Earn Nursing Degree

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!

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've considered furthering your nursing education through the pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you've likely wondered about the potential benefits of holding a BSN. While there are many routes that lead to a solid nursing education, the most direct and beneficial route involves becoming a bachelor's-prepared nurse. In fact, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Initiative on the Future of Nursing feels so strongly about the pursuit of a BSN that it hopes to increase the number of nurses with bachelor's degrees to 80 percent by 2020.

The College Network offers an online LPN to BS in Nursing program as well as several online RN to BS in Nursing programs. Below is a list of three major advantages of completing these programs and earning a bachelor's degree in nursing.

1. More Experience — Nurses who complete a bachelor's degree program have more experience in real-world hospital situations than those with a lesser degree. Most BSN programs require a significant number of clinical hours, which helps students feel more comfortable in the nurse role.
    
2. Broader Knowledge — Nursing bachelor's degree programs dive further into each nursing course and require completion of more courses than associate's degree and diploma programs. This gives students a broader knowledge base and enhances their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
    
3. Expanded Opportunities — With the changing nature of healthcare, hospitals are increasingly looking to staff their nursing units with nurses who have earned at least a BSN. Bachelor's-prepared nurses have a leg up on those who have only an associate's degree, and that helps them stand out when seeking initial employment as well as promotions. Additionally, some positions in the nursing industry (e.g., educator, researcher, and administrator) can only be filled by those with a bachelor's or higher degree.

If you're ready to advance your career with a BSN, contact The College Network today at 1-877-TCN-DEGREE (877-826-3347)!

In honor of National Nurses Week (celebrated every year from May 6 through May 12), I'd like to highlight some of the top reasons why The College Network (TCN) is dedicated to helping nurses continually improve their healthcare knowledge and gain advanced credentials throughout their careers. At TCN, we understand and appreciate nurses because they maintain selfless attitudes and they embrace their admirable roles in the following areas:

 NURTURANCE

When most people think of nurses, words like nurture, heal, and compassion likely come to mind. Nurses are dedicated to providing optimal care and putting patients at ease. They wear many hats, including those of caregiver, friend, teacher and therapist.

 TRUST

According to Gallop's annual "Honesty and Ethics" survey, nursing is considered the most trustworthy profession in the United States. The 2012 survey marks the 11th straight year that nurses have topped the list, ranking 10 percentage points above pharmacists and 15 percentage points above medical doctors. According to the survey, 85 percent of those polled ranked the trustworthiness of nurses as high or very high.

 LEADERSHIP

Although people may think of doctors as the leaders in a hospital, nurses are the true leaders of patient care. Nurses make sure patients understand instructions and procedures as well as ensure the safe implementation of interventions. Nurses also delegate various patient care activities to other members of the healthcare team. Additionally, nurses are the chief advocates for patient care needs, and they play a major role in improving patient outcomes.

 INFLUENCE

According to the American Nurses Association, "both the Affordable Care Act and the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Future of Nursing report place nurses at the center of healthcare transformation in the United States." The knowledge and skills that nurses possess make them influential characters when it comes to changing healthcare policies, and they are increasingly being put in positions to make significant contributions to the improvement of the healthcare system.

 SERVICE

When asked why they wanted to become nurses in the first place, many (if not all) nurses will say they wanted to help people and make a difference in others' lives. Serving others and positively impacting the lives of patients and their family members is a large part of being a nurse. And it's also what makes nursing such a rewarding profession.

 EDUCATION

Nurses deserve a tremendous amount of respect for their dedication to staying relevant in the healthcare industry by continually seeking more knowledge and pursuing advanced degrees. According to the American Nurses Association's "Nursing by the numbers" fact sheet, 50 percent of registered nurses (RNs) have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2 percent of RNs have a master's degree or a doctoral degree. 

If you are interested in seeking an advanced position within the great field of nursing (or in entering the profession for the first time), The College Network wants to help! Visit our nursing degrees page for more information.

Thank you, nurses, for all that you do!

As National Nurses Week 2013 comes to a close, the best and brightest in healthcare have shared many new insights and ideas with the nursing community. As we reflect on the week behind us, there is one question still to be asked: as a nurse, how will you impact nursing?

Whether your goal is to leave a lasting legacy on the profession or simply become a more skillful nurse, furthering your education is an essential first step. You have the experience – now why not earn the credential you need to move ahead?

At The College Network®, our vision is to enrich the lives of nurses by empowering them with educational opportunities that fit into their busy lifestyles. If you are ready to take the next step toward a successful future, check out our list of nursing degree programs.  Or, give us a call at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. We’re here to help!

If you’ve been following The College Network on social media this past week, you might have noticed our ongoing tribute to several famous nurses. To close out the week, we’re releasing the full version of our latest infographic, “5 Nurses Who Changes the Face of Healthcare.” Click the image below to check it out. And thanks for a wonderful Nurses Week!
 

