A Hands-on Approach to Success: Tips for the Tactile Learner

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Lauren Parker

There are three types of learning styles: auditory, visual, and tactile. According to some reports, only 5 percent of learners are identified as tactile learners. While the percentage is small, considering how many learners there are in the world today,  there are still millions of people who find themselves most engaged when they are active in their learning.

Tactile learners process information best through a hands-on learning approach. As a result, typical classroom lecture environments present challenges to these learners—sitting still, passively listening for long periods of time can be trying. While online learning may seem to present the same challenges, there are some methods tactile learners can employ to ensure success when they are learning online. If you are a tactile learner, try incorporating some of the following techniques in your next study session to improve your learning experience:

  • Create a workspace with bright colors and posters. Have floor space and furniture that encourage moving around or lounging. Standing at a desk, sitting on an exercise ball, relaxing in a recliner, or walking back and forth might help you stay focused.
  • Try chewing gum and manipulating a stress ball or some other hand-held object during a study session if a desktop computer forces you to stay in the same spot.  Background music can also help you focus and concentrate.
  • Skimming the content to prepare can be helpful. After completing a preview, try reading the content out loud. Employing a practice like SQ3R, discussed in another post, could be beneficial for the tactile learner.
  • Copy key points onto a writing surface—write them in big print or try illustrating them on large sheets of blank drawing paper. If the topic lends itself, try building a model of a major concept.
  • Create sequence cards to understand steps in a process. Write each step on an index card and then manipulate the cards on a table top, moving them around until you remember the correct order.
  • Copy and paraphrase your notes.
  • Take a break from your studies often or study in small, spaced increments of time.

No matter what your learning style, one of the best ways to be successful in online learning is to know how you learn and explore ways to address the needs of your specific learning style. Not sure what kind of learner you are? Be sure to take our Learning Styles Survey. You may have to adjust your approach to reach your goals, but the effort will be well worth it!

What Everybody Ought to Know About Furthering Your Education

Monday, June 17, 2013 by Reggie Theodore

 

Have you been thinking about furthering your education? If so, is it for personal reasons, or does your desired position require you to have a bachelor’s degree?  I am here to tell you that whatever your motivation might be, I am certain that the experience may have opened your eyes to a broader range of career possibilities and prompted you to rethink your original goals. Maybe you feel that you have outgrown your career and need more education to move into a different field. Or perhaps you are comfortable in your current position, and you know that a bachelor’s degree is needed to ensure your ongoing employability.

I know from personal experience that the thought of continuing your education can be intimidating, but depending on the scope of your education, getting that bachelor’s degree may be more attainable than you think. Consider the following:

Personally: Has a four year degree been your personal goal? Are you concerned about the rising cost of an education? Why is now the best time to further your education?

Professionally: Are you on track to attain your career goals? Can you advance without your degree?

Geographically: Can you relocate for career advancements? Can you attend classes while maintaining full time employment? Do you live in a region where your closest campus is hundreds of miles away?

By considering these questions, you will develop a better understanding of your goals and what part continuing education plays in the big picture.

 The College Network partners with leading Universities to provide more than 40 flexible online degree and certificate programs for the working adults. As one of the nation’s leading eLearning companies and a partner with some of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning, The College Network has helped hundreds of thousands  of adults continue their education.

For a list of programs and partner universities please visit www.collegenetwork.com or contact Reggie Theodore, Atlanta Area Program Advisor for the College Network by calling 646-271-9617 or reggie.theodore@collegenetwork.com.

To see the ranking of one of our partners, Bellevue University, click on the link below:

http://www.educationdive.com/news/the-top-10-online-programs-for-bachelors-degrees/91646/

Laying the Foundation for a Better Tomorrow—One Course at a Time!

Thursday, June 13, 2013 by Lauren Parker

June is “Rebuild Your Life Month”! What better time than now to start making some positive changes that could impact your life and your career for the better? According to an article by Dr. Elizabeth Scott, there are a few quick and easy steps you can take to reassess your life and plan for positive change.

