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!

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.

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)!

We ♥ Nurses at The College Network

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 by Abby Nieten

In honor of National Nurses Week (celebrated every year from May 6 through May 12), I'd like to highlight some of the top reasons why The College Network (TCN) is dedicated to helping nurses continually improve their healthcare knowledge and gain advanced credentials throughout their careers. At TCN, we understand and appreciate nurses because they maintain selfless attitudes and they embrace their admirable roles in the following areas:

 

 NURTURANCE

When most people think of nurses, words like nurture, heal, and compassion likely come to mind. Nurses are dedicated to providing optimal care and putting patients at ease. They wear many hats, including those of caregiver, friend, teacher and therapist.

 

 TRUST

According to Gallop's annual "Honesty and Ethics" survey, nursing is considered the most trustworthy profession in the United States. The 2012 survey marks the 11th straight year that nurses have topped the list, ranking 10 percentage points above pharmacists and 15 percentage points above medical doctors. According to the survey, 85 percent of those polled ranked the trustworthiness of nurses as high or very high.

 

 LEADERSHIP

Although people may think of doctors as the leaders in a hospital, nurses are the true leaders of patient care. Nurses make sure patients understand instructions and procedures as well as ensure the safe implementation of interventions. Nurses also delegate various patient care activities to other members of the healthcare team. Additionally, nurses are the chief advocates for patient care needs, and they play a major role in improving patient outcomes.

 

 INFLUENCE

According to the American Nurses Association, "both the Affordable Care Act and the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Future of Nursing report place nurses at the center of healthcare transformation in the United States." The knowledge and skills that nurses possess make them influential characters when it comes to changing healthcare policies, and they are increasingly being put in positions to make significant contributions to the improvement of the healthcare system.

 

 SERVICE

When asked why they wanted to become nurses in the first place, many (if not all) nurses will say they wanted to help people and make a difference in others' lives. Serving others and positively impacting the lives of patients and their family members is a large part of being a nurse. And it's also what makes nursing such a rewarding profession.

 

 EDUCATION

Nurses deserve a tremendous amount of respect for their dedication to staying relevant in the healthcare industry by continually seeking more knowledge and pursuing advanced degrees. According to the American Nurses Association's "Nursing by the numbers" fact sheet, 50 percent of registered nurses (RNs) have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2 percent of RNs have a master's degree or a doctoral degree. 

 

If you are interested in seeking an advanced position within the great field of nursing (or in entering the profession for the first time), The College Network wants to help! Visit our nursing degrees page for more information.

Thank you, nurses, for all that you do!

Happy Nurses Week Series Day 5

Friday, May 10, 2013 by Lindsay Schmitt

 

"If you stand still and settle for the status quo, that's exactly what you will have." - Hazel Johnson-Brown

The final nurse in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Hazel Johnson-Brown, who was the first African American Chief of the Army Nursing Corps and the first African American female general in the U.S. Army.

 
She was inspired to become a nurse by a public health nurse in the area where she grew up. Johnson-Brown was rejected from the first nursing school to which she applied based on race, but she didn't let that stop her. She moved and enrolled in the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing. 
 
Johnson-Brown joined the Army and served as a staff nurse in Japan and chief nurse of the U.S. Army Medical Command in Korea before moving up the ranks to general. During her time in the Army, she earned her master's and doctorate degrees. She also worked as the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing and the Assistant Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. 
 
Johnson-Brown knew the importance of moving forward in her education. She refused to settle for the status quo. Are you ready to join ranks with Johnson-Brown and leave the status quo behind? Why not take the next step in your nursing career and earn an advanced degree? 
 
If you're ready to move forward in your nursing education by speaking with a Program Advisor at The College Network about some of the opportunities available, call us at 1-800-395-1014 or click here for more information. 
 
Check out our infographic for more facts about Hazel Johnson-Brown and the lasting impact she had on the nursing profession. 

Happy Nurses Week Series Day 4

Thursday, May 9, 2013 by Lindsay Schmitt

 

The fourth nurse in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first African American professional nurse and one of the original members of the Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada that later became the American Nurses Association (ANA).
 
