Excelsior College Offers Free Writing in the Disciplines Certificate Course for Faculty Professional Development

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – This month, Excelsior College launched a Writing in the Disciplines Certificate Course that is free and open to faculty interested improving their students’ writing skills. The professional development training includes a self-paced course with assessments and lightly moderated discussion forums during which faculty share resources and collaborate on designing assignments related to writing in the disciplines.

The course includes four modules:

  1. Introduction to Writing in the Disciplines
  2. Creating Effective Writing Assignments
  3. Peer Review and Revision
  4. Effective Feedback and Rubrics

Each module includes readings and videos and takes about three to five hours to complete. The entire course takes approximately 12 to 16 hours, depending on the level of discussion. The course is graded pass/fail, and participants need to earn 70 percent or better on all four quizzes, one per module, to earn the certificate.

Upon successful completion of this course, faculty receive a downloadable certificate in Writing in the Disciplines (WID). Writing in the Disciplines is a subfield of Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), a nationwide movement designed to ensure students have frequent and significant opportunities to write, revise, and discuss their writing in their classes.

“We think this is an excellent professional development opportunity for faculty in any discipline,” says Ben Pearson, PhD, co-chair of Excelsior College’s Writing Across the Curriculum initiative. “Writing is a crucial 21st-century skill, and it’s not something students can master in just one to two required writing courses. The more opportunities that we can create for high-impact, high-quality writing assignments in our classes, the better prepared students will be for life and career success.”

The training is hosted on the popular MOOC platform within the Canvas Network, providing the same look and feel as Excelsior College courses. To view the course or for additional information, go to https://www.canvas.net/browse/excelsior/courses/writing-in-the-disciplines

This certificate training was developed by a team of about 10 faculty members with experience in teaching writing across a variety of disciplines and was supported by a grant from the Booth-Ferris Foundation. Many key elements of the training were developed as part of grant-funded collaboration among Excelsior College, SUNY Rockland, SUNY Clinton, SUNY Monroe, and other colleges.

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Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu               (518) 464-8531

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, nonprofit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are – academically and geographically – removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

 

Excelsior College Awards Congressman Tonko an Honorary Degree

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

On September 3, James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College, awarded an honorary degree to Rep. Paul D. Tonko, a sixth-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 20th Congressional District in the Capital Region.

James Baldwin and Congressman Tonko with Honorary Degree

In presenting the honorary degree, President Baldwin said, “Throughout his career, Congressman Tonko has been a champion for the working class and advancing policies that create jobs. He has been a champion for the underserved and underprivileged.” Baldwin also heralded Tonko as a true advocate for education and for adult learners and remarked that he has advanced the mission of Excelsior College to create pathways for the undeserved to achieve their educational dreams.

Congressman Tonko addresses Excelsior Staff and Faculty

Tonko had planned to attend Excelsior College’s 48th Commencement on July 12 and receive the honorary degree, but he was needed in Washington, DC for a critical vote on the 911 Victim’s Compensation Fund.

To the Excelsior College administrators and staff gathered on September 3, he echoed the remarks he provided to graduates via a video at Commencement, in which he indicated the importance of a sense of purpose. “My message to you today is about purpose,” he said. “Purpose is a great guiding force in our lives. Without purpose, where are we heading?”

He continued, “Be strong. Be generous with yourself and be Excelsior. Be that high quality, that best quality. Looking upward and forward always to reach inside and really show your given sense of purpose.’’

Tonko has worked with Excelsior College on many initiatives and events, such as the Nyquist Leadership Series and Workforce Development Strategy and Policy Forum, and has supported a grant for Excelsior College to develop the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS). In 2014, Tonko helped Excelsior College with a grant establishing new and creative uses of technology to increase college opportunities for low-income students. In response to the recognition by Excelsior College, Tonko said, “To receive an honorary degree from Excelsior College is just a wonderful feeling.”

Tonko graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and is a former engineer for the New York State Public Service Commission. He is a lifelong resident of Amsterdam, New York.

