Certificates and Professional Training

"We Care" is an initiative at The College Network to ensure all of our students and customers are provided with the best service possible during their path to success.  For myself, and other Program Advisors, we generally are the first to speak with potential students enrolling into our certificate or degree programs.

As Program Advisors, we understand that helping students is our first order of business. A Program Advisor's job at The College Network is to advise each and every student on how best to reach their educational and professional goals.  We truly strive to exemplify the meaning of advisor, and find out your motivation for furthering your education to reach your goals.  By that token, we'll accurately and honestly educate you on our programs and let you know the advantages and challenges that await you.  If things are a fit, we can assist you all the way through the enrollment process.

As you can see, The College Network Program Advisor's care about every potential student that requests information about our programs.  We want to make sure you have the best information, and best experience possible in your pursuit of online education program.  Give us a call today, and we'll be happy to show off how "We Care."

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

Many people I have the pleasure of talking to on a day-to-day basis ask me to help differentiate The College Network from Excelsior College® in obtaining their Associate of Science in Nursing Degree.  For your information, I'd like to go over a brief synopsis of what roles we each have in this process.

I came across this article on yahoo recently that outlined the most popular online degree programs:

Click here: Popular Online Degrees

Much to my surprise, there were several degree options that we at The College Network can help you obtain.  We offer online Nursing Independent Study programs, that can help Paramedics or LPN/LVNs transition to their degree and RN license, as well as Business, Criminal Justice, and other options for folks through our partnership with Bellevue University.

So if online learning is something you are interested in, The College Network is the one-stop-shop to help you learn what you need to know and get started on your degree!

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

I have lots of customers that ask me how to best pay for online, self-paced education and training programs offered through The College Network.  I have great news for you all - we offer guaranteed, no-interest and interest financing plans to help you effectively budget the investment of your program over a period of time!  So, where are some other places you can go to help get started on your Nursing Program?

Obviously, the guaranteed financing plan with us is a loan in itself, so keep that in mind.  If you are having trouble budgeting for the down payment and first couple payments, then maybe look to something as simple as a credit card to ease that burden.  

With our payment plan loan, we guarantee you are approved, whereas if you try and get an installment loan or credit card from a bank then your credit will have to be checked and approved ahead of time.  Also, if you can get approved by a local bank or credit card and if the interest rate is better than ours, it may be better to just pay up front on our end and pay it off through them.

My last suggestion is just to use family or friends for help.  This program obviously would help you; getting that RN is so valuable you'll probably make between $10,000-$20,000 more each year right away. So ask friends or family if they can help with your first few payments until you get your budget under control.  I have this happen all the time. 

The College Network is proud to offer financial assistance to anyone who wants to further their education online with our programs.  Give us a call today!

Technology is a wonderful thing, and at The College Network we now have advanced our capabilities to further enhance your experience to enroll.  When you speak with one of our advisors over the phone (like myself), you can enroll in real time with the advisor helping you along the way.

Secure and legal online documents have allowed advisors like myself to skip the paperwork process and directly enroll you via your online signature through email.  Our use of Adobe EchoSign allows advisors like myself to send you the enrollment forms, stay on the phone with you while completing them, answer any questions you have, then help you sign and send them back within minutes to complete your enrollment and get started on your program.  Most times this process takes less than 10 minutes!

To enroll in any of our programs, I suggest the following:

1) Contact your advisor and discuss the program.  See if it is right for you, and obtain the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.

2) When ready to enroll, call your advisor (our number is 1-800-307-1006).

3) Have the following ready:  What program you want to begin, when you want to start (if applicable), what payment option you want to use, how you want to pay (check by phone, credit or debit card, etc.), and basic information needed for the documents (address, phone number, etc.). Most importantly, be at your email ready to receive and sign the documents.

4) Your advisor will email the forms right away and can help you fill out the forms in no time.

5) Get ready to learn and further your education!

We do not want you to fear the enrollment process here at The College Network.  Our online degrees and certificates from top Universities are even easier to enroll in than ever before.  So contact us today, and we'll be happy to help you get started!

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

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

Most of my customers, before joining their program of choice, will make sure and research The College Network. I, for one, think that is fantastic, because it shows their passion for completing the right program to suit their needs. But, don't believe everything you see out there.

