College Network Training

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!

World Health Day was observed on April 7 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO was established in 1948 to serve as the authority on global health concerns, and each year, World Health Day comes with a theme to bring attention to one of these concerns. The theme for 2013 was hypertension (HTN), or high blood pressure.

The WHO web site reports that one of every three adults worldwide has elevated blood pressure. According to The College Network's Pathophysiology comprehensive learning module, "HTN causes narrowing of blood vessels by causing the contraction of the smooth muscle cells lining the vessel wall and also by inducing the hyperplasia of these cells. In the heart, increased blood pressure leads to left ventricular hypertrophy. In the kidney, small blood vessels may be obliterated as a consequence of HTN. HTN is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease, leading to stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, MI, aortic aneurysm, and kidney failure."

It is widely known that increased stress and anxiety can lead to significant spikes in blood pressure. If you're feeling the stress of trying to balance work, life and education, let The College Network put you at ease. We can help you complete nursing school prerequisites (like Pathophysiology) through self-paced education and training. We offer full-course modules as well as supplemental interactive content.

To learn more about The College Network and what we have to offer, click here.

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. 

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!

Are you interested in learning how to leverage social media for your business? With new certificate programs created by Splash Media U, you will develop knowledge in the right mix of social platforms and learn to use them effectively for your business. Gain the skills needed to effectively manage social media marketing efforts. 

Splash Media U has selected LearnScale™ Solutions to market and distribute online social media certificates that focus on top social outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and various blogging platforms as well as an all-encompassing Master Social Media Certification program, which is  designed for businesses that want to ensure employees have the skills necessary to run social campaigns and for individuals who want to prove mastery of social media marketing.

Demand for qualified social media marketers continues to increase year after year, but a lack of training programs means companies are often forced to gamble when making hiring decisions. Splash Media U has developed the only certification program that uses actual social media experts as instructors, giving its students real-world application of social media marketing practices using more than 530 lessons.

“Companies of all sizes need help in determining if an individual is qualified to assist them in their social media marketing initiatives,” said Paul Slack, President of Splash Media U. “Our certification program is designed to help employers train highly skilled social media marketing employees by offering a credential from a professional program. We are pleased to announce our partnership with LearnScale to help bring this product to a nationwide market.”

In this strategic partnership, LearnScale will bring the online certificates to target audiences nationwide, provide ongoing marketing campaigns, and use its professional distribution network to ensure that enrollment goals are met. Splash Media U will continue to focus on developing and delivering exceptional training courses in social media marketing. The Master Social Media Certification program, as well as other social media training courses, will be available on January 14, 2013.

About LearnScale™ Solutions

The Learning Corporation, doing business as LearnScale Solutions, leverages The College Network's more than 20 years of experience developing, marketing, and providing education and training solutions. It partners with organizations and allows them to continue to focus on their core business while it helps to identify and develop educational and training programs. 

An excerpt from an article that appeared in The Dallas Morning News appears below. The article highlights how nurses can both lower healthcare expenses and help to ease the primary-care crunch. Sandy McCoy, recently named nurse practitioner of the year by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, shares some interesting views on nursing. If you are an LVN in Texas looking to take advantage of these fantastic career opportunities, the good news is that LVN to Bachelor’s Degree of Nursing from Indiana State University in partnership with The College Network is now available in your state and is a great first step!

“A nurse practitioner can do 80 to 90 percent of what a primary-care doctor can do in the office. But it depends on their skill level,” said Sandy McCoy, a nurse practitioner who has treated patients in the Dallas area for 19 years. From McCoy’s perspective, the easiest solution to the state’s primary-care crunch would be to allow advanced RNs to have stand-alone practices that provide basic medical care for patients who have no doctor. Anything complicated would be referred to a physician, she said.

“Many nurses would work in rural areas if the state would relax some of the restrictions on their practices,” said McCoy, who also serves as president of Texas Nurse Practitioners, a statewide organization representing the interests of about 8,000 RNs. Currently, 19 states allow nurse practitioners to work independently of doctors. An additional 20 states allow some lesser form of collaboration between the doctors and nurses. Texas is one of 11 states that require physician supervision for nurse practitioners.. Studies show that specially trained RNs, who are paid less than doctors, could cut national health care expenses by billions of dollars. Such nurses include RN anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, certified clinical-nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.

