The Importance of Nuclear Safety

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Nuclear technology refers to using nuclear reactions to generate energy. Nuclear safety is essential in nuclear technology because it protects people, the environment, and property from the potential hazards that can arise from the use of nuclear energy and materials.

How Do We Define Nuclear Safety in Power Plants?

Nuclear safety in power plants involves establishing processes and systems to protect people, the environment, and property from nuclear crises. It includes developing safe reactor operations with strong designs, various safety barriers, shutdown systems, and strict operational procedures. Emergency preparedness, regular inspections, and following regulatory standards help ensure safe and sustainable plant operations.

Start a career in nuclear safety with a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior.

What Are Some Areas of Nuclear Safety?

According to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), U.S. power plants are among the in the world. Federal guidelines and industry safety procedures help make nuclear power a safe choice for our economy and communities. Let鈥檚 explore the different areas of nuclear safety.

Operational Safety

The and the ensure through evaluations and best practices. Plant workers undergo thorough training and education, and workers build facilities with multiple protective barriers and safety systems. The also enforces strict regulations, conducts inspections, and implements safety rules.

Security

Nuclear facilities maintain strict . The NRC enforces high security standards, and facilities feature steel-reinforced concrete containment structures designed to withstand natural disasters and even jet airliner impacts. Nearly 9,000 armed security officers, many with law enforcement or military backgrounds, safeguard these plants.

Cybersecurity

Advanced and constant threat monitoring protect nuclear power plants from cyberthreats. These plants operate hardware that prevents internet access and allows data to flow only outward. Strict controls are in place for portable media, and workers undergo rigorous security screenings and training. Regular inspections by the NRC ensure that cybersecurity protections remain effective against evolving cyberthreats.

Emergency Preparedness

with federally approved emergency plans developed in coordination with state and local governments and first responders to protect communities and employees. These plans include professional training and evaluations by the NRC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which ensure readiness and continuous improvement. The , , and the have strengthened these kinds of plans and helped professionals develop new strategies to maintain safety.

How Do Power Plants Dispose of Radioactive Waste?

Nuclear waste is generated from power plant production. It requires based on its risk level. Radioactive waste includes high-level waste, low-activity waste, and transuranic waste, each requiring specific treatments like or . High-level waste, such as used nuclear fuel, is highly radioactive and remains so for thousands of years. Low-level waste decays faster and is often disposed of in near-surface facilities. The (DOE) oversees nuclear waste management but faces many challenges.

Does the nuclear industry appeal to you? Start on your path to a career in nuclear safety with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology!

Systemic Leadership: Leading Effectively by Leveraging Our Collective Intelligence

Posted on by Daniel Pascoe Aguilar

Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, founding director of the Center for Social Justice and chief diversity officer, published the book 鈥淪ystemic Leadership: Leading Effectively by Leveraging Our Collective Intelligence.鈥� The work encourages leaders in higher education ecosystems to think and lead systemically, to further their critical charge to scaffold and facilitate the preparation of a diverse, authentic, engaged, and ready next generation of leaders, as well as to reassess the value and subsequently pursue the power of leveraging our collective intelligence for the enhancement of decision-making and performance as institutions and the field of higher education.

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Assessment in Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduate Education

Posted on by Joe Levy

Joe Levy, associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement, was a contributing author for a journal article in the December 2024 issue of the Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry, Improvement and Impact. The article, “Assessment in Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduate Education,” was a research project examining the presence, nature, and extent of coverage of assessment as a topic in higher education graduate preparation programs

Read the article .

View the full journal issue

Contributions of Leading Student Affairs Assessment Associations and Organizations

Posted on by Joe Levy

Joe Levy, associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement,聽 was a contributing author to a journal article in the December 2024 issue of the Journal of Student Affairs Inquiry, Improvement and Impact. The article, “Contributions of Leading Student Affairs Assessment Associations and Organizations,” was a contribution to the history and current state of professional organizations supporting student affairs assessment.

Read the article .

