BRAND: a 15 month program that includes on-line learning, hybrid courses and hands-on clinical experiences
BRAND requires a motivated, independent and very self-disciplined learner.
BRAND requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5, and a minimum Nursing GPA (NGPA) of 2.75.
The NGPA is figured on the prerequisite coursework.
Course Delivery
Students living in Wyoming do NOT need to relocate to Laramie for the program.
The first (summer) semester has the most on-campus time in Laramie for the program. The time on campus consists of 4-5 days every other week for approximately 6-7 weeks. Housing can be arranged with the UW dormitories.
The remainder of the program does not require as much on-campus time but still requires a full-time workload of courses.
Theory courses are both online and hybrid (combination of online and face to face).
The hybrid face-to-face portions utilize current internet technology to deliver real-time interaction with the instructors on a routine basis. Students will need a headset and microphone for their computer as well as dependable internet access.
The BRAND Program tries to work around Wyoming winter weather and distances by using current technology to reduce travel requirements.
Acute care clinical experiences are face-to-face with instructors onsite. There are several locations utilized around the state.
Students will complete 1080 hours of hands-on clinical experiences in the program.
Locations
Students relocating to Wyoming to attend the BRAND program are encouraged to consider Casper because it is a central location and offers a variety of clinical opportunities. Students may live in close bordering states but must live close enough to WY to easily and safely travel to clinical experiences.
The fall and spring semesters have clinical groups of 6-8 students in different healthcare agencies around Wyoming.
Acute care clinical sites are provided in the fall. Locations that have been used in the past include Casper, Evanston, Gillette, Jackson, Wheatland, and Rock Springs. Other sites may be added depending on numbers and locations of students. The core foundational clinicals are hands-on experiences with onsite instructors.
Community health clinical experiences are offered in the spring and will be hands-on experiences with a preceptor and faculty oversight. Some community health clinical experiences must be attended in both Evanston and Lander for 40 hours each, and students will also attend a clinical experience in either Casper or Gillette for 60 hours. All other community health clinical experiences in the spring semester will be arranged in a WY location closest to the student's residence.
The final (2nd summer) semester contains a capstone clinical experience. Students will be placed in a WY acute care agency on a full-time basis for the entire final semester.
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Page updated 5/19/2017