careers at The College Network

“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!

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)!

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!

How will you impact the future of nursing?

We hope you've enjoyed our tribute to influential nurses throughout history in honor of Nurses' Week 2013. These extraordinary women accomplished great things to change the face of healthcare as we know it today. How will you make an impact on the future of nursing?

• LPN/LVN to RN
• LPN/LVN to BS in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing education?

Call us at 1-800-395-1014 or

click here for more information.

"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.

"The surest test of discipline is its absence." - Clara Barton 

As you know, we've developed a series titled "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" in honor of Nurses' Week 2013. The third nurse profiled in our series is Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross.

"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.

What does an online learner look like? Probably just like you! Online learners come from both genders and all adult age groups, with a sizeable portion comprised of middle-aged adults. Les Burr at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia reports that people tend to use the Internet as an educational resource more as they age and that people over the age of 50 participated in online learning more than any other age group in his study. Online learners range from traditional students to stay-at-home moms and dads to corporate executives with busy schedules. No matter who you are or how old you are, you’ll be in great company as the number of online learners continues to grow.

According to a recent report by the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6.7 million postsecondary students took at least one online course in 2011, compared to around 6.2 million in 2010. And the number of students who are taking classes and earning their degrees online is only expected to increase. Research firm Ambient Insight predicts that by 2014, 5.14 million students will complete all their coursework in a traditional classroom, but 3.55 million will complete all their classes online. With the increase of online learning comes a new appreciation and respect for what online degree programs have to offer. As part of their recent study, the Babson Survey Research Group surveyed a number of academic leaders, and 77% of them said that online learning outcomes are the same, somewhat superior, or superior to those encountered in traditional classroom settings. As innovation continues to shape and change the face of online education, the appreciation and respect for online education is sure to continue to rise.

At The College Network, we are constantly working to be on the cutting edge of online education. We seek to assist anyone interested in furthering their career by providing them with challenging and meaningful courses that will help them reach an educational goal. If you’re ready to join the millions of people just like you already making their dreams a reality, contact us today!

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!

There are many steps people go through when preparing for an interview. While it is important to look up company information and prepare questions to ask the employer it is also important to know the types of questions that could be asked during an interview. There are many questions employers can ask throughout the interview; however there are some questions that are more common than others. Below is a list of top 10 questions asked during an interview from Monster.com:

1. What are your weaknesses?

2. Why should we hire you?

3. Why do you want to work here?

4. What are your goals?

5. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job? 

6. When were you most satisfied with your position?

7. What can you do for us other candidates can't? 

8. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? 

9. What salary are you seeking? 

10. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

The College Network has open positions in Information Technology, Inside Sales, and Appointment Coordinating. If you are currently looking for a new position please view our website for our career opportunities! 

For the full article please visit: http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/top-10-interview-questions-prep/article.aspx

If you are researching and considering online education, you have likely come across several myths about distance learning. Don't let those myths hold you back. I'm here to bust them wide open!

Myth #1: Online learning outcomes aren't as positive as the outcomes of face-to-face instruction.

A recent post on The College Network (TCN) blog discussed an online education study that was conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board in 2012. According to the study, 77 percent of academic leaders believe online learning outcomes are equal or superior to the outcomes of face-to-face instruction. Additionally, Thomas L. Russell compiled a large body of research on these two main types of learning, and he described the findings as the "no significant difference phenomenon." According to the No Significant Difference web site, "Mr. Russell found that an overwhelming number of studies showed that when the course materials and teaching methodology were held constant, there were no significant differences (NSD) between student outcomes in a distance delivery course as compared to a face-to-face course."

Myth #2: Online courses and degrees are not accredited.

I can't speak for all courses and degrees you may see advertised online, but The College Network offers a number of courses that are accredited by the American Council on Education. We also partner with the following respected universities:

• Angelo State University
• Bellevue University
• Indiana State University
• Lake Superior State University
• Purdue University
• Regis University
• Tulane University

Myth #3: Degrees and certifications earned online are not recognized by employers.

Degrees earned online through reputable organizations and universities are just as credible as degrees earned through campus-based learning. The College Network has seen many success stories in which people have been able to advance their careers through completion of one of our degree programs. Furthermore, successfully earning a degree through distance learning can show employers that you are hard working and disciplined.

Myth #4: Online learning is only for those who are lazy or who tend to underperform in a traditional classroom.

Online learning requires organization, determination and self-motivation, so those who successfully pursue it are far from lazy. TCN's Back to School infographic shows that many of those who choose online education do so for the convenience of self-paced education and training. Our infographic shows that 37.6 percent of people cite a heavy work schedule as their reason for pursuing distance education, while 19.7 percent cite personal circumstances related to their family and/or health. Additionally, students of all ages seem to be participating in online education with increasing frequency. Our infographic indicates that today's distance learners include 15 percent of those ages 15 to 23, 26 percent of those ages 24 to 29, and 30 percent of those age 30 and over. 

Online education can be a little daunting, especially if traditional classroom education is the only experience you’ve had. One of the biggest concerns you might have is whether an online education is the right fit for you. Consider whether you agree with any of the following statements:

• I have goals and am dedicated to reaching them.
• Furthering my education will provide me with further opportunity in my career.
• Education is important to me.
• I am organized and self-motivated.
• I work well independently.
• I feel comfortable asking questions.
• My schedule or circumstance makes it difficult for me to commit to traditional on-campus learning.
• I am ready to devote time in my schedule to furthering my education.
• I have people around me who will support my goals and the efforts I make to reach them.
• I have regular access to a computer with Internet access and am comfortable accessing information online.

For each statement, give yourself one point if you agree, zero points if you disagree.

7-10 points: You are an ideal candidate for online learning! You are motivated and prepared to reach your goals and we're ready to help you get started. Click here to begin your journey!