For most of her career, Mahoney served as a private care nurse, earning a stellar reputation. She also served as the director of Howard Orphan Asylum in New York for a brief period. Throughout her life, she remained committed to women's equality and was one of the first women in Boston to vote. 
 
Mahoney also co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses which eventually merged with the ANA. The Mary Mahoney award is still presented biennially to an ANA member for contributions in advancing equal opportunities in nursing for members of minority groups. 
 
If you're ready to take the next step in your education by speaking with a Program Advisor at The College Network about some of the opportunities available to nurses, call us at 1-800-395-1014 or click here for more information. 
 
Check out our infographic for more fun facts about Mary Eliza Mahoney and the lasting impact she had on the nursing profession. 

How to Successfully Earn a Nursing Degree Online

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 by Abby Nieten

If you're thinking about pursuing an online nursing degree, there are many steps you can take to journey toward success. An article recently published on nursetogether.com offers some helpful advice for surviving nursing school. Here are four tips to help you succeed in your pursuit of online education:

  1. Stay organized. Use a calendar to keep track of reading assignments for yourself and to schedule your exams. When you log in to The College Network Resource Center, you will see a calendar for just this purpose on the left-hand side of your screen.
     
  2. Discover your learning style and use it. People learn in many different ways, but there are typically three major learning styles: tactile, auditory and visual. You can take a learning styles survey in our Center for Learning Empowerment to find out which learning style works best for you. Once you know your optimal learning style, organize your studying around that style to maximize your chance of success.
     
  3. Seek assistance if you need it. If you are having trouble with a particular concept, don't hesitate to ask for help! Our Academic Support team is available seven days a week to lend a helping hand.
     
  4. Take care of yourself. In order to succeed as a nursing student, it's important to pay attention to your health. Make sure to get enough sleep and to eat a balanced diet so that you feel your best when studying and taking your exams. It's also a good idea to get regular exercise to keep your stress level low.

To learn more about the opportunities for advanced nursing education available through The College Network, visit our nursing degrees page or fill out our information request form.

Happy Nurses Week Series Day 2

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 by Lindsay Schmitt

"I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow."  - Dorothea Dix

The second nurse profiled in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Dorothea Dix, who established the first mental health system in the United States.

Dix was instrumental in establishing early mental hospitals in Illinois, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. She also worked overseas to protect mentally ill patients in England, Scotland, and Nova Scotia. 
 
Because of her exemplary work in the field of nursing, she was elected President for Life of the Army Nurses' Association, was honored by the U.S. Postal Service when they issued a stamp featuring her likeness in their "Great Americans" postage series, and had a United States Navy transport ship named after her during World War II. 
 
As evidenced in her quote above, Dix knew the importance of living for today. Are you working to seize the day by taking a leap of faith to get the education you need to advance your nursing career?
 
If you're ready to take the next step by speaking with a Program Advisor at The College Network about some of the opportunities available to nurses, call us at 1-800-395-1014 or click here for more information. 
 
Check out our infographic for more fun facts about Dorothea Dix and the lasting impact she had on the nursing profession. 

 

Happy Nurses Week Series Day 1

Monday, May 6, 2013 by Lindsay Schmitt

"How very little can be done under a spirit of fear."  - Florence Nightingale

In honor of National Nurses' Week 2013, The College Network has created an infographic about "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare." The first nurse profiled in our series is Florence Nightingale, often recognized as the founder of modern nursing.

Florence Nightingale established the first non-religious nursing school in England at St. Thomas' Hospital in London. The school remains today as part of the King's College London. 
 
The Nightingale Pledge, written by Lystra Gretter, and named after Florence Nightingale is still recited in various forms by many new practical nurses upon obtaining their licenses: 
 
"I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping, and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavour to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."
 
Nightingale knew that she couldn't accomplish what she was capable of doing if she lived life "under a spirit of fear." Are you letting fear control you as you consider whether or not to advance your nursing education? 
 
If you'd like to speak with someone at The College Network about some of the educational opportunities available to nurses, call us at 1-800-395-1014 or click here for more information. 
 
Check out our infographic for more facts about Florence Nightingale and the lasting impact she had on the nursing profession. 

