Is the Gulf Oil Spill Headed for Florida and North Carolina?

The weather changed yesterday and kept the Gulf of Mexico oil spill off the Louisiana coast for at least another day. But while we previously reported on the damage that oil could do if it makes landfall, there could also be disastrous consequences if the oil heads too far in the other direction, out to sea. Not far south of the oil slick’s present location lies the Gulf loop current, which heads north from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, makes a sharp turn in the middle of the Gulf and then heads for the tip of Florida. Eventually, water caught in the current can get pushed around to Florida and then connect to the Gulf Stream current.

Oceanographer George Maul worries that the current could push the oil slick right through the Florida Keys and its 6,000 coral reefs.

“I looked at some recent satellite imagery and it looks like some of the oil may be shifted to the south,” said Maul, a professor at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT.edu), which is a world-respected regionally accredited university in Melbourne, Fla. “If it gets entrained in the loop, it could spread throughout much of the Atlantic” [Discovery News].

If that happens, the oil could spread as far as Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, Discovery News reports.

Meanwhile, news about the efforts to stop the spill hasn’t improved. Yesterday BP announced it had begun to drill a relief well, one of the last available options to stop the leak created when the company’s leased oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon, exploded and sank. The idea is that the new well would intercept the one Deepwater Horizon had tapped and plug it to stop the flow of oil, but it won’t be completed for at least 60 to 90 days.
Investigators also must figure out what went wrong with the blowout preventer (BOP), which should have prevented this entire incident. The device is intended to shut off the flow of oil if an out-of-control surge begins to ascend the pipe, but both its automatic and manual switches failed this time.

Deepwater Horizon is the second such accident in less than a year. Just eight months ago, the BOP failed on a deep-water well in the Timor Sea, north-west of Australia. After five attempts and 10 weeks a relief well was drilled and the flow – much smaller than Deepwater Horizon – was stemmed [New Scientist].

The Gulf oil spill has had political reverberations throughout the country, too. President Obama backed off a plan to allow more offshore drilling after the extent of the spill became clear, and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has done the same. Previously, Schwarzenegger proposed new drilling off the California coast to raise the money needed to save state parks from California’s budget crisis. But after seen the pictures of oil spreading over miles and miles of ocean, the governor changed his mind.

“It will not happen here in California,” Schwarzenegger said at a news conference. “If I have a choice between the $100 million and what I see in the Gulf of Mexico, I’d rather just figure out how to make up for that $100 million” [San Jose Mercury News].

Previous Gulf Oil Spill Stories:
80beats: Gulf Oil Spill: Fisheries Closed; Louisiana Wetlands Now in Jeopardy
80beats: Gulf Oil Spill Reaches U.S. Coast; New Orleans Reeks of “Pungent Fuel Smell”
80beats: Uh-Oh: Gulf Oil Spill May Be 5 Times Worse Than Previously Thought
80beats: Coast Guard’s New Plan To Contain Gulf Oil Spill: Light It on Fire
80beats: Sunken Oil Rig Now Leaking Crude; Robots Head to the Rescue
80beats: Ships Race To Contain the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
Image: NASA

May 4th, 2010 9:44 AM Tags: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, ocean, oil & gas, oil spill, pollution
by Andrew Moseman in Environment | 4 comments | RSS feed | MSIT Online
 

Nurse Practitioners Fill Critical Roles in an Expanding Healthcare Field

U.S. News University Directory Reports That Nurses With Advanced Degrees Are in High Demand

TAMPA, Fla., May 4, 2010 -- In every profession there are those who pursue advanced education and training to achieve top-level expertise. Nurse practitioner (NP) is the title given to nurses who attain such proficiency in their field. Recent studies by PayScale.com show that the top-end salary for NPs can exceed $93,000 annually, and demand for healthcare professionals is growing faster than that of any other career. Join U.S. News University Directory as they explore how NP licensure helps nurses position themselves for a lifetime of lucrative, rewarding and stable employment.

To begin a nurse practitioner education, the first step is to earn a registered nurse (RN) license. There are several ways to do this – including diploma and associate’s degree programs – but for those want to someday become an NP, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) followed by successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) is the preferred path. This is because BSN degree programs generally better prepare nurses for the rigorous education required of NPs, and also leave graduates at least two years closer to completing their master’s or doctoral degree than other RN programs.

After earning a registered nurse license, gaining acceptance to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is the next step to becoming a nurse practitioner. Nurses pursuing either degree typically specialize in a particular area of nursing; psychiatric nurse practitioner (PHMNP), family nurse practitioner (FNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) and neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) are the most popular concentrations, but there are many others. Specializing in this way allows nurses to concentrate on the aspect of their field that they find most rewarding and become true experts in its practice.