 

Excelsior College was Selected as One of bestcolleges.com’s Best Online Administration Management Programs in the Nation

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Ranked the best for student outcomes and affordability, according to BestColleges

Albany, NY — Excelsior College has been recognized as the 2019 Best Online Associate in Administration Management program in the nation by BestColleges, a leading provider of independent college rankings, college planning resources, and higher education research. The annual ranking highlights accredited, nonprofit institutions that have developed quality online administration management programs that focus on student outcomes.

best colleges award for best online associate degree in administration and management

BestColleges identified 25 schools that rank among the best colleges to obtain an Associate in Administration Management degree. Stephanie Snider, director of BestColleges, said, “We’re thrilled to have Excelsior College leading this list, and we commend them for establishing this exceptional online program that focuses on academic success while remaining affordable and flexible.”

Excelsior College’s Associate in Applied Science in Administrative/Management Studies gives students the knowledge and skills needed for business support roles. This is relevant as data indicates 10 percent growth in business and financial operations occupations through 2026 and graduates should be career-ready with practical training using the most common office software applications. This associate degree program is especially suited to military servicemembers with certain military occupational ratings or specialties.

Dr. John Caron, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Excelsior College, indicated, “The Associate in Applied Science in Administrative Management Studies has been developed in conjunction with industry experts and scholar-practitioners to provide the most up-to-date and practical business education that will ensure today’s managers possess the most relevant competencies and tools that they need to excel in their chosen career. Recognition by BestColleges is a testament to the quality of our online Associate in Applied Science in Administrative/Management Studies program and the importance of providing a pathway to the world of business for adult learners.”

The BestColleges ranking methodology focuses on academics and learner support, affordability, and online programming with schools evaluated on several noteworthy data points aggregated from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. Schools considered for associate degree program rankings must be accredited public or private, nonprofit institutions that have submitted annual data reports to the NCES. With this methodology, BestColleges’ goal is to objectively assess relative quality based on academic outcomes, cost of programs, and the breadth and depth of online program offerings.

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Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-464-8531

For more information or BestColleges inquiries, contact: contact@bestcolleges.com

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

About BestColleges

BestColleges empowers students to make smarter educational decisions and find schools that best fit their needs through proprietary research, user-friendly guides, and hundreds of unique college rankings. As a trusted education advisor, it provides college planning, financial aid, and career resources to help students realize life goals and overcome educational challenges as they prepare for careers after college.

CPNE and ME: Heather Wolfe

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Heather Wolfe, of Adrian, Michigan, wanted to be a nurse since she was a child. It seemed the career was meant for her because she carried around a Fisher Price medical kit and practiced nursing on her Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Wolfe pursued becoming an RN several times throughout her life but experiences always got in the way. Now she’s closer to her dream than ever before, having passed the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam on November 11, 2018.

Wolfe currently works the night shift at United Methodist Communities, an assisted and independent living retirement community offering long- and short-term care. For the past four years, she has specialized in sub-acute rehabilitation, which is less intensive inpatient care for someone suffering from an illness or injury. When she first gets to work, Wolfe assesses her patients, administers medications and treatments that are due, and then meets with her coworkers. She also takes care of various other jobs and tasks that need to be done, like checking on equipment, cleaning, etc. At the end of her shift, which is from 6:30 p.m.to 7 a.m., Wolfe is certainly tired, but she finds the work meaningful. “I feel accomplished that I’m able to help somebody even if it’s just a little task. I find nursing really rewarding,” she says.

Wolfe graduated from Jackson College in 2002 as an LPN and completed all necessary prerequisites for the college’s LPN to RN program. Unfortunately, the school wouldn’t accept her many credits and informed her that tuition would be out of pocket. She had previously learned about Excelsior College’s generous credit acceptance policies and decided to enroll in the associate degree in nursing program. “The program allowed me to work full-time and go to school at my own pace,” she says.

Wolfe was eager to take the CPNE so when a test spot at St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, New York, opened due to a cancellation, she jumped on it. With the exam date six weeks later, she kicked her preparation into high gear “It was very intense…I practiced literally four hours every day,” she recalls. Her family was understanding and gave her space and time alone to study and train. Sometimes they pretended to be her patients so she could practice on them. She even had a teddy bear that had an IV.  “My living room was a disaster for six weeks. I had papers all over the floor and a makeshift bed on the couch,” Wolfe says, remembering how much effort went into studying.

Her coworkers were supportive in letting her practice and use medical equipment at work and at home. At work, she used a room set up just like a hospital room with two “patients” in hospital beds, complete with supplies. “I would randomly pick four AOCs [areas of competency] and keep going through them until I felt confident,” she says. It was beneficial and helpful to use the tools there because the direct care environment meant for a more hands-on learning approach.