First, think about what you truly value. It might be helpful to make a list of what matters most to you in life. This list is your priority. Once you see what your priorities are, it’s easy to think about your daily activities in light of these priorities. Try removing any activities that aren’t in keeping with your priorities. While you may not be able to quit your job to spend more time with your family, you could eliminate an hour of watching TV each night and devote that time to game night or other activities with your family.

Next, imagine the life you want. Try to imagine realistically and with as much detail as possible. With this "best life" in mind, look at your regular activities and eliminate those that will not move you toward the life you want to leadthen make an effort to add activities that do.

Finally, think about the implications of your decisions. When you say “yes” to one activity, you are probably saying “no” to another. Your time is limited and precious. Make sure you are spending your time in a productive manner that matches your priorities and efforts to achieve the life you want.

When you make a list of priorities, imagine the life you want, and determine how you want to spend your time, does advancing your education or career have a place? If so, why not make “Rebuild Your Life Month” the month you contact The College Network to begin making a positive change that can impact your life and your career in wonderful ways? You can start earning business, nursing, healthcare, and professional degrees online from top universities TODAY!

Conquering Fear to Achieve Success

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 by Lauren Parker

Failure. That one word can conjure up memories, emotions, and images for anyone. Remember the time you stepped up to the mike and forgot your lines? Or how about that time you got back a test with the giant “F” circled at the top? What about when you worked so hard for a promotion, only to be passed over? Those types of moments seem to linger, haunting us as we take another chance or face another challenge. We hear the laughter, see the red ink, watch the corner office go to someone else, and we stop. If we failed once, we could fail again! And as we move further and further into our fear, we move further and further away from success.

But what if we cut off the memories and pressed “mute” on our own self-doubt, refusing to let fear be the barrier between us and success? Sometimes it can be as easy as taking a deep breath and a leap, but sometimes it takes something more. I came across an article recently that addressed the fear of failure and suggested some ways to face it head on. If memories of failure sometimes play on loop or the voice of self-doubt ever blares in your head, read on!

  • Understand the risks. The unknown can be scary! When you don’t have an understanding of what the risks to an action are, the consequences of those actions might seem scarier than they really are. If you’re thinking about going back to school, do some research to find out what the outcomes could be (both good and bad). Check out blogs and discussion boards or talk to people you know who have gone back to school. Listen to what they have to say about their experiences and any benefits and challenges that came with their decision.
  • Gain some perspective. Don’t be a Chicken Little and imagine that the sky will come crashing down if you fail. What is the worst thing that could happen if you don’t succeed at your efforts? How long would it take you to move past that failure and begin again? It’s probably not as long as you think.
  • See the benefits in failure. Even if you fail, you will learn something. Life is a series of trial-and-error experiments.  No matter what the outcome, you will have a lesson to take away. If you’re not growing and learning, you’re stagnant… and who wants to be stagnant?
  • Act now. Start today with a small baby step—maybe you’ll just call to get information about options for earning your degree. Once you’ve taken that step, you may find that it’s not so scary. The first steps are always the most difficult, but once you’ve taken them, you might just find that subsequent steps get easier.
  • “Burn the boats.” This is one of my favorite images from the article. It refers to the ancient Greek armies who burned their boats before battle—the only way home was through victory! Try taking on this mentality to charge forward in your efforts. Sign up for an exam right away to motivate yourself. No turning back… success or bust!

Don't let the fear of failure rob you of opportunities for success. Break down the barrier and find all the possibilities that are waiting for you on the other side!

Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed As a Nurse?

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 by Abby Nieten

Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet.
~ Donna Wilk Cardillo

If you look up "nurse" in any dictionary, you'll likely see a brief definition that defines a nurse as someone who cares for those who are sick or hurt. However, that hardly encompasses all that a nurse truly is. Successful nurses have a number of important qualities that help them thrive in the industry. If you're considering a career in nursing, it's time to take stock of your personal traits to determine if nursing is right for you. Below are checklists of the top traits and skills that successful nurses possess. How do you stack up?

