How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wyoming

(found 55 schools, updated in December 2017)

The Wyoming Board of Nursing (WSBN) determines which individuals meet state Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification requirements. Most individuals complete a CNA training program and take the competency evaluation exam. There are other certification routes available to those meeting at least one Continued Competency Requirement, defined by Wyoming laws. The Certified Nursing Assistant is an entry level healthcare professional, and many individuals take advantage of the short training period in order to quickly find paid employment. Some decide later to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The following sections provide an overview of the process for CNA certification in Wyoming.

• 6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Wyoming
• How to Renew CNA Certification
• Job Outlook and Salary for CNAs in Wyoming
• Becoming a CNA in Bordering States in 2018

6 Steps to Becoming a CNA in Wyoming

The paths to certification in Wyoming are straightforward. In most cases, becoming a CNA requires completing a nurse aide training program, approved by the state, and passing a certification examination. However, there are other routes available to qualified applicants in Wyoming.

Step 1: Choose the Path to Nursing Assistant Certification

The person becoming a CNA for the first time will complete a Wyoming nurse aide training program that was approved by the state and also take a written and skills competency evaluation exam.

Endorsement

CNA certification by endorsement applies to individuals who have active nurse aide certification in a different state. Out of state CNAs must be in good standing on their state’s CNA registry and be able to meet at least one Continued Competency Requirement, defined as:

• Worked a minimum of 16 paid hours as a Certified Nursing Assistant and completed a minimum of 24 in-service hours within the prior 24 months; OR
• Completed a state-approved CNA training program that also meets federal guidelines and passed a Wyoming State Board of Nursing CNA exam within the last two years

Deeming

A third Continued Competency Requirement applies to Certification by Deeming. RN or LPN nursing students who have successfully completed the first semester of their nursing program within the prior two years can apply to the WSBN for CNA certification in Wyoming.

Recertification

Continued Competency Requirements also apply to CNA recertification.

Step 2: Review Program Options and Select a Training Program

CNA programs in Wyoming are available at colleges, private technical schools, high schools, community colleges, hospitals and long-term care facilities. Program costs range from free to over $1,400. Most CNA classes in Wyoming take 4-8 weeks to complete.

Local CNA Classes in Wyoming by City

The following Wyoming Certified Nurse Aide programs are approved by the State. The data is updated in December 2017.

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For example, Casper College in Casper offers a Nursing Assistant program that takes approximately six weeks to complete. The cost of the program is $1,400 (subject to change) for tuition, testing fees, textbooks, tuberculosis testing, CPR certification and licensing fees.

Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs also offers a CNA training program. The estimated costs for tuition and fees, required course software and an internet course fee is $675, plus students pay additional background check and testing fees.

Uniforms and Supplies

All students registering for CNA courses will have to buy uniforms and various medical supplies. Fair comparisons of program costs take into account what is included and not included in the total stated on the program websites.

Financial Aid

Since most CNA training programs are not eligible for federal financial aid, the most promising funding sources are America’s Promise grant program and the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act Program (WIOA).

Step 3: Meet CNA Program Prerequisites

Each nurse aide program has prerequisites, and they are similar but not identical from school to school. For example, Western Wyoming Community College requires CNA students to have an AED for Professional Rescuer certification through the American Red Cross or a Health Care Provider CPR certification through the American Heart Association before registering for the CNA program.

Typical prerequisites for CNA training programs and certification in Wyoming include the following:

• Proof of annual TB skin test
• Proof of Tdap vaccine
• Proof of Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine or proof of immunity
• Pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting
• Notification to Wyoming State Board of Nursing of any admissions to drug and alcohol treatment facilities within the last 10 years
• State does not have an age restriction, but some schools/programs require a minimum age for enrollment
• Prove legal status
• Prove minimum proficiency in reading and writing English

Step 4: Complete CNA Training

The CNA training program in Wyoming consists of 120 hours of classroom, lab and clinical training. The student gets a lot of hands-on skills training that is representative of the type of CNA tasks they will regularly do once employed. Students will learn about:

• Assisting with daily living skills
• Developing psychosocial care skills
• Infection control
• Data collection and reporting (vital signs)
• Helping residents with self-care and maintaining highest possible level of independence
• Communicating with residents, healthcare team members and resident’s family
• Assisting with resident mobility
• Positioning and repositioning bed-ridden residents
• Protecting patient rights
• Understanding ethical and legal rights
• Utilizing medical and assistive devices
• Keeping residents safe while also maintaining personal safety

CNA II

It should be noted that Certified Nursing Assistants can later choose to upgrade their certification to a CNA II. The CNA II is allowed to perform a higher level of skills that include oxygen therapy, wound care, removal of urinary catheter, capillary blood glucose testing, tracheostomy care, etc. To register for CNA II training, the Certified Nursing Assistant must have worked at least 1,500 hours as a CNA, have a high school diploma or GED, and be at least 18 years old. An individual must be a CNA II first if interested in becoming a Medication Aide.

Step 5: Take and Pass the Competency Evaluation Examination

The State of Wyoming has contracted with Pearson VUE to administer the CNA certification exam, and Pearson VUE has authorized Credentia to do the testing. The examination consists of two parts: written examination and skills evaluation.

Written Examination

The written portion of the test has 70 multiple-choice questions. The test is also administered orally for people who are not proficient in reading English. An individual is allowed five attempts within 12 months after completing the training program.

Skills Evaluation

The Skills Evaluation requires the individual to perform five nursing assistant skills that are evaluated by a trained Nurse Aide Evaluator who is a Registered Nurse. Handwashing is always one of the five skills, and the other four skills are selected by random. The individual is allowed five attempts within 12 months of completing the training program to pass the test. To pass the Skills Evaluation, the individual must pass all five CNA skills.

Pearson VUE has Regional test sites which are listed on its website.

Step 6: Get Certified as a CNA in Wyoming

Pearson VUE will report examination results to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing which verifies the individual has met certification standards. Once approved, the individual’s name is added to the Wyoming Certified Nurse Aide Registry. The Wyoming Department of Health–Healthcare Licensing and Surveys maintains the CNA Registry.

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How to Renew CNA Certification

CNA Certification in Wyoming is good for two years (24 months). Recertification requires working at least 16 hours as a Certified Nurse Aide and completing 24 hours of in-service education during the two-year certification period. Certification is renewed by December 31 of every even year. The CNA enters employment details on the recertification application. The state reserves the right to audit the information and obtain verification of worked hours and in-service education hours.

Lapsed Certification

To renew a lapsed certification in Wyoming, the individual must be able to meet one of the three Required Continued Competences mentioned in Step 1. If unable to do so, the individual will have to retake the CNA exam. When certification is expired, the person is not allowed to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant until certification is renewed.

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Job Outlook and Salary for CNAs in Wyoming

Certified Nursing Assistants in Wyoming can work in Medicare/Medicaid funded and privately funded long-term care facilities. They can also work for home health agencies, some doctors’ offices, specialized clinics, adult daycare centers and hospitals. All CNAs must work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). CNAs can also work under LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) supervision. | See Job Openings

The number of new CNA positions opening up for the period 2014-2024 is projected to be 410 jobs or a 13.7 percent increase over the 10-year period. The average yearly Nursing Assistant salary in Wyoming is $29,010 which equates to an hourly rate of $13.95. These amounts are higher than the national yearly salary of $27,650 or $13.29 per hour. | See Job Openings

CNA Salaries in Wyoming

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Becoming a CNA in Bordering States in 2018

• Colorado
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nebraska
• South Dakota
• Utah