 

National Nurses Week: 5 Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare

Monday, May 6, 2013 by Rachel Hollingsworth

National Nurses Week serves as the perfect opportunity to look back on some of the individuals who have brought the nursing profession to where it stands today. Throughout history, there have been many nurses who have fought to make the nursing profession accessible to women, people of color, and the lower class. Many of these women also pioneered advances in patient care and worked to make healthcare more available to underserved populations. In accordance with this year’s theme, “Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care,” we created a video and infographic to recognize a few nursing heroes who have changed patient care.

Though they lived in different eras and pursued different passions, each of these women has made a vital impact on healthcare. Let’s take a closer look at some of the nurses who made it onto our list.


 

Dorothea Dix: 1802 – 1877

“I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow.”

A renowned military nurse, Dorothea is best known for creating the first mental health system in the United States. During the Civil War, she braved the battlefield as Superintendent of Union Army Nurses. After the war, she lobbied state legislatures and the U.S. Congress to create the first American mental asylum. After establishing the Dorothea Dix Hospital for the mentally ill in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dorothea was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame.

 

Florence Nightingale: 1820–1910

“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”

Known as the founder of modern nursing, English nurse Florence was an advocate for female participation in healthcare and treated patients regardless of class. During the Crimean War, Florence was known for making her rounds at night with a lamp in hand. Gifted with mathematics, Florence pioneered innovations in public health service and statistical graphics. One such innovation was the Nightingale rose diagram, a pie chart use to identify seasonal causes of mortality among military patients. In 1860, Florence founded the world’s first secular nursing school, St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. She was also a well-known author, and her book Notes on Nursing was used as a reference by the general public. Nurses Week ends each year on May 12th, Florence’s birthday.

 

Clara Barton: 1821–1912

“The surest test of discipline is its absence.”

Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” Clara created the standard for military care, treating the injured in the face of extreme danger. Clara is best known for founding the American Red Cross, which she organized to help victims of war and disasters. She was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage, and was a well-known public speaker nationwide. Clara even traveled to Turkey, where she directed relief operations on behalf of victims of civil unrest in Turkey and Armenia. She was the only woman and sole Red Cross advocate the Turkish government allowed to enter the country.

 

Mary Eliza Mahoney: 1845–1926

As the first African American female nurse in the United States, Mary’s legacy created countless opportunities for women of color in healthcare. Mary worked at the New England Hospital for Women and Children for fifteen years before being accepted into the hospital’s nursing school. She was an original member of the mostly-white Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada, which eventually became the American Nurses Association. In 1908, she co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. Mary was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage and was one of the first women in Boston to register to vote.

 

Hazel Johnson-Brown: 1927–2011

“If you stand still and settle for the status quo, that’s exactly what you will have.”

To say that Hazel was a fighter would be an understatement. She was the first African American female general in the U.S. Army and the first African American Chief of the Army Nursing Corps. After joining the army in 1955, Hazel served as a staff nurse for the U.S. Army in Japan, and she later trained nurses on their way to Vietnam. She also lived in Seoul, South Korea, while serving as chief nurse at the Army hospital there. When she returned to the states, she served as Director of Government Affairs for the American Nurses Association.

If you’d like to learn more about National Nurses Week, you can view a historical timeline of the celebration or check out the variety of educational materials available on the American Nurses Association website. Stay tuned to our social media channels until the end of the week, when we’ll release the infographic in its entirety. 

Race Toward Your Educational Goals

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 by Abby Nieten

May is upon us, which—here in the great city of Indianapolis, where The College Network is headquartered—means it's time for the 500 Festival! The 500 Festival is a month-long celebration that culminates with the Indy 500 auto race. One of the most popular festival events is the Mini-Marathon, which is the largest half marathon (i.e., 13.1-mile foot race) in the country. Each year, the Mini-Marathon draws people from around the nation and the world who are looking to accomplish a goal. Some people simply want to complete the race, while others want to run a personal best time.

On May 4, I will join thousands of other runners as I participate in the Mini-Marathon for the second time. I have been training for the past several months, and I'm hoping to run a personal best time on the course. I enjoy training for half marathons because I can set a goal and work toward it. Training for a half marathon is a lot like studying to advance your education. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and you often have to push outside your comfort zone. Additionally, much like successfully completing a degree program, finishing the race and accomplishing the goal is extremely rewarding.