In my last blog post, I discussed the flexibility of our distance nursing programs where different kinds of people and learners are able to complete their degrees using the example of the Mario Kart video game series.  I'd like to continue using Mario Kart as a reference point to show how things you have already done, things we at The College Network can help you with, and things you can do to avoid obstacles in preventing you from finishing your degree program.

In Mario Kart, each character/kart can obtain different bonus items to help their cause in winning the race.  Some of these items are mushrooms (speed boost), turtles shells (wreck the opponent near you), banana peel (make someone spin out), and lightning bolts (shrink your competition).  Each of these can draw a parallel to helping you overcome obstacles in your program.

Mushrooms - a speed boost.  First off, with our Comprehensive Learning Modules, we streamline the test-out process, but we also offer other services to help as well.  Now, for certain prerequisite and general education classes, we offer online testing via a webcam proctor service to help you schedule and complete courses much quicker than a traditional testing center.  Also, by financing your exam fees with the rest of your learning modules, you do not have to wait to budget out test costs, we've done that for you!

Lightning Bolts - shrink the competition.  For those of you that have previous college credit, the good news is that it will most likely transfer in to the program if it is from a regionally accredited school.  By transferring in those credits, you can shrink the size of your program, and save time and money!

Turtle Shells - knock out the competition.  Each of our learning modules arms you with a turtle shell to knock out the opponent (the courses you need).  We guarantee you will pass each exam by using our modules, so whenever you shoot a turtle shell, it will be like a red one that finds the nearest competitor to knock them off.  Use the practice exams in the modules to help make sure you are prepared for your actual exams at the testing center or in the online webcam tests.  All in all, the modules will lead the way to finish your program and each one is a turtle shell to knock off your competition along the way!

Banana Peels - in case you slip.  Banana peels are notorious for being slippery, and the same is true in Mario Kart.  In life, and in these programs it is easy to fall behind, or slip up every once in awhile.  This is why we offer our Academic Support team to help you stay on track.  They are there to help you with curriculum questions, scheduling exams, obtaining exam fee checks, navigating the online resource center, and making sure you properly enroll and complete your top online nursing programs with one of the schools we partner with or recommend.

We at The College Network enjoy serving you to help you complete your education and lifelong goals.  Mario Kart is a great game on all platforms of Nintendo video game systems, and although it may not be the first thing you think of when completing your education, maybe now you can see the parallels between your education and having fun with a game.  So go out, run your race, complete your program, and come away in 1st place!

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or needs.  Have a great day!

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

It's not every day when you can relate one of your favorite childhood (who am I kidding - current) games to furthering your education, but today I'd like to use the series of Mario Kart games to show you that completing your education is as easy as navigating a track named Rainbow Road.

At The College Network, our goal is to allow customers to complete distance nursing programs within the confines of their own goals and abilities. This is very much like choosing your own character/driver in the Mario Kart games.  Some characters like Mario and Luigi are well rounded - they have good speed, good acceleration, and good steering. Customers with these attributes can study in many different ways and at a steady pace to complete their program of choice with our Comprehensive Learning Modules.  Others are like Donkey Kong or Bowser, where they may start slow, but have a great high-end top speed.  Some customers are like this as well, where they have trouble starting, but once they do, they are able to knock their courses out very quickly.  Another way to study would be to do things in quick short bursts - much like the high acceleration of Princess Peach or Yoshi.  And some folks really like to control their own destiny, and keep things very orderly, consistent, and take the most efficient way around the track to finish their program or race, much like Toad or Koopa Troopa.  

Any way you look at it, all of the previous methods can work.  You just have to choose the right path for yourself and know your strengths and weaknesses.  At The College Network, we offer our Academic Guidance Planner and Academic Support Team to help you set goals, find out what learning style is best for you, and give you study tips on how best to be an independent learner.  Basically, we fit your Mario Kart driving style to your perfect Kart and character that drives it!

In my next post, I'll look at how the The College Network helps you navigate your program by using all the extras and resources that come with this type of program.  Watch out for that banana peel!