Traits

     
 
 Compassion
 
 Patience
 
 Confidence
 
 Respectfulness
 
 Flexibility
 
 Passion
 
 Humility
 
 Endurance
 
 Selflessness
 
 Tolerance
 
 Stability
 
 Attention to detail

 

 

 

 


 


 

Skills

 
 Communication skills
 
 Problem-solving skills
 
 Critical-thinking skills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have what it takes to succeed as a nurse? If so, contact The College Network today to find out how we can help you complete nursing school prerequisites as you work toward a rewarding nursing career!

Also, to learn more about some of the traits and skills needed to succeed in the nursing industry, read this article.

How to Become a "Superachiever"

Monday, June 10, 2013 by Karen Walker

Everyone wants to know the secret to success.  When you find that secret, we hope it will make all of our dreams come true.  To figure out what “superachievers” have in common, Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield interviewed superacheivers from all professions to find out what they have in common and outlined the path to success in their book, The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What They Do and How They Do It So Well.

The biggest thing they discovered was that success does not have an instruction manual.  People that have succeeded in their field have dealt with many attempts, failures and struggles to get where they wanted to go.  "Success did not come to them in the thunderclaps of their 'eureka' moments.  Talent was just the beginning. Their progress toward their goals was furthered by their fierce dedication to the day-to-day struggle for achievement.”  Here are a few highlights from their book:

  • "You can’t always change your conditions but you can always change the way you deal with them."  –Jessica Watson, Australian teen who sailed solo around the world
  • "You can’t influence people unless they genuinely like you." –Guy Kawasaki, Entrepreneur and Author
  • "You can’t create or believe in your company’s core values until you figure out your own." –Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos
  • "You can’t succeed unless you’re willing to put everything you’ve got into it." –David Change, Chef and owner, Momofuku Restaurants
  • "In the end, only you can make the split second decisions that help you win.  Trust your gut."  –Helio Castroneves, race car driver and 3-time Indy 500 winner

Read more from these superachievers and others here.

How to Be a Successful Nurse Leader

Friday, June 7, 2013 by Abby Nieten

The College Network partners with Regis University to offer an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program that can help you become a leader in the nursing industry. In fact, the program focuses on leadership in healthcare systems. Become an MSN-prepared nurse, and you'll be qualified for a number of leadership positions, including chief nursing officer, nursing director, and nurse administrator.

NurseTogether recently published an article that discusses principles for practical nurse leadership. If you're interested in earning your MSN and becoming a nurse leader, you should keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Exemplify the behavior you encourage in your subordinates. As a nurse leader, it's important for you to set a good example for your subordinates and to stay humble in your leadership position. You should never feel that you are above picking up trash in a hallway or helping a lost patron. Leading by example will help you earn the respect of patients, subordinates, peers, and superiors.
     
  2. Surround yourself with employees who are willing to grow with you. If you have subordinates who are unwilling to put in the effort required to meet team goals, you must be ready and willing to make a change. You cannot be successful as a leader if you are unable to get all employees working toward the same goals.
     
  3. Remember where you started. To be an effective leader in the nursing industry, you must stay on top of the day-to-day tasks performed by licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other members of your healthcare team. It's a good idea to periodically walk through a shift with someone in a position you once held in order to get a true understanding of the changes that have taken place in areas like patient care.
     
  4. Recognize and spend time with star employees. Low-performing employees often occupy a great deal of a leader's time because low performers are more willing to take time away from work to chat, and low performers also require more coaching. As a result, high-performing employees are often ignored. If you want to be an effective leader, you must find time to converse with and recognize high performers. These star employees bring a lot of value to the company, and you don't want to risk losing them to a leader who reaches out and recognizes that value before you do.

Barriers, Be Gone! Online Education Helps Nurses Earn Advanced Degrees

Thursday, June 6, 2013 by Abby Nieten

A study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that nurses believe cost, family/children, and lack of time are the three most significant barriers to their pursuit of advanced education. The study is part of the RN Work Project, which is a 10-year research project that began in 2006 and seeks to uncover information about the turnover, attitudes, and intentions of new registered nurses (RNs). The project collects data from nurses in 34 states who live in both rural and metropolitan areas.