Which nursing schools to apply to is also a critical decision. Those offering MSN and/or DNP programs in a desired specialty are the obvious choice, but there are other factors to consider as well. Generally, nursing students should attend the most prestigious nursing school that they can get accepted to and afford. Graduating from a well-known and highly respected program expands their employment options once they enter the job market, and also increases their likelihood of landing the positions they really want. In this, nursing is like any other field; having a prestigious alma mater doesn’t mean everything, but it can put a candidate ahead of the pack when competition for jobs is fierce.

Something else to remember: Financial aid for nurses is available, even at the graduate level. All nursing students should fill out the Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA) to see if there are any grants or loans that they qualify for. Obviously, grants are preferred – free money is better than money that must be paid back – but they are rare in the world of post-baccalaureate education. Most graduate students have more luck finding cheap, federally subsidized student loans. Careful research of scholarship opportunities is also recommended; nurses studying at the graduate level are encouraged to apply for any they think they have a chance of getting. Landing just one or two scholarships can render a prohibitively expensive nursing program suddenly affordable.

After completing an MSN or DNP degree, nurses can apply for licensure as a nurse practitioner. Every state has a board of nursing that regulates NP licenses, and each has its own particular credentialing standards. Most states require, at minimum, an MSN and certification by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Licensing periods also vary from state to state; some require relicensing every two years, while others require it every three.

Finally, certification from additional organizations might be required to enter certain specialties. For example, the American Psychiatric Nursing Association sets credentialing standards for nurse practitioners who want to work in the psychiatric field.

Healthcare employment is growing by leaps and bounds, so finding nurse practitioner jobs after licensure shouldn’t be too difficult. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the nursing field to grow by 22% through 2018, a pace that is much faster than the average for all professions. This means there should be almost 600,000 new nursing jobs created over the next eight years, in addition to hundreds of thousands of job openings that will result from nurses who retire or leave for other reasons. Licensed NPs have the advanced education and training that qualifies them for many of the most sought-after and best-paying positions.

Nurse practitioner salaries are among the highest in the nursing field. According to PayScale.com, NPs with one to four years of experience earn between $65,000 and $80,000 annually. Those who have been in the field for five to nine years bring in anywhere from $70,000 to $88,000 per year, while NPs who have been practicing for over ten years can increase that to more than $93,000. Location and the type of facility an NP works in also play a role in determining how much they earn; those who work in large cities, and those employed by surgery centers or the military, tend to have the highest top-end salaries.

When choosing a career path, it is wise to consider many factors: growth potential, salary, educational requirements, fringe benefits and more. The entire healthcare field is expanding rapidly, and nurse practitioners are positioned to land some of the best nursing jobs in it, so this is an excellent career to consider for those who are willing and able to earn the necessary credentials. Few other professions offer such an advantageous mix of flexibility, opportunity and job security.

About U.S. News University Directory
U.S. News University Directory provides comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983.

Contact:

Matthew Speer, Director, Sales and Marketing
U.S. News University Connection
866-442-6587
http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com/nurse-practitioners-fill-critical-roles.aspx

University of San Francisco Expands Renowned Online Supply Chain Management Program With New Corporate and Environmental Sustainability Training

First Expert-Led, Advanced Specialized Sustainability Certificate Course Available 100% Online From a Nationally Ranked University

TAMPA, Fla., April 20, 2010 – The University of San Francisco (USF) is proud to announce the launch of a new advanced specialized certificate, Corporate and Environmental Sustainability. This 100% online program enhances the acclaimed supply chain management curriculum from USF, a university that has repeatedly been ranked a best national university by U.S. News & World Report.

The timing of USF’s new corporate sustainability program is advantageous for those seeking employment or advancement in this area. As independent nonprofit Pew Charitable Trusts recently reported, jobs in the clean energy economy grew at a rate of 9.1% between 1998 and 2007 – more than two and a half times faster than traditional jobs grew during the same period. Significant growth in sustainability-related employment is expected to continue in the coming years.

“The demand for sustainability training is clearly rising, with the world’s largest companies leading the way,” said USF online program faculty member and supply chain expert Susan Burrell. “General Electric has recently been named the world’s most sustainable company, and Walmart just announced an initiative to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 million metric tons by the end of 2015. To maintain these high standards, organizations need personnel with solid sustainability and environmental management training – and that’s exactly what this new program offers online.”

USF’s sustainability education is essential for new sustainability directors and “green team” members, executives, managers, HR directors and others who oversee and/or train employees tasked with sustainability initiatives, as well as individuals who wish to advance into such positions. All supply chain professionals, whose decisions, processes and suppliers directly contribute to an organization’s overall sustainability, can benefit from the course. Participants will learn essential business strategies, including how to:

• Improve energy efficiency using the latest techniques, tools and technology
• Apply sustainability principles, frameworks and tools for business
• Develop a strategic plan for sustainability
• Leverage sustainability for favorable financing and insurance rates
• Align corporate social responsibility with sustainability goals
• Achieve greater innovation and bottom-line results

USF’s expert-led, university-backed corporate sustainability and supply chain education programs are ideal for individual and corporate training because the on-demand, 100% online classroom won’t interrupt the daily workflow. Students gain valuable credentials and training in just eight weeks through convenient video-based e-learning, including streaming online video and downloadable MP4 video files.

