Muara Teweh!

CU has re-initiated an online alcohol prevention course for students, asking to think about their drinking habits and learn about the effects of alcohol on the body.

AlcoholEdu for College is a highly encouraged science-based course available for all students, especially those new to campus to be on the same page of understanding as peers, said Jane Curtis, M.A., director for Alcohol and Other Drugs Program.

The feedback for the course, which stresses responsible drinking, has thus far been overwhelmingly positive, Curtis said.

“In part it’s how we set it up,” Curtis said. “We want to encourage students to talk to us. Voluntary participation is a large part of the success.”
» Read more after the jump →

Lincoln County Healthcare has created a unique way to stay ahead of the nursing shortage locally by teaming up with Central Maine Community College to offer Lincoln County’s first four-year degree program in nursing.

Cathy Cole Director of Education presented details of the new program to the Miles Memorial Hospital Advisory Committee Aug 22.

“An incredible amount of teamwork was required to make this happen,” Cole said. “I just happen to be steering the boat right now. A lot of high hopes, dreams, opportunity, and growth results in people that reach their dreams and greater economic development in our area.”

According to Cole, currently there is a nursing shortage. Within the next 10 years Miles will be losing almost 30 percent of its staff to retirement. Currently there are 600 people on waiting lists to get into nursing school.
» Read more after the jump →

Florida Memorial University, the state’s oldest historically black university, and Florida International University have partnered to develop a joint curriculum that aims to boost the number of minority nurses, the Miami Herald reports.

Minorities represent 33% of the U.S. population and 9% of the U.S. nursing workforce, according to the Herald. A 2004 study conducted by former HHS Secretary Louis Sullivan found that a lack of minority health professionals exacerbates health disparities in minority communities. Sullivan said in a recent interview that minority health care professionals are three to five times more likely to practice in minority communities.

Under the agreement, students at both universities will have three curriculum options to obtain a nursing degree. Two of the options will allow the students to receive a dual degree in biology and nursing.
» Read more after the jump →

A college in this Vancouver Island town is working with an Australian university to develop a program for surfers, often better known for skipping class than hitting the books, to learn the business aspect of the sport.

Barbie Mayor, a North Island College nursing instructor and surfing mom who is coordinating the program development, said the first class of about 20 students could be heading for classes and combers in September 2009.

“There is no other program like it available in the Americas,” said Mayor, an accredited judge with the International Surfing Association.

“The time is right,” she said. “Surfing is a multimillion-dollar business. I believe it would bring more experienced people into the industry.”
» Read more after the jump →

AT LEAST 50 nursing graduates from the Australian Catholic University cannot be registered even though they completed a degree that cost $15,000.

A stoush over qualification standards has erupted between the Department of Health and the university, leaving the graduates in limbo.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Greg Craven, denied the problem had anything to do with changes to the curriculum of the bachelor of nursing degree, which subsequently failed to gain recognition from the registration authority, the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW.

Professor Craven blamed a decision taken by the board last year to assume responsibility for whether students were entitled to credit points for previous learning. “It’s not a question of the content of the degree or the adequacy of the degree - that is conceded. It’s simply a question of granting credit,” he said. » Read more after the jump →

The Richard and Mica Hadar Foundation has chosen 14 New York City area students who will enter college in September 2008 to be its new scholarship recipients. They join a select group of close to 200 Hadar Scholars awarded college scholarships since 1993 for their exceptional talent in creative arts, including visual arts, writing, film, theater, dance, vocal and instrumental performance.

Hadar scholars are guaranteed the scholarship for the four years of college, as long as they are matriculating. They are also offered assistance with graduate studies. Hadar scholars are supported through a unique mentoring program that stresses collaboration with professionals in their field and with the other scholars. The program includes creative and professional seminars and workshops, exhibition and publication opportunities, and special events in various creative fields. Support is given to the scholars for special summer programs, such as national and international art festivals, and for other unusual expenses associated with pursuing a career in the creative arts. Additional support is also given in the form of stipends for internships which advance the artists’ professional training. » Read more after the jump →

Connecticut has officially released Elena Delle Donne from her basketball scholarship, a move that could allow the former top-rated recruit to play at Delaware.

Delle Donne announced last week that she would not be playing basketball at Connecticut or enrolling at the school.

UConn released Delle Donne on Wednesday from the letter of intent she signed last year, contingent on her enrollment at Delaware.

UConn says its release includes a consent allowing Delle Donne to play any sport this school year, including basketball for the Blue Hens.

Delle Donne would be eligible to play volleyball immediately at Delaware, but would need to get permission from the NCAA to play basketball this season, because she spent two days in summer school at UConn in June, and could be considered a transfer student. AP