Wolf has always wanted to obtain a nursing degree and become an RN, but there have been setbacks. First, her mother became sick with cancer so she had to stop going to school. One of her children also passed away and so she took some time to recover. And then her husband was diagnosed with cancer, but he insisted she finish her associate degree. Wolfe says he was her biggest support throughout her journey and even when he had surgery in fall 2018, he still encouraged her to fly to New York to take the CPNE.

Wolfe, who earned her degree from Excelsior in early 2019, passed the National Council Licensure Exam (N-CLEX) and now is officially a RN. She plans to stay with United Methodist Communities until she completes a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “My long-term goal has always been to at least have a bachelor’s in nursing,” she says. Wolfe plans to be an instructor but not necessarily a classroom teacher. She’d rather focus on the more hands-on clinical aspect of nursing. “I would like to be a clinical instructor or [pursue] some form of teaching that I can do with the bachelor’s,” she says. Through her perseverance and determination, she has come far and now the possibilities are endless.

More Tips from Heather Wolfe:

  • Wolfe flew into New York state a couple days before the exam and studied, but the night before the CPNE she didn’t do any studying or reviewing. “I went out and saw a movie by myself and I went to dinner,” she says, noting sometimes you can’t study, and suggests doing things to try and relax.
  • Wolfe advises other students to watch the Excelsior nursing videos so they can learn what is expected of them in the CPNE environment. She warns that just reading the guides won’t prepare you. Memorizing the steps for each area of competency is also very important, says Wolfe, “That’s the biggest thing. Otherwise, you’re not going to make it.”
  • Flashcards can be helpful. Wolfe used hers a fair amount in studying.

Is Nursing STEM?

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

What is STEM?

As a simple acronym, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. As a movement, STEM, especially as it relates to education and workforce development, has gotten a lot of attention in the last decade. The term was first coined in 2001 by the National Science Foundation. An educational research team originally labeled the curriculum they were developing to enhance education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology as SMET but re-arranged the letters to form the arguably better sounding acronym, STEM. Since then, it’s become something of a rallying cry to improve the United States’ competitiveness in the global market for scientific and technological innovation, development, and research.

The acronym began to be used in discussions about the lack of candidates within the United States qualified to fill the growing number of positions in scientific and technical fields. STEM then grew into an educational concept that sought to integrate the teaching of science, technology, engineering, and math in schools instead of teaching each in a vacuum as was the norm in decades past. More importantly, a key tenant of STEM education is the application of these subjects to real-world challenges, encouraging critical and solutions-based thinking.

Is Nursing Considered STEM?

When we think of STEM fields, the first ones that come to mind are probably the traditionally high-tech disciplines like bio technology, software development, or mechanical engineering. But what about nursing? While nursing is rooted in the fundamentals of science and math, like medicine it is not typically included as a STEM field despite nurses needing to apply math, biology, and technology every day. Nursing also adheres to the guiding principles of STEM in that it applies these disciplines to find solutions to very real problems.

What fields are or are not considered STEM is constantly up for debate. It doesn’t help that beyond the acronym, there is no single agreed-upon definition for what constitutes a STEM profession and even official government agencies disagree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists “Health occupations” as STEM while the Immigration and Customs Enforcement doesn’t include nursing on its list of STEM fields that make non-citizens eligible for a visa extension. Higher education, however, has been quicker to accept nursing under the umbrella of STEM with several universities including the program within their science department—a designation which seems fitting given the average nursing curriculum includes a heavy focus on Microbiology, Science, and Statistics.

So why has nursing struggled for STEM acceptance? One factor is most certainly gender-based prejudice. The profession as a whole has long been discounted as a job for mainly women that’s focused on comfort and caring rather than the “hard” sciences. Another stumbling block are the capitalist undertones at the heart of the movement that frames the innovation and creativity inherent to STEM pursuits as vehicles for economic growth. While this isn’t strictly bad, the relentless promotion of job creation, industry “disruption,” and product development comes at the expense of fields that at their core are about more human outcomes.

