NOW!

My name is Melissa Gardiner, and I work in the Marketing Department at The College Network. I am thrilled to be a part of The College Network and to help market all of our online degree and certificate programs!  I know the value of education, but I also understand the importance of finding a good balance between every day life and trying to earn your degree.  I look forward to sharing my blog, NOW! (Nursing Of the World), with you and discussing what's happening NOW in the wonderful world of nursing.

School Based Health Care (SBHC) is a program that brings education and health care together. The concept of SBHC is to bring the doctor's office to the school in an effort to avoid student's missing school for health related issues.

SBHC communities provide primary care to student's, without concern for whether or not the student's can afford to pay for their health care. Services include primary health, mental health and counseling, family outreach and chronic illness management.

SBHCs employ a team of health care providers which consist of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician assistants, social workers, physicians and alcohol and drug counselors. There is a national standard of how SBHCs should operate and this is guided by seven fundamental principles:

1. The SBHC supports the school
2. The SBHC responds to the community
3. The SBHC focuses on the student
4. The SBHC delivers comprehensive care
5. The SBHC advances health promotions activities
6. The SBHC implements effective systems
7. The SBHC provides leadership in adolescent and child health care

source: www.nasbhc.org

February is National School Based Health Care Awareness Month. Unfortunately, many student's lack access to the health care they need, and SBHC is a solution to this problem. If you're currently a customer in one of The College Network's advanced nursing education programs, you could one day be a part of the School Based Health Care revolution and help provide health care for many student's who depend on it!

If you are currently enrolled in an online education program for nursing, you may still be contemplating which field of nursing to go into. Some of the first jobs that come to mind are in hospitals, doctor's offices and nursing homes. However, one field of nursing that you may overlook is the school nurse.

Did you know that in order to have the title of a "school nurse" you have to be a Registered Nurse with a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a certificate in school nursing?

The main responsibilities of a school nurse include:

• Enforce compliance with immunization requirements
• Disaster preparedness and emergency protocols
• Manage the care of students with chronic medical conditions
• Health education of students and staff

The average salary for a school nurse is $43,753 annually. One of the most desirable aspects about a career as a school nurse is the hours. Typically you will not work evenings or weekends and many school nurses even get to enjoy the summers off.

Kathy Phillips, a customer of The College Network who earned her LVN to BS in Nursing degree from Indiana State University, has had great success working in a school district in California since earning her degree.  "I have a new job that has doubled my salary from what I was making before. But more than that, I have a job that is much more challenging and rewarding," she says. You can watch Kathy tell her story here or call us at 1-800-395-1014, today, to take the first step towards earning your degree.

At The College Network, we offer online degrees from top universities. U.S News released the results of their recent study "Top Online Bachelor's Degree Programs," and two of our partner university's made the top of the list: Bellevue University and Regis University.

There were three different categories that online bachelor's degree programs could rank in: Faculty Credentials and Training, Student Engagement and Assessment and Student Services and Technology. 

Out of the 194 schools in the U.S that offer online bachelor's degree programs, we are proud to announce that our partner universities ranked in the top ten for the Student Engagement and Assessment category. The results are as follows:

This goes to show that at The College Network, we truly do want the best  for our customers. We only partner with the best because we want you to have a quality, fulfilling educational experience. If you're ready to let us help make your dreams of higher education come true, give us a call at 1-800-395-1014.

After months and months of depressing statistics, the unemployment rate has finally begun to rise in the U.S. According to the U.S. Labor Department, the unemployment rate dropped to 8.5% in December with the addition of 200,000 new jobs.

With things slowly beginning to look up in the employment world, now is a good time to look for RN careers. However, if you're like many other people out there looking for a job right now, you may feel a bit overwhelmed and need some guidance as to where to begin.

The easiest and most accessible place to begin is on the Internet. Three popular job websites are monster.com, careerbuilder.com and indeed.com. With each of these sites, you can search by geographic location and desired job type. You never have to leave the comfort of your home because you can submit your resume directly through these sites.

Another great place to look for your desired nursing job is by visiting the website of any company you have an interest in. Most companies will post current available positions directly on their website.

In addition to the above ideas, social media can also be a great resource for the job hunt-specifically twitter. There are tons of great nursing resources on this site. For example, NurseConnect, GetNursingJobs and Nursing_Jobs all continuously post updated nursing jobs from all over the country every day.