Registration is now open for Corporate and Environmental Sustainability. Classes will commence June 1. Upon completion of this eight-week course, students will receive a framed certificate from the University of San Francisco’s School of Business and Professional Studies.

Ask about multicourse discounts for sustainability training, green supply chain management and other online master certificate programs from USF. Call 800-436-1713 or visit http:/www.USanFranOnline.com.

About the University of San Francisco
Ranked as a best national university by U.S. News & World Report, the University of San Francisco has earned a reputation for academic excellence that dates back to its founding in 1855. It is committed to becoming internationally recognized as a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective. USF’s online programs are offered through its School of Business and Professional Studies, which includes the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the McLaren College of Business.

Contact:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
University of San Francisco/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.usanfranonline.com

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USF's New Internet Marketing Courses First of Their Kind: Only Email and Affiliate Marketing Certificates Offered 100% Online by Nationally Ranked University

University of San Francisco's Advanced Specialized Internet Marketing Certificate Courses Empower Professionals With Comprehensive Online Training in Internet Marketing's Most In-Demand Disciplines

TAMPA, Fla., April 13 -- Following the successful debut of its advanced specialized certificate courses in web analytics and social media, the University of San Francisco (USF) continues to proactively address the needs of today's interactive marketers with the introduction of Advanced Email Marketing and Advanced Affiliate Marketing training. These eight-week, 100% online courses offer an intensive exploration of two of today's most profitable marketing practices. Each empowers professionals with enhanced skills, expanded knowledge and respected credentials from a U.S. News & World Report-ranked best national university. Like USF's core Master Certificate in Internet Marketing program, the new affiliate and email marketing courses are led by practicing, real-world experts who are among today's foremost interactive marketing leaders.

"Email marketing represents an area of incredible opportunity for both organizations and individuals," said USF online program faculty member and email marketing expert Sheryl Cattell. "The Direct Marketing Association found that email offers the highest ROI of all direct marketing channels, with an average of $43.62 in sales for every dollar spent(1). At the same time, many companies are wasting time and money on emails that go nowhere. Forrester Research estimates that by 2014, organizations will waste $144 million(2) on emails that never reach their intended recipient."

While these figures demonstrate organizations' urgent need for individuals with email marketing training, other studies highlight the personal rewards for those with the right skills. "It should come as no surprise that more than half of email marketing professionals are earning upwards of $70,000 a year(3)," noted Cattell. "This course covers topics that are essential to email marketing success, such as choosing an email broadcast solution, measuring and evaluating email campaigns, reducing opt-outs, complying with federal and state email laws, integrating email with social media and adopting industry best practices, to name just a few."

Affiliate marketing is another area with great - and largely untapped - potential. "Bloggers and other online content providers are enjoying substantial earnings from affiliate marketing. Six-figure incomes are not uncommon, and the most successful super-affiliates net more than $1 million a year," stated USF online program instructor and affiliate marketing expert Jim Kukral. "However, organizations are just beginning to realize that they can use affiliate marketing to generate additional revenue from an existing website by partnering with companies that offer complementary products or services."

Kukral notes that USF's certificate course offers distinct advantages over the numerous affiliate marketing "systems" on the market today, as it is the first and only affiliate marketing training presented by an accredited, nationally ranked university. Instead of a single "guru," USF assembled a team of experts that includes well-known and highly successful super-affiliates, plus attorneys who are well-versed in the legal risks and challenges associated with affiliate marketing. By the end of the course, students will be able to implement an affiliate marketing program, develop content that attracts and engages visitors, drive traffic through natural and paid search, and maximize their profits by implementing the industry's best practices.

Registration is now open for USF's new advanced specialized certificate courses in Internet marketing. Students who register for the next available sessions of Advanced Email Marketing and Advanced Affiliate Marketing can begin class on May 1. Upon completion of each eight-week course, participants will receive a framed certificate from the University of San Francisco's School of Business and Professional Studies.
For more details on USF's online affiliate marketing and email marketing courses - or its end-to-end Internet marking training program - visit http://www.USanFranOnline.com or call 800-436-1713. Agencies and marketing departments can learn about corporate training solutions, customization options and agency/group discounts at http://www.InteractiveMarketingTraining.com.

About the University of San Francisco
Ranked as a best national university by U.S. News & World Report, the University of San Francisco has earned a reputation for academic excellence that dates back to its founding in 1855. It is committed to becoming internationally recognized as a premier Jesuit Catholic, urban university with a global perspective. USF's online programs are offered through its School of Business and Professional Studies, which includes the Masagung Graduate School of Management and the McLaren College of Business.