Why STEM Recognition is Important

Why is STEM recognition so important? A STEM designation also carries with it a cachet and a promise of professional respect and higher salaries, factors that make building that all important qualified workforce easier. There’s also money at stake. With the country’s government, development, and scientific sectors deeply invested in boosting the STEM workforce, there is investment in the form of grants, scholarships, and support resources available for any initiative—educational or otherwise—promoting STEM. The U.S. Department of Education allocated $279 million in STEM discretionary grant funds in 2018 with many of these focused on encouraging women and underserved populations to enter a STEM field. With the shortage of nurses, especially nurses with advanced degrees, it’s more than dollars on the line. It would only benefit every community to have nursing included under the STEM umbrella and could allocate much needed funds into programs designed to recruit and train the workforce we need.

Perhaps the solution is to broaden our understanding of STEM into one of “STEMpathy,” a portmanteau coined in 2017 by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman to combine technology with human connection. While Friedman still advocates an entrepreneurial mindset, he stresses that STEM should always be through the lens of compassion and empathy and paraphrases Descartes, saying “’I think, therefore I am’ to ‘I care, therefore I am; I hope, therefore I am; I imagine, therefore I am. I am ethical, therefore I am. I have a purpose, therefore I am. I pause and reflect, therefore I am.’”

Learn More About Excelsior’s RN to MSN Nursing Program

The STEM designation shouldn’t serve as an exclusionary device. We all benefit when STEM can grow to include fields like nursing, that use the power of science, technology, engineering and math to care, treat, and keep us safe. Learn more about Excelsior College’s RN to MSN program.

Sailor Balances Service and Family to Earn Three Degrees

Posted on by Dana Yanulavich

As every sailor knows, staying on an even keel is important for stability. And Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dorothy Jimenez discovered firsthand that this state of balance applied to her personal life, too. Now a three-time Excelsior grad, Jimenez cites a drive to keep pushing forward in life and school with helping her succeed. She credits not only her family with bringing balance to her life, but learning as well. “Seeking to learn kept me thinking outside the box. I always thought this [earning a degree] is bigger than me, so it kept me focused; it helped me stay balanced,” she said.

But Jimenez’s life hasn’t been without its ups and downs. Although enrolled in a local university following high school, she was not progressing as she had hoped. A single mom, she was looking for stability for both herself and her son and an opportunity to continue her education. A meeting with a Navy recruiter on campus launched her 20 plus year military career.

Once enlisted, a visit to the Navy college office started her on a path to her first degree, an Associate in Applied Science (Technology) in 2007. She recalled, “I was so excited with Excelsior, because they pretty much took all college credit for my military experience. And they helped me with a plan.” Marriage to an active duty spouse Daniel and having another child were other milestones in Jimenez’s life, but she also wanted to continue with her educational goals. “I stayed focused, going after my dreams, and kept moving toward my goals.” And graduate again she did, in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies.

When both husband and wife are enlisted, family life and educational pursuits can be challenging, especially when responsibilities take the two in different directions. Once Dorothy had to attend six months of training when Daniel was called to a surge deployment. On another occasion, Dorothy was deployed and her husband was recruiting.  Both times, their respective parents stepped up to the plate to help care for the growing family of four children, ages 7-23.

When Daniel deploys, Dorothy notes that she is basically a single mom again. “That is challenging because serving my country is a priority balanced with the priority of raising our children alone. It is tough, I have to make sure that our children are supported in every way possible. I had to make time to study, self-care, and commit to fitness goals. Some goals were easy and some I struggle with, but learned life lessons and experienced spiritual growth. Purposely, resilient in action, but there were many scrapes and sacrifices!”

Despite these challenges, Jimenez continued to press forward with her studies. She tips her hat to the help from Excelsior’s advisors and faculty. Admitting to missing some deadlines and repeating a course or two, Jimenez credits her advisor with vital coaching advice, offering her skills that she still uses to this day. She stayed in touch with her professors and found that “they understood that I was active duty military, I was a mom, and that I was trying to accomplish something.” She also credits her current chain of command for their continued support for education. One of her current Navy commands visions is “Success achieved through synchronized operations, empowered by calculated risk and continuous learning.” When she saw the light at the end of the tunnel with her bachelor’s degree classes, she was determined to continue and enroll in a master’s degree. But it wasn’t as easy as simply signing up for the program; she needed to prove to the dean that she had the right stuff. Her success in an initial class was all that was needed to start her on completing her dream of a graduate degree.