It's a touch job market out there and you have to be creative when looking. With the above tips and the positive outlook on the job market, you will have a great chance of landing your dream nursing job. And remember, if the answer to your dream nursing career involves higher education, The College Network is here to help with our top online nursing programs from leading universities!

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that is. Do you have a nursing degree-perhaps an associates degree, but aren't really sure what your next move should be? If you're like many other nurses you probably love what you do, right? So, how can you stay in the nursing field, but also make a career change? It's simple, earn your bachelors degree in nursing and enjoy the opportunities that will come along with that.

By earning your bachelors degree in nursing you are putting yourself in a category of nursing that will earn a higher salary, have more responsibility and be exposed to more specialized work. Below is a chart indicating the average salary, broken down by years of experience, that nurses who have their BSN make annually.

 


Some of the job opportunities available to BSN nurses are Clinical Nurse Manager, Nursing Director, Nurse Case Manager, Emergency Room RN, Operating Room RN and Nurse Educator. Nurses who have their bachelors degree typically have more job security due to their advanced education and knowledge.

At The College Network we work with several top universities to offer convenient and affordable Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree programs. We have an LPN to BSN program and an RN to BSN program. With our self-paced programs, you can begin working towards your advanced degree with little interruption to your daily life. Most of our customers continue to work full-time, raise a family and still do all of the things the enjoy all while earning their degree.

If would like more information on our online Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs, give us a call today at 1-800-395-1014. 

By now you have probably heard about the projections for growth in the nursing job market over the next several years. R.N. jobs are expected to grow by 22% by the year 2018 meaning there should be around 582,000 new nursing jobs between now and then. If you are a recent graduate from a nursing program or are preparing to graduate soon, there are many options for RN careers. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth for four different industries within the nursing field and they are as follows: Offices of physicians  48%, Home health care services  33%, Nursing care facilities  25%, Hospitals, both public and private  17%.

Although hospitals are the largest industry in healthcare, the job growth is expected to slow down. The reason being is that more procedures are being done in doctor's offices and outpatient centers these days. The aging baby boomer generation will contribute to the need for more jobs in home health and nursing care facilities.

The average RN salary is around $62,000 annually, with the highest 10% earning more than $90,000 and the lowest 10% earning less than $42,000. A large factor that could affect the salary earned is the nursing school program that was completed by an individual. Those with Bachelor's and Master's degrees are likely to hold positions that have higher salaries.

Whether you've recently completed your nursing program or will be doing so in the near future, you are coming into the nursing job market at an opportune time. And, for those of you thinking of making a career change or about to enter a degree program, nursing is a great choice for a stable career.

If you've never heard of the Gallup Poll, here's a brief run down of what it is. The Gallup organization regularly conducts public opinion polls in over 140 countries worldwide. These polls are known to be reliable and objective measurements of the public's viewpoint of political, social and economical issues that are currently trending.

Gallup also does an annual poll on the 'most trustworthy professions,' in the United States and for the 12th time, nursing ranked at the top of the list. Nursing has been included in the poll for the last 13 years, and the only year that it was not the winner was in 2001. Because of the events from the 9/11 tragedy, firefighters won the top spot for that year.

In total, the Gallup Poll on 'most trustworthy professions' compares 21 different professions. Results are based on the American public's rating of each profession's honesty and ethical standards. 

If you've been thinking about going into nursing, this is just one more reason why you should. Not only is nursing a rewarding career, it is also a highly respected one. There is expected to be tremendous job growth over the next several years making nursing a stable career choice as well.

If you're ready to earn your nursing degree, The College Network can help. We offer a variety of online degrees from top universities all which can be completed at your own pace, so you don't have to interrupt your daily life. If you're ready to jump start your exciting nursing career, call us today at 1-800-395-1014.

(sources: nurse.com, gallup.com)

"It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be parties for hosting, marsh mellows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow." I don't know about you, but for me this song speaks true of how I feel about the holiday season-it really is my most favorite time of year! 

And, if your life is like mine, the month of December is jam packed with holiday festivities and get togethers with friends and family. There's barely any time left to deck the halls and wrap the gifts. 

