Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

If you’re new to the healthcare field and looking for a rewarding career in Wyoming, an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) certification is a great place to start.

LPN training programs are shorter than RN (Registered Nurse) programs, and they teach you practical skills that you’ll use in real-world situations on the job.

• LPNs in Wyoming make an average of $29.22 per hour.
• On top of the base pay, LPNs in Wyoming make an average of $7,750 per year in overtime pay.
• The national average mean wage for LPNs in Wyoming is $48,980, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The national job outlook for LPNs is projected to grow 9% by 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
• The annual mean wage in Wyoming is $48,980 according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is a bit higher than the national average of $48,820.

Wyoming has a number of LPN programs to choose from across the state. Cities such as Cheyenne, Casper, and Gillette boast successful programs for aspiring LPNs.

Overview of LPN Schools in Wyoming

Wyoming has a variety of private institutions as well as community colleges to choose from, giving future LPNs plenty of options to fit individual budgets and circumstances. Most LPN programs in Wyoming can be completed within one to two years. The length of time you are in school will depend heavily on whether you choose to attend full-time or part-time.

Coursework will vary by school and program. The state of Wyoming offers both theoretical and practical curricula. Common subjects covered in these programs include the following:

• Practical Patient Care for Chronic Illness
• Nursing Theory
• Maternal Child Nursing
• Pharmacology for Nursing
• General Psychology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• General Nutrition 

LPN Accreditation

It is essential to attend an LPN program that is approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing. To ensure your chosen school meets the requirements, look for evidence of accreditation from a third-party source responsible for accrediting qualified institutions. An example of an appropriate national accreditation program is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

LPN Admissions Requirements

Admission requirements will vary by location. For this reason, it’s best to speak with someone from the program in which you are looking to enroll to become familiar with all of their specific criteria for admissions. The following is a shortlist of criteria common to many Wyoming LPN programs: 

• High school diploma or GED
• Proficiency on the ACT or TEAS exams
• Prerequisite college courses
• 2.5+ cumulative GPA
• Pass a background check
• Pass a drug test
• Proof of required immunizations

LPN Tuition & Costs

Tuition and other costs for school vary from one program to another, so it’s a smart idea to inquire about specific rates, fees, and expenses at each school you are looking into. This way, you can compare the costs from different institutions and factor that into your decision. In addition to tuition, prospective students should be prepared to pay for school supplies, housing, and textbooks. Some LPN programs offer financial aid, scholarships, and grants to help offset these costs.

LPN Licensing Requirements in Wyoming

To obtain a license as an LPN in Wyoming, applicants must complete a state-approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam. Additionally, the candidate must submit an application to the state along with an official transcript (post-graduation), proper identification (social security card or driver’s license), proof of NCLEX-PN registration, background check, and fingerprint cards.

Once you’ve received your license, make sure to keep it active. LPN licenses in Wyoming must be renewed every two years.

 Checklist to become a Wyoming LPN: 

1. Complete a Wyoming State Board of Nursing approved pre-licensure nursing education program.
2. Submit application and fees to the state.
3. Submit fingerprint cards to the state.
4. Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

 NCLEX-PN Exam

Candidates for LPN licensure in the state of Wyoming must take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. This exam evaluates knowledge and skills that have been covered in Wyoming’s accredited LPN programs. Once you have graduated from such a program, you will be eligible to take the exam.

Eligible candidates receive an invitation to schedule an exam at a test site in Wyoming. Upon successfully passing this test, the license will be issued electronically. You can apply to retake the exam if you do not pass it the first time. Candidates in Wyoming must pass the exam within five years of graduating from an accredited LPN program.

LPN Reciprocity

The state of Wyoming is part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), allowing LPNs to practice in any other participating state without applying for a new license. All eNLC states require the same criteria for licensure.