While Jimenez appreciates her undergraduate Excelsior degrees, she feels her Master of Public Administration earned in 2018 is the foundation on which to build on her life’s ultimate ambition: helping others. She hopes to draw on her favorite MPA courses, mediation and arbitration, to make a difference, perhaps as a public servant in the cyber community.

Now at a crossroads in her life, Jimenez is eligible to transition. And, of course, there is her continued need for growth and to press forward with her education. Seriously considering pursuing cybersecurity law as her next step, she plans to take the LSAT this year. “Serving others is my passion. I hope that all I learned in the Navy is combined into something excellent and great to serve others. If it does not help anyone, I don’t think it’s worth doing.”

Jimenez said that she is humbled by all of her accomplishments. Growing up in a small town in Georgia with nine siblings, she noted that she did not have a lot of stability in her life. She credits first her faith, amazing husband and kids, hometown family, and mentors with encouraging her to set her mind on achieving her goals, telling her, “No matter what you’ve gone through in your life, you can always shoot for the stars and to be whoever you want to be.”

Reflecting on her three degrees, Jimenez said, “Excelsior is a college that will work with you, that will support you no matter what you’ve been through in your life. When you take that first step, Excelsior will take the other steps with you. They were with me every step of the way with my degrees and I am forever grateful.”

 

Leading By Example

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kathleen Gallo Uses Multiple Skills to Succeed in Her Career

Kathleen Gallo of Ridgefield, Connecticut, never thought about being a nurse when she was younger. Her plan was to become a successful businesswoman. As her best friend pursued nursing, Gallo started to follow the same path and soon discovered she enjoyed nursing’s independent work and science background. Over the years, Gallo has been able to apply both her clinical and business skills in a variety of nursing settings, and today she is executive vice president and chief learning officer at Northwell Health, and dean of Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.

With her best friend’s encouragement, Gallo made the career switch after working in business in Manhattan and enrolled in the LPN program at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City to see if it would be right for her. “I thought, let me see if this is a profession that I want to devote my career to—and I loved it right away,” she recalls. When she graduated, Gallo worked at the Hospital for Special Surgery.  Feeling the need to be challenged more, she went to work at Elmhurst General Hospital in Queens, where she “fell in love with the patient population and the complexity of the patient care that was needed.”

Eventually, Gallo married and had two children, and decided to continue her education. That’s when she discovered Excelsior (then Regents) College. Excelsior’s distance learning was beneficial to her because she is a good independent learner, she says, adding that Excelsior’s nursing program fit in with her life: “That program was just perfect for my learning style and it allowed me to accomplish what I needed to accomplish while I had a growing family.” She earned an associate degree in nursing in 1980 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1986. She credits her Excelsior degrees with preparing her to go on to earn a master’s degree in nursing at Stony Brook University and a PhD and MBA at Adelphi University. She says, “I don’t know what the outcome would have been if it wasn’t for Regents at the time. Eventually I would have gotten to where I wanted to go but at a much, much later stage in my life and, of course, that would have impacted on my career and where I am today.”

While going back to school for her undergraduate degrees and caring for two young children, Gallo worked every other weekend at North Shore University Hospital in the emergency department. She liked the emergency department and trauma because of many “moving parts” and making decisions based on good information, as well as working in teams. Gallo moved on in her career, eventually becoming the director of the emergency department at Stony Brook University Hospital, and then becoming system administrative director of emergency medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System (now Northwell Health) in 1996.

Northwell Health is the largest health system in New York State with 66,000 employees, 23 hospitals, and more than 700 outpatient facilities. In 2001, as the Chief Learning Officer, Gallo led the creation of the Center for Learning and Innovation, which focuses on workforce development, leadership development, and includes business courses. The Center also has a significant interprofessional clinical simulation center and a bio-skills education center for clinical education. In 2015, Gallo became the founding dean for the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. “Between Hofstra and Northwell, the resources for our nurse practitioner, PA, and medical students are quite significant and impactful,” she says.

Gallo leans on her nursing and business experience gained during her various jobs throughout the years. She says in her current roles, she has a bigger impact on patient care: “As a clinician, you can affect one, maybe two patients at a time; where as an administrator you can aim to make an environment such that multiple staff are affecting multiple patients with good outcomes.”

