"When the doctor is busy, the nurse is ready"

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 by Charles Fox

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

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

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

 

 

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

Popular Online Degrees

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 by Kevin Burton

I came across this article on yahoo recently that outlined the most popular online degree programs:

Click here: Popular Online Degrees

Much to my surprise, there were several degree options that we at The College Network can help you obtain.  We offer online Nursing Independent Study programs, that can help Paramedics or LPN/LVNs transition to their degree and RN license, as well as Business, Criminal Justice, and other options for folks through our partnership with Bellevue University.

So if online learning is something you are interested in, The College Network is the one-stop-shop to help you learn what you need to know and get started on your degree!

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, kburton@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 by Lindsay Schmitt

Have you ever had an inkling or thought that you SHOULD do something?

In the words of Jiminy Cricket, a famous Walt Disney character, "Always let your conscience be your guide".

If you are considering going back to school for advanced nursing education, it might be time to listen to yourself. Earning a degree will not be easy, but it may be necessary to achieve your career goals. The College Network has made its mission to help working nurses through self-paced education and training. 

Research The College Network and hear what customers are saying about their experience at: www.youtube.com/thecollegenetwork

If you are already a customer completing a top online nursing program with help from The College Network, we're here for you. Our dedicated Academic Support team can help you develop a study plan based on your unique learning style, and our online Resource Center is packed with valuable tools that can make independent study fun and effective too. We know you can do this, and we'll support you throughout your TCN experience. 

You have to do what is right for you. Stop putting off the opportunity to earn your degree. You control your future when it comes to gaining advanced education that will provide endless opportunities and potential pay raises. Make the commitment to listen to your conscience and continue taking the necessary steps toward your goals. 

Mario Kart - Part I

Thursday, March 29, 2012 by Kevin Burton

Super Mario KartIt's not every day when you can relate one of your favorite childhood (who am I kidding - current) games to furthering your education, but today I'd like to use the series of Mario Kart games to show you that completing your education is as easy as navigating a track named Rainbow Road.

At The College Network, our goal is to allow customers to complete distance nursing programs within the confines of their own goals and abilities. This is very much like choosing your own character/driver in the Mario Kart games.  Some characters like Mario and Luigi are well rounded - they have good speed, good acceleration, and good steering. Customers with these attributes can study in many different ways and at a steady pace to complete their program of choice with our Comprehensive Learning Modules.  Others are like Donkey Kong or Bowser, where they may start slow, but have a great high-end top speed.  Some customers are like this as well, where they have trouble starting, but once they do, they are able to knock their courses out very quickly.  Another way to study would be to do things in quick short bursts - much like the high acceleration of Princess Peach or Yoshi.  And some folks really like to control their own destiny, and keep things very orderly, consistent, and take the most efficient way around the track to finish their program or race, much like Toad or Koopa Troopa.  

3, 2, 1 ... Go!Any way you look at it, all of the previous methods can work.  You just have to choose the right path for yourself and know your strengths and weaknesses.  At The College Network, we offer our Academic Guidance Planner and Academic Support Team to help you set goals, find out what learning style is best for you, and give you study tips on how best to be an independent learner.  Basically, we fit your Mario Kart driving style to your perfect Kart and character that drives it!

In my next post, I'll look at how the The College Network helps you navigate your program by using all the extras and resources that come with this type of program.  Watch out for that banana peel!

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, kburton@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734

Great Expectations

Monday, February 27, 2012 by Kevin Burton

Which direction will you go today?Rise and shine.  It's time to wake up.  

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?  Some people believe what you do and what happens when you first wake up will determine how your whole day will go.  I tend to agree with that and believe that by managing expectations and expecting the best to happen, you can change your whole mindset and succeed day-in and day-out.

Something I've learned in the past couple years is to be realistic, but set lofty goals for yourself.  If you believe you are capable of doing something, your mindset and drive can help you complete tasks you thought previously were impossible.

If you wake up and EXPECT to have a good day, EXPECT to make work, school, or life fun, EXPECT to be the best you can be everyday - you'll find this attitude will cross over from all walks of life - personally and professionally.  Once these EXPECTATIONS become a habit, good things will continue to happen and finding success will be much easier than ever before.