LPNs transferring from a non-eNLC state can apply for a license in Wyoming through endorsement. Applications must be submitted to the state with the following:

• Proof of current licensure
• Social Security card and driver’s license
• Background check and fingerprint card
• Meet at least one of the following requirements:
• 500+ hours worked as an LPN in the past two years
• 20 hours of continued education in the past two years
• Refresher course in the last five years
• Certification in a specialty area within the past five years
• Passed the NCLEX-PN exam within the last five years

Applicants from outside of the United States are required to submit the following for Wyoming licensure consideration:

• Official transcript
• Pass the NCLEX exam
• Proof of English proficiency
• Verified current LPN license

LPN Salaries in Wyoming 

 The average base salary for LPNs in Wyoming is $29.22 per hour, with approximately $7,750 additional income in overtime pay per year. This amount is 7% higher than the national average base pay for LPNs. Some common benefits that come with Wyoming LPN positions include a referral program, tuition reimbursement, license fee reimbursement, 401(k), and paid time off. Benefits vary by position and location, so make sure to speak with your prospective employer for specific details.

The national average annual wage for LPNs is $48,820. Average salaries (annual mean wages) for Wyoming LPNs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics are as follows:

• Casper ($48,420 per year)
• Cheyenne ($48,650)
• Eastern Wyoming-Non-metropolitan areas ($47,640)
• Western Wyoming-Non-metropolitan areas ($49,500)

Source: https://www.bls.gov/

LPN salaries not only vary by location but also by field and experience level. LPNs with more experience under their belts can earn more than new LPNs. Additionally, LPNs certified in a specialized niche such as IV infusion or geriatrics may have more opportunities to earn higher wages than LPNs in more generalized fields.

Job Outlook for LPNs in Wyoming  

A 9% growth rate in the employment of LPNs throughout the nation is projected between the beginning of this decade in 2019 through 2029. This is a much faster growth rate than for other occupations.

Drivers for growth in this profession include an aging baby-boomer population that depends on healthcare services in residential settings as well as an increase in cases of obesity and diabetes that require in-home and outpatient services.

LPNs are most concentrated in the Southeastern and Central regions of the state. There is a higher demand (meaning more job opportunities!) for nurses willing to work in rural areas as well as for those with specialized certifications.

Top LPN Schools in Wyoming 

Laramie County Community College
1400 East College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82007
800-522-2993

The Laramie County Community College has two campus locations to choose from as well as two outreach center locations. This school, established in 1968, has earned accreditation status from the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional organizations that accredit post-secondary schools in the U.S.

Casper College
125 College Drive
Casper, Wyoming 82601
800-442-2963

Established in 1945, Casper College is one of the longest-running and most well-known nursing schools in the state. Programs at Casper College are tailored to local preferences and opportunities. This school offers a certificate program for aspiring nurses and makes it easy to collaborate with other schools for students pursuing higher degrees beyond the certificate program.

Western Wyoming Community College
2500 College Drive
Rock Springs, WY 82901
800-226-1181

Western Wyoming Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This school offers a two-year certificate program as well as a range of other academic and vocational studies to choose from.

Northwest College
231 West 6th Street
Powell, Wyoming 82435
1-800-560-4692

Founded in 1946, Northwest College is a well-established school providing students with user-friendly learning spaces and tools to foster success. This school offers a certificate program to prepare nursing students to take the Certified Nursing Assistant exam.

Northern Wyoming Community College District
3059 Coffeen Avenue
Sheridan, WY 82801
800-913-9139

The Northern Wyoming Community College District is a multi-campus institution that encompasses Sheridan College, Gillette Center, and Buffalo Outreach Center. This school offers both certificates and associate-level degrees.

Additional Resources

Wyoming State Board of Nursing
130 Hobbs Avenue, Suite B
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7601

The official Wyoming State Board of Nursing is the primary source of information for prospective and current nurses to apply for and maintain licensure in the state.

Wyoming Nurses Association
301 Thelma Dr #200
Casper, WY 82609
307-462-2600

The Wyoming Nurses Association is the official organization for registered nurses in the state. The purpose of the association is to promote nursing as a profession, give nurses a voice, and advocate for the importance of healthcare and healthy living throughout the state.