I'm a new face in The College Network's marketing department and a recent Butler University graduate. I believe that higher education is an invaluable resource, one that's taken me around the world and opened countless doors. As a recent grad, I know how daunting the job search process can be. Hopefully my blog will provide readers with a bit of insight into the ways of the working world.
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!
National Nurses Week serves as the perfect opportunity to look back on some of the individuals who have brought the nursing profession to where it stands today. Throughout history, there have been many nurses who have fought to make the nursing profession accessible to women, people of color, and the lower class. Many of these women also pioneered advances in patient care and worked to make healthcare more available to underserved populations. In accordance with this year’s theme, “Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care,” we created a video and infographic to recognize a few nursing heroes who have changed patient care.
Though they lived in different eras and pursued different passions, each of these women has made a vital impact on healthcare. Let’s take a closer look at some of the nurses who made it onto our list.
Dorothea Dix: 1802 – 1877
“I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow.”
A renowned military nurse, Dorothea is best known for creating the first mental health system in the United States. During the Civil War, she braved the battlefield as Superintendent of Union Army Nurses. After the war, she lobbied state legislatures and the U.S. Congress to create the first American mental asylum. After establishing the Dorothea Dix Hospital for the mentally ill in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dorothea was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame.
Florence Nightingale: 1820–1910
“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.”
Known as the founder of modern nursing, English nurse Florence was an advocate for female participation in healthcare and treated patients regardless of class. During the Crimean War, Florence was known for making her rounds at night with a lamp in hand. Gifted with mathematics, Florence pioneered innovations in public health service and statistical graphics. One such innovation was the Nightingale rose diagram, a pie chart use to identify seasonal causes of mortality among military patients. In 1860, Florence founded the world’s first secular nursing school, St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. She was also a well-known author, and her book Notes on Nursing was used as a reference by the general public. Nurses Week ends each year on May 12th, Florence’s birthday.
Clara Barton: 1821–1912
“The surest test of discipline is its absence.”
Known as the “Angel of the Battlefield,” Clara created the standard for military care, treating the injured in the face of extreme danger. Clara is best known for founding the American Red Cross, which she organized to help victims of war and disasters. She was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage, and was a well-known public speaker nationwide. Clara even traveled to Turkey, where she directed relief operations on behalf of victims of civil unrest in Turkey and Armenia. She was the only woman and sole Red Cross advocate the Turkish government allowed to enter the country.
Mary Eliza Mahoney: 1845–1926
As the first African American female nurse in the United States, Mary’s legacy created countless opportunities for women of color in healthcare. Mary worked at the New England Hospital for Women and Children for fifteen years before being accepted into the hospital’s nursing school. She was an original member of the mostly-white Nurses Associated Alumnae of the United States and Canada, which eventually became the American Nurses Association. In 1908, she co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses. Mary was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage and was one of the first women in Boston to register to vote.
Hazel Johnson-Brown: 1927–2011
“If you stand still and settle for the status quo, that’s exactly what you will have.”
To say that Hazel was a fighter would be an understatement. She was the first African American female general in the U.S. Army and the first African American Chief of the Army Nursing Corps. After joining the army in 1955, Hazel served as a staff nurse for the U.S. Army in Japan, and she later trained nurses on their way to Vietnam. She also lived in Seoul, South Korea, while serving as chief nurse at the Army hospital there. When she returned to the states, she served as Director of Government Affairs for the American Nurses Association.
If you’d like to learn more about National Nurses Week, you can view a historical timeline of the celebration or check out the variety of educational materials available on the American Nurses Association website. Stay tuned to our social media channels until the end of the week, when we’ll release the infographic in its entirety.
At The College Network, we are often asked one fundamental question:
“If The College Network isn’t a university, how can the program help me earn my degree?”
The answer is really quite simple. The College Network’s online programs are designed to help you earn college credits that can be applied toward a degree from one of our partner universities. You can work toward these credits from the comfort of home and at your own pace.
Here’s how it works: Our programs prepare you to earn college credits for general education and elective requirements by passing end-of-course college equivalency exams. Credits earned this way can be applied toward an online degree program with one of our university partners.
