Learn to Earn

Hi!  My name is Tracia Fernkas, and I am a Marketing Specialist at The College Network.  My background is in marketing and communications, and writing is a passion of mine.  I am also a voracious reader and always carry a book with me.  

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. 

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. 

What do you think of when you hear of career options in the healthcare field? Do you think it only means a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or someone that has a nursing degree? There are actually many diverse career options in the healthcare field. And it's a field that is not only stable but growing according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Let's look in particular at a Medical and Health Services Manager. People with this type of degree are often the staff in doctor's offices or hospitals that manage medical services. They may manage an office, a department or a nursing home. And there are different focuses within medical and health services that might match your interests. Nursing home administrators, clinical managers, health information managers or assistant administrators are just a few of the positions that you could hold.

To become a Medical and Health Services Manager, you will need to have your bachelor's degree. Earning your Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Bellevue University will enable to you pursue a career in health services. Bellevue University awards transfer credit for previous college credits, so you might be closer to earning your degree than you think.

Working through our online program at The College Network® will enable you to continue to work in your field while earning your degree. Bellevue University also offers many other bachelor's degree options such as business, criminal justice or software development and many more. If you would like to learn more about the bachelor's degree in healthcare management program at Bellevue, simply click here to request more information or call us at 800-395-1014 to find the right degree program for you.  

As you work through your online degree program, do you share your success with friends and colleagues?  Do you announce on your Facebook or Twitter account that you have passed an exam?  If you do, you probably have people who congratulate you on your success and ask you about your degree program. 

Since you are inspiring others with your success, are you also helping them to advance their education?  The College Network's EARN program is for people like you who want to achieve their dream of an associate's or bachelor's degree and also help others. If you are a nurse who works in a hospital or long term care facility, I'm sure there are other nurses who would benefit from an online LPN to BS in nursing program or those who dream of obtaining their associate of science in nursing.  

EARN stands for the Educational Ambassadors Resource Network™. It's comprised of people who have referred their friends and colleagues. One of the best things about this network is that enables people to start their own study community while they support their own education.

As a customer of The College Network®, when you refer someone and that person enrolls in a degree program, you will receive $200.  And on your sixth referral, remaining balance on The College Network portion of your loan will be paid in full. So while you support your education, inspire others to achieve the same success and create your study community. You will be recognized for your efforts.

Want to learn more about the EARN program? Go here to find out more about how it works and for a complete list of rules and guidelines. And if you are already to refer someone today, you can go to our online referral form.  Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring others! 

Many states require nurses to obtain continuing education contact hours to help meet their licensure requirements.  A nurse might also decide to earn CNE contact hours because they are interested in keeping their skills up-to-date to provide better patient care.  Regardless of why you make the decision to pursue more education; you will gain more knowledge, higher competency and the ability to make more informed decisions. 

 The College Network® offers several online continuing education courses for busy nurses, and we are accredited as a continuing nursing education provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA.  You can gain valuable skills and earn 2.5 contact hours for each course listed below:

•         Ethics in Nursing
•         Medication Safety
•         Patient Rights

This year, The College Network is awarding contact hours for those attending the American Academy for Preceptor Advancement (AAPA) 2013 conference in Miami starting on February 22^nd.  “Crossing Bridges in Preceptoring: Specialization and Certification” at the Baptist Hospital of Miami will bring healthcare professionals from across the country to present informative lectures on preceptoring and the value it holds in today’s healthcare settings.

The AAPA would like to encourage all nurse preceptors to attend. The conference is open to the public, and you don't have to be an AAPA member to attend. If you are interested in registering for this unique event, you can visit the AAPA website for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you thought about continuing your professional education? Employers today highly value those employees that take initiative to further their knowledge in their field and keep current with new standards and practices. 

The College Network® offers professional certificates from Purdue University, Boston University and Corporate Education Group.  We can help you obtain your Lean Six Sigma certification, a certificate of  project management or your paralegal certificate.

Lean Six Sigma certification can help to improve the efficiencies at your company. Working with a master black belt instructor from Purdue University will enable you to grasp the methodologies behind this business model. You will work with other professionals around the country who are also seeking their certification.  Start out with your Lean Six Sigma green belt certification and then move to a black belt--your employer will thank you for the significant contribution you are able to make towards increasing their productivity.

If you are an experienced project manager but don't have your certification, there isn't a better time than now to become certified.  Our PMP® preparation courses cover all aspects of project management and will help to prepare you for the Project Management Professional® exam.   It will also help add to your marketability if you are searching for a new opportunity.