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

The weather is starting to get warmer, and trees and flowers are starting to bloom.  The winter season has come to an end, and spring time is here for 2012.  When spring is in the air, I think of March Madness, Spring Break, rain, and flowers blooming.  What comes to your mind when you hear "Spring?"

Something else I think of is getting outside and being active.  Once the weather starts to warm, increasing your activities seems to come hand-in-hand.  Physical activities, being outdoors and exercise are great, but what about your mind - learning, knowledge and your education?  Spring is a great time to also start working on furthering your education.  With the rebirth of the plants, you can reawaken your thirst for knowledge in going for one of The College Network's online distance nursing programs or online certificate programs in Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, or Paralegal studies.

"Spring" into action this season - we can help, just give us a call!

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

Much to my dismay, I've had to make a couple trips to the hospital the past couple weeks.  Two of my grandparents had surgery and stayed in the hospital for about a week each.  Upon my visit, I paid particular attention to the nursing staff members since I speak with so many day-in and day-out.

What I learned from my hospital visits (besides relative relief and thanks that my grandparents are okay) is that the nursing staff makes or breaks the quality of a hospital.  The care patients receive is mainly determined on the nurses that care for them each hour of the day.  I want to thank RNs Shannon, Kim and all the other nurses at Clark Memorial Hospital in Indiana for being so wonderful to my family members, and providing excellent care to make my grandparents hospital stay very quick, and relatively painless.

At The College Network, we are proud to offer distance nursing programs for LPNs, LVNs, and Paramedics out there that can and want to make a difference like the young ladies who helped my family.  Nurses truly are special people, and I am proud to work with you all everyday.  So if you are interested in furthering your education within the nursing field, give me a call and I'll give you the care and respect you give all of your patients!

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

Rise and shine.  It's time to wake up.  

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?  Some people believe what you do and what happens when you first wake up will determine how your whole day will go.  I tend to agree with that and believe that by managing expectations and expecting the best to happen, you can change your whole mindset and succeed day-in and day-out.

Something I've learned in the past couple years is to be realistic, but set lofty goals for yourself.  If you believe you are capable of doing something, your mindset and drive can help you complete tasks you thought previously were impossible.

If you wake up and EXPECT to have a good day, EXPECT to make work, school, or life fun, EXPECT to be the best you can be everyday - you'll find this attitude will cross over from all walks of life - personally and professionally.  Once these EXPECTATIONS become a habit, good things will continue to happen and finding success will be much easier than ever before.

Obviously there will be setbacks.  Everyone has those days where nothing goes right.  That is okay.  If you make those days the exception, and EXPECT good results every time you do something, you'll find your life improves daily.

The point of all this is because at The College Network, our self-paced education and training programs, namely the nursing independent study programs, require students to believe in themselves and have the want, need, and drive to finish their programs.  Creating GREAT EXPECTATIONS for yourself can mean the difference between finishing your degree, or not.

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

Enrolling customers in online degree programs from top universities has never been easier.  A lot of folks I work with always wonder what we can do with any previous college credit they have, and if we need their transcripts to enroll them in the program.

The good news is at The College Network we will pull your official transcripts for you no matter what degree program you enroll into.  So, if you are working with a Program Advisor and do not currently have unofficial or official transcripts of your own, as long as you can remember what classes you have had previously, you can enroll before we see your transcripts with our preliminary evaluation.

Once you enroll, part of your enrollment packet will be Transcript Request Forms, which allow us to pull your official transcripts from any previous regionally accredited college you attended.  This way, we can double check your previous credits so we can make sure we provide you with the correct classes you need to test out of to earn your credits and earn your degree.

No transcripts, no problem!  Feel free to contact a Program Advisor today, and we'll be happy to get you started!

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

Here in the U.S. we are fully into winter now - the season of sickness.  After waking up ill this morning, I thought of how much care individuals actually get when they attend a medical facility.  Nurses are the lifeblood of the medical profession, and we at The College Network offer online self-paced education and training to help nurses become more educated and even better in all kinds of medical facilities today.

I personally want to make sure we at The College Network  salute the work of nurses across this country and the world.  Without your care and expertise, millions of people would suffer, and the sacrifices you make in your day-to-day work really speaks to the character of nurses everywhere.  So THANK YOU to all the nurses out there - we really appreciate it!

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