College Network Online

Have you been thinking about furthering your education? If so, is it for personal reasons, or does your desired position require you to have a bachelor’s degree?  I am here to tell you that whatever your motivation might be, I am certain that the experience may have opened your eyes to a broader range of career possibilities and prompted you to rethink your original goals. Maybe you feel that you have outgrown your career and need more education to move into a different field. Or perhaps you are comfortable in your current position, and you know that a bachelor’s degree is needed to ensure your ongoing employability.

I know from personal experience that the thought of continuing your education can be intimidating, but depending on the scope of your education, getting that bachelor’s degree may be more attainable than you think. Consider the following:

Personally: Has a four year degree been your personal goal? Are you concerned about the rising cost of an education? Why is now the best time to further your education?

Professionally: Are you on track to attain your career goals? Can you advance without your degree?

Geographically: Can you relocate for career advancements? Can you attend classes while maintaining full time employment? Do you live in a region where your closest campus is hundreds of miles away?

By considering these questions, you will develop a better understanding of your goals and what part continuing education plays in the big picture.

 The College Network partners with leading Universities to provide more than 40 flexible online degree and certificate programs for the working adults. As one of the nation’s leading eLearning companies and a partner with some of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning, The College Network has helped hundreds of thousands  of adults continue their education.

For a list of programs and partner universities please visit www.collegenetwork.com or contact Reggie Theodore, Atlanta Area Program Advisor for the College Network by calling 646-271-9617 or reggie.theodore@collegenetwork.com.

To see the ranking of one of our partners, Bellevue University, click on the link below:

http://www.educationdive.com/news/the-top-10-online-programs-for-bachelors-degrees/91646/

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 lead—then 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!

The College Network partners with Regis University to offer an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program that can help you become a leader in the nursing industry. In fact, the program focuses on leadership in healthcare systems. Become an MSN-prepared nurse, and you'll be qualified for a number of leadership positions, including chief nursing officer, nursing director, and nurse administrator.

NurseTogether recently published an article that discusses principles for practical nurse leadership. If you're interested in earning your MSN and becoming a nurse leader, you should keep the following tips in mind:

1. Exemplify the behavior you encourage in your subordinates. As a nurse leader, it's important for you to set a good example for your subordinates and to stay humble in your leadership position. You should never feel that you are above picking up trash in a hallway or helping a lost patron. Leading by example will help you earn the respect of patients, subordinates, peers, and superiors.
    
2. Surround yourself with employees who are willing to grow with you. If you have subordinates who are unwilling to put in the effort required to meet team goals, you must be ready and willing to make a change. You cannot be successful as a leader if you are unable to get all employees working toward the same goals.
    
3. Remember where you started. To be an effective leader in the nursing industry, you must stay on top of the day-to-day tasks performed by licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other members of your healthcare team. It's a good idea to periodically walk through a shift with someone in a position you once held in order to get a true understanding of the changes that have taken place in areas like patient care.
    
4. Recognize and spend time with star employees. Low-performing employees often occupy a great deal of a leader's time because low performers are more willing to take time away from work to chat, and low performers also require more coaching. As a result, high-performing employees are often ignored. If you want to be an effective leader, you must find time to converse with and recognize high performers. These star employees bring a lot of value to the company, and you don't want to risk losing them to a leader who reaches out and recognizes that value before you do.

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.

Nursing has long been a female-dominated profession, but the number of males entering the field is on the rise. A recent study conducted by the United States Census Bureau found that male representation among registered nurses climbed from 2.7 percent in 1970 to 9.6 percent in 2011. The percentage of male licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses also increased—climbing from 3.9 percent in 1970 to 8.1 percent in 2011. This is good news for men looking to break the gender stereotype in nursing.

There are a number of compelling reasons for males to become nurses. An article recently posted on the Minority Nurse Blog details many of these reasons. The article says men should consider joining the nursing field on the following grounds: 

• Men can help decrease the current nursing shortage.
• Nursing includes a technical component that often appeals to men.
• The nursing field offers a variety of specialties, which gives men the ability to pursue specific areas of interest (e.g., emergency, trauma, or pediatrics).
• Nursing organizations have been created that specifically support male nurses (e.g., American Assembly for Men in Nursing).
• Nursing offers the competitive wages and financial stability that many men seek.

If you are a male considering a career in nursing, The College Network wants to help you get started! Click here to learn more about our online nursing degree programs. Don't wait to join the movement and break the gender stereotype in nursing!

“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)!

