Program Overview
- Duration: 15 Months
- Tuition: $19,000
- Location: Laramie, WY
- Application Deadline: Nov 1
- Program Web Page
The University of Wyoming’s BRAND (Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree) is a 15-month, full-time accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
The program runs from May to August of the following year and includes four semesters of intensive coursework. It uses a hybrid delivery model, combining online learning with periodic in-person sessions and statewide clinical placements.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates are prepared to deliver safe, evidence-based, patient-centered care and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. NCLEX pass rates for BRAND students have ranged from 88% to 100% in recent years, reflecting the program’s quality and rigor.
Admissions
Admission to BRAND is competitive and limited, requiring a completed bachelor’s degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and at least a 2.75 GPA in all prerequisite coursework. Candidates must also hold current CNA certification and CPR for Healthcare Providers certification.
All prerequisites must be completed before the program start, and specific coursework (e.g., pharmacology and pathophysiology) must be recent.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes 55–58 credits of nursing coursework, covering areas such as health promotion, acute and chronic care, mental health, informatics, leadership, and care of vulnerable populations.
NURS 3665 – Foundations of Professional Nursing Roles
This course introduces core nursing concepts including professionalism, leadership, patient safety, and person-centered care. It builds the foundation for professional nursing roles and prepares students to approach clinical situations with ethical and leadership awareness.
NURS 3745 – Nursing Fundamentals and Health Assessment
Students learn essential nursing skills such as aseptic technique, medication administration, and equipment use. The course emphasizes client safety and assessment of physiological, psychological, and developmental dimensions across the lifespan.
NURS 3790 – Health Promotion of Individuals, Families, and Populations
This course focuses on using the nursing process and evidence-based practices to promote health and prevent disease. It covers risk reduction strategies and health education for individuals, families, and diverse population groups.
NURS 3770 – Nursing Care in Acute and Chronic Illness
Students explore nursing care for adults with acute and chronic conditions, progressing to complex illness scenarios. Emphasis is placed on safety, interprofessional teamwork, evidence-based care, and critical thinking in client-centered planning.
NURS 3771 – Nursing Care in Acute, Chronic, and Complex Illness Practicum
This practicum applies key nursing skills to adult patients with varying health conditions. Students practice clinical reasoning and integrate safety, collaboration, and health promotion in direct patient care.
NURS 4055 – Application of Evidence in Nursing Practice
This course equips students to use evidence-based practice by forming clinical questions, sourcing and evaluating evidence, and integrating findings into nursing care aligned with patient values and professional expertise.
NURS 4665 – Healthcare Informatics in Professional Nursing Practice
Students learn to use clinical information systems and digital tools to enhance care delivery. Topics include ethical data use, documentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and informatics applications for quality improvement.
NURS 4690 – Professional Nursing Care of Populations
This course focuses on public health nursing with an emphasis on community assessment, vulnerable populations, and epidemiology. Students examine healthcare systems, emergency preparedness, and ethical aspects of community-based care.
NURS 4735 – Vulnerable Populations and Mental Health
Students are introduced to mental health concepts related to middle-aged and older adults. The course integrates psychopathology, cultural influences, and treatment modalities with a focus on vulnerability and holistic care.
NURS 4691 – Professional Nursing Care of Children and Families
This course covers pediatric and maternal health, including wellness promotion and care for women, children, and families. Students address physical, emotional, and cultural factors in delivering comprehensive family-centered care.
NURS 4771 – Nursing Care of Families, Vulnerable Populations, and Behavioral Health Practicum
Through hands-on experience, students provide care to families and individuals with behavioral health needs. Clinical judgment is emphasized as students manage sexuality, reproduction, and mental health in diverse populations.
NURS 4775 – Nursing Senior Capstone
This final course provides intensive clinical immersion to synthesize nursing concepts. Students refine clinical judgment, leadership, and decision-making while transitioning into professional roles within healthcare systems.
NURS 4865 – Professional Nursing Leadership
Students explore leadership in nursing through management theories, change advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. The course supports professional growth and prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare delivery.
More information about the curriculum here:
Clinical Requirements
Students complete 1,080 hours of hands-on clinical training across multiple Wyoming communities, including Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, Evanston, and Lander. Clinical groups of 6–8 students work with on-site instructors or preceptors throughout the program.
Tuition
Estimated total cost of attendance ranges from $18,446 for Wyoming residents living at home to $43,966 for non-residents living on campus.
View more tuition details here: https://www.uwyo.edu/sfa/cost-of-attendance/undergraduate.html
BRAND participants may be eligible for the Wyoming State Loan Repayment Program, which offers up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness for graduates who commit to two years of nursing practice in the state.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits for prerequisite coursework are reviewed by both the Registrar and the School of Nursing. Only upper-division courses satisfy requirements for key subjects like pharmacology and pathophysiology.
Other Nursing Programs
In addition to BRAND, the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing offers a traditional BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, though BRAND is not available fully online.
Accreditation
The BRAND program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring it meets national standards in nursing education.
Career Outlook
Graduates can pursue RN roles in acute care, public health, and specialized settings. The average salary for nurses in the U.S. is over $88,000, with a strong job market. BRAND supports Wyoming’s goal of growing its own nursing workforce by keeping students in-state through distance learning and localized clinical placements.