The College Network

I have talked to you before about the EARN program at The College Network.  It's a great way to help support your education by taking advantage of our referral program.  You really have to appreciate the value in $200 for each referral and on your 6th referral, having The College Network portion of your program paid for--it is like a full scholarship.

But, I want you to also realize the value in making referrals that has nothing to do with money.  It is also about creating your own network.  I know online education can be difficult for some because they feel that they are working so independently and they sometimes lose focus.  Consider this, most likely, your referrals are going to be friends or colleagues and will also be in your same profession.  

This means that you can create your own study group. You can chose to gather at a specific place (maybe every Saturday morning at your local coffee shop) to go over the Comprehensive Learning Modules or quiz each other for upcoming exams.  It can help to bounce ideas and questions off of someone else and hear their perspective.  Plus, it makes it that much better when you can share your success with your group after you pass an exam.

So, think about who you can create a study community with today.  It will help support your education in multiple ways and you will gain new friends while obtaining your degree.  Feel free to call me at 317-566-2647 to help a friend get started in their degree program.  You'll both be glad you did.  

Happy studying!

Tracia

 

"Whatever they say about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks, it is patently untrue. Old dogs may not learn as quickly as they did when they were young, but with time and patience, most older dogs can be taught to do anything that a young dog can."

It's a common idiom, but in recent years we've seen it proven to be more of a myth - with 40-year-old women competing in the Summer Olympics, to retirees earning advanced degrees. Instead of aging according to an out-dated saying, age like a fine wine - get better with age.

Let The College Network help make all of your years, not just your youthful ones, be ones of knowledge and learning. Defy convention and don't just aspire; achieve what you're capable of. Research The College Network and take the opportunity to learn something new every day. 

In recognition of International Nurses Week, Sheila Davis, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN, Director of Global Nursing at Partners In Health, wrote an article that I thought was worth showing to readers of The College Network nursing blog. Sheila reflects upon worldwide and industry-wide challenges facing nurses, and also highlights some of the fantastic opportunities for collaboration in global healthcare that are arising and likely will increase in scope and number in the near future. I selected some quotes below that I found especially interesting. The article in full appears on The Huffington Post website.  

“Although nurses deliver 90 percent of all healthcare services worldwide, they remain largely invisible at decision-making tables in national capitals and international agencies.”

“In one of the most innovative initiatives global health nursing has seen, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute has supported the creation of a nursing oncology partnership with Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB), PIH's sister organization in Rwanda. Four experienced oncology nurses have committed to working alongside local nurses and physicians at IMB for three-month rotations, creating an unprecedented opportunity for Rwandan nurses to develop the specialized skills and experience needed to raise the quality of oncology care.”

“These long-term, grassroots initiatives are shaping the new face of nursing in global health. With the investment of the global community in nurse training, mentorship, and leadership, we can make enormous strides in strengthening health systems.”

There is quite a bit of data out there that shows that the healthcare field is one that is not only stable, but one that is growing.  And while you might be interested in working in this field, you don't feel that becoming a registered nurse would be a good fit for you.

Have you considered a Medical or Health Services Manager?  As a manager, you plan direct and coordinate medical and health services.  You might manage an entire facility or a specific clinical area or department.  Some also manage practices for groups of physicians.  

And while the majority of these jobs are located in a hospital setting, you can also work in long term healthcare facilities or even insurance companies.   You will be working with physicians and surgeons, registered nurses and possibly medical and clinical laboratory technicians.  

So, what is entailed in becoming a Health Services Manager?  You can work through The College Network to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Regis University.  Because of the convenience of an online education, you can continue to work and gain professional experience at the same time.

This program also requires an internship at an approved health care facility of your choice.  When you graduate with your Bachelor's degree, you will have practical experience and the comparative knowledge that you need to be successful.  There are many exciting options available to you with your degree.

Please reach out to us today at (800) 39-LEARN to find out more about your future in Healthcare Administration.   