Read the full journal issue is .

Epidemiology: The Key to Public Health

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

When COVID-19 suddenly spread across the world, many people鈥攊ncluding health officials鈥攄idn鈥檛 know what to do. Specialists in the field of epidemiology stepped in to study the . These scientists tracked COVID-19 by identifying its source through community and health facility surveys and tracked the disease using data from case reports, hospital records, and death certificates. Studies provided insights into the infection period, risk factors, vaccine safety, and long-term health effects. Based on this data, scientists developed and updated guidance to lessen the disease鈥檚 spread and impact on different populations and settings.

The heroic work of epidemiologists may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but their efforts result in very real benefits to society, including saving lives that would otherwise be lost to disease. If you like public health and detective work, read on to see whether a career in epidemiology could be right for you.

What Is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the study of diseases and injuries in populations, their origins, how they spread, and finding solutions for stopping them. Epidemiologists work in hospitals, laboratories, and offices for universities, colleges, and local, state, and federal government. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, the median annual wage for , making it a lucrative public health profession.

If you want to play a role in disease prevention, earn your BS in Public Health from Excelsior.

How Does Epidemiology Help with Public Health?

Epidemiology helps provide data and insights necessary for learning about diseases and disease prevention. :

  • Identifying diseases. Epidemiologists identify risk factors and causes of diseases, allowing public health officials to develop targeted solutions.
  • Tracking outbreaks. Public health officials can identify sources of outbreaks, how the disease spreads, and populations at risk so they can enact effective measures.
  • Guiding public health policy. Public health officials can develop important disease prevention guidelines, policies, and health programs for communities.
  • Improving health equity. Epidemiology helps fight health disparities in communities by allowing scientists to study disease patterns across different demographic groups and developing specific interventions for underserved populations.
  • Promoting preparedness and prevention. Public health officials can prepare for potential crises like pandemics and natural disasters and can support disease prevention strategies like vaccination programs and health screenings. This can help reduce health care costs.

How Can I Get Started?

Becoming an epidemiologist requires education, work experience, and a passion for research and public service. You need to start with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a field like public health, biology, or health sciences to provide foundational knowledge. Entry-level positions typically require a master鈥檚 degree with a focus on epidemiology, which also offers training in health, environmental health, and research methods. Practical work experience gained through fieldwork in public health or research labs is essential for developing the skills needed for a successful career in the field.

If you鈥檙e ready to start on your career path toward epidemiology, consider earning your Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

Fostering Civic Engagement in Public Administration

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Civic engagement is fundamental to effective decision-making and policymaking for public administrators. It means reaching out to the public about issues of concern, from groups and organizations on down to individuals. In a democracy, communication, collaboration, and transparency between government and citizens is what leads to a prosperous and vibrant society.

What Is Civic Engagement?

Civic engagement is a concept that incorporates the activities that involve governmental entities, people, and organizations in addressing common and communal concerns for the betterment of communities and society at large.

It may involve civic participation with politics and government. These forms of civic participation include activities like voting, participating in hearings, attending focus groups and town halls, signing petitions and joining protests, serving on advisory committees, lobbying, and even running for office.

Yet civic engagement isn鈥檛 purely political. It can also include working with community charities and clubs, helping out at community gardens, participating in trash clean-up drives, or advocating for a grassroots movement and raising awareness about specific issues.

Drive civic engagement with a Master of Public Administration from 杏吧原创.

What Are Some Types of Civic Engagement?

Civic engagement can take many forms. Some of the more common ways the public interacts with government include:

Public Feedback

Giving voice to community and individual concerns by attending town halls, fielding and filling out surveys, and attending focus groups gives public administrators a fuller understanding of the issues and needs of various constituencies.

Participator Budgeting

Citizens can directly and specifically provide opinions about spending priorities and community investment needs.

Advisory Committees

Bringing together different voices and perspectives to collaborate in framing issues and solving problems is tremendously helpful to decision-makers.

Digital Engagement

Online platforms and social media are a way to reach more people faster and engender vital public dialogue.

