NURSING

Admissions occur once per year and classes begin in the fall semester. It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that the required documentation has been received in the nursing office by the stated deadline.

Admission Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicants to the nursing program must complete the Application for Admission to Central Wyoming College. Admission to the college does not automatically infer admission to the nursing program.
2. The Nursing Program Admission Application must be submitted on or before March 1. Online applications are accepted November 1 through March 1 for fall entry.
3. Applicants to the nursing program must take the TEAS – Test of Essential Academic Skills prior to the March 1 nursing application deadline. A minimum total score of 58.7 percent is required.
4. A minimum 2.5 college cumulative grade point average is required. For program admission consideration, GPA is calculated using only the courses required for the nursing degree at CWC.
5. Courses required for the nursing degree must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
6. Applicants to the nursing program must have a high school diploma or the equivalent upon entry into the program.

International Students

Prior to applying to the nursing program, international students must contact the college International Student Services Office to review additional admission requirements and to determine their readiness to enter the nursing program. More information can be found at http://i0xq.record-room.com/international/.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisites must be met prior to the program start date. Students enrolled in prerequisite courses in the spring semester during the selection process may be offered conditional admission, but must demonstrate successful completion prior to May 31 in the current admission cycle.

Prerequisite courses may be from CWC or other regionally accredited institutions of higher education and include

• General Biology with lab (4 credits)
• English Composition I (3 credits)
• Problem Solving (3 credits)
• Human Anatomy with lab (4 credits)

Transcripts

Students who wish to transfer college credit must arrange for official transcripts to be sent by the issuing institution directly to records@record-room.com or faxed to 1-307-855-2092. This does not include transcripts for coursework completed at CWC.

Official transcripts may also be directly mailed in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution to

Central Wyoming College
Records Office
2660 Peck Avenue
Riverton, WY 82501

Transcripts must be received no later than March 1. For courses in progress in the spring semester during the selection process, official transcripts showing course completion must be received by May 31. The college registrar and nursing director will review the transcripts to determine transfer credit eligibility. Evaluations may take several weeks to complete and results are sent to the student’s CWC email address.

Clinical Record Requirements

Students admitted to the program must provide official documentation of each of the items listed below. All requirements must remain current throughout enrollment in the program. Detailed information is provided upon admission notification.

• Background check
• Drug test
• HeartCode® Basic Life Support Certification by American Heart Association
• Immunizations: TB test, MMR, Tdap, hepatitis B, varicella, and seasonal influenza

Vaccination Declination

The Central Wyoming College Nursing Program follows the requirements established by our clinical partners, as well as Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and recommendations for immunizations for healthcare providers. The college has no authority to override clinical agency rules and regulations, and is not obligated to provide substitute or alternate clinical placement based on a student’s request or vaccine preference. Students who decline vaccinations must provide titer lab results and sign the vaccination declination form available in the nursing office at the college.

Core Performance Standards for Admission and Progression

Core Performance Standards are the required skills and abilities that are essential for safe and effective nursing care. Students admitted to the nursing program must meet the performance standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of the standards for progression in the program. The nursing program does not base admission or continued enrollment on the Core Performance Standards. Rather, the standards are used to assist in the determination of need for related and reasonable accommodations.

Accommodations

Revealing a disability is voluntary and student disability information is handled in a professional and confidential manner. Requests for special accommodations for classes must be submitted in writing along with supporting documents to the CWC Disabilities Coordinator who, in turn, must verify the documentation and approve the request before accommodations can be made based on demonstrated need.

Reasonable accommodations cannot be implemented retroactively, so being timely in requesting accommodations is essential. It is incumbent on the student to renew or request changes to accommodations prior to the beginning of each semester. Students are responsible for advising the nursing program director of conditions or limitations that may interfere with their academic or clinical progress. The nursing program is not obligated to make modifications that substantially alter the requirements of the program.

Nursing Applications for Fall 2026 Admission are Accepted November 1 through March 1

Applications must be received by 11:59PM (MST) on the application deadline.

Before you begin the nursing application, be sure you have reviewed the “Prerequisites and Admission Eligibility” accordion above. Nursing program admission decisions are based on the fulfillment of these requirements.

Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application form and pay close attention to the accuracy in your online responses. Once your application is submitted, it will be held for review by the nursing selection committee. Applicants are notified of committee decisions in early April for the fall start.

Applications are Closed

Each year, 32 students are selected to enter the program on the main campus in Riverton and 8 students are selected for the outreach campus in Jackson. Admission to the program is competitive and enrollment is controlled. Complete applications are reviewed and ranked using a two-tier system.

