Excelsior University’s Scott Dolan selected to serve in federal higher education rulemaking process

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Albany, N.Y.  – Scott Dolan, Ph.D., executive dean of Excelsior University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was selected by the United States Department of Education for an important role as an alternate negotiator in the Program Integrity and Institutional Quality Committee’s upcoming round of negotiated rulemaking. Dolan will represent private, nonprofit institutes of higher education in the process, which enables the involvement of stakeholders in the development of financial aid regulations affecting millions of students and thousands of colleges across the country.

Since 1992, the United States Department of Education has been required by the Higher Education Act to utilize the negotiated rulemaking procedure when developing new regulations that impact Title IV student aid programs. Negotiated rulemaking is a structured process that promotes transparency and public accountability by involving key stakeholders in drafting these policies. Negotiators are selected to represent specific groups, such as colleges and universities, students, and accrediting agencies. Primary and alternate negotiators work together as a team to represent their constituencies.

Representatives are chosen based on their expertise and knowledge in a specific field, which enables them to contribute meaningfully to the development of regulations. Through their participation, negotiators help shape federal rules bearing a tremendous impact on the American higher education system.

“It is a great privilege to be selected for this role and to participate in the federal rulemaking process,” said Dolan. “This is a significant responsibility that I take very seriously. I see it as a recognition of my experience in higher education, and I look forward to learning more about the upcoming proposed regulations. I’m excited for the opportunity to build wider and more meaningful connections with other colleagues and experts as we advocate effectively for the interests of our constituency.”

Dolan was named executive dean of Excelsior University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in January 2023. As the founding executive dean of the College, he serves as an integral member of the senior academic leadership team and is responsible for overseeing and stewarding all academic affairs and administrative operations of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dolan joined Excelsior University in 2014 as director of assessment and program evaluation for all the degree programs in the former School of Business and Technology. He was promoted in 2015 to executive director of accreditation, assessment, and strategy, became associate dean of business in 2016, and associate dean of graduate studies in 2019. In addition to these roles, he has served as the University’s accreditation liaison officer to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since June 2019.

Prior to joining Excelsior, Dolan worked as a researcher and program evaluator of foundation- and grant-funded programs in the P-20 education and health and human services sectors. In addition to his research work, his academic experience includes teaching roles at the College of Saint Rose, Siena College, Schenectady County Community College, University at Albany, and Excelsior University.

Dolan has published and presented widely in his field on various topics related to higher education administration and leadership, outcomes assessment, and faculty development, with research interests in complex organizations and political and economic sociology. He currently serves on the Academic Advisory Board to Cyber AB and is a frequent contributor to Forbes as a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council.

Dolan’s participation in the negotiated rulemaking process will begin Jan. 8 and continue with a series of virtual committee meeting sessions through early March.

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Media Contact Excelsior University: 
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior 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.

What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

A degree in the field of psychology can support a gratifying career across a wide array of industries. Let’s dive into the types of degrees in this discipline, what you can do with a psychology degree, and the careers an education in psychology could prepare you to pursue.

Types of Psychology Degrees

One advantage of choosing this degree path is an ability take a tiered approach to your education, earning degrees consecutively and qualifying yourself for meaningful, real-world work experience with each milestone. Psychology degrees you can earn include:

  • An associate or two-year degree in psychology
  • A bachelor’s or four-year degree in psychology
  • A master’s degree in psychology, generally two additional years beyond a bachelor’s degree

The kinds of positions available to you depend on the highest level of education you achieve. In most cases, your earning potential increases as your level of education increases.

Jobs for Psychology Majors with a Bachelor’s Degree

There are a multitude of vocations you can enter with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, ranging from a career counselor for high school students to a victim advocate for those impacted by a crime. Let’s explore how you can put your bachelor’s degree in psychology to work.

Career Counselor

Career counselors help students choose an educational path and eventual occupation based on their strengths and interests. Sometimes called guidance counselors, they generally work in schools and administer career aptitude tests, assist students in applying to colleges, and help them prepare for their job search.