Nurse practitioner Sandy McCoy (left) watches as Gracie Hood rings a bell for being a good patient after her examination. 

I have seen quite a few postings on Facebook lately about what people are thankful for at this time of year. Personally, I think it's a great practice to develop. So many times we don't think about being grateful for the little things we have in our life. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hectic schedules that we try to keep up. Work, exercise, school, kids, parents, friends...the list never ends. 

I encourage you to take a moment today to be thankful for the education that you have. It has brought you to where you are. If you think about education as building blocks in your life, you can see how far you have come. We learned to read, then write and then figure out if the sum of y is equal to or greater than x. (I still haven't figured that one out and as an English major, I hold little hope that I will.) Once we have those in place, we moved onto a more career-focused education. 

Many of you have completed your training and are now LPNs. It was this building block that allowed you to move forward and become a working nurse. Are you now ready to talk about your next building block?  The College Network offers a way for you to earn an Associate of Science in nursing degree to provide the education requirements necessary to become a registered nurse.   

Through our partnership with Indiana State University, we are also able to offer the only NLNAC-accredited LPN to BS in Nursing degree program that can be completed entirely through distance learning. This self-paced program allows you to work as an LPN while working toward your degree.  

Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our nursing programs.  It's time to think about the next building block you need to move forward. You will be thankful you did. 

As a lead advisor for the Academic Support department with The College Network, I speak with many customers each day regarding all aspects of the online programs that we offer. One reason why I have chosen to stay with The College Network for the last three years is because our company strives to do whatever we can for each of our customer. The Academic Support department prides itself on is caring about our customers and doing our best to ensure each learner’s success.

Our “We Care” attitude is demonstrated in a variety of aspects:

1. Initial Welcome Call: As soon as you sign with The College Network, your Program Advisor will connect you via phone to an Academic Advisor who will welcome you to the program and schedule a Guidance Call appointment.

2. Guidance Call: We strive to complete a Guidance Call for each and every customer. The purpose of the Guidance Call is to connect each learner with a member of the Academic Support team, familiarize the learner with the various aspects of their program, set goals, and navigate through our Online Resource Center.

3. Follow Up Calls: During the Guidance Call we ask each learner if they would like to receive a 45 day follow up call so we can check on their studies.

4. We’ve extended our hours! The Academic Support team is now available 7 days a week to assist learners with any questions or concerns they may have. As a reminder to all, we are available Monday-Friday 8:00am EST to 11:00pm EST and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am EST to 8:00pm EST. We’re here to address your concerns and assist with your progression when you need us! Also, learners are able to email the Academic Support department 24 hours a day for when questions arise outside our hours of operation.

5. Constantly Improving our Resources: The College Network strives to ensure that the materials and support we provide adhere to educational best practices. Our Center for Learning Empowerment was developed to assist the independent learner and make sure he or she understands and utilizes effective study strategies throughout the program. The Center for Learning Empowerment contains a series of short videos that focus on certain strategies or technique the learner can use to gage the level of learning and preparedness achieved. The Academic Support team undergoes training on these topics in order to provide the best service possible.

Overall, what it boils down to is, we really do care. All of the Academic Advisors have been through college and graduated with Bachelor’s or Master’s level degrees in a variety of subjects. We know what the post-secondary education experience is like and we know that at times it can be rough. Academic Support is not only here to support each learner educationally but also emotionally. We want nothing but the best for all learners, so please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns at our toll-free number 1-800-634-1443. 

Attention is the first step in this [and every] learning experience. — Pat Wolfe

Where does one begin when discussing/addressing/supporting cognitive strategy?

In my opinion, when it comes to successful learning, it all begins with the learners’ ability to focus their attention. This may seem like an overly simplistic way to suggest someone begin the process of learning and/or supporting a learner's application of cognitive strategy; but anyone familiar with Gagné’s Nine Events of Instruction is aware of the importance of attention in the learning process.