Are you an LPN ready to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an RN ready to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)? Let The College Network help you race toward a new degree or a new career goal! The theme of this year's 500 Festival is "TurboCharging Indy," and we can help you turbocharge your education this May!

To learn more about the nursing degrees you can earn with assistance from The College Network, click here. It's never too late to start working toward a new goal! On your mark. Get set. Go!

Alternative for Programs for Nurses in Georgia

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 by Reggie Theodore

Did you read today’s article in the Times-Herald on the increasing nursing shortage in the state of Georgia?

In this article, Dr. Grams, the Dean of the University of West Georgia, is predicting that there will be a shortage of nurses in Georgia that equals 20 percent by 2015, and that number could be as high as 260,000 nurses by the year 2025.

The shortages in nursing are due in part to our aging population, not enough quality nursing instructors and the limited amount of space to accommodate nursing applicant. Dr. Grams explained that her campus offers “a very competitive admissions program” and out of 350 RN applicants, most of them have to be turned away because her facility can only sit about 120.

Since 1992 The College Network has been offering great alternatives for working adults to earn their advanced nursing degrees online. We allow nurses to get started immediately with general education and elective courses. Nursing programs offered vary by state but include: LPN to RN (associate degree), LPN to BS in Nursing, RN to BS in Nursing, RN to MS in Nursing, and BSN to MS in Nursing.

If you or someone you know could benefit from an advanced nursing degree and have been considering alternatives, I would strongly encourage you to visit www.collegenetwork.com or contact Reggie Theodore, Atlanta area Program Advisor for The College Network, by calling  646-271-9617.

To read the article in its entirety, click on the link below:

http://www.times-herald.com/Local/20-percent-nursing-shortage-expected-by-2015-35675

 

What Can You Do with a Nursing Degree?

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 by Abby Nieten

In a recent post, I presented a list of the advanced nursing degrees you can earn with help from The College Network. But what are your options once you earn one of those degrees? You may be surprised to learn how many different directions your nursing degree can take you.

DiscoverNursing.com, the online leg of Johnson & Johnson's Campaign for Nursing's Future, offers a searchable list of 104 nursing specialties that might spark your interest. The list includes the name of each specialty, the broad category (or categories) under which each specialty falls, the education required to pursue each specialty and the main characteristics of each specialty. You can view the entire list, or you can explore the list by category or characteristic.

The specialties are grouped into the following nine broad categories:

  1. Advanced practice
  2. Clinical
  3. Community
  4. Emergency
  5. Family
  6. Management
  7. Psychological
  8. Surgical
  9. Women's health

They are also grouped by the following nine characteristics:

  1. Multifaceted
  2. Patient-facing
  3. Independent
  4. Managerial
  5. Structured
  6. Research-oriented
  7. Fast-paced
  8. Behind-the-scenes
  9. Multilingual

Johnson & Johnson's list of nursing specialties is a beneficial tool that can help you explore several healthcare areas that you may never have considered otherwise. For example, you can be a nursing writer, author or historian or a telephone triage nurse if you have an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You can be a flight/transport nurse or a home health care nurse if you have an RN diploma (ASN or BSN).  And you can be a health policy nurse or a nurse educator if you have a BSN and an MSN or a PhD.

Don't limit yourself! Let The College Network help you earn your degree, and you'll be on your way to one of 104 nursing specialties!

Reasons a BSN Should Be On Your Radar as a Georgia Nurse

Saturday, April 6, 2013 by Jerry Kelly

As an LPN, you don't have to choose between your career and furthering your education. We make it possible to work and earn your degree at the same time. You can begin today and move at your own pace, setting your study schedule around the things that are important to you.

You may have even encountered the long waiting lists that many people find themselves on before they can enter nursing school. The College Network has designed an online learning environment exclusively for LPN’s, and you can begin working toward your advanced nursing degree as soon as you're ready - there is no wait list.

Hospitals in Georgia have also started requiring that their registered nurses hold a BSN--especially those hospitals who are attempting to earn Magnet status. Holding your RN license used to be the accepted standard, but in keeping with the call for a more educated workforce, hospitals now are giving more consideration to those nurses with their bachelor's degree.