How will you impact the future of nursing?

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

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

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

Call us at 1-800-395-1014 or

click here for more information.

"If you stand still and settle for the status quo, that's exactly what you will have." - Hazel Johnson-Brown

The final nurse in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Hazel Johnson-Brown, who was the first African American Chief of the Army Nursing Corps and the first African American female general in the U.S. Army.

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.

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!

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

Now that you've put in the long hours and completed your nursing degree, it's time for the final step: passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). And while that may seem like an overwhelming leap, there are many resources available to help you succeed.

Scrubs magazine published an article that offers helpful advice from an NCLEX insider on how to approach the exam. The insider encourages you to organize your studying around the test plan, which is available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) web site. She also warns that simple memorization will not help you pass the NCLEX-RN; you must be able to think critically and apply the information you have learned to various nursing scenarios. Additionally, the expert offers the following tips for test day:

1. Take your time reading each question to make sure you don't miss important words like "not" or "first."
2. Decide on an answer to each question before you view the answer choices to avoid being distracted by the other probable answers.
3. Don't overcomplicate a question by making assumptions or thinking about exceptions; answer each question based on the information that is presented.
4. Don't spend too much time deciding between two equally good multiple choice answers; try to pinpoint a clear reason why one is wrong.
5. Look for patterns in the answer choices for each multiple response question.

If you're ready to start studying for your exam, The College Network offers a comprehensive NCLEX-RN exam preparation package. Our Rx for NCLEX Success is the only test prep bundle developed with the National League for Nursing (NLN), and it includes thousands of NCLEX practice questions, eight comprehensive learning modules and a testing strategies guide.

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!

As an LPN, you don't have to choose between your career and furthering your education. We make it possible to work and earn your degree at the same time. You can begin today and move at your own pace, setting your study schedule around the things that are important to you.

You may have even encountered the long waiting lists that many people find themselves on before they can enter nursing school. The College Network has designed an online learning environment exclusively for LPN’s, and you can begin working toward your advanced nursing degree as soon as you're ready - there is no wait list.

Hospitals in Georgia have also started requiring that their registered nurses hold a BSN--especially those hospitals who are attempting to earn Magnet status. Holding your RN license used to be the accepted standard, but in keeping with the call for a more educated workforce, hospitals now are giving more consideration to those nurses with their bachelor's degree.

Hospitals in Georgia struggle to find bachelor's-prepared nurses and because of this, have developed policies to address the issue.  These hospitals will hire nurses with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, but will require those nurses to obtain their bachelor's degree within a certain number of years.

At The College Network, we have options for you if you are either an LPN or an RN who would like obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

We partner with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN to BSN program in the country.  This three-phase program allows you to work through your general education and prerequisite courses with The College Network and then enroll with Indiana State University for your nursing transition courses and final nursing courses with concurrent clinical hours. Courses are delivered online, and you can get started today.

The College Network has helped over 200,000 nurses begin working toward an advanced education! We can help you too! Getting started is simple. Just call me, Jerry Kelly at 404-217-6638 or go to www.collegenetwork.com/kelly to learn more about how you can reach your dream of earning your advanced nursing degree in the state of Georgia.

Would you like to help individuals achieve advanced education? This is your opportunity to help nurses achieve the increased professional recognition and financial rewards that come with earning 2 and 4 year degrees. Helping people earn their college degree is a rewarding and fulfilling experience!

·         Appointment Coordinating 

·         Information Technology

The College Network provides full time employees with a comprehensive benefit package including: medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), disability and life insurance. If you are interested in a pursuing a career at The College Network please apply directly on our website!!

https://collegenetwork.tms.hrdepartment.com/cgi-bin/a/alljobs.cgi?qty=25&older=jobs.timedate%20DESC

In a recent blog, we highlighted the changing healthcare landscape and the call from the Institute of Medicine for 80% of nurses to hold at least a  bachelor's degree by the year 2020. As well, there is a push for nurses everywhere to go back to school with more and more hospitals reaching to achieve Magnet status which requires a high percentage of nurses to hold an advanced degree. If you're wondering how you can reach the next level in your education, here are some options for you with The College Network® and our partner universities.

If you are an LPN who would like to earn a bachelor's degree, The College Network partners with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN/LVN to BS in Nursing program in the country. Work through your general education requirements using the The College Network's program and then transfer those credits to Indiana State University, where you'll complete the rest of your program and obtain your BS in Nursing degree. Learn more about Indiana State University's program. 

Are you a registered nurse who wants to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree? Regis University offers an online RN to BSN degree designed for busy nurses which allows you to complete your upper-level nursing courses in just 12-20 months. Regis University has full time faculty dedicated to their online students and offers a very student focused experience. You can learn more about Regis by watching the video below. 

The best part about our bachelor degree options is that there are no waiting lists. You can get started today in your degree program. So if you're ready to find out more, call us at 800-395-1014 or simply click here. 