Obviously there will be setbacks.  Everyone has those days where nothing goes right.  That is okay.  If you make those days the exception, and EXPECT good results every time you do something, you'll find your life improves daily.

The point of all this is because at The College Network, our self-paced education and training programs, namely the nursing independent study programs, require students to believe in themselves and have the want, need, and drive to finish their programs.  Creating GREAT EXPECTATIONS for yourself can mean the difference between finishing your degree, or not.

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, kburton@collegenetwork.com, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734

Knowing How to Study is Everything

Friday, February 10, 2012 by Megan Kirsch
If someone asked you if you knew how to study, what would your answer be?

For me it would depend on when that question was asked. Prior to college, I would have responded yes. It wasn't until I entered college that I realized I never learned how to study. For some reason, I was able to coast through my secondary education without having to truly study. I enjoyed writing papers, and participating in debates, but few classes really required “study time.”

tiredstudentLike any college freshman, I struggled initially with my studies. I figured that college would be a mere more aggressive high school experience, and I would fly through it as long as I showed for class and did what was expected. I was completely wrong. Trying to balance an 18-hour course load with multiple literature courses, plus a science, math, and philosophy course proved too much and I fell quickly behind. I was failing my science and math courses almost immediately because I couldn’t retain the information properly. It was then that I realized that I didn’t know how to study effectively and many students do not know how to effectively study. I was a good student in the transition scope that I had excellent attendance and test scores, but I really wasn’t absorbing or retaining the information. Luckily I had a great roommate who was able to teach me some great strategies and help me organize my information so that I could overcome my studying obstacles.

I was reminded of this scenario while speaking with a current Associate in Nursing customer who is also realizing that what had worked previously in high school, LPN school, and other college courses, wasn’t working for her now. I had to ensure her that she can be successful, but she has to be flexible and open to new learning experiences. After discussing her schedule and her learning style, we worked out a game plan that will not only incorporate study strategies she was used to doing, but new strategies that should help her overcome her current obstacle with memorization.

Learning is an independent process in itself regardless of the path one takes to achieving a certification or degree. Each of us is responsible for our own learning. However, one of the great aspects of starting a program with The College Network is our Academic Support team. We’ve all complete a college program and know how hard it can be to overcome obstacles. Sometimes all you need is someone to talk to who’s been there to point you in the right direction. 

Man (or Woman) in the Mirror

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Kevin Burton

At The College Network, we have helped over 175,000 adult learners further their education.  Unfortunately, there are some who were unhappy with their program experience.  For whatever reason, the nursing independent study program did not suit their needs, or they gave up on their dream of completion.  It is easy to be upset, and trust me, we do everything in our power to help people complete their degree and succeed in their program.

It is these people, who were unable to achieve their goal and gave up, that speak negatively about The College Network.  When is the last time you had a good experience and went out of your way to comment about it online, on a comment card, or through a public medium?  Most of you would say rarely, if ever.  And I want to draw your attention to that, because if you research The College Network any negativity you come across is from a fraction of a percent of our customers.  If 200 people out of 175,000 jumped off a bridge would you jump too?

"The Dude" takes a look at himself too

That's why I say, take a look at yourself in the mirror.  YOU control your success within the program.  If you are dedicated and willing to finish the program, we guarantee that you can and will.  I admit, these distance nursing programs aren't for everybody, but if you want the best way to achieve the most convenient RN license, give us a call and we will help you achieve your goals of becoming an RN.  So again, take a look in the mirror, and if you can and want to do this, you are the only obstacle in your way.

Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734, kburton@collegenetwork.com

Do

Monday, September 26, 2011 by Kevin Burton

YodaTwo of the most influential enterprises of the past 30 years both expressed the need for people to do.  Both Nike and Yoda from Star Wars have interesting mottos and quotes that lead me to believe, "hey, they might be on to something here."

Yoda:  "Do, or do not.  There is no try."