Tier I: Application Evaluation and Scoring

In Tier I, points are awarded in the following areas:

1. Grade point average. A minimum 2.5 college cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. GPA is calculated using only courses required for the Associate Degree in Nursing at CWC. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. For applicants repeating a course in the spring semester during the selection process, the previously earned grade is used in admission point calculations. GPA is calculated to the hundredth place and is not rounded.
   
2. TEAS – Test of Essential Academic Skills. The TEAS must be taken by March 1 and a minimum total score of 58.7 percent is required.
3. Work experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, or Certified Emergency Medical Technician. Five bonus points are added to the admission points total for applicants who meet the following criteria:
   
   • Current certification as a nursing assistant, medical assistant, or emergency medical technician.
   • Continuous employment as a CNA, CMA, or EMT for the past one year providing direct patient care for a minimum of 24 hours per week. Other types of healthcare experience do not qualify for bonus points.

To receive bonus points, you must contact the nursing director at the college and provide a valid license number. Additionally, a letter verifying current employment must be written on company letterhead and sent directly from a human resource official at the employing agency to the CWC Nursing Director at 2660 Peck Avenue, Riverton, WY 82501 by the March 1 program application deadline. Documentation must include job title, hours worked per week, date of hire, and verification of current employment. The employer’s contact information must also be included for validation purposes.

Total points are calculated using a weighted formula:

1. GPA is converted to a percentage and is weighted 40 percent
2. TEAS score is weighted 60 percent
3. Both numbers are added to determine total points
4. A tie in total points will be broken using the GPA first, then the TEAS score second

Tier II: Post-Selection Requirements

Applicants who accept an offer of admission to the program will advance to Tier II and must meet the following requirements before admission can be finalized:

• • • Criminal background check at http://www.viewpointscreening.com/cwc
    • Required immunization records on file in the nursing office at the college
    • Official transcripts received in the records office at CWC documenting completion of outstanding prerequisite courses in progress in the spring semester

Full admission is contingent upon completion of Tier II requirements. Students will receive instructions from the nursing office for fulfilling these requirements. Failure to meet the requirements by May 31 will result in a rescinded admission offer.

Decision Notification

Applicants are notified of admission status in writing in early April and will receive one of the following: (1) a letter of acceptance, (2) an offer for placement on the alternate list, or (3) a letter of non-acceptance. An alternate list is maintained for each cohort in the event an applicant declines acceptance. Students who are ranked on the alternate list will be notified in the event an opening occurs. 

An applicant who is notified of admission to the program must return the Acceptance Reply Form in order to reserve a position in the class. Admission may not be deferred or rolled over to a later term. If an accepted applicant opts to withdraw their application, notification of withdrawal must be received by the nursing office in a timely manner. Failure to notify the nursing office of intent to withdraw the application may affect future consideration for admission.

Reapplication

Students not accepted to the program who are interested in reapplying must complete the Nursing Program Admission Application prior to the March 1 deadline in the next admission cycle, and submit official college transcripts reflecting coursework completed since the last application.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Recommended Course Sequence

Prerequisite Requirements

• BIOL 1010 – General Biology (4 cr)
• ENGL 1010 – English Composition I (3 cr)
• ZOO 2015 – Human Anatomy (4 cr)
• UNST 1005 – Student Success (1 cr) (waived if coming in with 12 or more college credits)

Choose one of the following:

• MATH 1000 – Problem Solving (3 cr)
• MATH 1400 – College Algebra (4 cr)

Prerequisite Total: 15 credits

Semester One – Fall

• NURS 1100 – Professional Nursing Care in Health Promotion (8 cr)
• NURS 1110 – Pharmacology in Health Promotion (1 cr)
• ZOO 2025 – Human Physiology (4 cr)

Semester Total: 13 credits

Semester Two – Spring

• NURS 1200 – Professional Nursing Care of the Patient with Chronic Illness (8 cr)
• NURS 1210 – Pharmacology in Chronic Illness (1 cr)
• PSYC 1000 – General Psychology (4 cr)

Semester Total: 13 credits

Semester Three – Fall

• NURS 2300 – Professional Nursing Care of the Patient with Acute Illness (8 cr)
• NURS 2310 – Pharmacology in Acute Illness (1 cr)

Choose one of the following:

• BADM – 1020 Business Communications (3 cr)
• ENGL – 1020 English Composition II (3 cr)

Semester Total: 12 credits

Semester Four – Spring

• NURS 2400 – Professional Nursing Care of the Patient with Complex Illness (8 cr)
• NURS 2410 – Pharmacology in Complex Illness (1 cr)
• POLS 1000 – American & Wyoming Government (3 cr)

Semester Total: 12 credits

Program Credit Hour Total: 65

Remarks

A minimum of 65 credits are required for the ADN unless substitutions with fewer credits are approved.
All courses required for the degree must be completed with a grade of C or better.
Prerequisites courses must be completed prior to entering the nursing program.
The sequence for prerequisite, general education, and associated degree requirements may vary.
Students must be admitted to the nursing program to enroll in courses with the NURS designator.
Courses with the NURS designator must be taken in the required sequence.
The Associate Degree in Nursing provides a streamlined pathway to an optional Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.
The student should work closely with their faculty advisor in planning their schedule.