Research Assistant

Another impactful career you might choose with a degree in psychology is research assistant. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to advance science and medicine by collecting data through interviewing, observation, survey administration, and more. Research assistants often work in hospitals and clinics.

Case Manager

Patient care is often multifaceted and requires coordination of care. Case managers organize patient care in these complex cases to ensure appropriate collaboration between providers, departments, and facilities while serving as a primary point of contact for patients and their families. There are other types of case managers in other industries, like housing case managers, who help people at risk of homelessness find and maintain housing.

Technical Writer

As the name suggests, technical writers draft technical materials like policies, instruction manuals, and reports for businesses. Those with a background in psychology might draft policies and procedures for use in clinical settings or language for mental health software applications. Technical writers well-versed in psychology are often employed in clinical research, where they author clinical study reports.

Human Resource Advisor

A degree in psychology can prepare you for a career as a human resource advisor. Human resource advisors advise companies on manners related to their people: policies, procedures, and practices around employment. Psychology lends well to human resources because understanding how employees think and behave and then using that information to drive positive organizational change is central to the discipline.

Victim Advocate

Victim advocates are central to a crime victim’s experience with the justice system. While most of the key players in the criminal justice system are focused on the perpetrator, victim advocates are entirely focused on supporting those who were hurt by the crime. They provide resources, emotional support, crisis intervention services, safety planning, and more while guiding victims through the criminal justice process.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors use their psychology degree to advise and support people struggling with addiction or substance use disorders. In this role, you would evaluate new clients, create goals for treatment, and help people develop the skills and strategies they need to recover from addiction. The need for substance use counselors continues to increase, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a job outlook of 18 percent through 2032, much faster than the average estimated growth for all occupations (3 percent).

Training and Development Specialist

Training and development specialists are responsible for creating and delivering content in an employment setting. They might also monitor compliance with mandatory training, assess the efficacy and value of existing development programs, and manage logistics, like scheduling and coordinating classes.

Probation Officer

Probation officers supervise formerly incarcerated individuals who have served their time and are reintegrating into the community. Probation officers provide guidance and direction as their parolees overcome adversity and work to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They’re also responsible for monitoring compliance with conditions ordered by the court, like community service and drug testing. Most probation officer jobs are government positions.

Rehabilitation Specialist

Rehabilitation specialist positions often require a psychology degree. Rehab specialists help clients with physical or mental disabilities live as independently as possible. Rehabilitation specialists may also work in the foster care system, helping children experiencing mental or emotional difficulties.

What Can You Do with a Graduate Degree in Psychology?

Earning a master’s degree in psychology unlocks a variety of positions in the study of human behavior, ranging from school psychologist to college professor.

School Psychologist

School psychologists address the mental, emotional, and behavioral issues that impede learning on an individual and an institutional scale. Students who choose school psychology might consider it a calling, rather than a career, because they can influence positive change and, in some cases, see it unfold.

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, improving the quality of life for those they serve. Clinical psychologists work for clinics, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and private practices. They can serve patients of all ages and backgrounds, but many specialize in treating specific conditions like eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression.

Social Worker

Social workers assist people facing illness and adversity. They help them identify their strengths, set goals, and find resources to meet their basic needs. Social workers often advocate for the populations they serve in hopes of improving the services and support available to them. Clinical social workers can also diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, much like clinical psychologists.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists counsel individuals, couples, and families, providing strategies for communication, conflict resolution, and behavior change to improve and strengthen relationships. While most marriage and family therapists work in private practices, they can also work for substance abuse treatment centers, mental health treatment centers, and government agencies. This is another industry with much faster-than-average growth, as predicted by the BLS.

Sports Psychologist

Sports performance is largely dependent on an athlete’s state of mind. Sports psychologists help athletes improve their performance by addressing the psychology of physical competition: motivation, resilience, teamwork, visualization, and more. As a sports psychologist, you can help high school, college, and professional athletes perform at the peak of their abilities every day.

Behavioral Health Professional

Behavioral health professional is a catch-all term used to describe a throng of disciplines: clinical psychologists, licensed mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and other clinicians and counselors. All these specialists have one thing in common: they work to improve patients’ overall well-being by diagnosing and treating emotional, mental, and behavioral health issues.