Hospitals in Georgia struggle to find bachelor's-prepared nurses and because of this, have developed policies to address the issue.  These hospitals will hire nurses with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, but will require those nurses to obtain their bachelor's degree within a certain number of years.

At The College Network, we have options for you if you are either an LPN or an RN who would like obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

We partner with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN to BSN program in the country.  This three-phase program allows you to work through your general education and prerequisite courses with The College Network and then enroll with Indiana State University for your nursing transition courses and final nursing courses with concurrent clinical hours. Courses are delivered online, and you can get started today.

The College Network has helped over 200,000 nurses begin working toward an advanced education! We can help you too! Getting started is simple. Just call me, Jerry Kelly at 404-217-6638 or go to www.collegenetwork.com/kelly to learn more about how you can reach your dream of earning your advanced nursing degree in the state of Georgia.

 

Careers at The College Network

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 by Becky Williams

Would you like to help individuals achieve advanced education? This is your opportunity to help nurses achieve the increased professional recognition and financial rewards that come with earning 2 and 4 year degrees. Helping people earn their college degree is a rewarding and fulfilling experience!

We currently have career opportunities in the following departments:

·         Inside Sales

·         Academic Support

·         Appointment Coordinating 

·         Information Technology

The College Network provides full time employees with a comprehensive benefit package including: medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), disability and life insurance. If you are interested in a pursuing a career at The College Network please apply directly on our website!!

https://collegenetwork.tms.hrdepartment.com/cgi-bin/a/alljobs.cgi?qty=25&older=jobs.timedate%20DESC

Looking for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Options?

Saturday, March 30, 2013 by Tracia Fernkas

In a recent blog, we highlighted the changing healthcare landscape and the call from the Institute of Medicine for 80% of nurses to hold at least a  bachelor's degree by the year 2020. As well, there is a push for nurses everywhere to go back to school with more and more hospitals reaching to achieve Magnet status which requires a high percentage of nurses to hold an advanced degree. If you're wondering how you can reach the next level in your education, here are some options for you with The College Network® and our partner universities.

If you are an LPN who would like to earn a bachelor's degree, The College Network partners with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN/LVN to BS in Nursing program in the country. Work through your general education requirements using the The College Network's program and then transfer those credits to Indiana State University, where you'll complete the rest of your program and obtain your BS in Nursing degree. Learn more about Indiana State University's program. 

Are you a registered nurse who wants to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree? Regis University offers an online RN to BSN degree designed for busy nurses which allows you to complete your upper-level nursing courses in just 12-20 months. Regis University has full time faculty dedicated to their online students and offers a very student focused experience. You can learn more about Regis by watching the video below. 

The best part about our bachelor degree options is that there are no waiting lists. You can get started today in your degree program. So if you're ready to find out more, call us at 800-395-1014 or simply click here

Moving Forward in Your Nursing Career

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by Abby Nieten

For us who nurse, our nursing is a thing which, unless we are making progress every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back.
Florence Nightingale

Well known as the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale advocated for continued advances in healthcare and nursing throughout her life. And although she died over a century ago, her famous words about forward movement in the nursing field still ring true. In order to keep up with the ever-changing healthcare industry, nurses must continue to grow in their profession through the pursuit of advanced education. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Initiative on the Future of Nursing highlights eight recommendations for nurses, and three of those recommendations push nurses to attain higher levels of education. The following educational recommendations aim to prepare nurses for improved patient care and continued advancements in the nursing field:

  • Increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.
  • Double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020.
  • Ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning.

If you're ready to improve the future of nursing by moving forward in your career, The College Network can help you take the next step. We offer the following online associate's, bachelor's and master's nursing degree programs:

  • LPN/LVN to RN (associate's degree)
  • Paramedic to RN (associate's degree)
  • LPN to BS in Nursing
  • RN to BS in Nursing
  • RN to MS in Nursing
  • MS in Nursing

Make Florence Nightingale proud, and decide to advance your nursing education this week, month and year! For more information about the online nursing degree programs available through The College Network, visit our nursing degrees page.