Classroom

The on-campus nursing classroom is a state-of-the-art teaching space that is equipped for distance delivery by means of video conferencing technology allowing real-time interaction with nursing students and faculty at an outreach site in Jackson, Wyoming. All nursing courses have an online classroom to handle announcements, topic outlines, discussion boards, and other communication from the faculty. Student response systems allow for enhanced participation during class and provide instructors with instant feedback related to student understanding of content.

Active classroom learning strategies used to assist the student in meeting outcomes include team-based learning activities, case studies, group work, demonstration and return demonstration, practice worksheets, concept mapping, textbooks, mobile apps, and ATI® online learning tools and assessments.

The team-based learning strategy facilitates active learning through the use of small group classroom activities. This student-centered approach to learning fosters the development of high-level critical thinking, while enhancing professional skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Simulation and Skills Labs

Thanks to considerable advanced technology in nursing schools, graduates are better prepared to make decisions and face high-pressure clinical situations. The campus simulation and skills labs are fully furnished with the supplies and equipment necessary to create a realistic hospital setting.

Skills labs provide opportunities for students to learn basic competencies and practice technical nursing skills on low fidelity manikins and training models. The simulation lab presents a sophisticated and innovative learning environment in which students synthesize theoretical and clinical knowledge. The simulation lab is occupied by life-size mannequins from infant through adult that replicate the symptoms, diseases, and conditions nurses are likely to see in an actual patient care setting. High fidelity clinical simulations are integrated throughout the curriculum and provide challenging nursing scenarios to assist students in developing clinical judgment and decision-making skills. These simulated scenarios allow students to respond to patient situations and practice correct interventions in a controlled environment, thereby decreasing the risks inherent in practicing skills on live patients. Virtual reality scenarios serve to broaden the patient care experience and are a valuable adjunct to hands-on, high fidelity simulation.

Debriefing begins immediately following a simulation session when students are provided performance feedback. Debriefing is a guided reflection process that helps students to analyze the events following a simulated learning experience.

Direct Patient Care Clinical

Clinical rotations begin in the first semester of the program. Each core nursing course has a clinical component whereby students are placed in a clinical setting and engage in learning experiences where they provide direct care to patients under the close supervision of a nursing professional. Our main objective is the careful selection of a variety of community agencies whose clinical opportunities meet the goals of the nursing program.

Preceptorship

In the fourth semester of the program, a merit-based, preceptor-guided clinical experience may be available to qualifying students. The purpose is to provide students an opportunity to apply all elements of prior learning into an authentic clinical practice situation and to facilitate transition into practice. During the preceptorship, students will provide direct patient care under the guidance of a registered nurse preceptor.

Computerized Testing

Computerized knowledge testing is used to resemble the style and format of the national licensing examination. In certain situations, a secure online test proctoring service may be used. In that event, the student must have access to a computer with microphone capabilities and a webcam for test-taking purposes.

Technology-Enhanced Learning

The program uses innovative and emerging teaching strategies and technologies to engage students in the learning process. Students accepted to the program must be computer literate and have high-speed internet access. Students must supply a mobile device that is small enough to fit into the uniform pocket and capable of supporting the required software products. The college uses the Canvas Learning Management System to deliver hybrid and online course content.

Technology is integrated into the nursing curriculum in a variety of ways, including

• e-textbooks
• mobile apps
• electronic health records
• interface with the online classroom
• group work in Google Drive
• high fidelity simulation
• virtual reality scenarios
• automated exam proctoring services

Advanced placement in the Associate Degree Nursing Program is available for licensed practical nurses. Interested applicants must contact the nursing director.

1. Applicants must have active unrestricted certification as a licensed practical nurse.
2. Applicants must complete the Application for Admission to Central Wyoming College.
3. Applicants must arrange for official transcripts from other colleges or universities to be sent by the issuing institution directly to the records office at CWC prior to March 1 for fall entry into the nursing program.
4. Applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS test prior to March 1 for fall entry into the nursing program. A total score of 58.7 percent or higher is required. The TEAS may only be taken twice within 12 months of the application deadline. The highest passing score is used. TEAS scores are valid for 24 months.
5. Applicants are required to take the PN Comprehensive Predictor prior to March 1 for fall entry into the nursing program and must score at or above the national mean of 69.1 percent.
6. Applicants who achieve the required score on the PN Comprehensive Predictor will be awarded a maximum of 16 credits in nursing from CWC, equivalent to first-year nursing courses.
7. Applicants must enroll in NURS 1400 (LPN Transition) in the summer session prior to advanced placement in the third semester of the nursing program.
8. All courses required for the ADN must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
9. The following courses must be completed prior to advanced placement in the third semester of the nursing program:
   
