1. Housing Benefits

One of the major financial benefits to serving in the U.S. military is the extensive housing benefits. Those who have large families and need more space will get larger benefits than those who are single or have small families. The U.S. military will give a housing stipend to those in service for their rent if they are not about to purchase a home. If they do want to purchase a home those in military service qualify for VA loans. VA veterans loans allow a lower down payment than traditional loans and very favorable percentage rates. VA loans operate very similarly to FHA loans but only require that the home buyer be in the military.

2. Sign Up Bonuses

During particularly tumultuous times it is not uncommon for the military to offer significant sign up bonuses for new military recruits. These bonuses can range from a few thousands of dollars to something far more substantial depending on how the recruit tests when initially being placed. Recruits that are going directly into officer positions often have much higher signing bonuses than ordinary recruits.

3. Education Costs

Many recruits join the military specifically because of the funds they offer for education. The military will fully fund a recruit’s college education and will often pay off educational loans that the recruit took out before joining. These educational costs can exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Many branches of the military also offer exceptional on the job training and the ability to work towards a degree during ordinary service. The air force has one of the best universities in the nation and has many different training courses. Usually a recruit can finish their college degree by the time their service is done which allows them to enter directly into the workforce as a skilled applicant.

4. Discounts and Deals

Military recruits can also take advantage of many discounts and deals throughout retail stores. Many deals may require that the military recruit ask about it or request it but military discounts are extremely pervasive. Even fast food restaurants often offer discounts to the military and these discounts cam be extremely important when the military recruit is based in an area that has higher prices than they are used to. There are many locations in which a military recruit may find themselves and their family that has both higher grocery prices and restaurant prices than the family is used to and military discounts can help significantly. Furniture stores are another location that often offer discounts or special financing to members of the military.

4 Financial Benefits to Serving in the U.S. Military

Radiography

Ultrasound

It takes 2- and 4-years to learn how to be a radiography or sonography technician. The 2 year program is very popular, classes required include anatomy, instrumentation, and medical ethics. Most schools offer a certification and some states require that you pass a test to be licensed.

Radiology Schools usually offer both radiography and sonography programs. When choosing a school be sure to check if they are accredited. Many have student evaluations you cna review as well as statistics about if graduates have found jobs.

There is a shortage of radiography and sonography technicians in states which have a high aging population such as Florida, Texas and most rural areas. Mobile radiography and sonography units are being deplored by hospitals and clinics to address the needs of rural patients and those living in extended care facilities. In fact this mobile faucet maybe the fastest growing area since it provides much needed out reach.

Overall, health care professional jobs are on the rise. there are many different jobs in health care so you have a good chance of finding a speciality which will suit you and help those in need of medical services.

Training for Radiography and Sonography

Online Education is Booming

For many older students, a lack of flexibility is a major reason returning to school is not possible. Online education offers an alternative to traditional college classes. Students will still need to invest a good deal of time in their education, but they can work around the work and family obligations that they already have with online schools.

Online Degrees Are Becoming More Accepted

When online education first began to make inroads, some employers and institutions looked at degrees obtained online with suspicion. However, online education is growing rapidly, and today, many brick-and-mortar colleges and universities offer an online option. Some online colleges are accredited. Most degrees that are obtained through online classes at brick-and-mortar universities are identical to the ones given to students who attend classes on campus.

Add a Master’s or Other Degree

Some people may have most or all of an undergraduate degree but wonder whether going to graduate school is worthwhile when they are older. For graduate degrees and professional degrees in particular such as law or business, some experience outside academic can be a strong advantage. Many such programs are available online as well. Searching for “online education law masters” will return results for both master’s degrees and law online degrees.

Older Students Have Advantages

Older students tend to be more motivated and focused as a group than students who attend straight out of college. They are goal-oriented and know what they want from a college education. They also tend to have developed better time management, organizational and multitasking skills.

Knowledge For Its Own Sake

Professional advancement is not the only reason for higher education. Some people simply do it for the pursuit of knowledge. A student doing so may proceed at a leisurely pace and take just one class at a time. Some schools offer reduced or free courses to senior citizens, so for older people who have never had the money to pursue higher education, the time to do so couldn’t be better. Learning for its own sake tends to richly enhance one’s life.