The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Going Back to School

Friday, March 8, 2013 by Tracia Fernkas

Top 5 Reasons to Get Your DegreeMost of us have considered going back to school at one point or another. I want go back to school to get my master's degree. I, like you, research programs to see what will work best for my lifestyle. I will need to continue to work my full time job and run my household, while I obtain my degree. The reasons that we decide to go back to school as an adult are much the same--no matter what degree that we pursue. 

So, let's talk about my top 5 reasons.

1. Career Advancement--Earning your associate's or bachelor's degree will open up more career opportunities for you. If you earn your Associate Degree in Nursing online, you can move forward in your career to become an RN. If you earn your Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, you can advance into higher ranks and move into a leadership role. But whatever degree you pursue, earning it will lead to more options for your career. 

2. Earning Potential--By advancing your education and earning your degree, you increase your earning potential. The easiest example of this is the difference in pay between an LPN and an RN. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salary for an LPN at $40,380 and the average salary for an RN at $64,690. That is a remarkable difference!

3.Expanding Your Horizons--Learning opens us up to all kinds of experiences. I think we can rediscover our love of learning and how much we enjoy the challenge of finding answers. It can spark a lifelong love of new adventures.

4. Achieving Your Dream--By earning your degree, you will accomplish a milestone in your life. It is one that will take hard work and dedication. There might be times along the way when you feel like giving up--but you can push through to keep going. Thinking about how your life will change can help to motivate you to stay on track.

5. Inspiring Others--Most people don't realize that by reaching their goal, they inspire others to take a chance and follow their dream too. You will impact those around you with your success and will be a role model for those that are contemplating taking the next step in their career.  

I'm sure after reading these reasons, you might even have more reasons to add to your list. If you're ready to discover more about earning your degree online through The College Network and one of our partner universities, call us today at 800-395-1014. Or you can request more information here. 

Are You Inspiring Others With Your Success?

Sunday, February 17, 2013 by Tracia Fernkas

As you work through your online degree program, do you share your success with friends and colleagues?  Do you announce on your Facebook or Twitter account that you have passed an exam?  If you do, you probably have people who congratulate you on your success and ask you about your degree program. 

Since you are inspiring others with your success, are you also helping them to advance their education?  The College Network's EARN program is for people like you who want to achieve their dream of an associate's or bachelor's degree and also help others. If you are a nurse who works in a hospital or long term care facility, I'm sure there are other nurses who would benefit from an online LPN to BS in nursing program or those who dream of obtaining their associate of science in nursing.  

EARN stands for the Educational Ambassadors Resource Network™. It's comprised of people who have referred their friends and colleagues. One of the best things about this network is that enables people to start their own study community while they support their own education.

As a customer of The College Network®, when you refer someone and that person enrolls in a degree program, you will receive $200.  And on your sixth referral, remaining balance on The College Network portion of your loan will be paid in full. So while you support your education, inspire others to achieve the same success and create your study community. You will be recognized for your efforts.

Want to learn more about the EARN program? Go here to find out more about how it works and for a complete list of rules and guidelines. And if you are already to refer someone today, you can go to our online referral form.  Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring others! 

 

Are You a Nurse Preceptor Looking To Earn CNE Contact Hours?

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 by Tracia Fernkas

Many states require nurses to obtain continuing education contact hours to help meet their licensure requirements.  A nurse might also decide to earn CNE contact hours because they are interested in keeping their skills up-to-date to provide better patient care.  Regardless of why you make the decision to pursue more education; you will gain more knowledge, higher competency and the ability to make more informed decisions. 

 The College Network® offers several online continuing education courses for busy nurses, and we are accredited as a continuing nursing education provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA.  You can gain valuable skills and earn 2.5 contact hours for each course listed below:

This year, The College Network is awarding contact hours for those attending the American Academy for Preceptor Advancement (AAPA) 2013 conference in Miami starting on February 22nd.  “Crossing Bridges in Preceptoring: Specialization and Certification” at the Baptist Hospital of Miami will bring healthcare professionals from across the country to present informative lectures on preceptoring and the value it holds in today’s healthcare settings.

The AAPA would like to encourage all nurse preceptors to attend. The conference is open to the public, and you don't have to be an AAPA member to attend. If you are interested in registering for this unique event, you can visit the AAPA website for more information.