ChooseCNA.org

Your Guide to Becoming a Certified Nurse Aide

  • Home
  • Become
  • Find a School
  • Salary
  • Articles
Home » Become a CNA in Wyoming

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Wyoming

1 Comment

(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.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS

  • 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.

SHOW ME SCHOOLS

CityWyoming CNA ProgramPhoneContact Person
AftonStar Valley Medical Center
www.svmcwy.org
(307) 885-5800Amy Johnson
AftonWestern Wyoming Community College Outreach
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
BuffaloAmie Holt Care Center
www.jchealthcare.com
(307) 684-5521Brenda Gorm
CasperCasper College
www.caspercollege.edu
(307) 268-2717Marge Christiansen
CasperCNA Cares Enterprises(307) 235-1770Hazel Suedes
CasperNCSD Pathways Innovation Center Health Science Academy(307) 253-3100Chad Sharpe
CasperQuality Health Care Training Center LLC(307) 315-5010Gale Bryden
CasperWyoming CNA Services(307) 797-3229Nubia Urquijo-Arana
CheyenneCentral High School (LCSD #1)
central.laramie1.org
(307) 771-2680Michelle Wright
CheyenneEast High School (LCSD #1)
east.laramie1.org
(307) 771-2663Tina Quick
CheyenneHealthcare Provider Education Center
www.hcpeducation.com
(307) 778-8861Shirlene Lojka
CheyenneLaramie County Community College
www.lccc.wy.edu
(307) 778-4307Karen Clark-Bond
CheyenneLaramie County School District #1 - South High School
south.laramie1.org
(307) 771-2410Dawn Mayhew
CodyNorthwest College Outreach
nwc.edu
(307) 754-6474Marnee Crawford
DouglasCowboy State Healthcare Training(307) 351-3023Vicki Winney
DouglasEastern Wyoming College Outreach
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
DuboisDubois High School(307) 856-2028Kristen Benson
EvanstonWestern Wyoming Community College Outreach
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
EvanstonWyoming State Hospital
health.wyo.gov
(307) 789-3464Ralph Parker
GilletteNorthern Wyoming Community College District - Gillette College
www.sheridan.edu
(307) 675-0505Louise Posten
GillettePioneer Manor - Campbell County Memorial Hospital
www.cchwyo.org
(307) 688-6040Darla Parks
Green RiverMission at Castle Rock
www.missionhealthservices.org
(307) 872-4600Ashliegh Swanson
JacksonCentral Wyoming College Outreach
www.cwc.edu
(307) 855-2177Jennifer McCartney
JacksonCentral Wyoming College Outreach - Jackson High School
www.cwc.edu
(307) 855-2177Jennifer McCartney
KemmererSouth Lincoln Nursing Center
www.southlincolnmedical.com
(307) 877-5717Tammy Krell
LanderLander Valley High School
www.landerschools.org
(307) 856-2028Kristen Benson
LaramieJALH Health Services LLC(307) 851-5000Judy Ann Lopez Hursh
LaramieLaramie County Community College at Albany County
www.lccc.wy.edu
(307) 778-1267Susan Lescznske
LovellNorthwest College
nwc.edu
(307) 754-6474Marnee Crawford
LuskEastern Wyoming College Outreach
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
LymanWestern Wyoming Community College Outreach
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
Mountain ViewWestern Wyoming Community College Outreach
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
NewcastleEastern Wyoming College Outreach
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
PavillionWind River High School
www.fre6.k12.wy.us
(307) 856-2028Kristen Benson
PinedaleSublette Center Nursing Assistant Training Program
www.sublettecenter.org
(307) 367-4161Lena Dawson
PinedaleWestern Wyoming Community College Outreach
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
PowellNorthwest College
nwc.edu
(307) 754-6479Marnee Crawford
PowellPowell Valley Healthcare
www.pvhc.org
(307) 754-2267Jenny Segura
RawlinsCarbon County Higher Education Center - Vocational Core
www.cchec.org
(307) 328-9274Jenny Daniel
RivertonCentral Wyoming College
www.cwc.edu
(307) 855-2256Jennifer McCartney
RivertonRiverton-Adult(307) 856-2028Kristen Benson
Rock SpringsWestern Wyoming Community College
www.westernwyoming.edu
(307) 382-1801Ann Marie Clevenger
SaratogaSaratoga Care Center CNA Training Program(307) 326-8212Merlynn Hoopes
SheridanNorthern Wyoming Community College District - Sheridan College
www.sheridan.edu
(307) 674-6446Phyllis Puckett
SheridanNorthern Wyoming Community College District - Sheridan High School
www.sheridan.edu
(307) 674-6446Phyllis Puckett
SheridanSheridan Manor(307) 674-4416Derek Holbrook
SheridanWestview Health Care Center
westviewhealthcarecenterwy.com
(307) 672-9789Dawn Morgan
SheridanWyoming Girls School Nurse Aide Training Program
dfsweb.wyo.gov
(307) 675-3020Marlene Schuman
SundanceEastern Wyoming College Outreach
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
ThermopolisCentral Wyoming College Outreach
www.cwc.edu
(307) 855-2177Judy McGilvray
ThermopolisThermopolis High School(307) 856-2025Kristen Benson
TorringtonEastern Wyoming College
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
WheatlandCowboy State Healthcare Training(307) 351-3023Vickie Winney
WheatlandEastern Wyoming College Outreach
ewc.wy.edu
(307) 532-8247Gwendolyn Yung
WorlandWorland Healthcare and Rehabilitation
www.fivestarseniorliving.com
(307) 347-4285Kristen Scheuerman