For college students and most high school students across the nation, May is a month of  stress and intense studying; it's the month of the infamous final examination. Questia, an online research tool for students, has recently released a series of tips to help prepare those studying for their final examinations. The list can be found here: http://www.educationnews.org/higher-education/questia-gives-advice-to-make-finals-a-breeze/. 

For those taking exams with The College Network, it is invaluable to plan ahead, ask plenty of questions, and to take your time. TCN understands these important aspects of preparing for examinations, so that is why we have an entire department devoted to providing academic support - that knows how to identify different learning styles and helps working adults on their way to earning advanced degrees. Research The College Network to learn more about how you can advance your education.

Americans have ranked nursing as the number one most honest and ethical profession on the Gallup annual poll once again, out of twenty one possible professions to choose. This has happened every year since the inclusion of nursing in the poll in 1999, with the exception of 2001, when firefighters were selected.

Nurses recently shared their reflections on the honesty and ethics inherent in the nursing profession. I am honored to feature a couple of the reflections on The College Network's Nursing Blog; they appear below.  To see what other nurses had to say, read the article on Nurse.com.

Michael Willie, RN
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore

"Nursing is the most trusted profession because we deal with patients, their families and friends on such a personal level. We often need to be emotional, spiritual and physical with those we tend to. Every day, nurses remain genuine while balancing different patients with distinctive needs.

The ability to alleviate the stressors of our patients and soothe their anxieties without them feeling slighted gets a sincere response from our patients, and that’s how a bond is formed." 

Martha Lefferts, RN
Clinical Nurse 1, NICU • University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore

"Trust — in its simplest definition — is the reliance on the integrity, strength and ability of a person or thing. It is no surprise that nursing has been recognized by the public once again as the most trusted profession in America. Nurses not only are present with patients in their most intimate and vulnerable moments of illness, but also they are there in the strongest and most joyful moments of recovery. As nurses, we seek to be the ultimate advocate for our patients, taking an active role as part of the healthcare team. Evidence-based research and patient outcomes drive our practice at the bedside in order to provide the highest level of care for patients and families. It is the combination of science, leadership and compassion that allows nurses to foster a therapeutic and trusting relationship with patients, which ultimately demonstrates the high level of commitment we feel to those we care for." 

I have been speaking to nurses this week to help write success stories for those that have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degrees.  These nurses are graduating with degrees from Regis University.  

One of the nurses I spoke with had been a registered nurse for 20 years and never planned to go back to school.  She worked in a hospital and was on the floor, taking care of patients.  Her employer came to her and offered her a new position that required her to have her master's degree.   She took the new job but it was contingent upon her obtaining her degree.  

Once she enrolled, she was very surprised to learn how much she loved learning and how many doors it opened up for her personally and professionally.  In fact she enjoyed the experience so much, she is moving forward to start on her doctorate in the fall.  

Not to say it wasn't hard.  She will be the first to tell you that she worked full time while earning her degree and had to find time to study and stay motivated.  But, it is definitely achievable.  She will proudly walk across that stage in Denver, Colorado at Regis University to receive her diploma.  

Wherever you are in your career and education, we may be able to help you move to the next level.  At The College Network, we work with nurses who are just starting their careers and those that are established and want to take on new challenges.  With some hard work and dedication, you too can look forward to walking across the stage, being handed your diploma and starting the new chapter in your life.  Call us today at (800) 39-LEARN, and we'll help you get there.  

I read a fantastic article on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's website that I wanted to share with readers of The College Network nursing blog. Healthcare professionals from metro Atlanta were asked to answer the question of what makes a great nurse. The article also points out that nurses have topped the Gallup poll of the most trustworthy professionals for 12 of the past 13 years.

A few of my favorite quotes appear below. The rest appear in the article, which you can read here.