And if you are a legal secretary who would like to advance your career, you can earn your paralegal certificate from Boston University.  This hands on, 14-week program will provide you with access to the Westlaw legal research database throughout your paralegal studies program. You will also learn from practicing attorneys, who bring their experience and in-depth knowledge to every course.

More and more professionals are seeking certifications in order to become an expert in their field. Call one of our Program Advisors today at 800-395-1014 to learn more our certificate programs. 

Another year is drawing to a close.  It's usually the time when we look back at what we have accomplished while we also look forward to our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. If you're at all like me, you wish you would have accomplished a few more goals that you had on your list this time last year. It's hard because day-to-day life can easily get in the way of our goals.

Is advancing your career and education one of  your goals that you carry forward from year to year? Are you an LPN that hopes to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing degree? Or are you an RN who wants to become a nurse educator by getting a master of science in nursing? The great news is that by this time next year, you can be well on your way to earning your degree. 

Don't let another year pass by while you are waiting to start your degree program.  The time is right--right now. The College Network can help determine what general education courses you will need, which courses will transfer to one of our partner universities, and how you can get started. We will be with you every step of the way.  

Call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with one of our Program Advisors, who can answer any questions you may have about our programs work.  You can also click here to request more information. Make this next year one that you will look back upon and be excited about how far you have moved forward towards your goal. 

We are officially in the holiday season. It's a time that most of us look forward to seeing our family and friends, while enjoying the feeling of contentment we get from being around those we love. But it can also be really stressful. We try to manage our work, our shopping, our studying, our volunteering, our family--it's overwhelming at times.  

Because of everything going on in your life, you might think that it's a great time to stop studying, put aside your online education and take a break.  I want to encourage you not to do that.  Be sure that as you are scheduling your holiday get-togethers, you are also scheduling your study time.

Why not take a break?

Here's why. You will get to the first of the year and wish that you had studied so that you were further ahead in your associate degree in nursing or your RN to BS in nursing program. We want you to reach the first of the year, look back at 2012 and be happy with how much you accomplished. If for some reason you feel like you won't be able to do that--call us. 

The College Network's academic support team can work with you to help you get back on track and move forward. We can make sure you have a study plan and help you chart your course to make your degree attainable--for you. We know that you can do it, and everyone needs some help now and then. 

You can reach our academic team at 800-634-1443. Or call one of our program advisors at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our other online programs and what is the best fit for you. 

Did you know that you can earn an associate degree in fire science through The College Network and Lake Superior State University?  You might be also be surprised to learn that  you can earn your bachelor's degree in fire science as well.    

If you are starting out in your career, obtaining your associate degree can help distinguish you from others that are just starting out as well.  You can continue to work and gain experience in your field while you earn your degree.  Working through The College Network, you can earn your general education credits online, and then continue with Lake Superior State University to obtain your degree. 

By obtaining your bachelor's degree through The College Network and Lake Superior State, you will be able to advance to higher ranks. You can also receive prior credit  for your associate degree or prior certification.  Earning your bachelor's degree is closer and more convenient than you think.

You can even work on your general education credits while you take you core fire science courses, enabling you to earn your degree in less time than a traditional program.  We know that for busy, working adults who want to take their careers to the next level our programs are a great option.  Our self paced, online programs allow you to fit earning your degree into your schedule.  

Call us today at  800-395-1014 or click here to request more information. Light a fire under your career today!  

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 I watched coverage of the horrible storm that hit the East coast --I was thankful that my friends and family were safe and sound.  When a disaster of this proportion hits our country, we see the best in people.  Neighbors helping those without electricity, and sharing food and shelter as well. It reminds us that we are one country, built on the commonality that we will always help those in need.

There are quite a lot of customers at The College Network who have taken advantage of the EARN program. But, there are also quite a few that haven't yet. And, if you don't know about it--let me tell you the ways that it can help you with your degree program.

The EARN program helps customers create their own study communities by referring their friends and coworkers. There are some of our customers who work together that will meet in the cafeteria every week for a study group.  It helps motivate them and gives them a support system. I think It's always helpful, when you don't quite understand a concept, to hear someone explain something to you from their perspective.  

The EARN program also benefits customers by supporting their education. You see, as a customer of The College Network who is obtaining an associate degree in nursing or working towards a bachelor's degree, you will receive $200 for each person that you refer to The College Network when they enroll in a degree program. And, when you reach your sixth referral--The College Network portion of your program loan will be paid off!  