5 Ways It Is Never Too Late To Get A Higher Education

2.  Systemic Technology to enhance the educational experience and assist teachers to provide better instruction and communication with students and parents. Having a system which integrate today’s technology and can grow into tomorrow’s technological advances helps ensure a robust educational system.

3. Providing high quality teacher preparation because it pays off big with less turn over and overall better teachers.  Studies show well prepared teachers are more likely to remain in the profession and provide superior educational experiences for their students. Teacher education programs which  combine  practice and course work simultaneously have the highest success rate.

These three trends are leading the way to a better and stronger educational system in the U.S.

Three New Trends in Teacher Education

Getting to college and graduating a 4-year course is no easy task. More so if you’re a person with ADD. Answering test papers of the subject you don’t even like for four straight years can honestly be downright impossible. So here are some simple tips on how to get through your hectic college life and managing ADD at the same time.

     1. Choose a University That You Like

Find a university to your liking or a school that would fit you and your needs. Getting at least 12 credits would classify you as a full-time student but you can also study part-time. Becoming a full-time student makes you finish college at lot quicker though there maybe chances that you’ll get bored to death before that comes. Studying part-time however reduces the chances of you getting bored and distracted with school; however, you’ll end up studying in college much longer. So basically, it’s all up to what you prefer the most.

However, if studying in a normal university would prove too stressful for you, you can always look for universities which are more supportive to people with ADD. Though there are some factors which would prove this option to be less likable (considering that this university might be far from your home or that the expenses would be too much). But if there aren’t any and your family can afford the necessary expenses, then this would be the better option.

     2. Choose the Course You Like

This is a given. You definitely won’t pass if you go for BS Accounting but have a deep hatred for Math. Go for a course that suits you best or interests you the most. There you could make use of your hyperfocus talent to best of its ability.

     3. Managing Your Subjects

Getting on a course you like doesn’t guarantee you a spot in graduation ceremony. True, the subjects you’re going to tackle on might be the ones you prefer or take interest on; but it doesn’t mean you’re not going to take on the “uninteresting” ones. Don’t worry, with a little time management everything will work out your way.

Try to study this uninteresting yet, necessary subject for a little while, say 15 minutes. After that, try doing something fun or study another subject – an interesting one at that – and after that, return to the subject at hand. That way you’ll get your brain enough time to relax to tackle that hard subject again.

4. Be Positive

Coping up with stress is something people with ADD aren’t good at and it is pretty common during college life. Letting stress get the best of you can ruin your carefully planned schedules and daily planners.  All I can say is that you must try to stay positive, be calm and always stay with your schedules as much as possible.

Having problems with subjects, tests and other schoolwork is part of a student’s school life. You should not feel ashamed if you’re having a hard time; the other students have it just as much as you do. Always be determined at the things you do and always believe that you will succeed. Do that, and managing ADD combined with schoolwork won’t be so hard as you thought.

4 Steps on Getting Through College With The Least Stress

Best Cleaning Tips for Kitchen and Dorm Room Cooking

To clean counters use Mrs. Meyer’s countertop spray in Basil or Geranium. Spaying this stuff brings up images of Amore and the green hills of Tuscany. It is easy to find places to spray Mrs. Meyer’s. A roll of towels and a bottle of Meyer’s will keep things glamorously clean.

For tough pans and cooked on food there are two tricks that make cleaning easier. Put hot water back in the pan or dish and heat it back up on the stove. Use a wooden spoon to gently nudge off the blackened bits. Keep it up until they are all gone and then wash the pan normally.

A can of Bar Keeper’s Friend is fantastic for cleaning everything from sinks to blackened kettles. Use a dab on a sponge to remove brown tea and coffee stains from the inside of cups. Wash regularly afterwards with dish soap to remove any residue.

College Laundry Tips

Laundry at college usually means using a public laundry or communal machines. Keep a can of Clorox wipes handy to wipe out and disinfect the inside of communal machines before you use them. Pre-spray stains before placing items in the washer. A great pre-wash product is Zout. Use a dab of dishwashing detergent covered with baking soda to remove oily stains. Always pre-wash blood stains thoroughly in COLD water before placing them into the regular wash. Separate clothes into dark, light and colors and don’t overstuff the machine. Use less than the recommended amount of soap by 1/3. Then add plain white vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove soap residue. Soup residue will shorten the lifespan of your clothing. Soup will also make your clothing scratchy and it acts as a dirt magnet. The harder your water, the more essential it is to use less soap and add the vinegar into the rinse cycle to remove the soap. Air dry shirts and pants to get the longest life out of clothing and prevent shrinkage.