Completing your general education and prerequisite courses online by way of The College Network is a time-saving and cost-effective way to start working toward your degree today. Because you can complete your courses at your own pace, you can choose to gradually ease back into life as a student while continuing to work professionally or to accelerate the process and advance faster than traditional means.
When you enroll with one of our university partners, you will have already completed an essential portion of your studies, leaving you free to focus on the core courses in your major for the remainder of the program. Upon completion of the remaining courses in your program, you are eligible to graduate and receive your degree from the partner university.
To help you better understand how to earn your degree with help from The College Network, we’ve created an infographic that illustrates the step-by-step process. From academic assessment to graduation, The College Network will be there for you every step of the way!
Click on the image below to visit the full infographic.
If you'd like more information on our programs, you can view our full list of degree programs or our list of professional certificate options. To learn more about The College Network on social media, visit our new Social Resources 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.
You’ve graduated from nursing school and now you are ready to hit the ground running in your new career. Congrats! It is a great time to be a nurse. Despite ongoing changes in the job market, over 32,000 new health care jobs were created in the month of February.
So, what supplies do you use during a day on the job? The items you carry may vary depending on your area of specialization. If you have specific questions on which supplies you need, be sure to check with your supervisor. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips for staying prepared.
While each nurse has their own personal preference for what to carry during the workday, there are some essentials that you need to have. Here are some common supplies that you’ll likely use on the job:
If you are interested in becoming a registered nurse, there’s never been a better time than now. If you are an LPN or RN seeking to further your nursing education, The College Network can help. To learn more, call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. Or, view a full list of our degree programs for nurses or request more information here. Good luck!
As a project manager, you may have considered advancing your career with a certification in Lean Six Sigma. Whether you are are new to Lean Six Sigma or a seasoned pro pursuing a Black Belt, you know that honing your skills in process improvement can open a lot of doors. Here, we’ve outlined the top three reasons why furthering your Lean Six Sigma credentials can boost your career.
If your company has a budget set aside for employee education, you may be able to offset the cost of your training with the right proposal. After all, the benefits for your employer are clear—with Lean Six Sigma training, you and your team can generate visible reductions in operational and production costs, lower overhead and reduce manpower and transportation expenses.
Purdue University offers several online Lean Six Sigma certificate programs. To learn more about the benefits of earning your certificate from Purdue University, check out the video below.
If you'd like to learn more about Lean Six Sigma certification from Purdue, call 800-249-2131 to speak with a Program Advisor, or request more information here.
As a nurse preceptor, you serve an integral role in educating the next generation of nurses. If you’re a preceptor, keeping up with nursing best practices by attending events and participating in continued education courses is essential.
If you are a nurse preceptor and would like to earn continuing education contact hours, the American Academy for Preceptor Advancement (AAPA) is hosting its 2013 conference, “Crossing Bridges in Preceptoring: Specialization and Certification” at the Baptist Hospital of Miami on February 22, 2013.
At the conference, healthcare professionals from across the country will present informative lectures on precepting and the value it holds for healthcare today. Preceptors who attend the event will be awarded continuing education contact hours from The College Network.
The AAPA would like to encourage all nurse preceptors to attend. If you are interested in registering for this unique event, you can fill out a registration form on the AAPA website.
With a new fiscal year underway, it’s no surprise that companies everywhere are looking for ways to cut costs and increase the efficiency of their business flow. The project completion process is often fraught with errors, causing thousands of dollars in lost revenue for businesses of all kinds. In fact, according to the Project Management Institute:
For companies with a small budget to spend on employee education, enrolling several project managers in a Lean Six Sigma certificate program could be a good solution.
With foundations in statistical engineering, the Lean Six Sigma concept is a data-driven methodology aimed at eliminating process variation to improve production results. Lean Six Sigma programs typically come in three levels of certification based on a candidate’s level of prior experience: Green Belt, Advanced Lean, and Black Belt. Each program teaches specific skills for streamlining business methods and lowering the occurrence of defects within standard practices. Implementing Six Sigma processes in project strategies can vastly improve operational performance, reduce day-to-day costs and produce measurable financial results over time.
