assess student knowledge in math, science, English, and reading. The use of a study guide is recommended to prepare for the TEAS exam. A study guide can be purchased online or at the college bookstore. Dates for the TEAS exam and testing locations can be found on the nursing website when the application period opens.  TEAS exams are proctored online.

What is the ATI TEAS?

No, but a student must live within driving distance of Western's service area.  Western offers a hybrid program with a synchronous online distance option for the classroom portion of the program. This allows the student to attend class synchronously from home.  All students will be required to travel to the main campus for labs and simulation. Students also travel to various clinical sites across the service area each semester.  Travel requirements vary each semester.  

Yes!  If you do not already have a nursing advisor, contact Mustang Central to request one.  A nursing advisor is the most up-to-date source of advising information for the nursing program.  You can identify who your advisor is by logging into your MyWestern account.  

Yes.  You will need to have proof of current vaccines, as well as a current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.  

Students admitted to the nursing program must have a AHA BLS CPR card that will not expire while enrolled in the Nursing program.  It is best to receive certification between May 15 and Aug 15 the year of admission. 

CPR is offered through workforce services, fire stations, and online. 

Once admitted into the nursing program, it takes two years (4 semesters) to complete. Prerequisites take approximately one year to complete prior to admission, though it is possible for some students to complete the program in 5 semesters, start to finish.  

The program uses active learning strategies to enhance learning in small groups. Traditional lectures are not part of the nursing program. 

ReNEW stands for Revolutionizing Nursing Education in Wyoming. ReNEW is Wyoming’s shared, state-wide nursing curriculum. Students who are enrolled in any Wyoming community college nursing program are eligible to enroll in ReNEW BSN completion courses at University of Wyoming.  This allows the ADN student to pursue BSN completion simultaneously. ReNEW ADN graduates can begin ReNEW BSN completion courses at any time during or after licensure.  All ReNEW BSN courses are offered online.

Yes.  Western's nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  Program accreditation signifies that a program meets high quality national education standards.  

After successfully completing the nursing program, you will be eligible to take the National Council Lisensure Examination (NCLEX). You must successfully complete the NCLEX-RN licensure exam before you can work as a RN in Wyoming or other states in the United States.

National Council State Boards of Nursing

Wyoming State Board of Nursing

No.  Due to the organization of course content, only Western nursing students who have successfully completed the first two semesters of the program may take the PN course.  The PN spin-off course is a one-week course that is offered in a synchronous online format. 

 

Yes. IV certification is available to Western Nursing program students who are licensed as an LPN.  Nursing students who are who are LPNs may obtain IV certification during the first unit of NURS 2300 (third semester). The student must complete the following requirements according to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing guidelines:

1. Must be enrolled in Western Wyoming Nursing program 
2. Must have a current LPN license in State of Wyoming
3.  Demonstrate competency in accordance with Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN) student must: 
   
   A. Pass an infusion fluid and drug calculations exam, with a minimum grade of 90%. 
   
   B. Competently perform each of the following skills in a supervised clinical or simulated environment, or within nursing curriculum:  
4. 1. Insertion of a peripheral vascular access device (VAD) (must complete minimum of 3 successful insertions).
   2. Fluid administration using a primary infusion set.
   3. Mix, label and administer a medication using a secondary infusion set.
   4. Obtaining a blood specimen from a central vascular access device (CVAD).
   5. Complete a CVAD/PICC dressing change.
   6. Safely push IV medications within the scope of practice for the LPN IV-C set forth by the WSBN advisory board.  WSBN LPN IV-C

No.  The theory portion of the course is taught onlinecl. There is also a lab component (19 hours) and a clinical component (16 hours).  The student must satisfactorily complete the theory, lab, and clinical components to pass the course.  

Yes.  However, you will need to make arrangements to attend lab and clinical.

After successful completion of the nurse assistant course, you must pass the state certification exam  you can work as a Certified Nurse Assistant.

For more information: 

Wyoming State Board of Nursing - CNA