Gallo enjoys helping students become successful and seeing the impact her team has made on the lives of students and patients. Though retirement is in her near future, Gallo wants to continue to build nursing programs and expand the Center for Learning. She doesn’t want to slow down or stop building, and she’s ready to face anything. “If there isn’t a challenge, I’m not interested…There’s nothing better than a challenging role,” she says.

More from Kathleen Gallo:

Best podcast/book/magazine:

“I’m a big Harvard Business Review reader. I also read the Wall Street Journal. I like the Sunday New York Times.”

Most important skills in being a leader:

“No. 1 is hire the right people and have programs in place so they can advance their skills and competencies…there’s nothing better than having your employees working at the top of their potential.”

Best advice received about being a chief learning officer:

“It’s all about the people; it’s not about the chief learning officer. And you’re there to strategize on how to be able to advance the organization through the power of its employees.”

What is Nursing Informatics and What Jobs Can I Get?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Nurses know that more data and better information leads to better health outcomes for their patients, and in today’s health care landscape, we have more sources of information than ever before as medical records and patient data are digitized. As this quantity of data increases, so does the need for qualified informaticists with the ability to interpret the numbers and help health care providers make better decisions. So, if you’re a nurse who’s looking to integrate your passion for patient care with a talent for data and analytics, look no further than a career in nursing informatics.

What exactly is “nursing informatics?” Despite the role being indispensable to nearly every major health care system, informatics remains an “invisible health hero” to most people outside of the industry.

The Health Care Information and Management System Society (HIMSS) defines nursing informatics as “the specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information management and analytical sciences to identify, define, manage, and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice. Nursing Informatics supports nurses, consumers, patients, the inter-professional healthcare team, and other stakeholders in their decision-making in all roles and settings to achieve desired outcomes. This support is accomplished through the use of information structures, information processes, and information technology.”

A nurse informaticist acts as a liaison between the technical and clinical aspects of a project or a problem to improve processes, decision making, and health outcomes as well as reduce errors, costs, and care delays. For example, a nurse informaticist may be asked to examine data to identify possible sources of patient readmissions (ie. lack of support at home, difficulty in understanding written care instructions, or a hazardous job) and then work with a hospital’s IT department to develop technological processes that flag those factors to health care providers helping them deal with possible issues before they result in additional trips to the hospital.

Nurse informaticists most often work in hospitals or other health care facilities but are increasingly being employed by consulting firms, universities, corporations, and the government. Job titles often reflect the blending of health care with information technology and career paths could include:
•             Clinical Systems Analyst

  • Database Specialist
  • Electronic Heath Records (EHR) Informatics Liaison
  • Clinical Informatics Nurse
  • Clinical Informatics or Applications Specialist
  • Pharmacy or Nutrition Informaticist
  • Chief Medical Information Officer
  • Health Data Scientist or Researcher
  • Professor of Informatics
  • Health Information Technology (IT) Project Manager

To break into this fast-growing career, you’ll need to start as a registered nurse. And because of the specializations of the field, informaticist positions usually require higher levels of education. The HIMSS 2017 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey reported that 57 percent of respondents currently working in the field have a post-graduate degree and 41 percent reported that they planned to pursue additional informatics education and training within the next year.

Nursing informatics is a rewarding and complex job but you can expect a higher than average salary in return. The HIMSS 2017 Nursing Informatics Workforce Survey asked respondents to identify their base salary as of December 1, 2016. Twenty-five percent of respondents’ salary ranged from $86,000 to $100,000 while 24 percent ranged from $61,000 to $85,000. Nearly half of respondents indicated a salary of over $100,000. There were increases from the 2014 survey for each salary range over $100,000.

The most successful candidates will need strong project management, analytical, and problem solving skills as well as a talent for critical thinking and creativity. Think you have what it takes for a career in informatics?  Check out Excelsior’s MS program in Nursing Informatics today.

 

How to Write a Cover Letter

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

With a well-crafted cover letter, you can introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way on a job application. Some hiring managers consider it to be the most important part of your job application. It is a great opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all other candidates.

Following are some things you should and should not include in your cover letter.

What Is Cover Letter?

 Your resume lays out the facts to potential employers, but your cover letter conveys your personality. The Society for Human Resources surveyed organizations on resumes, cover letters, and interviews and found the top three things that must be included in a cover letter are: how a candidate’s work experience meets job requirements, how a candidate’s skills meet job requirements, and why a candidate wants to work at the organization.