College Professor

Once you’ve earned your master’s degree, you’re qualified to teach psychology and related subjects at many colleges and universities. In today’s digital world, many students go on to become mental health professionals by day and part-time professors by night, teaching an online or on-campus course each semester.

Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychologists focus on psychology within the criminal justice system. They perform evaluations to make recommendations for child custody, treatment, and sentencing. They can help lend insights into the motivations and patterns of criminals. Their role is unique in that they provide services to nearly all audiences: law enforcement, offenders, victims, and others engaged in the legal system. Forensic psychologist positions typically require a master’s degree in psychology.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Psychology Degree

Whether you’re just starting your postsecondary education or thinking about going back to school after a hiatus, Excelsior University has a path to achievement that meets your needs. Our Bachelor of Science in Psychology program will give you a sound foundation in general psychology along with instruction in cognition and learning, human development, psychological disorders, personality theories, intelligence, memory, and more, preparing you to enter myriad roles in the workforce or take your next step toward graduate education and a counseling or clinical career. Excelsior also partners with MedCerts, which offers programs in mental health support that can help you gain experience and grow your knowledge while earning you credit toward your Excelsior degree. Whatever your path may be, Excelsior is here to help you create the career you want. Contact Admissions today to learn more!

 

BSN vs. RN

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Which Nursing Path Is Best for My Career?

All nurses play an important part in caring for our health, but not all nurses are the same. There’s a hierarchy of education, experience, and certifications, illustrated by a constellation of acronyms that the average patient might not understand but that make a huge difference in where a nurse can work, what they can do, and how much they earn. Two of the most common things you can pursue to showcase what kind of nurse you are, are an RN certification or a BSN degree. We’ll break down what these stand for and how earning each can make a difference in your nursing career.

RN

An RN stands for “registered nurse” and is a professional certification and title. RNs are nurses who have met the requirements outlined by their state’s board of nursing or other government authorized licensing body. These requirements usually include a clinical experience component and an educational component like an approved nursing program, an associate degree in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. To become an RN, you are also required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN exam.

Earning this distinction is an important step up from entry-level, non-degreed nursing roles and opens a range of new opportunities.

Your BS in Nursing can start today! Learn more about Excelsior’s online options.

Roles and Responsibilities of RNs

RNs work as part of a larger health care team and their duties can vary depending on the specific practice where they work, but in general, RNs can expect to handle many of the following tasks as part of their day.

  • Assess patient condition and vital signs
  • Administer medications and treatments
  • Consult and collaborate with other health care providers
  • Operate and monitor medical equipment
  • Perform and analyze diagnostic tests
  • Educate patients and their families
  • Record medical histories and symptoms
  • Direct and supervise other health care professionals, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nurse assistants (CNAs), and medical assistants

RN Career Paths

Earning your RN certification is a great place to start growing your nursing career and registered nurses can work in a variety of health care settings, in a variety of specialized roles including those listed below.

RN Salary Levels

The U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median salary for registered nurses is $77,600 but can vary with experience level and geographic area. This is a significant increase from the $48,070 salary of an LPN and the $36,000 median salary of a nursing assistant.

BSN

BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is an educational degree, not a professional job certification like RN. RNs are not required to earn a BS, though it’s fast becoming the entry-level standard degree for nurses, especially due to the increased research showing better patient outcomes rising in parallel with the number of bachelor’s-prepared nurses in any given health care facility. Many large hospitals are particularly making a BS in Nursing a requirement.

Earning a BS in Nursing means a significant boost in salary, flexibility, and options like graduate degrees, leadership roles, and more.

Give your nursing career the BS boost! Learn more and start today.