Need more motivation?  I recently worked with a customer on her success story. She just reached her loan payoff by referring her friends at work. To help them succeed in their program, she gave them the $200 she had received for the referral so they could use it to pay for their first exam. She is motivating them to succeed by inspiring them with her success. And, she has earned every part of it!

Call us today at 866-567-6150 to make a referral or you can also go online--create your own study group and support your education. 

When people sign up for online degree programs, they most often site the flexibility of an online education as to why they decided to go this particular path. When you're working and raising your family, finding time to drive to campus at a set time, is hard to do. It's definitely easier to open your laptop and study when and where you can.

All the programs at The College Network are self-paced--meaning that you work through your courses on your schedule. This is a great option for many. But, it can also be the difficult part if you don't develop some online learning skills.

Before you begin, you need to map out your plan on how you are going to succeed as an online learner.  You need to have a comprehensive plan on when you will study, how you will study, when you will take your exams. We can offer you support and guidance, but you have to be the one that commits to keeping on your schedule.  If you wan to earn your degree in 24 months--how can you get there? What is it going to take every week, or every day?  Know what time you can commit to your program, and you'll know not only what you can do but  have realistic expectations on your graduation date.

And take advantage of our support network.  Our academics team can help you with a study plan. You can also read about other's successes to offer you ideas on what might be successful for you.  And most importantly, don't give up. If you have a bad day or week, that's ok. But get back to you study schedule as soon as you can. Earning your degree isn't easy, but if you commit and do the work, you will get there. 

Call us today at 800-395-1014 if you would like to learn more about our online programs,  and we'll help you create your path to success.  

I think most of us have a bucket list.  Even if it isn't something that we write down, we keep it in the back of our mind. It's the dream that we would like to achieve certain things and have certain experiences during our lifetime. Sometimes it's the glamorous dreams that get our attention. For instance, one day I want to attend the Cannes Film Festival in France and ride in a gondola through Venice.  Sounds pretty good, right? Well, I also have things on my list that won't require a passport. I want to read one book every week. I want to learn how to cook as good as my mother. Those are certainly much more attainable. (Although, my mom is a great cook!)

What is on your bucket list? Do you think about what you would like to accomplish? Does it include a more challenging career where you could earn more money? If it does, you need to look at your education. Can you obtain the type of position that you want with the education you currently have? 

Let's talk about all the options that you have at The College Network. We can offer you a flexible, convenient way to earn your degree online. Through our partner Bellevue University, you can find the degree that will fit your experience and goals.

Bellevue offers many bachelor degree programs. Bachelor of Science in Business or Management will help you move forward in your career.  Or maybe you want to explore a healthcare career--a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management will enable you to work in hospitals or physician's offices managing staff and resources. Explore their degrees--you will find they can offer you the bachelor's degree that you have been thinking about. 

So if your bucket list includes going back to school, we can help you check that off your list. Call us today at 800-395-1014 to get started. 

I read an interesting blog on encouraging online learners to take responsibility for their own learning. It raises the question that with all the information and resources available to someone, what is the responsibility of the learner?  

This is your degree and ultimately, it's up to you to make sure that you do the work necessary to be successful.  Here are some ideas on how you can be.  

The following are behaviors that will help an online learner be successful in their program:

• Time management
• Know your learning style
• Organization skills
• Set measurable goals
• The drive to learn
• Motivation to succeed

Think about how you can manage your time better and study more effectively.  Challenge yourself to keep your motivation strong and be organized.  

Chances are if you're an adult learner pursuing your bachelor of science in nursing degree or other professional degree, you may also be working full-time and taking care of your family.  It's difficult to juggle school, work and family.  That is why you need to concentrate on measurable goals--commit to studying for one hour each day or take an exam every three months.  You can always schedule your exam and use that as a goal to work towards.  

You can be successful.  But you have to take responsibility for earning your degree.  The College Network can supply the resources you need to make it happen, but we can't supply the motivation and drive to achieve your goal of a degree.  Call us today at 800-634-1443 if you need to review your study plan or would like to schedule your next exam.  

If you are a nurse, you have probably heard of the call from The Institute of Medicine that 80% of all nurses hold their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree by the year 2020.  But did you know that holding your bachelor's degree in other fields can also help your career opportunities?