May 15th is Police Officer's Memorial Day (part of National Police Week). Due to the high demand in nursing, many of TCN's efforts are focused on helping nurses achieve the next step in their education.  But we can offer so much more!  TCN has a wide spectrum of continuing education programs, including the Public Safety sector.  

Bellevue University offers two options for a Bachelor's in the Public Safety arena: Criminal Justice Administration and Security Management.  Bellevue offeres undergraduate degree programs in a cohort approach in an online learning format.  

Criminal Justice is designed for people working in or associated with the criminal justice system; Security Management looks at private and industrial security settings.

Read more about these programs on The College Network's website here.  

Read more about National Police Week here.

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.

"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.

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.

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!

If you’ve been researching online education at all, you've probably discovered a wide range of positive and negative opinions about getting a degree online. Many of the negative aspects of online education that you’ll find discussed on the average website may warrant a little more investigation as some of them are simply myths (including those busted by my colleague in a previous post). There are, however, several benefits to earning your degree online that are definitely not myths. Five benefits you’ll enjoy when earning your degree with The College Network include:

1. Flexible Schedule: Earning your degree with The College Network means that you are able to determine when and where you study and learn. If you want to work through a lesson and take a quiz at 3 a.m., you can!
    
2. Range of Options: With The College Network, you have access to a wide range of courses and degree programs. There are no worries about courses being full or having to sit on a waiting list. No matter what the degree or the course, you can get started today!
    
3. Control: You control how you complete a course and a degree program. You set your own goals for completion and can work at your own pace. Unlike in a traditional classroom, you have the ability to pause a lesson and come back to it!
    
4. Engagement: Students in online courses are really taking time to learn. According to a study completed by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), "on average, students in online learning conditions performed modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." One of the main differences in online versus traditional classroom settings was time. In the study, the DOE found that online learners were able to spend more time on tasks related to their studies than students in traditional classroom settings typically did.
    
5. Cost-effectiveness: Online programs are often more budget friendly than traditional on-campus programs in more ways than one. Outside of the cost of the courses, other expenses like transportation and babysitting that may be required for attendance in traditional settings can add up. While earning your degree online, those additional expenses may not be necessary!  

With so many benefits, The College Network could be the right place to get started making your educational dreams reality. Contact The College Network and get started today! 

Starting an online program can be daunting. Where to begin? You may be like me and find little things to “help” you prepare to embark on a major task. I find myself reorganizing my desk, moving pens and pencils and notebooks from one side of the desk to the other—after all, how could I even begin such a major undertaking with my pens on the wrong side of the desk? Then there is always Internet distractors—I’ll just check my email/Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn accounts and then I’ll get started, right?

If you know it’s time to leave the pens where they are and stop procrastinating on Facebook, here are some tips for the best ways to get started in your program with The College Network.

1. Log-in to the Resource Center™ and familiarize yourself with the way it is set up. Check out the Center for Learning Empowerment while you’re there. Be sure to take the Learning Styles Survey and discover the best methods to help you learn.
    
2. Set a schedule with goals. Decide when you’d like to take your first exam and work backward from there, setting small deadlines along the way to make sure you meet your target date. Setting a daily routine that includes even fifteen minutes of study can help you stay connected with what you are learning and ensure you don’t procrastinate.
    
3. Familiarize yourself with the layout of a learning module. Don't worry about studying right off; just click through a lesson to familiarize yourself with the format of the material.
    
4. Check out the printable resources section. You'll find the full text of the modules that you can print and take with you to study when you're away from a computer.
    
5. You might also want to take a peek at the exams and quizzes in the Resource Center that will test your knowledge once you're ready.

That wasn't too hard now was it? And since you're already logged in and more familiar with the material, why not go ahead and get started? Put a stop to procrastination and get started with that first lesson today. There's no time like the present!

Since spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, it's the perfect time to start thinking about fresh starts in your life. Are you considering heading back to school as an adult learner? Are you perhaps intimidated by the number of years that have passed since you were last a student?

The College Network (TCN) wants to help you bloom into a confident learner with our Center for Learning Empowerment (CLE). The CLE is packed with information to help TCN customers get the most out of their learning experience. It includes engaging lessons designed to lead students toward effective and efficient thinking, studying and learning. The CLE is also home to a learning styles survey, which can help you identify the different types of learning styles that work best for you. 

If you are a TCN customer, you already have access to the Center for Learning Empowerment in our online Resource Center. Log in, and check it out! Knowing and understanding how your brain organizes and digests information will maximize your chance of being a successful adult learner. Additionally, the information you can gain from the CLE will help you become a more empowered learner for the rest of your life! 

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. 

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

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!

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!