According to the study, many nurses who reported cost and lack of time as barriers to educational advancement also reported feeling challenged by the idea of trying to schedule their classes around their work schedules. One of the lead investigators for the study—Christine T. Kovner, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor at the New York University College of Nursing—stressed the importance of making advanced nursing classes available to nurses at more convenient times and in more convenient places. The College Network (TCN) offers these conveniences and more with our online nursing degree programs.

By giving nurses the opportunity to earn online degrees from top universities, The College Network breaks through the barriers that deter nurses from completing traditional, campus-based nursing programs. With online education, nurses can complete their courses whenever and wherever it is convenient for them. They can work at their own pace and set their own schedules for studying and taking exams so that they won't miss out on family time or compromise their positions at work. Additionally, TCN programs can save nurses up to 50 percent over the cost of campus-based college degree programs. (See "How can I pay for my college education?" on our FAQ page for information on financing.) Nurses can also receive financial rewards for referring others to TCN programs through our EARN referral program.

Call The College Network today at 1-800-395-1014 to talk to a Program Advisor and learn more about tearing down traditional educational barriers through our online degree programs. Also, check out this post on The College Network Blog to read more about the benefits of an online education.

Don't Wait on Success!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 by Lauren Parker

“Success doesn’t come to you. You go to it.” -Marva Collins

Marva Collins knew a thing or two about the success that could be achieved through education and hard work. She challenged the status quo in education and become an activist through her efforts to help minority and impoverished students find success. She pushed her students to seek out this success through new methods, encouraging them to be something greater. She was a strong believer in being the captain of your own destiny—if you just play the wait-and-see game, you may spend your whole life waiting. 

Have you been sitting around waiting for success to come to you? Why not stand up, take charge, and go after success? The College Network can help you take the first steps toward advancement in your career and personal success through the completion of a degree.  Check out the business and professional degrees we offer to help you challenge yourself, learn more, and gain the skills you need to achieve success:

Business Degrees
Business 
Business Analysis and Management 
Management of Human Resources 
Marketing Management 
Management
Legal Studies
Project Management

Professional Degrees
Associate in Fire Science
Bachelor in Fire Science
Criminal Justice Administration
Security Management

Don't sit around, waiting for success to find you. We have affordable payment options that make success even easier to achieve! What are you waiting for? Contact us today about how you can get started in the direction of success!

Breaking the Gender Stereotype in Nursing

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Abby Nieten

Nursing has long been a female-dominated profession, but the number of males entering the field is on the rise. A recent study conducted by the United States Census Bureau found that male representation among registered nurses climbed from 2.7 percent in 1970 to 9.6 percent in 2011. The percentage of male licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses also increasedclimbing from 3.9 percent in 1970 to 8.1 percent in 2011. This is good news for men looking to break the gender stereotype in nursing.

There are a number of compelling reasons for males to become nurses. An article recently posted on the Minority Nurse Blog details many of these reasons. The article says men should consider joining the nursing field on the following grounds: 

  • Men can help decrease the current nursing shortage.
  • Nursing includes a technical component that often appeals to men.
  • The nursing field offers a variety of specialties, which gives men the ability to pursue specific areas of interest (e.g., emergency, trauma, or pediatrics).
  • Nursing organizations have been created that specifically support male nurses (e.g., American Assembly for Men in Nursing).
  • Nursing offers the competitive wages and financial stability that many men seek.

If you are a male considering a career in nursing, The College Network wants to help you get started! Click here to learn more about our online nursing degree programs. Don't wait to join the movement and break the gender stereotype in nursing!

12 Quick Public Speaking Tips

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by Karen Walker

Many of us have to do some form of public speaking at some point in our lives.  For many of us, this is a regular occurrence at work or school and goes beyond the speech skills they attempted to teach us in high school.  Though many of us dread speaking in front of others, it is a skill that, when finely tuned, will serve you well in many aspects of your life and career.  You may have to give a sales pitch or present at a department meeting. No matter the size of your crowd or your target audience, here are some important things to remember for every speech, presentation, meeting or work exchange in

• Focus: If you focus on your message, your audience will find your ideas easier to grasp.