Community Partnerships

Public-private partnerships, along with informal and ad hoc collaborations, are ways for government, private organizations, and individuals to work together in creating, implementing, and managing programs that benefit the public

Grassroots Movements

When people and organizations band together at a local level of public engagement, they can kick off bottom-up change that is often more effective than top-down efforts.

Volunteering

Contributing your time, energy, and skills to groups and public initiatives is a way to make direct and substantive change for the better for communities and individuals.

How Is Public Engagement Beneficial?

Effective public engagement leads to better government and better communities. Some of the benefits include:

  • Transparency. Community members and leaders both have open access to information for a more complete understanding of the issues and resolutions.
  • Inclusivity. Involving diverse voices in public engagement ensures that decision-makers include more perspectives in decision-making.
  • Accountability. Governments must be responsive to the people they are meant to serve.
  • Collaboration. Problems that are solved with people and groups working together lead to more enduring and effective solutions.
  • Trustworthiness. When people participate and get to know decision-makers and those implementing decisions, they have higher confidence in the solutions.
  • Better outcomes. Equitable, effective results are made possible with vibrant civic engagement.

Who Shapes Policy Around Civic Engagement?

Various stakeholders can influence civic engagement that encourages active participation in the community, from governmental organizations to a grassroots movement.

Outside of government, nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and advocacy groups play roles. Education institutions contribute research, provide education, and host civic initiatives. Businesses, media, and associations may get involved through lobbying, charitable giving, and funding advocacy initiatives. Individual citizens and activists also participate.

Earning your Master of Public Administration prepares you for leadership roles inside or outside government. You鈥檒l find openings and opportunities in business, with a variety of organizations, and within local, state, national, and even international governmental bodies.

For a career that is highly rewarding, with impacts you can see, working in public administration and promoting civic engagement can be an exciting choice.

Excelsior鈥檚 Constellation Strategy for Developing Partnerships with Other Institutions

Posted on by David Schejbal

In an interview with Presidents Forum, 杏吧原创 president David Schejbal discussed 杏吧原创’s commitment to student-centered innovation through its Constellation model of higher education partnerships. President Schejbal speaks on how the Constellation enables students to move between institutions, combining online learning with immersive, in-person experiences.

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Tips for Studying for Finals in College

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Effective study habits are crucial to success during finals. However, preparing for final exams in college can feel like a daunting task as you review all the key topics you鈥檝e learned throughout a given term. By leveraging the right strategies and developing a structured approach to studying, students can be better equipped to tackle their studies, improve retention and comprehension of course material, and manage stress.

Explore various methods to enhance study efficiency鈥攊ncluding time management techniques, the benefits of group study sessions, and ways to stay motivated and focused during this critical period.

How Early Should You Start Preparing for Final Exams?

The timing of your preparation can significantly impact your performance on final exams. Ideally, students should begin reviewing material at least two to three weeks before exams start. This allows ample time to revisit core concepts, complete practice problems, and identify areas that need further clarification. Starting early helps avoid last-minute cramming, reduces anxiety, and ensures a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Learn how Excelsior鈥檚 online degree and certificate programs can bring you closer to your goals.

Tips for How to Study for Finals

Knowing how to study for finals requires a strategic approach to make the most of your study time and ensure thorough coverage of the material. The following tips can guide you through creating an effective study plan, organizing your resources, and maintaining a healthy balance during this mentally intense time. Dive into how to prepare for finals (as well as common mistakes to avoid altogether).

Create a Study Schedule

Creating a is essential for effective preparation. Start by listing all your exams and their dates. Prioritize subjects based on difficulty and importance; then allocate specific times for studying each subject. To avoid burnout, break your schedule into manageable blocks with breaks in between鈥�.

Organize Study Materials

Gather all necessary materials like lecture notes, textbooks, past exams, and any other relevant resources. Organize them by subject and topic and use tools like folders or digital apps to keep everything easily accessible. This helps streamline your study sessions and ensures that you don鈥檛 waste time searching for materials鈥�.