For people with busy schedules, earning an online nursing degree is a great option. With The College Network there are no time commitments, so you don't have to give up spreading any of your holiday cheer to drive to class or prepare for an exam. You get to go at a self pace and prioritize your own schedule, and if you want to take a break during the holidays, you are free to do so.

Also, if you need a little extra help staying on track during all of the holiday hoopla, The College Network support team is standing by waiting to help you. You can email academics@collegenetwork.com, call 1-800-634-1443 or you can go online and chat live with an academic support team member. 

Season's readings! 

If you've noticed a lot of red lately there's a good reason. Yes it's Christmas time, but there's another reason for that ruby shade showing up everywhere this month: December is AIDS Awareness Month.

The AIDS epidemic was first introduced in the United States in 1981. Since then, about 1.7 million people have been infected in the U.S. with 600,000 of them resulting in death. There are around 50,000 new cases each year in the United States, but the good news is this is on the decline. Worldwide, the number of AIDS cases has dropped by 20% since the late 90's.

The decrease in the spread of the disease can be largely credited to the massive AIDS Awareness campaign that has educated people, worldwide, on the prevention of the disease. Along with the AIDS Awareness campaign, another resource was developed: Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC).

The ANAC is a group of nurses and health care professionals that are dedicated to caring for HIV/AIDS patients. Their mission is to promote the health and welfare of persons infected with HIV/AIDS, improve the care of those affected, and promote social awareness of the disease. By doing all of these things, the ANAC's overall goal is to prevent further infection of the disease.

If you're one of the many people enrolled in one of our top online nursing programs, becoming an AIDS nurse may be a great avenue for you to consider. December is the month we promote AIDS awareness, however it is a disease that affects people 365 days a year and those patients need care year round. So, if you're ready to fulfill your dream of becoming a Registered Nurse, call The College Network at 1-800-395-1014, today.

Today the memory of one of my old nurses popped in my head, out of the blue. Her name is Karen and we met when I was very young-probably around the age of 4 or 5. I remember her vividly; she was pretty and had brown curly hair and was so kind and friendly. 

I remember her finding toys for me to play with everytime I visited the doctor's office. She was always genuinely concerned about how I was doing and how my family was as well. In fact, her and my mom developed such a bond that our families began to get together on the weekends.

Eventually Karen became pregnant, and to her suprise, with triplets. Needless to say, that was a huge undertaking and Karen left her job as a nurse to take on her new roll as a full time mom to three babies. Our families stayed in touch for several years, but like many things in life that friendship faded over time as everyone got wrapped up in their own responsibilities.

I never forgot Karen. She was the best nurse I've ever had, and it brings a smile to my face when I think of her. I can only imagine that there is someone out there feeling the same way about those of you RNs who are reading this. Karen did so much more than just care for me as a nurse-she forever impacted my life.

At The College Network, we pride ourselves in helping develop people into amazing nurses, just like Karen. A lot of time and careful planning go into developing our top online nursing programs. If you are thinking of earning your online nursing degree or are ready to sign up, give us a call at 1-800-395-1014.

This Thanksgiving, I have a lot to be thankful for: a loving husband, two great dogs, wonderful parents, good health, a roof over my head, my job, and I could go on and on. I am also thankful for the opportunity to be a part of helping thousands of nurses earn their degree.

At The College Network, we make it possible for people who have busy schedules and daily responsibilities to fulfill their education dreams. Our convenient online nursing programs offer degrees from top universities, all from the comfort of your own home, so you can spend more time with your family instead of in a car driving to and from class.

It is our mission to ensure that our customers' are satisfied and that their needs are met. When you enroll in one of our top online nursing programs, you aren't just a number. We personally assign you with your very own program advisor who will be there to help you throughout your education journey.

Our friendly, knowledgeable customer support team will also be standing by in case you have any questions about your courses. You can call, email or chat with them anytime you need assistance.

So, this year why not add something to your list of things to be thankful for-your education. If you're ready to enroll in one of our many online nursing degree programs, call us at 1-800-395-1014. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve you!

A flu shot that is...Every year around this time we all get hyped up about getting our flu shots, and every year there always arises the question of who should get the vaccine. The College Network is offering a flu shot clinic to our employees, and that got me thinking about how important it is for those of you who have RN careers to get vaccinated. You are exposed to people who have the potential to spread germs on a daily basis.

