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“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!

"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.

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

Are you tired of working for someone else? Have you thought about starting your own business? Owning your own business requires a lot of creativity, strategy, and determination. Below are six tips to help you start your own business: 

1. Know your customer – Understanding your target audience is vital to starting your own business. The more you understand your audience, the better your chances of creating products they want to buy.
2. Test your idea – Find out who would buy your product. Be sure to test your idea before you spend too much money and time on it.
3. Pick a sales strategy – It is important to know how your product will be marketed and sold to your consumers. If sales is not your specialty, find the right person (or people) to market and sell your product.  
4. Write a business plan – Writing a business plan requires research. When writing a business plan, it is important to determine your market factors, starting costs, job responsibilities, organizational structure, and the vision for the business.
5. Find good people – Take time finding the right people who will be willing to work hard for you and your business.
6. Mind the money – Do not underestimate your expenses. Think about how you are going to fund the business and how you are going to support yourself until the business is up and running. 

Read more at: http://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T049-C006-S001-six-steps-to-starting-your-own-business.html?page=2

If you're interested in setting your own schedule and working for yourself, contact The College Network to learn more about opportunities for starting your own business as an independent Program Adivisor. Opportunities are available nationwide. 

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!

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

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. 

You’ve graduated from nursing school and now you are ready to hit the ground running in your new career. Congrats! It is a great time to be a nurse. Despite ongoing changes in the job market, over 32,000 new health care jobs were created in the month of February.

So, what supplies do you use during a day on the job? The items you carry may vary depending on your area of specialization. If you have specific questions on which supplies you need, be sure to check with your supervisor. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips for staying prepared. 

On Your Person:

While each nurse has their own personal preference for what to carry during the workday, there are some essentials that you need to have. Here are some common supplies that you’ll likely use on the job: 

1. Stethoscope


2. Penlight


3. 2 pens


4. Hemostats


5. Tape


6. Scissors


7. Alcohol prep pads

In Your Locker:

1. Lotion: Washing up repeatedly can be taxing on your skin. Keep lotion in your locker to help sooth your hard-working hands.  


2. Hand sanitizer: Though there are probably plenty of opportunities to sanitize on the floor, it never hurts to be prepared.


3. Ibuprofen: Let’s face it—a long shift can sometimes be a headache.  


4. Energy bars: For a quick energy boost during your shift, keep a box of granola bars or energy bars in your locker. These snacks are a good source of protein. Though there are countless brands to choose from, some of the healthier options include Clif Bars and Nature Valley.


5. Vitamin Packets: No matter how hard you try, you’ll still be exposed to some nasty germs on the job. Since you are probably already drinking water during your shift, try mixing a vitamin packet like Emergen-C® into your drink. Crammed with nutrients, these flavored packs will make your water a little less boring.

If you are interested in becoming a registered nurse, there’s never been a better time than now. If you are an LPN or RN seeking to further your nursing education, The College Network can help. To learn more, call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. Or, view a full list of our degree programs for nurses or request more information here. Good luck!

Most 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. 

The average college student is no longer 18 years old and fresh out of high school. In reality, students today are older, more diverse and have more work and family obligations to balance. Today, nearly 40 percent of college enrollments are adults over the age of 25, a percentage that’s expected to grow by 20 percent by the year 2020.

In today’s hyper-competitive job market, a high school education simply isn’t enough.  As businesses raise their expectations for the hiring process, earning an undergraduate degree is becoming less of an option and more of a requirement.

But exactly how are working adults fitting school into their already busy schedules? More and more undergraduates are taking online classes or commuting to campus. In fact, only 14 percent of today’s college students attend classes full time and live on campus.

The older we get, the more hectic life can become, between work, family and personal circumstances. That’s likely why research shows that the older the college student, the more likely it is that they are completing at least some of their courses online.

More education can lead to more job options, better pay and priceless professional accomplishments. As more and more adults make the decision to further their education, it’s no surprise that distance education and online learning options are becoming steadily more popular.

We’ve uncovered lots of interesting info about how adult learners and online education are changing the college landscape, and we've compiled it all to create The College Network's first-ever infographic. Click on the image below to view the full infographic—and remember to share this post with your fellow learners on social media!

To learn more about The College Network on social media, you can visit our new Social Resources page. If you'd like more info on our degree programs, you can view our full list of program offerings here, or view our list of professional certificate options. 

Let’s face it—most of us have been out of school quite a long time. The prospect of returning to school can be exciting, and a bit scary. Especially if the last time you were in school you sat behind a desk and are now looking at your computer, wondering how it’s all going to work.  Well, don’t worry.  We’re here to help calm your nerves, help you get started and keep you motivated as you work through your online degree program.

Once you enroll in your degree program with help from The College Network—what's next? The steps below outline what you will experience and hopefully take some of the anxiety out of what you might be feeling.  Use this as your guide and you'll be well on your way to earning your degree.

Log in to Resource Center—This is your learning portal.  You will go to the online Resource Center to find your course materials, discussion boards where you can post questions to other students, the resource library and to online chat which you can use to converse with our academic support team when you have a question.