In the work titled Principles of Instructional Design, Gagné and his colleagues state that, skill at gaining the attention of students, involving insightful knowledge of the particular students involved, is part of the teacher’s art (Gagné, Wager, Golas, & Keller 2005).  This isn’t just the logical starting point. This initial event of gaining the learner’s attention supports the brain’s reception of information, which initiates the physical process of learning (defined as creation of neuronal networks). 

When training people who are new to the practice of designing and developing eLearning experiences, I often make the statement that reading isn’t learning. When I say this I am not trying to discount the value of reading. Reading definitely plays an important role in the learning process. Instead, I am trying to communicate that if learners are simply reading instructional material without attending to it, they aren’t fully engaged in the learning process. The difference between the two is fairly basic. Many people read without actually processing what they are reading. They see the words and they take them in, but they really don’t process beyond understanding what the words mean. Basically, they approach reading and learning independently of each other—as if it is simply a list of chores to be completed. An engaged learner is one who brings his or her thoughts and questions to a book (Caine & Caine 2006). To continue in the words of Caine and Caine (2006), they read differently than someone who simply surfs the overt meanings of the words. During the Attend Stage, learners should decide as they read what is most and least relevant and direct their attention accordingly.

Those making decisions regarding the design and development of instructional material, as well as the design of learning environments, should keep in mind that relevance is of great importance in engaging learners. Because adult learners don’t want to waste even an ounce of energy directed toward learning, we must ensure that every assignment, passage, and requirement can be tied directly to the lesson and course objectives. In addition, if there is any room for confusion we should continue working on the material until its purpose is crystal clear. This does not mean that you need to oversimplify the content. In fact, according to Wolfe (2006) there are two factors that greatly improve learner recall and understanding, both of which are controlled by the designer of the learning experience. The first is whether, or not, the information has meaning and the second factor is whether, or not, the information has an emotional hook. While designing learning experiences to meet these standards will initially require more effort of the designers, McLaren states that it is very important to acknowledge that learners will have a better experience if they are allowed to complete tasks that engage their minds rather than simply reading and listening to lectures (Hsi & Gale 2003, page 7). Providing learners with multiple options throughout the learning experience to include varying degrees of interaction will more likely ensure that they have a positive experience (Battalio 2009).

Next week, I'll share thoughts on the Consider Stage of The College Network's AcaciAa Model.

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Once we stretch our mind around a new idea, it never returns to its former shape. — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Becoming a strong, capable learner is one of the most rewarding accomplishments any person can achieve; however, individuals must claim this for themselves. No matter how much we would like to believe it, no one person can make this happen for another. This does not mean that we as learning professionals are without valuable influence in the process. It’s our responsibility to help our learners achieve greater heights in thinking and learning. They won’t have to look far to discover the value of developing learning skills and employing cognitive strategies, but they do have to know where to find information on how to develop and effectively utilize such skills and models.  Once we help them discover and develop in this area, we are then responsible to support their efforts through appropriate design and development of learning experiences. 

How we as learning professionals respond to this challenge will depend to a great extent on the population we work with, our professional training, and our understanding of the needs of our learners. At The College Network we agree with Taylor, Marienau, and Fiddler (2000) that experiences that have been skillfully designed to assist learners in developing skills that allow them to generate new ideas and theories are very powerful. The AcaciAa™ Model reflects our efforts to help our customers become effective, efficient learners so that they are well equipped to generate new ideas and theories. After all, being able to generate new ideas and theories doesn’t just help learners reach their formal education goals. Being able to generate new ideas and theories is at the core of better decision-making, which will impact their personal lives as well as their professional endeavors.

This visual represents the different stages of the model and what learners need to be able to manage for themselves in order to have the best learning experience possible. We don’t profess our approach to be without shortcomings or the answer to every learner’s needs. However, it does reflect our commitment to facilitate the development of capable learners and support them once they have achieved this status. 

In subsequent posts I will address each specific stage of the model.

Until Then,

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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.

Roger Clemens made headlines this past week when he said he was going to come out of retirement to pitch for a minor league team with the hopes of being recognized by major league scouts for another shot at the big game. At the age of 50, a man was taking a legitimate shot at competing in a game being played by people a quarter century younger than himself. Just the idea of someone who is old enough to be the father of most of the men he would/could be playing against speaks enough for itself, but it also draws attention to the fact that age isn't the handicap that it used to be. 