If you think you might be interested in pursuing a Lean Six certificate, one of the Program Advisors here at The College Network would be happy to answer any questions you might have about these programs. Feel free to give us a call at 800-395-1014—we’re here to get you informed!
According to a recent report from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, patients who are treated at Magnet hospitals have a 14 percent lower post-surgery death rate than those treated at non-Magnet institutions. The report reviewed post-surgery patient outcomes across 564 hospitals in four states, with nearly 100,000 registered nurses participating in the study.
Administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Magnet status is a designation given to hospitals that have achieved a high level of excellence in the areas of patient care and staff education. The Magnet initiative is focused on heightening hospital staff performance by improving career development initiatives, management style and nursing autonomy. Before a facility can qualify for Magnet status, hospital staff must meet certain educational requirements; for example, 75 percent of the facility’s nurse managers must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Nearly 400 U.S. hospitals have achieved magnet status thus far, a number that’s expected to grow quickly in the coming years. As the population ages, patient cases are expected to become increasingly complex and demand higher levels of staff expertise. As hospitals begin to increase educational requirements for nurses, there has never been a better time to pursue a higher nursing credential. Call The College Network at 800-395-1014 to learn how simple the next step can be.
The past several years have been disappointing for college applicants looking to earn their associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). According to the National League for Nursing, ADN applications were the most frequently rejected among both pre- and post-licensure nursing applications in 2011. The NLN report stated that nearly 50% of all qualified ADN applications were rejected in 2011, with only 15% of the nation’s ADN programs accepting qualified applicants on a regular basis. A lack of qualified faculty was found to be the main obstacle preventing nursing programs from accepting qualified candidates and expanding program capacity.
Despite these discouraging statistics, there are still several options for students looking to pursue their RN license with an associate’s degree. Distance learning programs like those offered by The College Network provide a positive alternative to the lengthy waiting lists found at most campus-based programs. By completing general education requirements with The College Network, students can bypass the wait-list process and apply directly to university nursing programs with a useful set of existing credits. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can get started with your associate’s degree without the wait, contact The College Network at 800-395-1014 today to speak with one of our knowledgeable Program Advisors.
The Apple takeover isn’t limited to your office, your pocket and your living room -- according to a recent study from the Archives of Internal Medicine, Apple's latest gadget is facilitating change in the healthcare industry as well. Findings from the study show that iPads can actually help doctors do their work more efficiently than ever before.
Researchers gave iPads to 115 internal medicine residents at the University of Chicago to measure the device's effect on daily workflow. The iPads gave residents access to electronic patient records, medical reference publications and the hospital’s paging system for making requests. After four months of use, most of the residents reported using the iPad on a daily basis to serve patients. Nearly three quarters of residents said the iPad reduced delays in patient care, and over 75% claimed they saved about an hour a day by using the device. Aside from housing patient records and facilitating requests, the device lets doctors and patients view reports and x-rays by the bedside.
The concept is already widespread, with 62% of U.S. doctors reporting they currently use an iPad for professional purposes. As for the future, medical publication PMLiVe predicts that two-thirds of all U.S. physicians will be using the device for patient care by 2013.
If you’re anxious to start working on the hospital floor, technology from The College Network can help you get there. We’ve created a series of online programs that can help you earn your degree from a leading university while you're on the go. Contact The College Network at 800-395-1014 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Program Advisors and get started today.
In today’s economic conditions, there are very few career paths that guarantee job stability. But, according to a 2012 report from Newsweek’s The Daily Beast, nursing graduates have the best chance of being hired upon graduation. Nursing ranked as the #1 most useful major on the website’s recent list of the “13 Most Useful College Majors,” followed by mechanical and electrical engineering.
According to the report, the unemployment rate for recent nursing graduates is 4%, a league above the current national unemployment rate of 8.3%. At 1.9%, the unemployment rate for a nurse with previous field experience is even more promising. This means that nurses who choose to return to school in the near future have a greater chance of landing a job upon graduation than students in any other profession in the country. For nurses who’ve been considering going back to school for a higher credential, the numbers show that now is most definitely the time.