Break Down Study Sessions

Divide your study time into . The , which involves 25 minutes of study followed by a five-minute break, can be particularly effective. This approach keeps your mind fresh and improves retention by preventing fatigue鈥�.

Prioritize Difficult Subjects

Focus on the subjects you find most challenging first. This ensures that you have ample time to address any gaps in understanding and reduces the risk of cramming difficult material at the last minute. Allocate more study sessions to these subjects and seek help from a tutor if needed鈥�.

Use Active Learning Techniques

Active learning techniques such as summarizing information in your own words, teaching the material to someone else, or creating can enhance your understanding and memory. These methods encourage deeper engagement with the content compared to passive reading鈥�.

Form Study Groups

helps provide different perspectives and clarify difficult concepts. Group members can tutor and quiz each other with practice questions, share resources, and provide mutual support. Just ensure that the group stays focused on studying and doesn鈥檛 turn it into a full-blown social gathering鈥�.

Take Practice Exams

Completing practice questions and exams under timed conditions helps you quiz yourself while becoming more familiar with the format and types of questions you鈥檒l face. It also highlights areas where you need more practice and helps build confidence for the actual exam鈥�.

Stay Healthy

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical during exam preparation. Eat nutritious foods, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and make sure you get enough sleep. Avoiding junk food and all-nighters鈥攖hough possibly tempting鈥攚ill keep your mind and body in peak condition for studying.

Avoid Multitasking and Distractions

Focus on one task at a time to improve efficiency and retention. Multitasking can split your attention and reduce the quality of your study sessions due to distractions. Turn off notifications and create a distraction-free environment to maintain focus鈥�.

Seek Help When Needed

If you鈥檙e struggling with certain topics, don鈥檛 hesitate to seek help. Reach out to professors, teaching assistants, or tutors. In addition, many schools offer academic support centers where you can get additional help鈥�.

Stay Positive and Motivated

Maintain a positive mindset and remind yourself of your goals. Celebrate small achievements and take breaks to relax and recharge. Visualization techniques and positive affirmations can also boost your confidence and motivation鈥�.

Keeping these tips in mind while studying for finals, you can create a study plan that maximizes your productivity and helps you perform your best on final exams at the end of each academic term.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for Finals

When it comes to how to prepare for final exams, it鈥檚 crucial to recognize and avoid pitfalls that can hinder your progress. These mistakes can lead to ineffective study sessions and increased stress. Preventing these common mistakes will help you develop more effective study habits, reduce stress, and improve your performance on final exams:

  1. Delaying your study sessions until the last minute can lead to cramming, which is not conducive to long-term retention and understanding. Start studying early to avoid this mistake.
  2. Lack of a study plan. Failing to create a detailed study schedule can result in disorganized study sessions and missed topics. A structured plan helps keep you on track and ensures comprehensive coverage of all subjects.
  3. Ignoring health. Neglecting sleep, nutrition, and exercise can diminish your cognitive function and overall well-being. Prioritize a balanced lifestyle to maintain peak performance during your studies鈥�.
  4. Attempting to study with background distractions like social media, TV, or other activities harms the quality of your study sessions. Focus on one task at a time to maximize efficiency and retention鈥�.
  5. Overlooking practice exams. Not incorporating practice tests into your study routine can leave you unprepared for the format and timing of the actual exams. Practice questions help identify weak areas and build confidence.

By being aware of these errors, you can adjust your strategies to foster a more productive, less stressful exam preparation period.

Achieve the Education of Your Dreams at 杏吧原创

Preparing for finals doesn鈥檛 have to be overwhelming. By knowing how to study for finals most effectively, you can set yourself up for success. Avoid common mistakes like procrastination and multitasking and instead prioritize effective study techniques like active learning and practice exams.

If you鈥檙e seeking more resources to help you succeed, consider exploring the programs that 杏吧原创 offers. Whether you鈥檙e interested in furthering your education or enhancing your career skills, Excelsior provides a robust range of degree and certificate programs designed to support your academic and professional growth. Request more information today to take the next step in your education journey!

