Associate Degree and Diploma Transfer Program for Licensed RNs
(RN to BS)
Becoming a Bachelor’s Prepared Nurse
The RN-BS program was recently revised to meet the needs of the working nurse returning to school and new graduates of Associate’s Degree and Diploma programs in nursing who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. Several new program features will be available in the fall 2010 semester.
Program features
- All courses are hybrid—content is delivered both online and on campus with valuable face-to-face time with experienced faculty.
- Most courses are 7-week mini courses that require periodic meeting dates on campus and clinical time off-site.
- Clinical experience is tailored to individual student interest and professional background and emphasizes leadership management roles in acute care, community and rural health settings.
Program Options
- Students may complete their program in 2, 3, 4 or 6 semesters
- Students may opt to complete specified program courses in the “live” class, 15-week format
Degree Requirements
- The Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in nursing degree requires coursework totaling 128 credits. The degree is comprised of prerequisite, general education, general elective and 32 credits of required nursing courses.
- RN’s with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in other disciplines are required to complete prerequisite and 32 credits of nursing courses.
- Diploma Program graduates complete prerequisite, general education, general elective and nursing coursesrequired for the degree.
- Diploma Program graduates are required to earn 24 nursing credits by passing three Excelsior College Examinations with scores of C- or better: Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Maternal Child Nursing.
- RNs must provide proof of licensure to Decker Student Services and the Decker School Clinical Site Coordinator prior to enrolling in NURS 384 and/or NURS 484.
Transfer Credit Policy
- All college courses completed with a grade of C- or better that apply to the Bachelor of Science degree may be transferred.
- Students are encouraged to consider Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) and/or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) to earn additional college credits in areas of prior learning and personal interest. Note: Transfer of credit by exam is limited to 32 credits.
Eligibility Criteria Required to Begin Accelerated 2- or 3-Semester Programs
- Must be a licensed RN
- Proof of licensure must be submitted to Decker School Student Services and the Decker School Clinical Site Coordinator prior to starting the program.
- Must have completed all general education, nursing prerequisite, and general elective courses, and hold an Associate's Degree in Nursing or be a Diploma Program graduate.
- Diploma Program graduates must have earned 24 credits via successful completion of Excelsior College Examinations (scoring a C- or better) in Adult Health, Maternal Child, and Mental Health Nursing.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and a minimum prerequisite course GPA of 3.0.
- Candidates’ potential for success is evaluated based on references, ability to study full-time for two or three semesters, and previous education.
Nursing Course Prerequisites
The following courses must be completed prior to taking nursing courses:
- Two composition courses
- Statistics
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
- Chemistry and I and II, preferably including principles of inorganic, organic and biochemistry
- Introductory psychology
- Developmental psychology
Exception to Prerequisites
- There are two exceptions to the completion of prerequisite courses that apply only to those licensed RNs enrolling in the non-accelerated program.
- Statistics may be taken concurrently with Nursing 360 (Socialization II: Nursing Research).
- Chemistry prerequisites (CHEM I and CHEM II) may be taken concurrently with Nursing 351(Patho I) and Nursing 361 (Patho II) respectively.
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Required Courses in the RN Curriculum
- Nurs. 351: Pathophysiology & Psychopathology I †
- Nurs. 360: Socialization II: Nursing Research †
- Nurs. 361: Pathophysiology & Psychopathology II †
- Nurs. 365: Pharmacology in Nursing †
- Nurs. 380: Professional Role Development: Transitions
- Nurs. 382: Population-Focused Health Promotion
- Nurs. 384: Population-Focused Disease Management
- Nurs. 386: Health Assessment
- Nurs. 388: Health Care Policy and Health Disparities
- Nurs. 484: Socialization into the Leadership Role
- Nurs. Elective or Nurs. 497 Independent Study
†Notes:
- Nursing 351, 360, 361, and 365 may be completed by challenge examination; note the full policy details are found online in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.
- Nursing 351, 360, 361, and 365 may also be taken in summer session
Nursing Course Descriptions
To view nursing course descriptions see the University Bulletin.
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Admissions
Transfer students may be admitted to Binghamton University in the fall semester. Students who wish to begin in a spring semester may speak to an adviser regarding non-matriculated status. For more information, see B.U. Admissions website.
Financial Assistance
For information on financial aid, please see Binghamton University's Financial Aid web site.
Currently enrolled nursing students may be eligible for special aid programs including loans and local grants. The Decker School of Nursing offers a limited number of scholarships with specific eligibility criteria, including merit and/or residency requirements. The application deadline for these scholarships is March 1. Admitted students may obtain applications directly from the Decker School.
Undergraduate Costs
For more information about standard tuition and fees see Binghamton University's Student Accounts Homepage.
Click here to see costs associated with program enrollment that students incur beyond University tuition and fees. NOTE: The figures itemized on the attached are estimated costs and are typically less than portrayed based on variations in the students' actual cost to purchase insurance coverage, textbooks, medical supplies, and distance traveled to clinical sites.
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