“Every great nurse I know has the following characteristics: caring nature, detail-oriented, emotionally stable, great judgment, physical endurance and extraordinary communication skills.” - Elaina S. Hall, director, Grady Burn Center, Grady Health System

“The technology has changed and our patients have more complex illnesses, but the one thing that hasn’t changed since Florence Nightingale started the profession is caring. A great nurse sees the patient, not the tubes. She sees someone who could be her mother, her father or her child, and she cares for them as if it were so.” - Sheyla Desir, nurse manager, acute care services, Atlanta VA Medical Center

 “When I think of what makes a great nurse, I’m reminded of the quote from Mahatma Gandhi: ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ A great nurse has to be selfless.” - Karen B. Seagraves, program director, Marcus Stroke & Neuroscience Center, Grady Health System

THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES AND THE COLLEGE NETWORK PARTNER TO PROMOTE ADVANCED NURSING EDUCATION

Writing an article for the New York Times, David Brooks questioned the ever-increasing tuition in many American universities. 

There’s an atmosphere of grand fragility hanging over America’s colleges. The grandeur comes from the surging application rates, the international renown, the fancy new dining and athletic facilities. The fragility comes from the fact that colleges are charging more money, but it’s not clear how much actual benefit they are providing. (Education News.org)

I think he makes a valid point; if you're going to school to earn an advanced degree, do you really want to be paying for new construction projects and athletic facilities? The price tag of an advanced degree used to include things like that, but you don't have to subject yourself to the gross expenditures of institutions interested in increasing their prestige. 

The College Network's Comprehensive Learning Modules are designed to give you all of the information you need to earn college credit, without having to foot the bill for a university's desire to increase its land holdings or improved athletic facilities - things that most students, especially working adults, won't be able to take advantage of.

Research The College Network and learn more about how much you can save money and earn an advanced degree or certificate.

The College Network would like to extend a special Thank You to all nurses in honor of National Nurses Week! We know how hard you work every day of the year to help other people in need, and your acts of kindness and compassion are truly selfless.

At The College Network, we take pride in helping people work towards their dream career in nursing. Whether you're looking to become an RN or earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degrees, we've got a program for you.

We work with reputable universities to offer convenient, online nursing degree programs that are fully accredited. When you sign up to earn your nursing degree with help from The College Network, you can begin right away, because with our programs there is never a waiting list.

Thank You, again, to all of the nurses out there for your hard work and dedication to improving the quality of life of so many people. And, for those who would like to join the more than 150,000 nurses who have chosen to advance their education with help from The College Network, we look forward to helping you!

The state of Idaho has recently solicited a bid to computer manufacturers to supply all of the state's high school students with laptop computers (Education News.org). It's obvious the wind of technology is blowing into the world of education and has slowly gotten stronger over the past few years. 

With companies like The College Network setting the trend for incorporating online technology into higher education, the idea has begun to disseminate down to secondary education in many states across the country.  It may have been easy at first to deem online education as a trend, but it's obvious that it's here to stay, grow, and shape the future of all levels of education.

If interested in earning online degrees from top univerisities, visit The College Network's web site.

A recent article from the Community Press/Cincinnati.com highlights the greatest vacancy level in years currently exists for hospitals in greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.  The vacancy rate currently rests at 7.3% for area hospitals; if you were thinking of becoming an RN, this is a great time! 

Nursing students are also reaping benefits from the hospitals' needs. "They're definitely interested in hirong on (students as) nursing aides, then hiring up once they graduate," said nursing student Julia Hall. Retirement of existing nurses is added to the general expansion of healthcare to create a healthy employment climate.

There is a great debate between those who see the value of a college degree and those that feel you will never get your money's worth by having your degree.  It is an ongoing discussion, but here are some facts and opinions about having a college degree.

If you look simply at your earning potential by having a degree, the median weekly salary for someone with a college degree is $1053 versus someone with some college but no degree as $719.  If you add that up, there is a difference of almost $17,000 a year.  You also have to keep in mind that you will probably have better benefits offered to you in a salaried position.  