3-6 points: You have the desire, but you may need some help with tips for staying disciplined throughout the process. Call 1-800-395-3276 and speak with a Program Advisor who can help you determine the program that best fits your goals and help you discover the tools you need to be successful.

0-2 points: Online learning may be a challenge for you, but we're ready to help you overcome any barriers you may have to earning your advanced degree. We will support your goals and help make online learning a great fit for you! Contact us today to speak with a Program Advisor and find out how The College Network can offer you the flexibility and support you need to achieve your personal and professional goals!

Interested in learning more about valuable traits for online learning? Read more here.  

With spring upon us and summer following soon after, my thoughts are on schedules. My husband always groans as the calendar pages turn to summer months because he knows that the pristine white squares representing the days from June through August will soon be filled with a mass of names, places, and times. I, on the other hand, delight in the calendar with its busy squares. You see, I adhere to the philosophy of Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He says, “The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities,” and during the summer, I have a lot of priorities!

Once you decide to advance your career by earning a degree, your education has to become one of your main priorities, and if you follow Covey’s thinking, that means you have to schedule it! While adhering to a schedule may feel like putting chains on your life, having one can actually give you a different kind of freedom—the freedom to achieve what you truly want to achieve. Instead of thinking of a schedule as taking away from your ability to do what you want at any given moment, think of it as giving you the ability to do what you want with your life and your future.

One of the benefits of earning your degree online is that you can do it at your own pace, fitting it around a full-time job, family time, and social commitments. However, that freedom can quickly become detrimental to your goals if you don’t make a point to truly incorporate study into your daily or weekly schedule. To find balance and ensure that you meet your goals, making a schedule is imperative. Here are some tips for creating a schedule:

1. Mark the set parts of your day on your calendar. Set parts of the day include work and family commitments; they don’t include catching the latest episode of American Idol! Doing this can help you determine the time you have that is essentially "free."
2. Schedule in time for yourself: eating, exercising, sleeping. You learn best when you are healthy, so take time for yourself!
3. Next, consider your educational goals. Determine deadlines for taking exams and mark those on your calendar.
4. With your deadlines in mind, schedule time to devote entirely to study. You may find it helpful to schedule study for the same time each day, preferably a time when you are most alert. Even if you end up only reviewing your notes for fifteen minutes, you are staying engaged with what you are learning every day.
5. Make sure that you plan enough time to study throughout the week to stay on track and reach the goals you set for yourself. According to Carolyn Hopper, author of Practicing College Learning Strategies, you are more likely to remember what you study in the first twenty minutes and the last twenty minutes of a study session, so each study session doesn’t need to be long. You just need to make sure you have several study sessions spread throughout the week.
6. Block out some time on your schedule where you can be spontaneous, flexible, and free to do whatever you choose! Everyone needs a little break now and then!

The most important thing to remember when it comes to creating a schedule for achieving success is that it must be realistic. It has to be something you can actually follow; if it isn’t, you can easily become discouraged and give up. Do realize that sometimes you will have to deviate from your schedule. Things come up and schedules take a backseat. Don’t let that discourage you! Just get back on schedule as soon as possible. If you find that the schedule you created is no longer working, make adjustments and continue on.

Make earning your degree with The College Network a priority and enjoy the freedom that can come with success!

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.

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!

·         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

Spring officially arrived on March 20, ushering in what some may say is truly the most wonderful time of the year. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season a distant memory, it's time for the scrape and scrub of the spring cleaning season!

If you're anything like me, you love the sweet satisfaction that comes after you've successfully cleaned the house, washed the car, organized the garage, uncluttered the nightstand or even emptied your email inbox. The idea of starting anew with a bright, clean slate is invigorating and motivating. It's like the first sign of sunshine after a powerful, cleansing rain.

Most people associate spring cleaning with household chores, but have you ever thought about doing a spring cleanup of your work life? There are many steps you can take to move toward a brighter professional future. You can start by getting organized, prioritizing your goals, and purging negative thoughts about the status of your career.

The Chicago Tribune recently published an article about how to spring clean a career, and it advised professionals everywhere to cleanse themselves of bad work habits like being apathetic, worrying, and trying to do it all alone. If you want to see progress, you must care about your work and your future, you must face your professional fears, and you must allow others to help you reach your goals.

If you're proud of your work and ready to spruce up your career with an advanced education, do it this spring! Going back to school as an adult can be a scary prospect, but you can't let your fear hold you back. One of my favorite childhood authors, Judy Blume, once said, "Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it." You also must remember that you aren't  alone. The College Network can help you earn an online degree or a certificate from one of our professional partners through self-paced education and training. And our Academic Support department is here to assist you with every step of the journey.

Kick-start your spring cleaning with The College Network, and we'll help you dust away the educational barriers!

I'm Becky Williams, and I've been with the Human Resources Department at The College Network for nearly two years. It is my first job as a college graduate.

A few years ago, I never would have imagined myself working in Human Resources. I had originally planned to major in Radiology but like a lot of things in life, it didn’t work out. After a semester, I changed my major to Culinary Arts and eventually decided that wasn’t for me either. I ended up changing my major one last time and I finally settled on a degree in business.  

During the majority of my college career, I worked full time, volunteered at my local Humane Society and still had to find time for my family and friends.  I had to take most of my classes at night or online, which was a struggle at times. It was really difficult to maintain a balance in my life without letting anything slip, so I understand some of struggles people can go through when advancing their education. 

Despite all the challenges, completing my degree was one of my most rewarding accomplishments of my life. My degree has given me countless opportunities, which is why I believe education is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.  I hope my blog can give some insight into the importance of a college degree in the working world from a Human Resources perspective. 

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.