Roles and Responsibilities of Nurses with a BS in Nursing

Nurses with a bachelor’s degree have reached a major milestone in their careers and, in addition to everything an RN already can do, they are ready to take on new responsibilities and lead in more important roles including:

  • Administrative tasks and promotion
  • Nurse education and training
  • Care management
  • Nurse management
  • Infection and quality control

Career Paths with a BS in Nursing

Earning your BS in Nursing means that you’ve advanced beyond the basics of nursing and are prepared to be a better critical thinker, a more holistic care provider, and more empowered as a leader. The job opportunities open to BS grads reflect these higher-level skills as well:

Salary Levels with a BS in Nursing

The types of positions available to RNs with a bachelor’s degree can command higher salaries than their counterparts without one. For example, according to Payscale, a nurse manager can expect to earn an average salary of $93,549, a nurse informaticist can earn an average of $86,069, and a nurse administrator can earn an average of $90,577.

Whether you choose to earn your RN with an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree, it all depends on your interests and career goals. Any education you decide to pursue will only help you in the long term to do more, earn more, and be the very best nurse you can be!

Excelsior University has online nursing degree programs at every level so wherever you are in your career, there’s a degree to help you go further.

Do Nurses Really Need a BS in Nursing?

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Top 3 Reasons to Get a BS in Nursing

Nurses know the burnout is real, and between a demanding work schedule, family schedule, and everything life brings, it can feel like there’s no time or energy left for yourself and your education.

Earning your BS in Nursing is a big commitment, but it’s an investment in yourself that will produce even bigger benefits for years to come. Whatever the reasons why you haven’t earned your bachelor’s degree yet, chances are you know it’s an important next step in your career. Here are the top three reasons why earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing should be at the top of your list.

Your BS in Nursing can start today! Learn more about Excelsior’s online options.
  1. Happier, Healthier Patients
    For nurses, their job title is more than a career, it’s a calling to care. And that means making sure you have everything you need to help people stay healthy. The advanced skills and knowledge you gain with a BS in Nursing is the best tool you have in becoming a stronger advocate for your patients’ health. Nurses who have a BS in Nursing have gone beyond the basics of nursing and are prepared to be better critical thinkers, more holistic care providers, and more empowered leaders.
    In short, you’ll be better at your job and being better at your job comes with many other rewards—bringing us to reason number 2.
  2. Getting the BS Boost
    A BS in Nursing just means more, with more earning potential being one of the main reasons many nurses return to school. Top employers will often give preferential consideration to nurses with a BS, and jobs within the field that require a bachelor’s degree pay exponentially more than those that don’t.
    A bachelor’s degree gives you options like the flexibility to move into those more specialized, and lucrative, areas of nursing like informatics, nurse education, or health policy as well as opens a path to graduate education.
    Your skills will be more in demand, and you’ll have the luxury of being more discerning about your employers. Employers such as magnet hospitals.
  3. The Magnet Status Effect
    Magnet status for hospitals is designated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is given to organizations. According to the ANCC, magnet status is:
    “Where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization’s patient outcomes. The Magnet Recognition Program provides a roadmap to nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organization. To nurses, Magnet Recognition means education and development through every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. To patients, it means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be.”
    The National Library of Medicine says magnet-designated hospitals have been shown to have better patient health outcomes over time and consistently appear on lists of the best hospitals to both employees and patients. A large part of this success has to do with the requirements for all nurses with certain levels of responsibility to have at least a bachelor’s degree. So, if your big career plans include working at one of these prestigious institutions, you may be required to earn your degree sooner than you think to stay ahead of the curve.

We hope you’ve decided to pursue a BS in nursing. Whether your goals are to earn more money, step into a leadership role, or just be the best nurse you can be, your bachelor’s degree can help you reach them. And in case you needed one more reason, perhaps the more important one of all is: you’re worth it!

How to Remain Mission-Focused as Your Nonprofit Grows

Posted on by Scott Dolan

Scott Dolan, executive dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, contributed to the Forbes article “How to Remain Mission-Focused as Your Nonprofit Grows.” Dolan was one of 15 Forbes Nonprofit Council experts to share strategies for nonprofit leaders to manage organization growth while ensuring the mission remains front and center.

View the article here.

20 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Posted on by Scott Dolan

Scott Dolan, executive dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, contributed to the Forbes article “20 Ways Nonprofit Leaders Can Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance.” Dolan was one of 20 Forbes Nonprofit Council experts to share key strategies for nonprofit leaders to avoid burnout and ensure they have the time and energy to continue leading their organizations.