• Organize ideas logically: Well organized presentations are more easily absorbed. Remember to bridge your ideas or points with an appropriate transition.

• Use quotes, facts and statistics: While not necessarily appropriate for all presentations, they can be useful for complementing your ideas.

• Tell a story: Make your points more memorable by wrapping them up in a relevant story or anecdote.

• Complement words with visual aids: Using visual aids can help keep your audience’s attention. Just remember that visual aids are there to help your message, not to be the message.

• Analyze and connect with your audience: Deliver the message your audience needs to hear and aim to connect with them. Interact with your audience as well when appropriate.

• Exhibit confidence and poise: If you are unsure of yourself, your audience will be unsure of your message.

• Handle unexpected issues smoothly: Make a plan to handle every situation.

• Seek and utilize feedback: No one is perfect, so aim for continuous improvement.  The best way to improve is to receive feedback from as many people as possible.

• Listen critically and analyze other speakers: Review the strengths and weaknesses of other speakers you have heard to help form your own ideas about how you present yourself and your ideas.

• Act and speak ethically

• Craft a memorable conclusion: Leave your audience with your message on their minds and give them a call to action with a lasting impression of you and your ideas.

8 Habits: How To Be More Productive Today!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 by Lauren Parker

pro·duc·tiv·i·ty (pr d k-t v-t, pr d k-) n. 1. The quality of being productive.

"Productivity" is one of those words that gets used in almost every field that requires work (and isn’t that all fields?); people think about it, track it, criticize it, and seek it every single day, but how many people really know how to successfully achieve “the quality of being productive”?

An article in Woman’s Day magazine sought to pinpoint the habits of highly productive people in an effort to define just what makes them so productive. In the end, they settled on eight habits that most impact productivity—and they may just surprise you!

  1. They take breaks. You may think that working straight through from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day means you are a productive person, but if you find yourself pushing through and checking the clock, you’re probably not being as productive as you think. Everyone needs a break at some point. Give your brain some time to relax and reset a couple times a day and see your productivity improve.
     
  2. They start their day in a positive way. An expert in the article suggests that you create a ritual each morning that gives you a sense of focus. She suggests a ritual might be to greet coworkers first thing in the morning. This ritual could help remind you of the part you play on the team and energize you for the day.
     
  3. They make good food choices. You are what you eat! If you have a heavy lunch, you can enter a carb coma in the mid-afternoon and find yourself staring blankly at your work instead of actually doing it! Try eating lighter, healthier lunch choices and see the impact on your productivity!
     
  4. They allow for a flexible schedule. Having a to-do list is important, but don’t be such a stickler that you don’t give yourself any flexibility in your day. Anything that you don’t check off today can always be checked off tomorrow. Just don't use this as an excuse to procrastinate!
     
  5. They use technology purposefully. Give yourself permission to check your personal inbox or social networking sites if it is allowed in your workplace—but set a time limit. Perhaps you give yourself 15 minutes after lunch, or two minutes between tasks for mental reset—just make sure you don’t overdo it.
     
  6. They find balance. The article suggests that you divide your work into two categories: small tasks  and intensive work. Breaking up intensive work with smaller tasks can give you a break from a mental challenge while still accomplishing tasks on your to-do list.
     
  7. They don’t obsess about perfection. It can be hard to break perfectionist tendencies, but when you are strapped for time, they can be a barrier to productivity. Prioritize and let some of the smaller things go.
     
  8. They say “no.” Say "no" to people who are negative drains and "no" when your plate is full. Negative attitudes and overwhelming project loads do nothing to improve your productivity!

These habits are not just effective when approaching your workday, but also as you approach learning online. You’ve probably set a goal for when you’d like to complete your program, and the only way you can reach that goal is to be a productive learner and stay on track.

Looking for other ways to be a more productive learner? Check out our Center for Learning Empowerment and discover even tips and tools to ramp up your productivity!

Six Steps to Prepare for an Interview

Monday, May 27, 2013 by Becky Williams

Every person has to go through the interview process at some point in their life. While it is important to show up on time for the interview, dress professionally, and answer the questions appropriately, these things will not guarantee you the position. Start preparing for interviews in a way that makes you stand out from all of the other candidates.  Below are six steps to help you prepare for an interview:

1. Learn all you can before you meet – Prior to the interview, take some time to look up information about the employer and view the job description again.  Employers expect you to know this information.