Other athletes, swimmers Dara Torres (age 45) and Janet Evans (age 40), tried out for the U.S. Olympic team earlier this year. Both of these women have families and careers, but found time to train and pursue a goal that most would consider to be far-fetched and somewhat ridiculous, but qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials and were only one step away from becoming Olympians. 

So if you're over the age of 40 and debating whether age is going to keep you from earning your degree, think again. People aren't letting age get in the way of their dreams any more, and with education being more convenient and affordable thanks to companies like The College Network, working adults are able to take care of their families, work and earn a degree. With self-paced education and training, you can move at your own pace and find that you're just as capable as someone just graduating high school. 

I remember when I was little, I loved to build things - partially to destroy them after it was built, but mostly because I enjoyed the challenge, complexity, and reward of creating something on my own. My mom used to buy me Legos, Lincoln Logs, Erector Sets - pretty much anything that I could follow a set of instructions to create a structure. The reward of having built something individually and the feeling of accomplishment and showing it off to my mom and brothers was motivating - it made me want to build more things with different parts and pieces, making more complex and bizarre things that can only exist in the mind of a child's imagination. 

That hobby faded though for other interests, so now instead of building with my hands, I'm building my knowledge of the things I enjoy studying and reading in my spare time. Roman and Mediterranean history have replaced the Legos and Lincoln logs and the satisfaction I get from learning more about the things I love is reward in itself. 

I think higher education should be the same way. You earn a higher degree not just for money or the tangible aspects, but because you're chasing a dream, a goal, and a feeling of accomplishment. You find what you love and you want to be as good as you can at it, or know as much as one can know - become an expert - someone people rely on and know that can come to if they have a question. Take the opportunity to build something on your own and learn how The College Network can help you find your passion with self-paced education and training. 

A recent joint UK and South African study shows that nurses taking over duties for HIV patients resulted in no negative impacts and actually showed patient benefits, including improvement in tuberculosis detection rates, increased weight and white blood cell count, and better compliance with the treatment program. This could open the door to shifting responsibility from physicians to registered nurses, and serves to underscore the increased importance of nurses in the changing global healthcare system.

Becoming an RN today includes new challenges, opportunities and career paths that only serve to increase in the near future as the nursing role becomes more prominent. “Our findings show that with very little extra training and support nurses can deliver HIV care that is just as safe and effective as that provided by doctors,” said joint lead author Professor Max Bachmann, of Norwich Medical School at University of East Anglia. Read the entire article here, and continue to seek updates in the ever-evolving field of nursing on The College Network Nursing Blog. 

Lean Six Sigma is known to greatly improve efficiency and reduce waste, which increases profits. A less-documented benefit of the methodology is an increased employee satisfaction. In a recent post on The College Network Nursing Blog, I introduced the idea of Lean Six Sigma for the healthcare industry; now, testimonial evidence supports its usefullness in this arena. All 1,700 employees of Vincennes, Indiana-based Good Samaritan Hospital will receive Lean Six Sigma training. The effects have not just been in the bottom line, according to Brandee Hahn, a financial analyst and reimbursement manager at Good Samaritan Hospital and one of three people in the hospital's newly launched Lean Six Sigma department. "It's an avenue to have a voice and make change," she explains. The importance of employees feeling invested in their organization and feeling that they have a voice cannot be underestimated. Read more at FierceHealthcare. 

Learn more about the online Lean Six Sigma certification that The College Network offers in partnership with Purdue University here. If you like what you see, give me a call at 1-800-307-1006 ext. 4767. 

The College Network has exciting news for Texas LVNs! We are now making it possible to complete an LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program entirely through distance learning. This program, available through Indiana State University, will enable you to sit for your NCLEX-RN exam in Texas.

As you know, registered nurses can make significantly higher salaries and have increased job opportunities. It is more important than ever before to advance your education by becoming an RN and earning a BS in Nursing considering a recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine that calls for 80 percent of RNs to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing by 2020.

Indiana State University partners with The College Network to provide you with a way to continue your education while you continue working full-time as an LVN. We will work with you to ensure you have the education and training you need to advance your career right away without the need for long waiting list.

Please contact The College Network at 1-800-395-1014 to learn more about this program!