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

 Successful cover letters include these sections:

  • Contact Information: Your details, plus those of the target company.
  • Salutation: Address your cover letter like a professional. While it is fine to use “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” when addressing the recruiter, taking the time to find out to whom you are addressing your letter makes a much stronger impression.
  • The “Intro” Paragraph: Your cover letter introduction should grab the reader’s attention. Consider introducing yourself with a snappy first sentence that highlights your excitement about the company, your passion for the work you do, or your past accomplishments. Check out examples of how to start your cover letterin an engaging, attention-grabbing way.
  • The “Body” Paragraphs: A good cover letter has body paragraphs that showcase your abilities & how you fit into the company’s future.
  • Call-to-Action: The best cover letter CTA lets the hiring manager know when you’re available to interview, and that you will follow up if necessary.
  • The Sign-off: A cover letter closing should consist of “Sincerely,” “Regards,” or “Best Regards,” and your name.

How to Craft Your Cover Letter

 When writing your letter, you should write like yourself, but you should also pick the appropriate voice and tone for the company you’re applying to. For instance, the tone of a letter for a legal consulting firm will likely differ from a graphic design firm. Be sure to also add some word variation to help you stand out against other applicants. Instead of describing yourself as creative, try imaginative. Instead of saying you’re determined, say you’re tenacious. These word variations show that you can think beyond what the average applicant can.

Things to Remember

  • Keep it short. In general, don’t go over a page for resumes or cover letters. In one survey, more than two-thirds of employers said they prefer a cover letter around 250 words. Check out these tips for cutting down your cover letterto a page or less.
  • Dishonesty on your cover letter isn’t in your best interest. Don’t imply or indicate you have a skill that you don’t actually have. It might come back to bite you.
  • Don’t apologize. When you don’t meet all the job requirements, you may be tempted to say something like, “Despite my limited experience as a manager…” Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, emphasize the strengths and transferable skills you do have.
  • Consider testimonials. Sometimes feedback from former co-workers, managers, or clients can go a long way in illustrating your passion or skills. Just don’t go overboard.
  • Don’t be afraid to brag. Do you have a hard time writing about yourself? Try this tip: What would your favorite boss, your best friend, or your mentor say about you? Write the letter from their point of view.
  • Finish strong. Your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize how you’d be a great fit for the position. You can use the end of your letter to add other important details, too. Check out some examples of closing lines you want to avoid at cover letter closing lines.
  • Edit and proof. Remember to edit your cover letter and have a friend take a look. Use the Hemingway app to see how it sounds out loud and edit accordingly. Ask a friend if your letter sells you as the right person for the job. If it doesn’t, you might have more work to do.

Remember that a cover letter is your chance to impress the potential employer and let them know you’re excited to be part of their company. It’s your opportunity to tell about you! For more helpful tips about writing cover letters, visit https://www.glassdoor.com, https://resumegenius.com, and https://www.careeronestop.org. Also, be sure to visit Excelsior’s Career Center at https://career.excelsior.edu/ for more advice on job searching, resume writing, interview tips, military and veteran transition, and more.

Excelsior Presents Webinar on Military Mental Health Issues

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Mental health care is an important and growing part of our national discussion, but did you know that mental health issues disproportionately affect over 18 million U.S. veterans and their families? The statistics are staggering.

  • The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for PTSD estimated that 1 in 20 of the nation’s 5 million surviving World War II veterans suffers from PTSD as well as:
    • 31 percent of Vietnam veterans
    • 10 percent of Gulf War veterans (Desert Storm)
    • 11 percent of veterans from the war in Afghanistan
  • According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 40,056 homeless veterans living in the U.S. in a single night in January 2017.
  • Less than 50 percent of returning veterans suffering from mental illness receive treatment.
  • 20 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States.

On May 9, Excelsior College held a webinar to discuss some of the health issues unique to military populations. Presented by Sandra Butterfield, ‘86 , Jessica Cheverie, ’02 , and James Ketzler, ’00, the webinar focused on the multitude of reasons for the higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder , depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury among veterans as well as barriers to care and how to get help.

Because of their long-term exposure to high-intensity kinetic conflict, uncertainty, combat-related injuries or death, loss of control, and long separations from their loved ones, veterans often return from military service with significant mental health challenges as they transition back to civilian life. All too often, these issues trickle down to other members of their families as well.