Find out your learning style—As adults, we learn differently than we did when we were younger. It's important to know if you are an auditory learner, a tactile learner or a visual learner. Our learning style survey will help you identify your unique learning style so you can study more effectively. 

Complete your Academic Guidance Call—Our customer support team will contact you to review your learning style so you understand more completely how to be successful in your studies.  You will also work with them to develop a study plan for your program and review all aspects of the resource center.  If you have any questions about working through your degree program, they will be able to guide you. 

Set a goal for taking your first exam— Having a specific date in mind will help to keep you on track and be motivated to succeed. With self paced education, it's easy to put other things ahead of studying. We want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of earning your degree. After you pass your first exam, schedule the rest of your exams so that you have a calendar to work from. 

 Set a weekly study schedule—With our busy lives and work schedules, it can be hard to find the time to study. If you approach your study time like you would a part-time job with a set schedule, you will be able to commit to this time and make weekly progress toward your goal.

Create your support network--Use the Resource Center to find others in your area that are working through their program.  Or ask around at work to see if any of your colleagues are also pursuing their degree. It's also a good idea to include your family and friends in your pursuit of a degree so they will support your goal.  They can be your biggest motivators! 

So are you ready to get back to school?   We offer the support you need to get started and the motivation to keep you going.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our degree programs and our support team. 

Happy New Year!!!

Hopefully you had a great 2012 but I want to help you have an even better 2013 by fulfilling one of your biggest resolutions.

Every single year people make a ton of different resolutions:

• This is the year I finally lose that extra 10 pounds
• This is the year I finally stop smoking
• This is the year I finally start flossing (no? Maybe just me)

While oftentimes it is looked at as goal that supersedes a resolution, I want to tell you why this should be the year you choose to finish your online education.

To me, there is nothing more rewarding than learning a new skill or finally mastering something that you have been working on for a while. Rarely, do these new skills tend to lead to you getting a raise at work.

As much as I would love to learn to play a new instrument, here in the field of online education, I'm not going to make any more money for doing it.

What am I getting at?

Well, just by completing your degree and passing your NCLEX-RN you can get a job making up to $20,000 more each year.

While this may seem like a larger undertaking than learning a new instrument or foreign language, I want to assure you that it is not.

When you are learning anything new, how do you get better at it?

1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice
4. More Practice

If you are not spending at least 10 hours a week practicing guitar or French, how do you expect to retain it? 

What if you could finish your associate degree in nursing in 18 months solely by "practicing" 10 hours a week?

At The College Network, our online comprehensive learning modules have been designed specifically to make this a reality.

Many people that work on one of our courses spend about 10 hours a week and finishes one course in just over a month.

Now that's progress!

So what are you waiting for? Make 2013 the year you earn your degree, move up at work, and make an average of $20,000 more a year.

Ein Peck, Program Advisor

(800) 307-1006, ext. 4786

…seek learning conditions that enable each individual to reach the highest level of learning possible for her or him.

—Benjamin Bloom, Hastings, & Madaus

Ascend

Over 50 years ago, between 1949 and 1953, a group of more than 30 university-level educators began meeting to discuss the development of a framework to outline the different levels at which learners are required to process information. The result of their combined efforts was a book that presented the framework to the world. The framework was named after the editor of the book, Benjamin Bloom, and is referred to by most educators as Bloom’s Taxonomy. In 2001, David Krathwohl, a member of the original group, and a group of colleagues published an updated version of the taxonomy that better represents what we know today about the highest levels of thinking and learning (Anderson et al. 2001).

Nearly two decades ago I discovered for myself what a powerful tool Bloom’s Taxonomy is for educators in that it ensures that instructional objectives, content, and test or quiz items are aligned. But I also realized it would be just as powerful, if not more so, for learners if they understood the levels of cognitive processing represented by Bloom’s Taxonomy. As learning professionals we should support our learners in applying Bloom’s Taxonomy to their individual learning processes by explaining to them what takes place cognitively at each of the six levels and providing examples of what it would look like to operate at the higher levels of the taxonomy. In some cases it might be useful to provide examples specific to the material they are studying. It should be our hope that if they encounter courses later in life that were not designed with the appropriate levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy in mind, they will be able to effectively navigate the material using their personal knowledge of the model. If we take our commitment as learning professionals seriously, it should also be our hope that our learners will utilize this valuable model when engaged in workplace learning and job performance as well. Although few can state why from the cognitive perspective, employers are generally big fans of employees who can effectively operate at the appropriate cognitive levels while engaged in their day-to-day professional endeavors. Clark (2008) states that an advantage of any organization competing in a global talent pool is innovative and creative expertise. The ability to effectively utilize Bloom’s Taxonomy allows learners and employees to continue learning beyond what we attempt to teach them and enables them to reach their highest level of learning and performance.

Additional Notes:

In a post dated April 8, 2011 and titled Don't Settle for More of the Same I suggested that learners should ask and answer the following questions:

-- What does it take to complete the assigned learning tasks?

-- At which level does the assigned learning task align with the 6 levels of learning?