View the article here.

Can I Get My BSN Online?

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

You Can!
Earn Your BS in Nursing Online at Excelsior University

When most people think about earning a degree online, nursing probably isn’t the first subject that comes to mind as a natural fit for an online format. However, online nursing programs have now existed for decades and have produced millions of successful, skilled nurses.

Online BS in Nursing programs aren’t for everyone, but they’re a great option for working professionals who need a bachelor’s degree to advance in their career but also need the flexibility and affordability they can only find in an online setting. If you’re curious whether an online program could be right for you, we’ll let you know more about how they work and what you can expect.

Your BS in Nursing can start today! Learn more about Excelsior’s online options.

Benefits of an Online BS in Nursing

Online BS in Nursing programs are made for students who already work in the field, so flexibility is built into an online nursing program. You won’t have to disrupt your work schedule or your family schedule to make it to class.

Then there are the savings. You’ll save time by having more control over when and where you study, and you can tailor your learning environment to one that suits you best. You’ll also save money, both on the things you might typically associate with a traditional college like tuition and on-campus fees, but there are also savings that might surprise you like transportation costs and books.

How Online Learning Works

Excelsior’s BS in Nursing program includes a general education component, a nursing component, and a capstone project that includes a practical experience. The courses are asynchronous, which means you’re learning materials are available for you to interact with on your own time. You will have to log into your course to submit your assignments each week and engage in class discussions.

Online learning may take some getting used to but don’t worry, your classmates, instructors, and advisors are only click away if you need support.

How to Be Ready for an Online Program

Online programs are just as rigorous as their in-person counterparts and before you start, you’ll have to show you meet certain eligibility requirements. At Excelsior, this means providing documentation of any professional licenses and required prior education.

Logistically, you’ll need access to reliable internet and a computer. To make sure you’re ready to learn, figure out some quiet and comfortable places to study.

Excelsior’s Online BS in Nursing Program

If you’re ready to earn your BS in Nursing online, Excelsior University offers the RN to BS in Nursing. This program for RNs emphasizes the integration of nursing in complex situations related to nursing care of individuals, families, aggregates, and communities. The nursing component requires outstanding critical thinking skills and nursing judgment as well as commitment to academic rigor.

To learn more about Excelsior’s other nursing degree programs, visit our nursing degree page.

BSN Career Options

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

In-Depth Look at Career Options with a BS in Nursing

If you’re a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree, your career opportunities just expanded exponentially! Not only that, but you can look forward to higher salaries and you’re now in a great position to follow your passions and focus your career in a direction that suits your unique interests and skills.

For new graduates, it might be overwhelming trying to decide what you want to do next, so here are some career options you can explore with your BS in Nursing.

Follow your professional passions wherever they lead with a BS in Nursing from Excelsior.

Career Paths You Can Take

Nursing Informatics Specialist

You’ll love this job if:
You’re a problem solver with a talent for technology and analytics and are interested in a role that takes you beyond bedside care.
What you’ll do:
A nursing informatics specialist is not your typical nursing job, but it’s a critical role in patient care. While this role is still relatively new, nursing informatics is a fast-growing field that oversees the integration of data, technology, and medical knowledge to deliver the best and most efficient services to patients and their health care providers.
How much you can earn:
According to Payscale, you can earn $86,069.
Learn more about nursing informatics specialists

Nurse Educator

You’ll love this job if:
You have a passion for paying it forward and shaping the next generation of nurses with teaching, training, and research.
What you’ll do:
A nurse educator combines teaching and clinical skills to educate and train new and current nurses. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in providing patient care by helping to create a skilled and diverse nursing workforce. Nurse educators work in classrooms, on college campuses, and in health care services, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, and public health agencies.
How much you can earn:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can earn $84,180.
Learn more about nurse educators

Nurse Manager

You’ll love this job if:
You have a knack for strategy, organization, and leadership but still want to be involved with daily patient interaction.
What you’ll do:
Often called nurse administrators, nurse managers are responsible for many administrative duties, including staffing, supervising, and organizing other nurses in a health care unit. They make important personnel-related decisions, communicate interdepartmentally with upper-management, and organize daily patient care.
How much you can earn:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can earn $101,340 .
Learn more about nurse managers

