How do I fulfill the clinical practice experiences?
If you are employed as a registered nurse in an agency with a Binghamton University affiliation agreement AND with approval from a current supervisor, you may be able to fulfill all required practice experiences in your place of employment. Students not employed at an affiliated site may be required to complete practice experiences in an affiliated agency. Your instructors will provide details on activities that count toward practice experiences.
Are there additional costs beyond tuition/fees?
In addition to tuition and fees, enrolled students are responsible for the cost of:
- Textbooks and course materials
- Malpractice insurance fee (incorporated into the University bill on each semester that a clinical nursing course is taken)
For details, view the list of predicted materials and costs of the RN-BS program. NOTE: This list is subject to change. Enrolled students should refer to course syllabi for up-to-date requirements and costs.
Are there any funding opportunities for RN-BS students?
Currently enrolled RN-BS students may be eligible for special aid programs, including loans and local grants. Visit our Tuition, Expenses and Funding webpage (note that expenses for RN-BS students aren't listed on that page; see question above for information).
How much time should I expect to spend on my online course each week?
It is a common misconception that online courses take less time per week than face-to-face courses. Online courses often require a substantial time commitment. Although the amount of time required for an online course varies, it is generally expected that 3-credit courses will require 18–20 hours of course-related work per week.
You should expect the following:
- The amount of homework required in an online course will be roughly the same as that assigned in a face-to-face course.
- Most online courses will ask that you spend time participating in discussions with the instructor and other learners. These discussions will play a central role in your learning experience.
- You may be asked to participate actively in group or team activities. This will involve coordinating and working with several other learners who may be dispersed across different regions.
- You should plan on logging into your online course frequently each week. Once or twice is not enough.
Can I take the course at my own pace?
There are no required dates/times for logging in for live content, but most online courses require that learners adhere to a course schedule for readings, assignments and discussions with other learners. Course material is organized in a sequential manner, and you should follow the course schedule, navigating through each module in order. Adhering to this schedule will be important for your success so you can contribute to discussions and group projects in meaningful ways. Your presence in the course will only be apparent if you participate.
Do I need to come to campus for anything?
No, you should not need to come to campus.
Do I need books for an online course?
Instructors generally require students to use textbooks for their online classes, though most of the time, textbooks are available digitally.
How will I communicate with the instructor during the course?
Most instructors can be contacted through course email and may answer questions in the discussion forum. To better communicate with you, some instructors may create a Questions and Answers topic in the discussion forum. Your instructor will advise you about the preferred method of communication in the syllabus/course outline. Some instructors will give you an outside email address or telephone contact for emergencies.
How will I turn in assignments and receive grades?
Your instructor will let you know how to turn in assignments and receive grades in the syllabus/course outline. Typically, you will use Brightspace to submit your assignments.
The syllabus will include your instructor's policy on late work. This policy should also outline the timeframe within which you can expect your work to be graded or receive an email response from your instructor.
In some courses, your grades for individual assignments will be accessible on Brightspace. Your final grade will be recorded on your official academic transcript, which will be accessible through BUBrain.