For us who nurse, our nursing is a thing which, unless we are making progress every year, every month, every week, take my word for it, we are going back.
~ Florence Nightingale

Well known as the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale advocated for continued advances in healthcare and nursing throughout her life. And although she died over a century ago, her famous words about forward movement in the nursing field still ring true. In order to keep up with the ever-changing healthcare industry, nurses must continue to grow in their profession through the pursuit of advanced education. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Initiative on the Future of Nursing highlights eight recommendations for nurses, and three of those recommendations push nurses to attain higher levels of education. The following educational recommendations aim to prepare nurses for improved patient care and continued advancements in the nursing field:

• Increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80 percent by 2020.
• Double the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020.
• Ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning.

If you're ready to improve the future of nursing by moving forward in your career, The College Network can help you take the next step. We offer the following online associate's, bachelor's and master's nursing degree programs:

• LPN/LVN to RN (associate's degree)
• Paramedic to RN (associate's degree)
• LPN to BS in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

Make Florence Nightingale proud, and decide to advance your nursing education this week, month and year! For more information about the online nursing degree programs available through The College Network, visit our nursing degrees page.

If you are an LPN/LVN, you’ve probably considered going back to school to earn your degree and RN license. With the demand for qualified RNs on the rise, it’s a great time to start working toward a higher nursing credential.

Earning your associate’s degree in nursing isn’t the only way to get your RN license—in fact, there are lots of benefits to earning your bachelor’s degree instead.

The 80 by ‘20 Push

By now, you’ve probably heard about the Institute of Medicine’s 2011 recommendation—it states that 80% of all RNs should hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) by the year 2020. But why is the industry pushing for higher nurse education? The simple fact is, due to the demanding nature of the patient landscape, the role of the RN is changing. RNs are required to take on more responsibilities than before, working directly with physicians to diagnose patients and manage teams of LPNs.

To be successful in these new working conditions, it is beneficial to have a bachelor’s-level nursing education. In fact, many healthcare facilities are raising their minimum education requirements for RNs as a result of this industry-wide push.

Aside from mastering the necessary clinical skills, BSN students gain an in-depth understanding of leadership skills and managerial strategies, preparing them to lead and manage teams of nurses and move up within their organization over time. Most nurse managers are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

As RNs retire at a rapid rate, the number of open positions for BSN-RNs is on the rise. Over 55 percent of today’s RNs and nurse leaders plan to retire by 2020, creating more leadership opportunities for BSN-prepared RNs.

Go From LPN to BSN with One Online Program

As an LPN, your bachelor’s degree in nursing is well within your reach.  Although there are many degree programs that can bridge the gap between LPN and BSN, there is only one LPN to BS in Nursing program that can be completed entirely through distance learning. The LPN to BS in Nursing program from Indiana State University allows to complete your course work online, meaning you can continue to work in your current job while completing your degree. Upon graduation, you’ll receive your bachelor’s degree in nursing and will be ready to make an impact as a BSN-prepared RN.

To learn more about the LPN to BS in Nursing program from Indiana State University, watch the video below.

If you’d like more information on the LPN to BS in Nursing program, feel free to call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a Program Advisor. You can also request more information by clicking here. 

Since the 2011 release of The Future of Nursing report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), healthcare researchers have continued to justify the push for more baccalaureate-level registered nurses. One of the most powerful testaments to the power of baccalaureate education lies in the fact that facilities with more BSN-RNs have better patient outcomes.

The most recent evidence of improved patient results comes from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who reviewed outcomes from 134 Pennsylvania hospitals. The resulting study showed that a 10-point increase in the percentage of bachelor’s-level RNs was directly linked with an average reduction of 2.12 deaths for every 1,000 patients.

The report is the University of Pennsylvania’s most recent piece of evidence in an ongoing effort to emphasize the link between baccalaureate-level education and improved care. In 2008, the University partnered with the Journal of the American Medical Association to release a similar study, which revealed that a 10 percent increase in the number of BSN-RNs on staff led to a 5 percent decrease in the risk of patient deaths.

In order for healthcare facilities to improve their bachelor’s degree-level nurse ratios, more nursing students will need to start choosing baccalaureate degrees over associate degree programs.  In 2011, 60 percent of candidates who passed the NCLEX-RN^® exam held an associate’s degree, while only 40 percent held a baccalaureate degree. In today’s workforce, only 45 percent of U.S. nurses hold a bachelor’s degree. The number of nursing students entering BSN programs will need to increase significantly if the industry hopes to meet the IOM’s recommendation, which states that 80 percent of RNs should hold a bachelor’s degree by 2020. 

If you are interested in earning your bachelor's degree in nursing, now is the time. The College Network offers a variety of options for LPNs and RNs who are interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree. To learn more, you can view a full list of our degree programs for nurses or request more information. Or, call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. 

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.