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Advanced persistent threats, or APTs, are highly damaging cyberattacks. If you want a career in cybersecurity, you must understand APTs, including how to deter, detect, and recover from them. The following is an overview of this class of attacks and the typical threat actor profiles.

What Are APTs?

Advanced persistent threats are sophisticated cyberattacks that involve long-term campaigns designed to work undetected, wreaking maximum damage long before the target is even aware of the exploit. Here鈥檚 a closer look at their characteristics:

  • Advanced. These attacks use cutting-edge techniques with a high level of knowledge and skill, rapidly evolving to get around defenses and evade detection. They use attack vectors such as zero-day exploits, customized malware, and all manner of phishing intrusions.
  • Persistent. The attacks are designed with a duration that can stretch from weeks to years before discovery. Even then, they have ways of preventing their full removal so they can continue the attack.
  • Threat. Threat actors are typically highly skilled, well organized, and well funded. Nation states and organized crime syndicates have the means and the motivation that lone-wolf single cybercriminals lack. Their targets are high value in government, finance, health care, and vital infrastructure.

APT Attack Stages

Fighting APT attacks is a high-value area in the field of cybersecurity. You will want to know the coordinated steps of an APT attack:

Information Gathering

Attackers perform extensive reconnaissance of their target, understanding their systems, processes, employees, and vulnerabilities.

Incursion

The attacker accesses systems and data using 鈥攐ften in combination鈥攖aking advantage of weaknesses in network security, exploiting outdated software, breaching third parties, and tricking employees and authorized personnel.

Zero-Day Exploits

When an attacker knows of a vulnerability in software or hardware that the vendor or security community is unaware of, they attack without fear of detection. Organizations have zero days to mitigate the vulnerability.

Custom Malware

Based on the attacker鈥檚 effective reconnaissance, they design software tailored to the vulnerabilities and processes of their target鈥攁long with the type of attack and objectives of the attack. Custom malware is hard to detect and highly efficient.

Social Engineering

This attack technique relies on , employee habits, and organizational processes. Fake emails, phone calls, and texts posing as IT support, using bogus websites, and even physically observing an employee have all been successfully used.

Spear Phishing

This type of phishing attack is a social engineering exploit that uses customized, even personalized techniques to target a specific individual or group of individuals. These well-researched attacks are so convincing that even a trained and aware person can fall victim.

Establishing a Foothold

Maintaining access without being detected is the key. Backdoors and malware are typically used for this purpose.

Privilege Escalation and Lateral Movement

Once in, attackers learn more about vulnerabilities and processes to access higher-level, more critical systems.

Execution

The aims of attacks vary. An attacker can simply watch and spy, gather and export massive amounts of data, or conduct sabotage operations to disable an organization or function.

Maintenance

Persistence is the key. The attackers use techniques that let them continue undetected, and once detected, easily reestablish the attack by thwarting efforts to remove their access.

Join the fight against threat actors by earning a degree in cybersecurity from 杏吧原创.

What Are Threat Actors?

The types of threat actors carrying out advanced persistent threats are nearly endless, with varying motivations and capabilities, and are always evolving. The most common ones include:

Cybercriminals

These attackers seek financial gain. They use an APT to steal data to sell for profit. They can access systems to commit fraud like capturing credit card information and racking up purchases. They may hold organizations hostage for ransom, like the ransomware gangs and .

Hacktivist

These attackers are motivated by political, social, and ideological notions and passions. They see cyberattacks as a way to protest or fight against perceived wrongs and injustices. They go after governments, institutions, and organizations they feel deserve it, defacing or taking down websites, using distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and stealing and leaking embarrassing data.

Insider Threats

Sometimes by deliberate and planned sabotage and other times unintentionally, employees and authorized individuals can cause enormous harm to an organization through an APT. The threat could be from a deliberate, preplanned plant of a criminal into a sensitive organization, a disgruntled employee, or someone lacking the training and awareness to avoid falling victim to a cyberattack.