Very best regards,

Joel Kimzey

Chocolate chip cookies from scratch are always better than any pre-packaged dessert. When my mom would make chicken and dumplings and the dumplings were made from scratch, it was a meal with no equal. What is it about things that are made fresh, made by hand that make them better than something designed in a lab for the masses? I believe it's the indiviuality, the reciepe tailored for you that makes it so much more satisfying. Something created with the individual in mind is always of higher value and quality than something built on an industrial scale to appeal to the masses.

The same is true for higher education. With self-paced education and training, The College Network tailors its Comprehensive Learning Modules and degree programs for each of its individual customers. We make products that have been tested, evaluated, and accredited by the American Council on Education, validating their high-quality content and their effectiveness in preparing students to earn college credit through examination. If you like made-from-scratch products designed for the individual, research The College Network to learn more about how you can earn a first-rate education on your own terms.

I recently read an article written by a nurse upon her retirement. As she reflected upon a career of caring for others, beginning with her training, going through her years of bedside care, and also mentioning futher degrees and an administration role, I felt inspired to share her story with readers of The College Network Nursing Blog. As Neonei Rees points out in her article, nursing is not easy and it is not for the faint of heart. It is my hope that by sharing stories such as hers, people who are on the fence about whether a nursing career might be a good option for them can gain some insight and hear some true stories told by nurses about exactly why they love what they do. Below is my favorite segment from Neonei's article; read the rest here. 

"And then it dawned on me: So this is what nursing is! It is the opportunity to be a part of the lives of strangers at their most personal and vulnerable moments. It is a short period of time to relieve pain, to comfort, to assuage fears, to honor dignity, to teach. It is just being there! It is the 'art' of nursing."

Some of our readers may not know that The College Network is based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. This news should be of interest to readers everywhere, but we are proud to see Indianapolis standing out as a paragon of healthcare. 

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has selected six Indianapolis hospitals to be the first participants in a new nurse leadership and innovation training program. Participating Indianapolis hospitals are Franciscan St. Francis Health, Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Health University Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, St. Vincent Hospital, and Wishard Health Services.

“AACN CSI Academy offers tremendous potential benefits for nurses, patients and hospitals, from strengthening clinician confidence to preventing adverse events and shortening hospital stays," said Susan Lacey, PhD, RN, FAAN, who serves as director of the program. "The program is an important part of AACN's ongoing commitment to empowering direct care nurses and supporting their vital role in the transformation of healthcare."

Read more about the program here.

In past posts on The College Network nursing blog, I have talked about nursing careers including Nurse Researcher and Nurse Anesthetist. Today, I want to introduce another great nursing career option: Nurse Practitioner. The modern healthcare landscape sees the importance of nurses rising, and Nurse Practitioners are some of the most visible agents of this change. Anyone who has taken advantage of the convenience and cost savings associated with visiting local clinics and saving a trip to the doctor's office in order to obtain antibiotics for an infection, for example, has likely encountered a Nurse Practitioner. Dorrie Fontaine, Dean of the UVA School of Nursing, wrote an article recently that sings the praises of Nurse Practitioners. Below is an excerpt from her article; read the full article here.

As gatekeepers of health, advanced practice nurses (those with at least a master’s or doctoral degree) are the perfect answer to our 21st century health care woes. With a well-documented drop in the numbers of American family practitioners – fewer than one in five physicians-in-training opt to be family practitioners – nurses stand ready to fill in the gap.

First, there’s the cost differential, critical to any discussion about health care delivery. In a physician practice, research has shown that nurse practitioners decrease the cost per patient visit by as much as a third. NPs typically earn less than physicians – about half of physicians’ $198,000 average annual salary – and are less costly to educate, as well.

Second, there is a boom in interest in nursing, which, if cultivated properly, will ultimately translate into an increase in access. People want health care that’s convenient, not cumbersome. We don’t have time to wait four weeks for an appointment, linger 45 minutes in the lobby, thumbing through tattered magazines, hoping for an old, outdated system to heal us. In a 24/7 world, health care must strive to become more immediate and accessible, or– like people scrolling through a web page, stepping into a store or flipping through a catalog– we’ll lose the opportunity to treat them.