(1) "E-mail ROI Still Stunning, Still Slipping: DMA" by Ken Magill; published on DirectMag.com; October 20, 2009.
(2) "Forrester Forecast: US Email Marketing Spending To Reach $2 Billion In 2014"; press release published on Forrester.com; June 15, 2009.
(3) EmailStatCenter.com Compensation & Resources Study; 2010.

Contact:
  
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
University of San Francisco/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.usanfranonline.com

Florida Tech Becomes First Nationally Ranked, Accredited University to Offer Undergraduate Online Psychology Degree With Five Concentrations

New Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology Degree Available 100% Online From
U.S. News & World Report-Ranked Best National University

TAMPA, Fla., April 6, 2010 – Psychology is one of the most popular fields of study in America today. According to the U.S. Department of Education*, the bachelor’s in psychology has remained among the top five baccalaureate degrees conferred since 1990. Florida Tech University Online (Florida Institute of Technology) now makes it possible for students across the country and around the globe to earn a world-class applied psychology degree 100% online.

In addition to the core Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Applied Psychology degree that serves as the foundation of the online program, Florida Tech offers students a choice of five concentrations: Child Advocacy, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Human Factors and Organizational Psychology. The degree program and its concentrations combine a broad-based liberal arts curriculum with a scientific approach to understanding human behavior.

“Our online psychology degree prepares students to conceptualize broadly, think critically, communicate effectively and interact positively with diverse populations,” said Dr. Mary Beth Kenkel, Dean of the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, Florida Institute of Technology. “Courses are led by the same renowned scholars, researchers and leaders who teach on campus, so graduates of the online program get the same quality education and earn the same diploma as their main-campus peers.”

Florida Tech’s applied psychology faculty is unique in that professors currently work in their fields – a fact that Dr. Kenkel sees as a distinct advantage. “They are excellent instructors because they practice what they teach, bringing real-life examples into the classroom.”

The bachelor’s in psychology programs introduce students to functional knowledge and practical skills that are sought after by employers and a prerequisite for graduate-level studies. The degree options available via Florida Tech’s multimedia video-based e-learning platform include:

BA in Applied Psychology Degree – Covering the major concepts of applied psychology, this program allows students to choose electives from any of the five concentrations offered online. It is a highly versatile degree that can lead to opportunities in a variety of fields, including behavioral and social sciences, business, sales and marketing. Graduates may find employment in such roles as counselors, applied behavioral science specialists, psychiatric technicians and case managers.

BA in Applied Psychology/Child Advocacy Degree – Students in this program study child development, community psychology and critical issues pertaining to child maltreatment. These specialized courses expose students to critical skills required of child advocates, who serve in such roles as youth counselor, victim advocate, child development specialist and child welfare specialist.

BA in Applied Psychology/Clinical Psychology Degree – This liberal arts degree program exposes students to an introductory study of psychological and behavioral problems, with a focus on identification, testing, analysis and treatment. The goal of the curriculum is to provide the necessary foundation for pursuit of clinical graduate study.

BA in Applied Psychology/Forensic Psychology Degree – The field of forensic psychology examines human behavior as it relates to matters of law enforcement and the legal system. Graduates with a forensic psychology concentration possess the knowledge required for positions such as mental health and forensic services program specialist, behavioral services technician or case manager.

BA in Applied Psychology/Human Factors Degree – This program explores the physical, social and cognitive properties characteristic to humans, and how these factors relate to the design of equipment, systems and working methods. Students can apply their knowledge in roles such as ergonomics specialist, safety supervisor or usability design specialist.


BA in Applied Psychology/Organizational Psychology Degree – An industrial/organizational psychology education prepares students to apply psychological techniques that can improve productivity, attitude and behavior in the workplace. Graduates in this field may find employment as labor relations specialist, director of human resources or organizational management consultant.

Enrollment is now open for Florida Tech’s applied psychology degree online program. For more details, visit http://www.floridatechonline.com or call 888-352-8324.

About Florida Tech
Florida Tech is a regionally accredited university that is world renowned for its distinguished faculty, comprehensive curriculum and unyielding innovation. Regional accreditation represents the highest standard available among U.S. accrediting bodies. Florida Tech continues to be ranked a Best National University by U.S. News & World Report. It is also rated by the Fiske Guide to Colleges and named a best buy in Barron’s Best Buys in College Education. Founded in 1958, Florida Tech has more than 50,000 alumni. Its main campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida, on the state’s famous “Space Coast.” Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees.

* National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics, 2008 (March 2009): Chapter 3, “Postsecondary Education”; Table 271; page 398.

Contact:
Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Florida Tech University Online/University Alliance Partner
813-621-6200
http://www.floridatechonline.com


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