2. Prepare your own questions – Asking thoughtful questions about the position shows the employer that you are truly interested in the position and shows you are a serious candidate.

3. Make your case – Have an elevator speech prepared if they ask you to describe yourself. Be sure to link yourself to the interviewer’s needs.

4. Show how you’d succeed – Explain how you would deal with the job’s challenges, but do not pretend to be more knowledgeable than the interviewer.

5. Prepare for special interview formats – Be prepared for all types of interview formats, whether it is a case-study interview or a panel interview.

6. Synthesize along the way and adjust – During this point of the interview process interviewers will expect more sophisticated insights and questions.

For the full article please visit: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/prepare_for_an_interview_by_thinking_like_an.html

Reinventing Primary Care: The Roles of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

Saturday, May 25, 2013 by Abby Nieten

With the trials and tribulations of the economy and the healthcare system in the United States constantly in the headlines, it's no surprise that health organizations are increasingly looking for cost-effective ways to expand medical practice. An article recently published on Software Advice's The Profitable Practice blog makes a pretty convincing case for cost savings surrounding the hiring of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) over physicians. On top of providing significant cost savings, the article suggests that NPs and PAs can fill the physician gap while offering comparable patient care and positive patient experiences.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants offer significant savings over physicians because, among other things, NPs and PAs earn lower salaries, charge less for office visits and require lower insurance costs. The median salary for a physician is more than twice that of a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. Additionally, it is estimated that the cost of a physician visit is, on average, 20 to 35 percent higher than the cost of an NP visit. NPs also have lower malpractice rates and costs, while PAs offer a savings of 66 percent over physicians when it comes to liability risk costs.

According to The Profitable Practice blog article, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are in a pivotal position right now as the healthcare industry deals with a significant physician shortage that is expected to rise over the next several years. Hospitals and clinics are looking to mid-level practitioners like NPs and PAs to fill the gap in primary care—as evidenced by an 8-percent growth in mid-level practitioner staffing requests from 2010 to 2012. NPs and PAs are a good option because, despite their lower salaries, they can perform approximately 80 to 85 percent of the tasks that primary care physicians perform. Additionally, several studies have shown that patient satisfaction levels with NPs and PAs are comparable with or superior to patient satisfaction levels with physicians.

Primary care facilities looking to expand their practices will likely continue to look toward nurse practitioners and physician assistants as the demand for primary care increases under the Affordable Care Act. According to Software Advice's article, "To be successful, practices must enable all healthcare providers to function at the top of their license in order to provide patients with the best possible treatment." To read more about the expanding roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, read the full article here.

Additionally, The College Network (TCN) can get you started on the path toward becoming a nurse practitioner with our Master of Science in Nursing program, available through our partnership with Regis University. Contact us today for more information. Also, check out this article on the TCN blog to read more about the career of nurse practitioner.

Be A More Successful Reader

Friday, May 24, 2013 by Lauren Parker

 

Considering that the average adult is exposed to an average of 490,000 words per day just in online interactions alone (according to Nick Bilton of The New York Times), it’s no surprise that we are often operating at information overload. Whether you are working in your field or studying for an advanced degree, the words coming at you have an important purpose and you must be sure you are taking meaning away from them. 
 
Whether you’re reading a report or studying a module, here are some strategies for improving your reading retention: 
  • Before you read: Skim through what you are about to read. Consider what you already know about the topic. Ask yourself questions to answer as you read. 
  • While you read: Stop periodically and try to summarize what you’ve just read. If you find it difficult to summarize, go back and reread. Part of that summarizing can be in the form of notes. Take notes as you move along—but only write down key ideas. If you start copying whole sections of the text, you’re not helping yourself! If you encounter a word you don’t know, take a minute to look it up. You may come away with a different understanding of what you read if you don’t understand all the words in the text.
  • After you read: Try to summarize what you’ve read. If you just finished reading a five-page report or a section of a module, try limiting your summary to a paragraph or two. That helps you really get to the heart of what you read. Once you’ve summarized, think about your reaction. What did you learn that was new? What surprised you? What challenged you?
Most successful readers know that it takes a little bit more than reading the words on a page to ensure comprehension. Techniques like SQ3R and PREP (covered in other blog posts) can help you organize your process for reading. If you want to be a successful reader, be sure to have a strategy in place before you begin. Happy (and productive!) reading to you! 
 