Unemployment has been high in the last couple of years as we all know.  If you look at the difference between someone with a degree, the more educated you are the lower the employment rate, and someone with a diploma you will also see that having an education does help.  If you look at the chart below from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you will see both points illustrated.  

At The College Network, we can help you with your online education so you can gain your degree.  Whether you are pursuing your Bachelor's, Associate's or continuing your education by obtaining a professional certificate.  We offer you so many options.  You can graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Bellevue University, or become a registered nurse with your Associate of Science in Nursing.  You can even become a certified Project Management Professional. 

The truth is that with a college education, you are going to have more options.  To me, it really doesn't seem like there is much a debate.  So, call us today at (800) 39-LEARN to find out more about how to earn your degree.  

There seems to be a strong stereotype that follows the Nursing profession around. People tend to think of nurses as women and men are not prevalent in the field.

While in the past it may have been common to see very few men in the field, it seems as if that is all about to change. In an article that I recently read, it explains how with increased lay offs more men are now finding themselves gravitating towards the steady, secure field of healthcare.

While many may find the transition to a new career/new field of study to be very daunting, it certainly is not impossible. There are many accelerated LPN programs that will allow you receive your license as a practical nurse within a year. While any nursing program is not going to be easy, these courses at least allow you make the change as quickly as possible.

For most men transitioning from a labor intensive job, not only does the nursing field provide a secure career but in most cases a significant pay increase follows as well. In the article, a former warehouse employee receives a $20,000 pay raise!

Not only is the switch beneficial for the men, it also appears to help the whole department. An administrator, LaKeshia Bell is quoted as saying "At 5 feet 9 inches tall and 220 pounds, Mr. Edwards lifts patients as easily as he stacked boxes."

So while males are still not abundant in the nursing field, it is definitely a growing trend that seems to benefit everyone involved.

So whether your a male or female interested in finding out information about RN nursing programs that provide you with self-paced education and training, give us a call today!

Ein Peck

(800) 307-1006 ext 4786

The College Network is proud to offer a PMP training program that will help you earn your certificate and properly prepare you for the certification exam itself.  The program comes from Boston University Corporate Education Center (BUCEC), and you can start at any time!

The courses are completely online and self-paced. You have 24/7 access to the materials and no mandatory login times. You truly determine how fast or slow you get the program done.  Each of the 10 courses takes about 10-15 actual hours to complete, so most people I enroll complete the full program in 3-6 months on average, but again, this is up to you.  

You will earn CEUs, PDUs (what is needed education-wise to sit for the PMP), and ACE college credit recommendation with the course.  The ACE credits are equivalent to 10 undergraduate hours, and are transferable to any institution that accepts ACE credit (most do, but again, this is case-by-case).  One thing to keep in mind is that BUCEC is a Registered Educational Provider (REP) for PMI, is on the Global Executive Council of PMI, and we have never had anyone call us back and say they did not pass the PMP Exam after completion of this course.

So if you are ready to take that next step and earn your PMP certification, feel free to let us know and we'll be happy to help out!

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, kburton@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education." It's a common Mark Twain quote heard among those who are disenchanted with the realm of higher education. They proceed to argue that with the cost of college on the rise and the inhospitable job market that investing in something like an advanced degree is not only unwise, but downright contradictory to achieving financial independence. 

What the college naysayers neglect to mention is that without a degree, your career choices will be limited for the rest of your life - your dream of becoming a doctor, or teacher, or nurse practitioner will have to be put on hold permanently. It's a dramatic statement, but the current society demands highly educated workers and the trend shows that more education and advanced degrees are becoming a necessity. 

This doesn't mean that you should run out and sign up for just any form of advanced degree. You should take the time to determine what type of advanced degree is right for you and what type of program will fit your current situation. If you're interested in earning a degree conveniently and cost effectively, you should visit The College Network's web site to learn more about online degree programs from top universities. 

