Northern Wyoming Community College District Nursing Program Review

Sheridan College (SC)  is a part of the Northern Wyoming Community College District, which is the center of the educational system in Wyoming. The Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) serves three counties, and educated 4,000 students every year. With campuses in Sheridan, Gillette and centers in Buffalo, Kaycee and Wright, the Northern Wyoming Community College has a wide reach and is able to target a wide variety of students. The educational system at Northern Wyoming Community College is composed of in-class lectures, laboratory work and clinical practice in a variety of institutions in the area.

The main campus of the Northern Wyoming Community College District is Sheridan College, as well as Gillette College (GC) and both schools offer associate of arts, associate of fine arts, associate of science and associate of applied science degrees, as well as certificate programs, and program tracks which prepare students who wish to eventually apply to four-year college or university programs. Sheridan College and Gillette College also prepare students by offering certificate programs, as well as professional training, and technical programs. A variety of programs at Sheridan College and Gillette College are offered via distance studies online.

Sheridan College is located in Sheridan, Wyoming and there is a commuter program available in Gillette, Wyoming. Sheridan College sits on a 145-acre campus, and is home to a variety of programs. Gillette College was built in 2003 and is housed on over 15 acres with programs in science, and state of the art technology.

Sheridan College and Gillette College both offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), with an optional Practical Nursing (PN) certificate, which can be completed after the first year of study in the Associate of Applied Science Degree program. After one year of the program, individuals can go on to write the NCLEX-PN examination, in order to become licensed as a Practical Nurse.

After an individual passes that examination, he or she can go on to complete the second year of the Associate of Applied Science Degree and then write the NCLEX-RN examination, in order to become a Registered Nurse. Individuals are not required to come back to complete the second year of the program, but it is mandatory for a Registered Nurse licensure. The Associate Degree Nursing Program is approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree consists of a combination of class room study and clinical practice, and both must be completed in order for an individual to graduate from the Associate of Applied Science Degree at either Sheridan College or Gillette College. Non-nursing courses must be completed either before the nursing program, or at the same time as the program, and students are required to complete the program with a minimum “C” grade or above in all nursing and science courses, in order to continue through the program.

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (RN to BSN)

Sheridan College and Gillette College both offer an option for Registered Nurses to take courses toward their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, while at the same time, completing their associate degree prerequisites. When being admitted to the Northern Wyoming Community College District associate degree in nursing program, students can take upper level nursing courses, which would be required for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can be completed through the University of Wyoming Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program.

Acceptance Requirements

In order to be accepted into the nursing programs at Sheridan College or Gillette College, individuals must complete a variety of prerequisites. Individuals must first apply directly through the Northern Wyoming Community College District. Upon completion of the application to Northern Wyoming Community College District, individuals must apply to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing program at either Sheridan College or Gillette College. Individuals must then submit a high school transcript or a GED certificate prior to being accepted.

Individuals must hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above in all courses which are applicable to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. If an individual has attended more than one college, a cumulative GPA will be calculated combining all of the college grades. Individuals must have completed English course with a grade of “C” of above and must have completed college level math with a “C” or above. Applicants must have completed Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology with a “C” or better as well and must have a “Proficient” or above on the TEAS exam.

Once admitted into the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing at Sheridan College or Gillette College, individuals must complete a criminal background check, as well as a drug screening. Applicants must then submit immunization records, including a two-step TB test, and then submit CPR certification, before being admitted to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing at either Sheridan College or Gillette College. Individuals applying to the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing at Sheridan College or Gillette College, must also hold liability insurance, in order to complete their clinical practice. Clinical practice is conducted at a variety of healthcare environments at either region – Gillette or Sheridan (depending on where the individual student is enrolled), and students work under the supervision of Registered Nurses or Physicians.

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at Sheridan College or Gillette College, individuals can go on to apply to write the NCLEX-RN examination, in order to become licensed as a Registered Nurse in the state of Wyoming. Registered Nurses work in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, hospices, and many other healthcare institutions. Individuals who are licensed as Registered Nurses often with to advance their education, and go back to school to complete a baccalaureate degree at a four-year educational institution.

Contact:

Northern Wyoming Community College District

Campuses:

Sheridan College
171 North Main Street
Sheridan, WY 82801-3915
United States
Phone: (307) 674-6446

Gillette College
Gillette, WY 82718
United States
Phone: (307) 686-0254