Nurses in the News: Safe Staffing Legislation Brought to Congress

Thursday, May 23, 2013 by Abby Nieten

In an effort to improve safety for patients and working conditions for nurses, the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 was introduced in Congress on April 30, 2013. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Safe Staffing fact sheet, nursing budget cuts and an increasing nursing shortage have led to unsafe nurse staffing decisions in many hospitals. Nurses are working with less help for longer hours and caring for sicker patients, which ANA believes "compromises care and contributes to the nursing shortage by creating an environment that drives nurses from the bedside." 

The RN Safe Staffing Act was formulated with input from ANA, and it has sponsors from both major political parties. If the bill passes, hospitals will be required to form committees that will create nurse staffing plans by unit, taking into consideration number and condition of patients on the unit, experience of the RNs, availability of backup staff members, and technology resources. Among other things, the bill will also ensure that nurses aren't forced to work on units for which they don't have the appropriate education and experience. 

According to ANA, focusing on safe staffing of hospital nursing units will help keep patients safe, retain experienced nurses, and cut costs. When nurse staffing levels are appropriate and balanced, patient outcomes improve. In fact, ANA says that "higher staffing levels by experienced RNs are linked to lower rates of patient falls, infections, medication errors, and even death." Appropriate nurse staffing levels also provide nurses with a more positive work environment, which encourages them to stick around.

Seven states have already enacted safe nurse staffing legislation at the state level (i.e., Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington), but a federal bill will push the issue forward. To read the American Nurses Association's full press release about the RN Safe Staffing Act, click here.

Taking the Unworn Path to Success

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by Lauren Parker

“If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” – John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller certainly knew something about success—he was the founder of an oil company that dominated and revolutionized the industry and he became a very wealthy and influential business man as a result. However, Rockefeller didn’t start at the top—his first job was as an assistant book keeper. Because he refused to be content with the status quo, he eventually climbed to the top of American business.  

Rockefeller is certainly not alone. History is full of examples of people who pushed ahead and didn't accept things only as they were. When have advancements happened by simply following established practices in a monotonous circle? Was Alexander Graham Bell satisfied only communicating messages through telegraph? Did Dr. Joseph Lister chalk infection up to a risk of surgery for patients and move on? Did Steve Jobs look to the technology of the day and copy it? Most pioneers in a field don’t follow the path most traveled to leave their mark on the world. They take a chance, act on a hunch or instinct, and push into the unknown on their own path.

Are you tired of status quo in your life and in your career? Are you ready to take a chance and blaze a new trail for yourself by advancing your degree and your career? Get started on the path to earning your online degree with help from The College Network and top university partners like Indiana State University, Regis University, and Tulane University (just to name a few!) and open doors to career advancement and new ways to put your distinct mark on your field. You can get started right away—there is no need to wait for a new semester to begin. Contact us today and strike out on a new path to success!

 

 

5 Tips for Finding Focus

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 by Lauren Parker

A recent post by Professor Joe Martin addressed the challenges faced by those who felt motivationally challenged when it came time to study. He offered ten tips for study that can help get you back on track and focused on learning on those days when you're struggling to get started. I highlight five of those tips here.