Cyberterrorists

Many of the most devastating advanced persistent threats come from governments, governmentally funded groups, or quasi-governmental organizations. They target infrastructure, spread propaganda, and attack public safety.

Who Defends Against APTs?

Penetration testers, cybersecurity professionals who employ ethical hacking practices to expose vulnerabilities before threat actors can, are on the front lines in the fight against APT attacks. However, everyone can help defend against APTs by learning some best practices, like how to create stronger passwords or spot phishing and other attempts at social engineering, which underscores how important the role of education is in the field of cybersecurity.

If you want to start a rewarding career in this high-demand field, consider earning your bachelor鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity. You鈥檒l learn how to stay a step ahead of threat actors, using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.

In addition to a bachelor鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity, you can further your career with certifications. Certificate programs like Ethical Hacker and IT Security Specialist offered through Excelsior鈥檚 partnership with can prepare you for valuable certifications while earning you credit toward your Excelsior degree.

Cybersecurity is constantly changing, providing you with a career path that never gets stale or boring. Indeed, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts are protecting individuals and organizations鈥攁nd potentially strengthening national security.

Computer Programming vs. Computer Science

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Computer programming and computer science, though overlapping in areas, differ in key ways. Understanding this distinction is crucial when considering a career in technology. It allows you to make informed decisions and choose the right career path.

What Is Computer Science?

Computer science includes the study of data, algorithms, and the principles of designing software and hardware systems. It , from computational theory and artificial intelligence to practical applications like software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Computer scientists can be found in nearly every industry: In health care, they develop systems for managing patient data and personalized medicine; in finance, they create algorithms for trading and fraud detection; in entertainment, they enhance video game graphics and streaming services; in the automotive sector, they help optimize supply chains.

How Is Programming Different Than Computer Science?

The biggest difference between computer science and computer programming is that computer science involves testing and developing theories and concepts that create software, hardware, and operating systems. On the other hand, computer programming involves designing and building the actual computer programs and codes that help computer technology run.

A computer scientist鈥檚 main responsibilities include researching data and computer processes, developing models that allow the computer to interact with users, testing new computer systems, developing algorithms to help improve hardware and software performance, and sometimes writing code for programming software or websites.

On the other hand, a computer programmer reviews and fixes broken computer code; writes and tests codes for mobile applications, computer programs, and different systems; updates and fixes errors in software programs; and sometimes even identifies cyberthreats and helps combat cyberattacks.

What Is the Difference Between Coding and Programming?

At first glance, it might seem like coding and programming are the same. These are two , though. Let鈥檚 explore these terms more deeply.

Coding. This refers to writing in a language the computer understands to perform a specific task. Coders need to be knowledgeable in programming languages and coding practices and be able to use tools like Sublime Text, Atom, Visual Studio Code, jQuery, React, Python, JavaScript, and more. The overall goal of coding is to write correct code that can be used in larger projects that the computer can read and understand.

Programming. Programming involves writing code, and it also involves planning, designing, testing, and maintaining computer software. Programmers should know how to develop software, including coding and creating algorithms, data structures, and software design. Programmers should know tools such as Angular, Ruby on Rails, Git, Jira, etc. Programming aims to create correctly functioning software that meets user requirements and needs.

You might wonder whether coding or programming is the better skill to learn and what career track to pursue. Well, it depends on your personal skill set and interests. You might consider pursuing coding if you want to be part of creating software. Alternatively, coding is only a small part of programming; you may consider becoming a programmer if you prefer taking on a more complex role.

Whether you want to be a coder, programmer, or computer scientist, you need the education to reach your career goals. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science can provide you with the foundational skills in computer science, software development, and systems management to be prepared to meet the technical challenges in today鈥檚 ever-evolving workplaces.