A flu shot is an inactivated vaccine which means it contains killed virus. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people get vaccinated before December to ensure the protective antibodies are in place before the peak of the flu season. Here is a link to a flu clinic locator. Just type in your zip code to find locations near you.

If you're wondering who should get vaccinated, here is who the CDC says should get a flu shot:

1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   1. Health care workers
   2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
   3. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

It's important to remember that flu shots are not 100% guaranteed to be effective, but they definitely can prevent serious complications caused by the flu. So, if you are already an RN or are currently enrolled in one of our top online nursing programs it's time to start thinking about taking that shot. Your body will thank you!

What are you doing with your life right now? Where do you see yourself when you look five or ten years into your future? Do you have a job or a career? Like many others, you had plans of going on to earn your RN after LPN school, but then time got away from you, right?

Don't worry! Advanced nursing education is still in your future. Think of it as your future's insurance policy. Having that degree will ensure a brighter more promising career rather than just having a job for the rest of your life.

The College Network's top online nursing programs are designed with you-the busy, working, parent, spouse, friend, committee leader, little league coach in mind. We know your schedule is not always predictable which is why you can sign up at any time to begin one of our distance nursing programs. With The College Network, there are no hassles and no waiting lists. You earn your degree when the time is right for you. 

Once you enroll in your program of choice, there is no pressure. You complete your degree on your own time. If you need some extra time to get through a course, you can take it. You really are your own boss.

So, why not protect your future with a degree? Call 1-800-395-1014, speak to one of our Program Advisors, and get the answers to all of your questions about enrolling in an online degree program.

I was just browsing The College Network's Facebook page and came across a wall post from one of our customer's. The customer was inquiring about the program they had recently begun and wanted input/advice from other people enrolled in The College Network's programs. 

As I continued to read the post, I noticed several customers began commenting on the topic. I couldn't help but think to myself how neat this was that these customers were utilizing our Facebook page as an open discussion board. 

If you find that you have questions about your College Network program and want advice from other people who are experiencing or have experienced the same courses, I encourage you to reach out to people on our social media sites.

We have a Facebook page and a Twitter page that can provide you with helpful information and connect you to other customers who are enrolled in our programs. I think you'll be happy to find that there are so many other people going through the same thing as you are. It's always comforting to hear advice from others on how they stay focused and determined throughout their program.

So, the next time you have questions or want to reach out to your peers for advice, stop by The College Network Facebook or Twitter pages and see what people are talking about. 

If you've ever heard the term "brain food" you may be surprised to know that there is actually a real definition for it: any food that is considered to aid intelligence, memory or creativity. (dictionary.com)

Personally, I love to cook and eat, so I was more than happy to discover that "brain food" is not just some term someone came up with, but rather something we actually need to aid us in the learning process. 

If you've enrolled in one of The College Network's distance nursing programs, you have probably developed a regular study routine. Have you built snacks into your schedule? If not, it's important for the sake of retaining the knowledge you're gaining, to aid your studying with some "brain food."

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that one item on top of the brain food list is coffee! That's right, my favorite caffeinated beverage is also well received by your brain. Now, here's the catch-plain, black coffee is good for you, not coffee that is loaded with cream, sugar and flavored syrups.

Some other key foods that will help empower your brain are whole grains, blueberries, tomatoes and nuts. Try searching the Internet for recipes that include these ingredients. I always find it helpful to make large quantities of meals and snacks ahead of time, so when I'm ready to eat I can just grab and go. This also helps you make healthier choices when deciding what to eat.

So, no matter which one of our top online nursing programs you're enrolled in, remember how important it is to accompany your studying with some brain-friendly food. Your brain will perform more efficiently and your stomach will thank you!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and marks 25 years for the cause. Although we should always be promoting awareness, October reminds us just how important this cause is and how many lives are affected by breast cancer every day. Here are some startling facts about breast cancer:


Early detection is important when diagnosing breast cancer. Every women should perform regular monthly self breast exams and those who are at risk of developing breast cancer (due to age and family history) should get annual mammograms.

I'm sure most of us have been touched by breast cancer in some way or another-whether you have had it yourself or know someone who has or does have it. I can think of several people in my life who are survivors as well as who lost their lives to the disease.