In the past couple of years with the state of the economy, jobs were harder to come by and sometimes through no fault of the employee, they were lost due to downsizing or closure.  A recent study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce finds that jobs that require bachelor's degrees have increased by 2.2 million since the start of the recession.  And of those unemployed,  7% of those had bachelor's degrees while 24% held only a high school diploma.  Also, you will earn nearly twice as much with your degree compared to a high school graduate.  

Obtaining your advanced degree is more important than ever.  Here at The College Network®, we can help you find the program that is right for you.  We partner with colleges and universities throughout the country to offer many bachelor degree programs.  Maybe you are interested in a Business Analysis and Management degree from Bellevue University or a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Regis University?  We can help you find the best fit for your background and interests.

Call us today at 800-395-1014 to get started.  Your bachelor's degree is the next step you need to take to move forward, build your career and ensure your financial stability.  

There are people just like you who have some of the same questions about The College Network®.  We thought we would give you the top five questions to help you learn more about us.

1.  Is The College Network a school?  No, we are not a school.  We are an eLearning company that has developed Comprehensive Learning Modules™ to help our customers learn the material they need to pass equivalency exams for college credit.

2.  How long will it take for me to earn my degree?  This answer is different for everyone.  You see, you study at your own pace and it is up to you to schedule your exams when you are ready.  You can move through your program as quickly as you want to--it is in your hands.

3.  How do I take my exams?  Will I have to go to a testing site?  Not necessarily. The College Network now offers proctored online testing so you can take your exam from anywhere you have an internet connection depending on the degree program you choose to pursue.

4.  How does it work?  Once you enroll you will receive an academic guidance call.  We will work with you to help you determine your learning style and develop a study plan.  You will have access to our Online Resource Center™ where you can access your Comprehensive Learning Modules™ for your courses. You can also communication with our Academic Support Team via chat, and utilize a lot more learning tools to help you in your studies.

5.  Will my degree come from a university or college?  Yes, definitely.  You degree will be awarded from one of the leading universities that accept credits from our programs. And, you are even invited to attend your graduation ceremony.

Do you have more questions for us?  We will be happy to answer them for you.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 and we'll discuss the programs that can help you achieve your goals.  

Who influences you?  I was recently at a conference in a session that spoke to influencers as they pertained to social media, and  it made me think about personal and professional influences and how they can impact our lives.

Professionally, it is great when you work with someone that has more experience than you.  I often find that by working with them, I am challenged and motivated to produce higher quality work.  It's also a great feeling when that person recognizes your efforts and talents.  

If you are an LPN/LVN, I'm sure you have RNs that you look up to that you work with.  You hope one day to follow in their footsteps and become an RN yourself.  I'm also sure that once you let them know of your aspiration, they will support you and help mentor you.  And at The College Network,  we can also help you as you work through your LPN to RN degree program to obtain your Associate Degree in Nursing.  

And, we can't forget to mention those that personally influence us.  From my father, I developed a love of reading that has helped me in my career and enriched my life.  One's family has the biggest influence, I think.  They are there to help support us when we need it and also push us when we need that too.  I'm sure your family will help you in any way they can as you reach your goal of a degree.  

Are you ready to help influence someone else?  By moving forward in your career and gaining your degree--you will become the type of influential person that you look up to now.  That's a pretty cool thing.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 and we can help you get there.  

In this very competitive economy, businesses are looking for ways to increase their efficiency while also improving their customer focus and response.  Now more than ever Lean Six Sigma methodologies, which include five lean principles:  define, measure, explore, develop and implement have come to the forefront.  The lean goals are to eliminate waste, improve business processes and increase customer satisfaction and these have become key strategies for companies.

More and more busy professionals are choosing to move forward in their careers by obtaining their Lean Six Sigma Certification online.  And by gaining your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification and then Black Belt Certification, you can greatly increase not only your career opportunities, but also your earning potential.  

Here are 5 ways you will benefit from obtaining your Lean Six Sigma Certification online from The College Network and Purdue University.  

1.  Increased job opportunities--certification will set you apart from those without it when you are job searching.  As well, you will find you have more opportunity in your current position.

2.  On average, Lean Six Sigma Black Belts earn $88,226 a year, according to Salary.com.  

3.  Learn from Master Black Belt instructors at Purdue University.

4.  Earn your certification from Purdue University, a global leader in engineering and business.

5.  Build your network of professionals from different fields and level of experience,  throughout the country.  

Those should be more than enough reasons to get started.  Call us today at 866-249-2131 to learn more about Lean Six Sigma certificate programs and discover your own ways that it will benefit you.