This isn’t the only time nursing has ranked #1 for job stability; registered nurses ranked first on U.S. News’ “25 Best Jobs of 2012” report. At a time when our country’s economic future is uncertain, it certainly pays to be a nurse.
If you’ve been thinking about earning your RN with an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nursing, don’t put it off any longer. Here at The College Network, we’ve created programs that make earning your degree simpler than ever before. Contact The College Network at 800-395-1014 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Program Advisors and get started today.
The effectiveness of online education has long been a topic of debate, but a recent study from research firm Ithaka S+R is making strides towards putting the dispute to rest. The study shows that students who complete their studies online achieve equal or better academic results than students enrolled in comparable traditional education programs. The results could be a deciding factor for adult learners who’ve been on the fence regarding the legitimacy of online learning.
The study surveyed the progress of 605 students enrolled in the same introductory-level statistics class across six different universities. Half of these students were enrolled in a traditional campus-based class, while the rest completed the same course materials using online learning. The results proved that student learning outcomes were essentially the same across the two groups. Students participating in programs that combined both online and in-class elements actually performed better than those enrolled in strictly on-campus courses. Results were based on student performance on the standardized CAOS test of statistical literacy.
In the coming years, it’s expected that more and more students will begin to favor online education. Whether online or on-campus, the quality of course materials will play an important role in student achievement. At The College Network, our online learning materials and Comprehensive Learning Modules™ have been designed by a selective group of collegiate professors and professional educators to ensure student success. Take a look at our list of degree programs and start considering the possibilities.
Last month, ABC premiered ‘NY Med,’ an eight-part documentary series that explores the daily action on the ER floor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. The series, directed by producer Terence Wrong, followed nurses and doctors over the course of 16 months, capturing their most touching and most tragic interactions with patients. The series has brought nursing to the forefront of the national television spotlight, and the nurses on the show couldn’t be happier.
"The show could be one of the greatest public health campaigns, or it could be a great campaign for how rewarding and amazing a career as a professional nurse is," said the series’ Katie Duke, RN, BSN, CEN, CCRN in an interview with Nurse.com. "It can touch so many people on different levels."
In Wrong’s typical style, the footage is raw and graphic, revealing everything from tumor removals to a “wide awake” neurosurgery. But the producer does his part to balance the series’ most dramatic moments with a good helping of lighthearted patient interaction. At times, the show is hard to stomach, but it’s that roughness that serves as just recognition for the men and women of the emergency room.
The show has received rave reviews from major media outlets (like this one from the LA Times), and many healthcare professionals have expressed their appreciation for the show's accurate depiction of the hospital workday. Nurses on the show hope that the series will do its part to make people appreciate the unique challenges of their work and inspire others to take interest in the nursing profession. You can watch several full episodes of the series here.
It’s no secret that America’s workforce is aging, and the healthcare industry is scrambling to keep up. The number of people age 65 and older is predicted to reach 71 million in 2030, nearly double the amount of senior citizens in 2000.
So what’s the industry doing to accommodate this growing demographic? Hospitals across the U.S. are exploring the benefits of new “geriatric emergency rooms” – ERs designed specifically to treat the elderly. It’s a logical step, considering that patients over 65 account for 15-20 percent of all emergency room visits, a number that can only be expected to grow in the coming years. New geriatric ERs, like the one at Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Hospital, are customized to cater to the older patient --complete with wall railings, non-skid floors and thicker mattresses to prevent bedsores. Faced with smaller patient numbers, doctors in the geriatric unit don’t have to make speed a priority, giving them more time to diagnose and treat each patient. The feedback from patients in these units is unquestionably positive – at Mount Sinai, for example, patient satisfaction ratings are higher than ever.
In the coming years, “senior emergency centers” are expected to become regular installations in hospitals across the U.S. With predicted changes in Medicare and Medicaid coverage on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how America’s healthcare facilities adjust in the coming months. To learn more about geriatric emergency rooms, check out this article on ABC News.