Cleaning Dorm Room Floors

Dorm rooms are usually small with hard flooring. A vacuum isn’t usually essential. Use a Swiffer instead with both dry and wet wipes. While not the Greenest solution, these and Clorox wipes are very handy. They don’t decompose so never place the wipes down the toilet. For an Eco-friendly solution use a broom and a small dustpan. Clean the majority of the dirt off the dry floor. Then take two large bath towels and designate them as floor towels. Spray the floor with hot vinegar and water, turn on some music and do the twist.

Dusting

Remove that evil grey haze with micro-fibre dust cloths. Great micro-fiber cloths and towels can be found at do-it-yourself centers, auto repair stores an online dorm room supply stores. To care for wooden furniture use a good oil polish on a clean rag to condition wood after dusting.

Cleaning isn’t one of those chores that needs to all be done in one day. Cleaning in 10-15 minute intervals creates great study breaks and keeps things clean and tidy all the time. Set aside a time every week to do laundry to keep the pile from getting out of control. Finding friends to clean with or cleaning with your room mate is another way to make cleaning more fun.

Laura Wilson is author and Brand Manager for OCM, leading online supplier of dorm room decor.

College Cleaning For the New Year

Labor shortages occur when there are not enough professionals with specialized skills to do the jobs that are available. The healthcare industry has been battling with a shortage of nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the registered nurses job market is the number one area for employment growth projections for 2010-2020. The shortage of registered nurses has created a domino effect that the private sector is part of.

How problems became profits in nursing

In the example of the U.S. nurse shortage, bosses found that they could solve the problem and meet patients’ demands by moving qualified nurses to different locations across the country. This created a chain reaction of benefits that include:

• An increase in members of the local community: The phenomenon of traveling nurses is growing and a by-product of this is the increase in the local population. As more nurses consider travel nurse jobs, this means that local businesses can benefit. Traveling nurses need accommodation which can be provided by realtors while restaurants and shops can give nurses time off when they are not working. New blood into a local community inspires consumer spending especially considering how well paid some nursing jobs are because of the employment shortage.
• Cost savings are made for the healthcare industry: Traveling nurses also help to boost the bottom line of the private health sector. This is because the cash that would typically be spent on recruiting and mentoring other nurses is now saved because organizations have moved qualified registered nurses who are already working for the company to other places. With a focus on cost effectiveness because of the tough economy, the private sector sees another benefit with investing in traveling nurses because of its’ ability to save money.

Top states that are affected by the nursing shortage

The private sector in the U.S has plenty to pick from when it comes to states that are dealing with severe nursing shortages. Some of these states include:

• Alaska: The location of Alaska has made it difficult for hospitals and clinics to source qualified registered nurses because of how remote it is. Business-focused healthcare organizations can use traveling nurses to deal with the nurse shortage in Alaska to be profitable and problem-solving.
• California: This state is another place in the U.S. that needs more nurses to fill the many vacancies that are available. Private sector companies can capitalise on California’s ideal location and sunny climate in order to have the perfect environment for traveling nurses to flourish.
• Florida: The South needs nurses and Florida is no different. Research has found that nurses and mental health professionals are needed in abundance in Florida. The private sector can provide solutions to Florida’s health problems by finding the right registered nurses who want to live in the Sunshine state.

Whether it is a shortage for machinists in manufacturing or registered nurses in healthcare, labor shortages can be fixed with pinpoint accuracy from the business acumen of private sector healthcare corporations.

About the Author:

This is a guest post by Victoria Abrams. Victoria currently represents Travel Nursing across America the best source on the web to find travel nursing jobs online.

How labor shortages turned into rewards

With the large number of baby boomers nearing old age this creates the perfect storm which is set to peak in 2020. Many ideas are not being put forward as to how to cope with this problem including robot helpers, aging at home, and continued reduced time for hospital stays. Many nurses are already working long hours and the effects of the nursing shortage on patients results in more medical errors and lack of quality care.

