BRAND Accelerated Nursing Degree (BSN)

Become a Registered Nurse in Just 15 Months

If you already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, the University of Wyoming's BRAND (Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree) program offers an accelerated path to earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Through a unique hybrid format, you'll combine online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences across Wyoming, allowing many students to remain in their communities while preparing for a rewarding nursing career.

Why Choose BRAND?

  • Earn your BSN in just 15 months
  • Designed for students with a previous bachelor's degree
  • Hybrid format with online coursework and in-person clinical experiences
  • Clinical placements throughout Wyoming
  • Learn in UW's Clinical Simulation Center
  • Prepare to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination
  • CCNE accredited

What Students Need to KNow about BRand

The BRAND program is a full-time, accelerated nursing option offered through the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. Coursework combines online instruction, hybrid learning and immersive clinical experiences. While students complete much of their coursework remotely, attendance on campus and at assigned clinical sites is required throughout the program. This model allows many Wyoming students to remain close to home while completing their nursing education and helps healthcare organizations develop highly qualified nurses within their communities.

Smiling woman on campus lawn

  • 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, with at least 1-2 occasions when students must be on campus for one or more days at a time.
  • Theory courses are both online and hybrid (a 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 or preceptors onsite. There are several locations utilized around the state - students must have reliable transportation to support travel to these clinical sites.
  • Students will complete 1080 hours of hands-on clinical experiences in the program over the last 3 semesters.

  • 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 the 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.

  • Previous bachelor's degree
  • Minimum GPA
  • Completion of prerequisite coursework
  • CNA or LPN certification
  • CPR certification
  • UW admission
  • Official transcripts