Back to Top

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).

Free Training

Students who complete CNA training at a long-term care facility in Wyoming, like a nursing home or rehabilitation facility, will get their training for free. The student works and trains in the facility at the same time, and can continue doing so without nursing assistant certification for up to 120 days. Federal and state laws require employers to pay all the training costs.

Another way to get free or partially free training is to find employment in a long-term care facility within a year of completing a CNA training program. The employer will reimburse the student for training costs on a prorated basis, based on the number of months of employment within the 12 months following training completion.

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.

A nurse aide in Wyoming who has graduated from a state-approved program, but has not yet taken the exam, can request a temporary permit to work without CNA certification. It is good for 120 days and is a one-time approval. If the nurse aide does not earn certification within 120 days, he or she is not allowed to work past the 120 days until getting certified.

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.

Back to Top

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.

Back to Top

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

WY CNA SalariesEmpl.Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wageWage percent relative std. errorHourly 10th % wageHourly median wageHourly 90th % wageAnnual 10th % wageAnnual median wageAnnual 90th % wage
National144315013.29276500.29.6412.7818.22200402659037900
Wyoming299013.95290101.110.4713.6418.26217802836037970
Casper, WY50013.87288403.910.2113.4518.85212402797039200
Central-Southeast Wyoming nonmetropolitan area37012.31256002.19.9411.7715.24206802448031700
Cheyenne, WY53013.92289604.810.3213.5018.39214602808038250
Northeast Wyoming nonmetropolitan area49014.36298602.810.6013.9718.87220502905039240
Northwest Wyoming nonmetropolitan area54014.90310001.512.5814.0718.49261602927038450
Southwest Wyoming nonmetropolitan area55013.80287002.410.8513.7017.42225702850036240

Back to Top

Becoming a CNA in Bordering States in 2018

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

Comments

  1. Janet Young says

    July 11, 2019 at 9:55 AM

    I am in the process of taking a refresher course to renew my LPN license.

    Reply

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CNA Programs in 2018

Recent CNA articles

  • How Do I Find CNA Programs Near Me?
  • Truths of CNA Salary
  • Take Certified Nursing Assistant Training Online
  • Free CNA Classes Information
  • How to Get CNA Certification?

How to Become a CNA by State

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • D.C.
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap

© Copyright 2013-2019 Certified Nursing Assistant · All Rights Reserved