Now is the prefect time to consider a nursing career, jobs offered usually include a good benefits package and shift work can be very flexible to meet your individual needs and family responsibilities, such as; a 3 or 4 day, 12 hour shift, work week.

Federal grants, loans and scholarships for disadvantaged students are available at most nursing schools and community colleges programs for a wide variety of nursing opportunities, including: public health nursing, nurse anesthetist, rural nursing, RN (Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree) and LPN programs.

The median wage for a registered nurse in the US is currently about $65,000 a year and the number of jobs is estimated to grow 26% in the next 10 years. Resulting in a shortage of one million nurses by 2020, according to the US Bureau of Health Professions of the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Nursing education includes clinical experience and classroom study. Many colleges and universities are now offering online classes in conjunction with clinical training at hospitals.

Do you have what it takes to be a nurse?

Are you willing to work hard? Nursing requires physical strength.

Do you have a desire to learn: Nursing requires life-long learning.

Do you have the ability to deal with stress?

Can you effectively communicate with others? No one wants a nurse who is rude or without empathy.

Do you like caring for others?

Nursing Shortage Grows

In order to be best prepared for any emergency, a student should take the following measures:

• Have a “get away” bag.
• Have a contact point for any friends or family.
• Keep aware of campus policies and emergency plans.

All students should have a bag or suitcase that contains their necessities, such as a change of clothes, any irreplaceable records, and for those students who require it, a supply of any medical drugs they require. This bag should be easily accessible in case of an emergency. This ensures that if the student must evacuate his or her dorm, they will at least have their most vital supplies with them.

Secondly, having a contact point where family and friends can verify the student’s condition can greatly ease their fears during a campus emergency. This should usually be a friend that is known to both the student and family and should not be another student, who might also be out of reach.

Finally, the student should always be aware of their college’s emergency policy. Many campuses offer text or email alerts and the student should never ignore them. In case of an emergency, the campus authorities will often have the most up to date information, and be able to direct the student body to safety.

Finally, students should back up any irreplaceable information, such as term papers, on a USB stick or use an off-site data storage service to ensure that any damage to their computer does not result in the loss of valuable papers or other information. This has the added benefit of being useful in case of minor disasters, such as a computer failure right before a paper is due.

While it is to be hoped that students will never have to use these measures, it is better to be safe than sorry. Remember, once an emergency occurs, it is far too late to start to prepare for it. By making certain they are prepared for an emergency before it occurs, students will have the best possible chance of avoiding injury or long-term inconvenience should a campus emergency strike, no matter the precise nature of the event.

Brought to you by Vista College Student Services Team

How Students Can Prepare for Campus Emergencies

These courses provide a wonderful opportunity for life-long learners. If you were an English major who wanted to learn about chemistry as well, you may have been afraid that that the pace of the class would be too quick for someone with no background in that field. If you were a mathematics major who wanted to improve your writing skills, you may have been afraid that your ignorance of correct grammar would make you look foolish.

Now you can watch videos of instructors presenting information on these subjects, and you can replay the videos until you develop a better understanding of the subject. You can often take quizzes and tests to make sure you really grasp the material. Frequently, students can participate in forums where they ask other students or the instructor about points they need to clarify. Many times, the forums provide opportunities for other people to give their own ideas about a subject or suggest additional sources to examine.

In addition to the benefit of learning about all kinds of interesting subjects, these courses provide another opportunity as well. Many people these days are out of work. The field in which they had worked for many years may no longer exist, or it may be so overcrowded that 300 people apply for one position. Some people may be unable to take regular classes at a college or training facility because they have other responsibilities at the times the classes are given. Many people cannot afford the cost of these classes; therefore, they can’t take online courses that offer regular college credit.

However, unemployed people can take these free courses in several areas that offer more career opportunities. In this way, they can determine if they feel comfortable about their ability to succeed in the new area. They can ask the questions that they might be hesitant to ask a boss or co-worker. They can develop the knowledge that might be necessary in order to qualify for “on-the-job-training” that some businesses might provide.

There are psychological benefits as well. People who have been unemployed for a long period of time often become depressed, and they doubt their ability to succeed in the work force. Learning a new subject area can give them the confidence necessary to continue looking for work. These online courses are a boon to everyone who wants to keep his or her mind active and alert.

Brought to you by Vista College Online

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