Nurse Researcher

You’ll love this job if:
You’re focused on the future of care and enjoy answering tough questions with science.
What you’ll do:
Nurse researchers are scientists who study various aspects of health care for ways to improve health outcomes and solve certain medical questions. These professionals research, design, and conduct scientific studies as well as collect and analyze their findings. They may also work with pharmacists, physicians, and health care providers
How much you can earn:
According to Salary.com, you can earn $90,516.
Learn more about nurse researchers

Health Program Administrator

You’ll love this job if:
You have excellent communication skills and want to use your health care knowledge to benefit entire communities.
What you’ll do:
Health program administrators focus on community-wide illness prevention and health promotion. They manage and develop education programs and policies to promote healthy practices. Working for governments, research centers, and various health care facilities, health program administrators use both their health care skills and organization acumen to bridge the gap between policy, the medical community, and the public.
How much you can earn:
According to OpenPayrolls, you can earn $95,568.
Learn more about health program administrators

These jobs are just some of the top career options available to you with a BS in Nursing and hopefully a few of them have sparked your interest. The health care industry is always looking for dedicated, skilled professionals, and Bachelor of Science graduates have the freedom to seek out that special job that will make the most of their talents.

Haven’t earned your degree yet? Read more about Excelsior’s nursing degree programs on our nursing degree page.

Engineering vs. Engineering Technology

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Key Differences Between the Two Degrees

Engineering and engineering technology both lead to promising careers in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation, but they also offer distinct approaches and opportunities. Let’s delve into engineering degrees and engineering technology degrees to uncover their differences and shared traits, and see which path is right for you.

Engineering vs. Engineering Technology Degrees

Engineering and engineering technology degrees are both excellent choices if you wish to enter the field of engineering and technology, and both degree programs offer different focuses and emphases, career roles, program durations, and professional licensure.

Put a spark in your engineering career with a technology degree from Excelsior University.

How Are They Similar?

If you take a close look, engineering and engineering technology degrees have the following in common:

  • A Foundation in Math and Science: Both engineering and engineering technology degrees have a solid foundation of math and science. These subjects provide the building blocks for understanding complex engineering principles and problem-solving techniques.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Engineers and engineering technologists are good problem solvers. They apply critical thinking and analytical skills to address challenges, devising innovative solutions that drive technological advancement.
  • A Collaborative Spirit: Effective teamwork and communication skills are essential in both fields. Whether designing a new system or troubleshooting an existing one, professionals need to work harmoniously in teams and convey their ideas effectively to ensure project success.
  • Practical Experience: Both engineering and engineering technology programs integrate hands-on learning experiences. Labs, projects, and internships are integral components that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts.

How Are They Different?

Although they have many similarities, engineering and engineering technology degrees are also very different. Let’s take a look at how:

  • Focus of Study:
    Engineering: Engineering programs emphasize theoretical concepts and principles. Engineers imagine and create groundbreaking designs, systems, and solutions. Their education often dips into mathematical models and theories to drive innovation.
    Engineering Technology: Engineering technology programs emphasize the application of established engineering techniques. Engineering technologists are equipped to assist engineers in implementing, operating, and maintaining designs, focusing more on practical implementation.
  • Depth of Study:
    Engineering: Engineers engage in in-depth theoretical study and research. They explore advanced mathematics and intricate scientific theories to create new ideas and groundbreaking solutions.
    Engineering Technology: While rooted in math and science, engineering technologists might not explore these subjects at the same length as engineers. Their emphasis is on applying existing methods to problems.
  • Roles:
    Engineering: Graduates with engineering degrees hold titles such as engineer. They often pursue roles involving research, development, design, and high-level management.
    Engineering Technology: Graduates of engineering technology programs are known as engineering technologists. They work in positions related to implementation, operation, testing, and technical support.
  • Degree Levels:
    Engineering: Engineering programs are often longer due to their focus on theory and research. They are usually offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels.
    Engineering Technology: Engineering technology programs are generally shorter, leading to associate or bachelor’s degrees.
  • Professional Licensure:
    Engineering: Many engineering disciplines require a professional engineer (PE) license for public service roles. This includes passing a demanding exam and fulfilling specific experience criteria.
    Engineering Technology: Engineering technologists might not require a PE license, because their roles often involve supporting engineers’ designs rather than designing systems themselves.