Recognizing the signs of mental distress early is key to diagnosis and treatment. Some warning behaviors could include:

  • Prolonged sadness, anxiety, or strong feelings of anger
  • Extreme emotional highs or extreme lows
  • Social withdrawal
  • Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Delusions or hallucinations
  • Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Denial of obvious problems
  • Excessive substance use

The institutional stigma surrounding mental illness within the military community causes many servicemembers to avoid seeking treatment for fear of professional consequences as severe as dishonorable discharge. Until recently, the military had limited mental health screenings available and the armed forces does not require servicemembers to disclose mental health problems to their chain of command.

Fortunately, the military has changed many of its policies in recent years to encourage better mental health and the Department of Defense states that they realize untreated mental health conditions pose a greater safety risk than mental health conditions for which the person is seeking treatment. A 2014 rule states that receiving a diagnosis or seeking treatment can not affect your career, even if your doctors need to disclose your condition.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness or the transition to civilian life, the below resources could help:

If you’re interested in learning more, a recording of this webinar is available for our alumni community by logging in here: https://alumni.excelsior.edu. Visit our Alumni Events Page to see what webinars we have coming up at  https://www.excelsior.edu/alumni/alumni-events/.

 

2016 Graduate Jeromie Cook Recognized for his Dedication to Military Service

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Excelsior College grad, Jeromie Cook, received a Master of Business Administration in technology management with highest honors from Excelsior College in 2016. Recently he was recognized in Marquis Who’s Who Biographee for his dedication to military service.   Mr. Cook has earned two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, four Navy Achievement Medals, plus numerous other personal and unit awards. Cook is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and a nuclear master chief. He excels as the manager of emergency preparedness for Fluor Marine Propulsion LLC and the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, with which he also works as the principal compliance engineer.  

Link to full article: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/464564/jeromie-cook-celebrated-for-dedication-to-military-service

5 Reasons to Consider a Cybersecurity Degree

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. With computer system security becoming more complex as attacks become more sophisticated, experts with a cybersecurity degree are needed to fill these critical jobs.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity prepares you for this field. That’s especially true of degree programs, such as the one offered through Excelsior College, that are aligned with academic requirements for cybersecurity set up by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

So why is pursuing a cybersecurity degree worthwhile? Here are five reasons.

A Shortfall of Experts

Amelia Estwick, manager of the graduate program in cybersecurity at Excelsior College, notes that information security advocacy group ISACA projects a shortfall of 2 million cybersecurity professionals by 2019.

“For those pursuing a cybersecurity degree, this statistic not only paints a very positive light on job growth for cybersecurity professionals but also illustrates the importance that cybersecurity skills have in our digital society,” she said.

Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28 percent increase in cybersecurity jobs, which it lists under information security analyst.

Strong Salary Potential

The BLS reports that taking into account all cybersecurity professionals from across the country, the mean annual salary in May 2018 was $102,470. In New York, that salary number is $122,000, the highest in the nation.

New York also employs the fourth highest number of cybersecurity experts. The New York metropolitan area is the second highest metropolitan area in the country for the number of cybersecurity jobs, behind only Washington D.C.

A Need in Every Industry

Healthcare operations need cybersecurity experts to ensure the security of electronic healthcare records. Transportation companies need secure supplying chain digital systems. Financial firms need a lockdown on systems that contain sensitive financial information. And every business in every industry has personnel records that need to be secure. In all cases, a cybersecurity professional is needed. Earning a cybersecurity degree opens the door to working in almost any industry.

It’s a Challenging Career

Those who wish to break into computer systems — whether they are individual hackers or members of an enemy state — continue to get more sophisticated in how they approach breaking into a system. Workers with a degree in cybersecurity are on the front lines of this battle, from protecting department store transaction records to helping maintain security for elections. That’s why analytical thinking and problem-solving are both important traits for cybersecurity experts.

Working with Cutting-Edge Technology

To solve complex digital system problems, you need the best in technology. On any given day, a cybersecurity professional may learn new security protocols, technologies, and potential threats.

Earning a cybersecurity degree online puts graduates on the path to a well-paid job in a fast-growing industry. For those with interest in using technology to protect people from cybercriminals, there has never been a better time to enter the profession.