Wyoming has fewer than 5,000 RNs. The US Health Resources and Services Administration predicts that the country will experience a 40 percent shortage of RNs by 2020. Wyoming is among the many states expected to experience that shortage. The projected six percent annual increase in the number of RNs falls short of the need. Not only is the population growing, it is also aging. RNs are aging as well, with an increasingly large number planning retirement over the next decade.
According to the Wyoming Primary Care Association, about 35 percent of patients visiting one of eight Wyoming Health Centers received their care from RNs, nurse practitioners or physician assistants. These providers delivered a wide range of preventive care and care for common medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Having a BSN degree is becoming increasingly important to deliver care to at risk populations. Wyoming RNs can attend RN to BSN classes within the state, or through online programs.
Schools to Consider
- CollegeAmerica (Cheyenne). This fully-online program may be completed in 20 months. Some of the upper division nursing classes include critical issues in nursing; evidence-based nursing; sociology of aging; and leadership, power, and politics in nursing.
- University of Wyoming (Laramie). An RN may complete the BSN program in one year of full-time study depending on course availability. The final practicum - community focused nursing - requires 120 contact hours of clinical time which may be arranged with a public health agency in the nurse's area. Other classes include cultural diversity and evidence-based nursing practice.
- University of Texas (Arlington, TX). This fully online program is presented in five-week classes with a one-week break. Application-based assignments and projects complete clinical requirements. Prerequisites may also be taken online concurrently with nursing courses. Students may log in any time to access their assignments. Out-of-state students are welcomed.
