Nursing FAQs

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

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

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

2) Complete prerequisite coursework.

3) Complete the online nursing application. Application is due by March 31. Application is available from January-March.

4) Take the ATI TEAS exam prior to May 1. One test per academic year will be accepted, if taken more than once in an application period only the first received score will be accepted. Students may not submit an ATI TEAS score that is dated outside current academic year with the last day of submission being May 1.

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

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

The TEAS exam is a test made by ATI that is taken by nursing students as a pre-admission exam. This exam is used by nursing schools to help assess nursing students knowledge in math, science, English, and reading. A study guide is recommended in preparation 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.  TEAS exams are proctored online.

No, but a student must live within driving distance of the service area.  Western offers a partial 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 Success 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 BLS card.  For students admitted to the nursing program, your CPR card must be issued after May of the year you start the program.

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.  

There are no traditional lectures within the program. In addition to learning nursing theory, students learn to be productive in a group, develop teamwork and interpersonal communication skills, and to evaluate their own performance. All of these skills are essential in the workforce.

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 coursework at University of Wyoming simultaneously with their associate degree program.  Graduates of ReNEW Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs can become licensed RNs and complete the ReNEW BSN coursework.  ReNEW ADN graduates can begin ReNEW BSN coursework at any time during or after licensure.  All ReNEW BSN courses are offered online, so there is no need to leave your home community.

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

No.  You must successfully complete the NCLEX-RN licensure exam before you can work as a RN.

NCLEX Information

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

No.  You must also successfully pass the NCLEX-PN licensure exam before you can work as an LPN.

NCLEX Information

Yes. Must complete NURS 1100 & 1115, NURS 1200 & 1215, NURS 1900, NCLEX-PN, and Unit 1 of NURS 2300 & 2315. You must also 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 classroom portion of the course is available online.  There is also a lab component (3 days) and a clinical component (2 days).  The student must satisfactorily complete the online portion as well as lab and clinical to pass the course.  

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

No.  You must successfully pass the state certification exam before you can work as a CNA.

For more information: 

Wyoming State Board of Nursing - CNA