-- Am I just doing more on the same level or am I improving my ability to achieve more advanced thinking/learning? 

If you're a learner and you can't respond confidently to these questions when studying I still highly recommend that you call The College Network (1.800.395.1014) so that we can help you ensure that you get a great return on the time and money you invest in your education. We can help by showing you a better way to earn online degrees from top universities while becoming a more effective learner overall.

Take Care,

cd

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my job. I am a business analyst at The College Network and unlike most people who are thankful for getting a paycheck; I am thankful for so much more of what The College Network has to offer.

My job is teaching me how to serve and be humble, how to be calm and even how to be happy despite the circumstances or the economy. It is proving to be an incredible opportunity for learning. It turns out that this position is instrumental in transforming me. The College Network is helping me become who I want to be. Rather than something I have to endure, it is providing me with growth.

The people who surround me every day lift me up an make me a better person. From accounting to sales to product development and the wonderful customer support staff, they support me on the dificult journey of excellence, even when I fall short. Be it internal or external, I hope you have an opportunity to meet some of these outstanding individuals willing to go above and beyond for you. They will ensure you succeed.

Name: Stefanie
Email: Kinsey
City: Camel
State: IN
 

Although the unemployment rate increased slightly in October-going from 7.8% to 7.9%-the United States still added 171,000 new jobs. Amongst the top industries contributing to these new jobs was health care with 31,000 new positions added.

If you are unemployed or just looking for a more stable career, health care is an excellent choice, and The College Network can help get you started down this new path. We have several different programs for you to choose from to earn an online degree in the health care field:

Associate's Degree Programs

• LPN/LVN to RN
• Paramedic to RN

Bachelor's Degree Programs

• LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• Health Care Administration
• Health Information Management
• Healthcare Management

Master's Degree Programs

• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

The College Network offers academic support for our portion of these degree programs from leading universities, so when you enroll with us, you are never alone. Your success is just as important to us as it is to you, and we will work with you as much as you need our help to ensure that you master the knowledge you are learning. There has never been a better time to begin a career in the healthcare industry, so if you would like more information on our online degree programs call 1-800-395-1014.

Recently the Institute for College Access and Success, a California-based non-profit, stated that "nearly two-thirds of college graduates who finished college in 2011 left school carrying student loan debt in the amount of – on average – $26,600." The student loan debt problem, according to the recent trend, is only getting worse. But this is only part of the issue; "the unemployment rate for people looking for a job while holding only high school credentials is a staggering 19.9%."

What does it take to earn a degree and avoid the high price of a traditional university? The College Network offers a viable solution of self-paced learning and the tools necessary to gain the knowledge to earn college credit, saving money on the cost of entry level university classes. Visit TCN's web site to learn how you can change your future at a fraction of the cost.

"In America, the stories we tell ourselves and we tell each other in fiction have to do with individualism. Every person here is the center of his or her own story. And our job as people and as characters is to find our own motivations and desires, to overcome conflicts and obstacles toward defining ourselves so that we grow and change." 

What do you want your story to be? Will the protagonist be the strong, self-determined individual - uncompromsing and unwilling to fall short of the goals set ahead of them? Being the hero of your own story doesn't take supernatural power, Herculaen feats of strength, or Einsteinian intelligence; the true test is one of willpower and whether you have the desire and discipline to not only set your goals, but meet and overcome the obstancles that impede your progress.

Start writing your story today by furthering your education with online degrees from top universities offered by The College Network. 

"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

I would like to share the following list by Eric Bloom, President and Founder of Manager Mechanics, of his top 10 reasons to become a PMP. If you are on the fence about obtaining Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, read Eric's list and reconsider the opportunity that PMP certification affords.

The College Network offers a Project Management Certificate course through Corporate Education Group that gives fantastic preparation--and the Professional Development Units (PDUs) required--to take the PMP exam. Corporate Education Group is also on the Global Executive Council of Project Management Institute (PMI), which is the global governing body of project management and the administrator of the PMP exam.

Eric's list is as follows: 

If the PMP certificate is a goal for you, give me a call at 1-800-307-1006 ext 4767.

-Charles Fox, Program Advisor

We've been hearing the same thing for years - there are thousands of nursing jobs just waiting to be filled, plenty of opportunity, etc. We hear these implicit phrases frequently, but are they true? Where are the solid facts about the nursing job market?

A recent article published on the Scrubs magazine web site attempts to demystify the rhetoric and address the nursing job market head on. "The need for both RNs and LPNs is expected to grow like never before - by 21 to 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. What is particularly interesting is that these jobs will be in various fields, not just in long-term care and geriatrics." Which is great news if you're entering the nursing field, but I think the article had one better quote that helped put things into perspective. "Healthcare facilities across the U.S., including hospitals, long-term care and clinics, added 21,000 jobs in November 2009. In that same month, 85,000 people in other fields lost their jobs." So if job security is important to you, then I can't think of a better career choice.

If you're ready to get started on your path to an RN or LPN, then The College Network can help. With self-paced education and training, there isn't another institution that can provide the quality and flexibility that TCN does.