Do you know someone who seems to pass every test they take with flying colors and with seemingly minimal studying? You, on the other hand, study the material over and over and over again and never seem to do quite as well on your tests. Are you studying the wrong information? Do you just not get it? Maybe you weren't cut out for this after all? Don't go beating yourself up over this, because there could be a very good reason behind your test taking issues-you may have "Test Anxiety."

Test Anxiety is a very real issue that a lot of people struggle with. It is when your anxiety is so bad that it affects your exam performance. People suffering from test anxiety can experience physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms. Here are the main causes of test anxiety according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) :

• Fear of failure
• Lack of preparation
• Poor test history

If you think you suffer from Test Anxiety there are some things you can do to manage it.

Organize-Organize your time and develop a study plan. Give yourself plenty of time to study before you have to take your exam.

Prepare-Study, study, study.

Practice-Take practice tests or have someone quiz you over the material you have studied. 

Ask Questions-If there is material that you have studied and don't understand, ask someone for help.

Take Your Time-When exam day arrives, take your time to read through the directions and each question thoroughly. If you don't know an answer, skip it and revisit the question once you have finished the remainder of the exam.

Always remember, whether you are preparing to take your NCLEX-RN or an exam for a specific module, The College Network is here to support you and help answer any questions you have when studying. Visit our Academic Support webpage to find out how you can get into contact with one of our academic advisors.

Continuing The College Network Nursing blog's discussion about social media and professional online development for nurses, we now address the topic of LinkedIn. Many professionals tout the website as an indispensable self-marketing and networking tool for individuals, and equally useful for talent searching and candidate comparison for employers. How can nurses use LinkedIn to their advantage? 

A few prominent individuals from the nursing community recently shared some tips on Nurse.com to help nurses best utilize LinkedIn.

Here are a few highlights from the article. You can read the article in its entirety here.

"Your photo on LinkedIn serves only to put a face with a person behind the resume. It only needs to be a head and shoulders photo, nothing more. A great guideline is the photo should look like the equivalent of our employment ID badge photo." -Veronica Lopez, senior nurse recruiter for Continuum Health Partners

"So many nursing positions that open up are now posted on LinkedIn. This is where nurse recruiters are going to find the matches they are seeking to fill vacancies because it’s so easy to do. Everything they are looking for [during] the first step of a hiring process is at their fingertips." -Patrick R. Coonan, RN, EdD, NEA-BC, FACHE, Dean of Adelphi University’s School of Nursing

"If nurses aren’t using the recommendations option for LinkedIn profiles, then they aren’t using the features of the website to its full potential. What makes LinkedIn so beneficial is it also places all of the control in the hands of the user. Any recommendation that has been completed about a person is first sent to that person to approve prior to being added to any profile." -Liza deGuzman-Galido, nurse recruiter, CenterLight Health System

There are many reports that talk about the increasing need for registered nurses.  With the aging baby boomer population, planning for changing healthcare needs will be at the forefront of hospitals and providers across the country.

The registered nursing field is going to grow by 26% by 2020.  If you break that down, it means that there are currently 2,737,400 jobs for registered nurses in the United States.  And, by 2020, that number will be 3,449,300, showing an increase of 711,900.  In comparison to other occupations that are growing by 14%, this field is far and away one that is at the top percentage of growth.  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Registered Nurses) 

So, let's talk about pay.  Registered nurses, on average, make $64,690 a year. When you compare nursing to other occupations that have an average salary of $33,840,  you can see that becoming a registered nurse will offer you a secure, comfortable future.  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Registered Nurses)  

You can easily plan to be a part of the 3,449,300 working registered nurses.  There really is not a better time to gain your Associate Degree in Nursing.  Working through your online program with The College Network is doable, and you can continue to work full time.  Also, you can work at your own pace, on a schedule that fits into your life.

Learn more about our nursing programs here or call us today at (800)-39-LEARN to reach one of our Program Advisors and plan for your future.