Career Spotlight: Medical-Surgical Nurse

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Medical-surgical nurses are at the center of health care, playing a central role in hospitals, ambulatory surgical sites, clinics, and long-term care facilities in this exciting career specialty. Med-surg nurses also develop essential skills and experience as they grow in the field, opening opportunities in a wide range of nursing focus areas.

What Does a Medical-Surgical Nurse Do?

Medical-surgical nurse duties vary as you manage complex patient requirements. Typical roles cover several areas:

  • Patient care responsibilities include assessing and monitoring patient medical conditions, administering medications and therapies, and communicating with patients and their families about preoperative care, what to expect during surgery, and care during recovery.
  • Coordinating and collaborating, you will help interdisciplinary teams work together effectively and will help patients connect with their health care team.
  • Providing preoperative and postoperative care goes beyond preparing patients for surgery and helping prepare the operating theater, encompassing the monitoring of complications and setting patients up for successful recovery.
  • Managing the technical aspects of care, such as using medical equipment, wound care devices, and monitors, while handling IV insertions and catheters, are very much part of the聽job.
  • Recording and reporting patient vitals, status, and trends helps the rest of the team stay current on how well patients are responding.
  • You will also work as a problem-solver and must manage your time and that of other team members while maintaining your emotional resilience in potentially high-stress environments.
Start your career as a med-surg nurse with a nursing degree from 杏吧原创.

How Much Can a Medical-Surgical Nurse Make?

The median annual advertised salary for med-surg nurses is $105,344, with the top 10% commanding $146,304, according to . What you can actually earn depends on , your level of education, and your experience. Nurses in California earn the highest average salaries at $137,690, with South Dakota nurses averaging the least at $69.303. Nurses in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut earn an average salary of $106,620, $101,960, and $101,840, respectively.

Naturally, nurses with experience can expect to earn more than those just starting out. And the continuing suggests that job availability and upward pressure on salaries will continue.

How Can You Start Your Career as a Medical-Surgical Nurse?

Your career starts with earning your nursing degree. You can start with an associate degree in nursing and go on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Your education pairs classroom learning with practical experience in clinical settings. In addition to a degree, you can further your career with certifications. One way to do this is through certificate programs like Surgical Technologist or Medical Assistant offered through Excelsior鈥檚 partnership with , giving you important early experience and training while earning you credit toward your Excelsior degree.

You will also need to be a registered nurse (RN) to become a medical-surgical nurse. You鈥檒l need to pass your NCLEX-RN exam to get licensed as an RN. Your career in this specialty may also benefit from additional certifications like the Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse () credential and the Medical Surgical Nurse 鈥� Board Certified () credential. And as with any field, advancing in your career requires gaining experience and staying up to date on innovations in the field through continuing-education programs.

Find out how 杏吧原创鈥檚 online nursing degree programs can put you on the path to a rewarding career as a med-surg nurse at the very heart of health care.

The Ever-Evolving Fields of Criminology, Forensics, and Criminal Justice

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Criminal justice, criminology, and forensic science are fast-changing fields, with demand for expertise continuing to grow. Our interconnected and mobile world, along with societal change and rapidly advancing technology, are influencing the nature of crime. Changes in its causes and consequences, perpetrators, and how law enforcement and legal systems respond are multiplying and coming faster than ever. Technical advances are driving improved processes and policing.

Here鈥檚 a quick overview of how innovations, and especially areas like digital forensics, cybercrime technology, and machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming how crimes are investigated and solved. When considering what you can do with a criminal justice degree, understanding the trends can help you plan your future.

State-of-the-Art Technologies Used in Forensics

The field of forensic science has seen rapid advances and increasing use of technology across all areas. The innovations cover how evidence is identified, preserved, analyzed, and presented. Companies may use it to help recover from an attack. Prosecutors may use it to get perpetrators off the street. And it may be used to prevent future attacks.