How to Choose the Right Degree for You

The decision of pursuing an engineering degree or an engineering technology degree depends on your career aspirations, interests, and talent. Both paths contribute significantly to technological advancement and innovation, showcasing the diverse skill sets required to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world. Whether you choose to create groundbreaking designs or implement those designs, both engineering and engineering technology professionals remain important to shaping the future of technology.

How to Become a Chief Nursing Officer

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

In-Depth Guide to Becoming a Chief Nursing Officer

At the front of every team is a leader. This is true in the health care industry as well as in other fields. Chief nursing officers (CNOs) represent a health care facility’s entire nursing staff and play a vital role in making sure patients receive the best care possible.

If you have a background in nursing and want to pursue a more executive-level role, a career as a chief nursing officer could be for you. Check out the following article for more information.

What Is a Chief Nursing Officer?

A chief nursing officer is the highest position for nursing management in any organization. CNOs are responsible for overseeing and coordinating all activities of the health care facility’s nursing department. They plan, direct, organize, and oversee all nursing and patient care services.

CNOs can be found in many organizations, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, surgery centers, government agencies, doctors’ offices, and more.

What Does a Chief Nursing Officer Do?

CNOs have a complex job overseeing all activities in a nursing department. Each day can hold entirely new tasks and responsibilities. Generally, CNOs carry out the following duties:

  • Creating a positive nursing environment
  • Overseeing employee engagement, recruitment, and retention
  • Ensuring that nursing standards are followed
  • Developing and managing department budgets
  • Designing and implementing strategic goals
  • Coordinating daily nursing operations
  • Serving as a spokesperson for the nursing department
  • Planning new patient services
  • Organizing, directing, and administering best practices for patient care
  • Working closely with executives
  • Maintaining quality assessment and improvement
  • Ensuring that the department complies with regulations
  • Establishing and monitoring nursing performance
  • Partnering with physicians to ensure a steady work environment
Take your career further with a MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems from Excelsior.

How to Become a Chief Nursing Officer

The first step to becoming a chief nursing officer is earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Then, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. If you did not earn your bachelor’s before taking the NCLEX-RN, you’ll want to do that as your next step. Once you have done that, you must earn your master’s degree in nursing. From there, it’s all about gaining a lot of nursing experience. You may also consider becoming certified in nursing management, leadership, administration, or a related field.

Chief Nursing Officer Experience Requirements

To become a CNO, you must earn the appropriate amount of education. However, you also need a certain amount of on-the-job experience to stand out with potential employers. You should have at least five years of administrative or management experience before you start applying for CNO positions. Also, it’s a good idea to showcase your knowledge and experience by earning a certification. While certifications are not required for a CNO position, there are certifications that can help you stand out in leadership roles, including Executive Nursing Practice Certification, Nurse Manager and Leader Certification, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification.

Chief Nursing Officer Education Requirements

You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then pursue a master’s in nursing if you wish to become a CNO. A master’s degree in nursing administration, health administration, business administration, or other related field is appropriate.

Excelsior’s Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems program empowers you with the skills and knowledge you need to play a vital role in health care systems, have a seat at the executive table, and have an influential voice when essential decisions are made about health care. The dynamic and challenging curriculum provides a flexible means for registered nurses to earn a master’s degree and preparation for advanced professional roles as a nurse leader.

Chief Nursing Officer Career Paths

Registered nurses can follow one or two paths on their way to becoming a chief nursing officer. One, they can work as an RN for several years before pursuing their master’s degree or, two, they can immediately start pursuing their master’s degree while working as an RN. Whichever path you choose, note that you must have five to six years of administrative nursing experience before you apply for any CNO positions.

Does becoming a CNO sound like the right career for you? Get started today on your master’s degree with Excelsior!