   1. General Biology with lab (4 credits)
   2. English Composition I (3 credits)
   3. Math 1000 or higher (3 credits)
   4. Psychology (4 credits)
   5. Human Anatomy and Physiology with labs (8 credits)
   6. LPN Transition (2 credits)
10. Remaining courses required for the ADN must be completed prior to graduation and include
    
    1. English Composition II (Business Communications or Technical Writing may be substituted) (3 credits)
    2. American & Wyoming Government (3 credits)
11. Students entering with advanced standing must meet specified immunization requirements and submit to a background check and drug test.
12. Advanced placement must be approved by the nursing director and faculty selection committee and is dependent upon available space and adequate clinical resources.

Students wishing to transfer credit from other institutions must meet the following requirements:

1. The transfer applicant must complete the Application for Admission to Central Wyoming College.
2. A minimum of 25 percent of credits toward degree completion must be earned at Central Wyoming College. 
3. Transfer applicants must arrange for official transcripts to be sent by the issuing institution directly to the records office at CWC. 
4. The CWC registrar and nursing director will review courses for transfer credit eligibility on the basis of course equivalency.
5. Coursework accepted for transfer must be from regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. Life experience and military training are not accepted for transfer. 
6. Nursing course transfer credit is limited to courses completed at ACEN or CCNE approved programs. 
7. International transcripts must be translated by an approved credential evaluation service prior to the nursing application deadline. 
8. Courses considered for transfer credit must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Pass/fail courses are assigned a grade of C. 
9. A minimum 2.5 college cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale is required. GPA is calculated using only the courses required for the nursing degree at CWC.
10. The transfer applicant must provide a syllabus for each nursing course completed. The nursing director and faculty selection committee will review the syllabus(es) to determine content similarity. Placement in the nursing program is dependent upon comparable knowledge and skills between programs. 
11. Nursing courses accepted for transfer must parallel CWC nursing degree requirements. The most recent course must have been completed within one semester of the date of enrollment in the CWC program.  
12. The transfer applicant may be required to take a subject matter exam and demonstrate skill competency for previously completed courses. Remediation may be offered as needed. 
13. Prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to transfer into the nursing program and includes
    a. English I (3 credits)
    b. Biology (4 credits)
    c. Problem Solving (3 credits)
    d. Human Anatomy (4 credits)
14. Transfer applicants who attended another nursing program must arrange for the administrator to send the CWC nursing director a formal letter that addresses the applicant’s prior academic performance.
15. Applicants who have failed or have withdrawn from more than one nursing course are not eligible for transfer.
16. Applicants accepted for transfer are required to submit to a criminal background check and a drug screen, and must meet the immunization requirements of assigned clinical agencies. 
17. Admission is considered on an individual basis and is limited to available space and adequate clinical resources. 

Enrolled nursing students may be considered for scholarships provided they meet the criteria and complete the CWC scholarship application. The online application period is October 1 thru March 1. Most scholarships also require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the CWC financial aid office. Failure to complete this form may affect award eligibility. 

The nursing scholarship committee determines program-specific awards, typically in early summer, and recipients are notified via their student email account. If you are selected to receive an award, there is time-sensitive action required on your part or the award will be revoked.

Scholarships may be renewed for subsequent semesters provided the student continues to meet the scholarship criteria, and annually completes the online scholarship application and submits a current-year FAFSA.

Check out Central Scholarships for more information.

Assessment occurs throughout the program and upon program completion. The nursing faculty create and implement a written systematic plan for evaluation (SPE) to determine the achievement of each end-of-program student learning outcome and program outcome. Data analysis helps to inform program decision-making to maintain or improve student and program performance.

The purpose of program evaluation is to systematically examine all aspects of the nursing program to determine its quality, effectiveness, and whether it is meeting its stated goals and mission. Collected data helps to identify areas for improvement and ensure graduates are prepared to practice safe and competent nursing care. 

Applicant Data

• Average college cumulative GPA for students selected to enter the nursing program in fall 2024:  3.46
• Average TEAS score for students selected to enter the nursing program in fall 2024:  74.9%

Fast Facts

• Program Completion Rate for Spring 2024 Nursing Graduates: 4%
• National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Pass Rate for Spring 2024 Nursing Graduates: 100%
• Job Placement Rate for Spring 2024 Nursing Graduates: 100%

Outcomes Data Analysis

2024-2025 Nursing Student Handbook