  1. Take a power nap. I mastered the power nap in college and found that it refreshed me and helped me regain focus if I realized I was reading the same sentences over and over again or I began dozing during a study session. The important thing about a power nap is to set an alarm—sleeping for more than twenty minutes may only make you feel more tired and less motivated to learn. Fifteen to twenty minutes gives you just enough time to get a little rest without making you feel comatose when you wake up.
  2. Sit up. Once you are alert, stay alert by studying in an upright position. No studying in bed or in a recliner, on a lounge chair or a couch. Your body can translate a more relaxed position into a more relaxed mental state, meaning you won’t be as focused as you study. Sit in a chair at a desk or table and signal to your brain that you are ready to study.
  3. Unplug. Turn off small electronics, TVs, and phones to reduce distraction. It’s too easy to drift to a tablet and start checking Facebook or Twitter or to start a marathon conversation with your best friend when you feel the alternative is not so appealing. You’ll be less likely to be distracted if you just shut it all down. You could even use these things as a source of motivation: If I focus and study for an hour, I’ll let myself watch an episode of my favorite show.
  4. Have a snack. Eating a light snack can keep hunger from distracting you during your study session. Just don’t overdo it—a big plate of spaghetti or a slice of chocolate cake may only make you feel more sluggish and less focused as you begin your study session. Apple slices with a little bit of peanut butter or some carrot sticks with ranch dressing can fill you up enough to help you focus without dragging you down.
  5. Split up your session. If you’re like me, you may find that sitting in one place doing the same thing for long stretches of time makes you feel a little antsy. Break up a longer study session into increments of time: study for twenty or thirty minutes and then take a ten to fifteen minute break. It’s better to be closer to the ten minute break time throughout your devoted study period, but you could go closer to the fifteen minute end if you’d like to use one of your breaks for a power nap!

Next time you find yourself losing focus, try one (or all!) of these tips to help you reclaim your attention and have greater retention in your study sessions. If you’re still having trouble motivating yourself, you can always contact a Program Advisor for a big dose of support!

 

3 Big Advantages of Earning a BS in Nursing

Monday, May 20, 2013 by Abby Nieten

If you've considered furthering your nursing education through the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you've likely wondered about the potential benefits of holding a BSN. While there are many routes that lead to a solid nursing education, the most direct and beneficial route involves becoming a bachelor's-prepared nurse. In fact, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Initiative on the Future of Nursing feels so strongly about the pursuit of a BSN that it hopes to increase the number of nurses with bachelor's degrees to 80 percent by 2020.

The College Network offers an online LPN to BS in Nursing program as well as several online RN to BS in Nursing programs. Below is a list of three major advantages of completing these programs and earning a bachelor's degree in nursing.

  1. More Experience — Nurses who complete a bachelor's degree program have more experience in real-world hospital situations than those with a lesser degree. Most BSN programs require a significant number of clinical hours, which helps students feel more comfortable in the nurse role.
     
  2. Broader Knowledge — Nursing bachelor's degree programs dive further into each nursing course and require completion of more courses than associate's degree and diploma programs. This gives students a broader knowledge base and enhances their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
     
  3. Expanded Opportunities — With the changing nature of healthcare, hospitals are increasingly looking to staff their nursing units with nurses who have earned at least a BSN. Bachelor's-prepared nurses have a leg up on those who have only an associate's degree, and that helps them stand out when seeking initial employment as well as promotions. Additionally, some positions in the nursing industry (e.g., educator, researcher, and administrator) can only be filled by those with a bachelor's or higher degree.

If you're ready to advance your career with a BSN, contact The College Network today at 1-877-TCN-DEGREE (877-826-3347)!

Digital learning can lead to deeper learning

Saturday, May 18, 2013 by Karen Walker

What are some more positive outcomes of digital learning besides no longer physically having to attend a classroom? This infographic from www.edudemic.com discusses some of the ways that digital learning is enhancing education. While it is geared more toward teachers incorporating digital lessons in to their classrooms, it still outlines some important reasons why you do not necessarily have to attend school in the flesh to learn something. "Across the country, students are taking on roles that are pushing the traditional boundaries of learning. Through these opportunities, students can connect to their future with authentic and meaningful learning."

There are three main ways that digital learning promotes deeper learning:

  1. Personalized Skill Building: offers a customized, adaptive experience and allows more time spent on lessons instead of just classroom time

  2. Schools & Tools: Produce/Publish/Present high quality work products, encourage collaboration, allow simulations for complex problem solving

  3. Enhanced Access: 24/7 access for content, faster performance feedback, more options for learning material