Here are some of the newest innovations:

  • (Integrated Ballistic Identification System) is a repository for sharing, comparing, and automating the identification of firearm and tool marks on ammunition.
  • BPA (bloodstain pattern analysis) software helps investigators reconstruct crime scenes.
  • LC-MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) facilitates analyzing complex biological samples to identify the presence of drugs.
  • Sensitive detection methods are able to find minute quantities of a wide variety of substances, even identifying specific genes.
  • Nanotechnology is a related area for examining substances at a molecular level.
  • Carbon dot powders use fluorescents to make it possible to see fingerprints under ultraviolet light, making low contrast and smudged prints easier to read.
  • The is a disposable paper microscope providing low-cost and portable field analysis for on-the-spot examinations.
  • AI is used to detect fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other corporate white-collar crimes.
  • Cloud forensics enables the collecting, sharing, and collaborative analysis of data and evidence.
  • Blockchain technology to identify and trace transactions and digital assets is being used to fight fraud, money laundering, and ransomware.
  • Quantum computing is in its infancy but presents powerful opportunities for decrypting data, performing advance simulations, and more.
Lead the fight against cybercrime with a BS in Criminal Justice from 杏吧原创.

Common Cybercrime Investigation Techniques and Tools

The explosion in the volume and types of cybercrime affects both businesses and their customers鈥攁nd is a massive national security risk. Investigating cybercrime attacks involves advanced digital forensics and the collaboration of company staff and leaders, law enforcement agencies, and government regulators.

Digital forensics is the art and science of identifying a potential cybercrime, how it started, who perpetrated it, how it was done, and the impacts it had. Common tools include:

  • Digital forensics software, such as EnCase, Forensic Toolkit (FTK), and Autopsy, for recovering data and analyzing exploits through metadata and network logs
  • Network analytics such as Wireshark, tcpdump, and Netscout for monitoring traffic, dataflow, and patterns
  • Malware tools like IDA Pro, OllyDbg, and Binary Ninja to reverse engineer malicious code and therefore understand how it works and possibly discover its source
  • Password discovery utilities like Cain and Abel, John the Ripper, and Hashcat to get passwords out of encrypted files and databases
  • Data recovery tools like EaseUS, Stellar, Disk Drill, and AnyRecover to recover from theft, sabotage, lockouts, and other data loss cyberattacks
  • Social media tools like Hootsuite, Followerwonk, and Mention can track suspects鈥� posts and gather evidence

How Does Machine Learning and AI Contribute to Criminology, Forensics, and Law Enforcement?

Predictive policing is made possible through the adoption of machine learning to process massive volumes of data. Machine learning, which is a type of AI, can find patterns and connections in data and even make predictions and suggest probabilities to power preventative action. Machine learning tools never get tired and stay accurate as they churn through data. They perform tasks with speed and precision that humans could never match.

The top advantages of including machine learning in the digital forensics arsenal include:

  • Accurate crime prediction to make it possible to efficiently allocate resources and stop crime before it starts
  • AI used to slash the time it takes to investigate crimes, speeding up investigations and reducing labor costs
  • Use of AI by medical examiners to pinpoint the cause and manner of death
  • Faster and more precise DNA analysis
  • Advanced video and image analysis, which make it possible to sort through millions of images and videos to capture potential perpetrators
  • Predicting crowd behavior and managing crowd dynamics
  • Effectively capturing data and evidence for successful prosecution of criminals
  • Ultimately enhancing the safety of communities

Why Is Digital Forensics Important?

Technology advances in the fields of criminology and criminal justice and innovation in digital forensics are revolutionizing how authorities prevent, discover, and solve crimes. Whether you work as in digital forensics, criminology, or cybersecurity, having technology expertise is mandatory, and a background in computer science is invaluable.

For cybercrime and other kinds of criminal investigations, for preventing and recovering from attacks, and for providing evidence that could lead to the capture of bad actors, a career in criminal justice is both challenging and rewarding. And 杏吧原创鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program opens the door to this dynamic and exciting field. You鈥檒l learn about the latest tools and techniques to become a valuable member of any team. Starting your career here, you can make your mark in securing communities, advancing technology, and supporting justice.