Whether you are working in a hospital or serving long-term care patients, the day will likely come where you are faced with working the night shift. Working at night can prove taxing on a nurse’s body and mind, so it’s essential to take the necessary steps to prepare. Whether you are there by choice or obligation, don’t panic. The night shift can often mean a higher pay rate and a slower pace of work, and you’ll likely get the chance to hone your skills in a more independent environment. If you’re preparing to tackle the night shift, check out these tips for staying sharp and keeping healthy:
2) Do your best to get 8 hours of sleep during the day, just as you would if you were sleeping at night. Get up at least one hour before your shift begins to give your body a chance to wake up.
Affording an education isn’t cheap – in fact, most adults list high tuition costs as their number one reason for not returning to school. But funding for your degree might be closer than you think. Many companies offer scholarship programs and stipends for funding employee education. Others will reimburse employees either partially or fully for tuition costs. After all, the more knowledgeable the employee, the more valuable they are to the company. Plus, earning your degree can place you in the running for a serious promotion. Large companies may even have partnerships with local universities, making company-specific training more affordable than usual. If you are unsure whether or not your company offers tuition funding or reimbursement, speak with your HR manager.
Did you know that moving to a new city can mean a big raise in pay? If you're an LPN/LVN or RN, keep in mind that certain locations offer higher salaries than others. Of course, it's always wise to do your research before a move -- your final pay depends largely on the cost of living in your new city and the type of healthcare institution you are looking for. Salaries tend to decrease as you move away from major cities.
With the help of Scrubs Magazine and PayScale.com, we've dug up some stats on the highest-paying destinations for nurses. The country's major cities hit the top of the list -- but a few of these high-paying places might surprise you:
LPN/LVNs (Annual Salary):
Whether you are a seasoned nurse or just starting out, working with patients can often prove exhausting. This week, we've uncovered a few tips for coping with life as a nurse:
1) Take Breaks: Busy nurses can often forget about their personal needs during a hectic workday. Take a few moments to yourself to catch your breath, have a snack or lie down if possible. Breaks will keep your body feeling great and your mind sharp.
2) Never Reprimand Patients: For nurses, the occasional unruly patient comes with the territory. But, no matter how frustrating their behavior may be, never scold a patient too harshly. Instead, carefully explain what they are doing wrong and offer reasonable solutions to their complaints and/or discomfort.
3) Be Honest: Do your best to be realistic when answering patient questions. For instance, if a patient asks if a procedure will involve much pain, do your best to be honest about the level involved. Encourage patients to use the 1 to 10 scale when describing their discomfort, and encourage trust by answering their questions with sensitivity and sincerity.
4) Say No Without Guilt: Patients will often have special requests, and some can become extremely demanding. If a patient is requesting further medication or unauthorized treatment, never feel guilty for having to tell them no. Instead, be straightforward and strong. In the end, you and the doctor know best, and treating your patient as instructed will only benefit them in the long run.
If you have a passion for patients and are looking to further your degree, consider speaking with a Program Advisor at The College Network by calling 800-395-1014.
If you’ve been thinking about going back to school to earn your Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, now’s the time to do it. The demand for nurses is at an all-time high, with the American College of Medical Quality predicting a national shortage of 300,000 to 1 million nurses by the year 2020. The increase in demand is largely credited to the rising healthcare needs of the aging baby boomer generation.
But conditions aren’t just calling for more RNs --many experts expect the BSN degree to become the new entry-level requirement for nurses. Currently, only about 50 percent of nurses in the U.S. hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In order to meet national demand, the Institute of Medicine reports that 80 percent of nurses will need to hold bachelor’s degrees by the year 2020 -- hence, the “80 by ‘20” rule.
In response, The College Network® will continue to provide our customers with the means to earn their Bachelor’s of Science in nursing from the comfort of home. Through our partnership with Indiana State University, The College Network offers the only distance-based LPN to BSN program in the country. If you are an LPN or LVN, you probably have a busy lifestyle as it is. By enrolling in our BSN program, you can obtain your bachelor’s degree at your own pace and ensure career stability in the competitive years to come.
If you are ready to take the next step towards becoming a contender in tomorrow’s healthcare market, contact The College Network and speak with a Program Advisor at 1-800-395-1014.
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