National Breast Cancer Awareness month also makes me think of all the nurses who spend so much time caring for women and men who have breast cancer. For many patients, their nurse is the person they spend the majority of their time with while going through treatment-and sadly, in a lot of cases, one of the last people they spend time with on this earth.

This October, The College Network remembers all of you who are survivors, fighters, those who have lost their battle, and the nurses who care for people who have been touched by breast cancer.

Last week I had the pleasure of writing a success story about a customer who lives in Canada and used the help of The College Network to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Writing this woman's story reminded me of a gentleman I also spoke with a few months back who was enrolled in The College Network's Paralegal Studies Certificate program. He was from Germany.

The woman who lives in Canada was a nurse global in the United States when she decided to immigrate to Canada-her husband is Canadian and owns a business there. Because of the accessibility of our online nursing programs she was able to begin her degree in the U.S. and continue completing it once she moved to Canada.

The man from Germany was studying law and wanted to accompany his degree with paralegal knowledge. There were no programs that offered what he wanted where he lives in Germany, but Boston University's online Paralegal Certificate program was perfect for his needs, and The College Network was able to help.

That's the beauty of online education-it's global. Anyone can earn a degree from anywhere they have access to the Internet. Nowadays, finding an Internet connection is pretty easy. Coffee shops, restaurants, gas stations, retail stores and many others are offering free wi-fi. Also, most libraries have computer labs which are set up for Internet connection.

When I was in college, I went to a school that was four hours from my home. So, every summer I would have to pack up all of my things and move back home for three months. I wanted to continue taking classes during summer vacation (so I could stay on track to graduate in four years) so I had to enroll, each summer, in the local college near my home. I'm glad I took the summer classes, but let me tell you it was a big hassle!

I would have loved to have the opportunity to take my classes online, on my own time, from anywhere I chose to. Online education really does make life more simplified. Whether you are living here in the U.S., are global, or are thinking of immigrating to another country, The College Network is here to help you achieve your education goals. Call us today: 1-800-395-1014.

It's officially here...fall! Cool, crisp air. Beautiful warm colors in nature. And, cold and flu season. Yep, it's that time once again where we get to endure the pleasure of sniffles, coughing, sore throats and the list goes on and on.

As a nurse, you are far more susceptible to getting sick because of the environments you work in. It's important for your health and for your patients' who depend on your care that you take extra care of your body as we enter the prime season for getting sick. Follow these quick tips to help prevent yourself from getting the flu or a cold this season:

1. Get plenty of rest. Strive for at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

2. Keep your hands clean. Aside from washing your hands regularly it's a good idea to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse or at your work station. It's also a good idea to disinfect door knobs regularly-think of how many dirty hands are in constant contact with them.

3. Bump up the nutrients. Eat more fruits and vegetables to support a healthier immune system. Foods high in vitamin C are exceptionally good for promoting health.

I work in an office at The College Network, and like you I am constantly surrounded by others. Some of the things I do to try and prevent myself from catching other peoples' germs are wash my hands regularly, use Clorox wipes on my desk, computer keyboard and phone, and use my elbow to open doors when I can so I don't have to touch the handles. 

Best of luck in warding off the ugly cold and flu bugs this season! And, although we can't help you not get sick, The College Network is here to help you reach your educational dreams by offering degrees from top universities. Just call us at 1-800-395-1014.

As we spend this September reflecting on 9/11 and the ten year anniversary, it makes me think of a story I'd like to share with you. A story about a woman who witnessed the tragedy first hand and who later used The College Network to change her life.

Jean Brennan had been working as a paramedic for 20 years. September 11, 2001 started out as a normal day for Jean, who went to work at the hospital in Brooklyn, New York where she was employed. At 9:03a.m. she looked out of a window and saw an airplane fly into one of the World Trade Center Towers.

Being a paramedic, Jean spent the day tending to the victims of the attack. She describes the day as very surreal and says she understood what was going on, but that it was like watching a movie in slow motion. 

Jean had been thinking about becoming an RN for a long time, but working first hand with the victims of the 911 tragedy are what motivated her to move forward with her dream.  “I love being a paramedic, but I wanted something that promoted health, because that promotes peace,” she says.

Jean has since completed her Paramedic to RN program with help from The College Network and says it has completely changed her life. She was able to continue to work full time while earning her degree and says she used her down time at work to study. To learn more, you can watch Jean tell her inspiring story here.