This applies to The College Network undoubtedly.  With our nursing independent study programs, we offer the support for you to fully succeed in finishing your degree.  All of our online comprehensive learning modules come with the guarantee that you will pass each course you take - we guarantee it because if you are having trouble our academic support team is here to assist you, and if that isn't enough... if you do not pass an exam after two tries, we will find a tutor to help you get to the point where you can pass that exam.  So, all it really comes down to is if you are going to do, or do not.
Nike
Nike:  "Just Do It"

That pretty much sums it up.  Just do it, folks.  We know that life happens, and our programs provide you the flexibility to withstand any circumstances to complete your program of choice.  So, ask yourself, "is it time for me to Just Do It?"

If you have any questions or would like to enroll in any program please let me know.
Kevin Burton, Program Advisor, 1-800-307-1006 Ext. 4734, kburton@collegenetwork.com


"Me Time"

Thursday, September 8, 2011 by Ein Peck
Since the start of our new Guidance Call, I have been able to find out a lot about all of you. You tell me about your educational backgrounds, your motivations, your goals and to be honest, I couldn't ask for more interesting conversations.

I hear such a wide variety of answers on a daily basis for why each person is doing the program. In a day I could hear such varied responses as: "I'm doing it for more career opportunities"; "My job is now requiring me to obtain my RN licensure"; "I want to become more specialized in my field"; or even my personal favorite: "My mother, grandmother, uncle, sister, and third cousin are all nurses and that is all I have ever wanted to be since I was little".  

Goals are an amazing thing. I love hearing stories of obstacles people have overcome or the determination others have in reaching their goals. It's very inspiring, to say the least. It's always exciting to speak to a new customer who has so much to look forward to and help them map out their study plans as they begin their journey towards higher education.

Study plans, schedules, and goals are all wonderful things, however, I really feel the need to stress the importance of balancing personal life with education.  Now, don't get me wrong. I completely understand you want nothing holding you back from completing your program as quickly as you possibly can, BUT you need to be careful about overwhelming yourself.

As an online, independent learner your two biggest foes are procrastination and burn out.

Many of you are balancing several different roles before even entering into your program to begin with: provider, parent, spouse, employee, etc. The list goes on and on.  The keys to keeping sane are BALANCE and REWARDS.  You need to still enjoy your life! Be sure to reward yourself for your progress.

Make sure to set up a study plan that isn't overwhelming. You don't want to work 12 hours a day, four days a week and then try to study four more hours on top of that eachCherry Pepsi day. You NEED sleep. So spread out your study time. Even if it is only a couple of days a week, just make sure to take full advantage of the time you do have to study.

Not all rewards have to be big. I spoke to a woman today who had just completed Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Introduction to Computing. After congratulating her on the progress she had made, I told her it was time to reward herself. All she wanted was a cherry Pepsi, I couldn't believe it, but she still understood the importance of a reward. 

So whether you're giving yourself a day off from studying after a tough test, going to see a movie, or even just drinking a cherry Pepsi, be sure to remember how important it is to reward yourself for reaching your goals.

Please don't forget, if you are having trouble creating the balance in your schedule, the College Network Academic Support team can help you create a study plan specific to your needs. Just give us a call, 1-800-634-1443.

My Mattie - Matthew Hale

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 by College Network
I graduated from nursing school in 1993 and went directly into a critical care fellowship at our local hospital. (It was 3 months of additional training to work in the ICU at the hospital.) I worked one year in the ICU and the critical care float pool. I started in the emergency room in 1995 and was a midnight charge nurse within 8 months of starting in the ER. My entire 18 years as a nurse has been in critical care.

In 1996 I became a father for the first time with the birth of my daughter Peyton. In February 2000, I remarried a beautiful lady who, at the time, was also an RN in the ER. In April 2001 we had our Daughter Mattison (Mattie).

Within those six years in the ER, I had contact with flight teams as they would occasionally come into our ER to transport patients to specialty hospitals. Usually, these were pediatric and trauma patients. The flight crews would show up in their cool flight suits with all their whistles and gadgets. They would swoop in, get their patient and disappear as quickly as they came. I, like every other ER nurse, thought this had to be the coolest job a nurse could do. It was the pinnacle of ER nursing in my eyes, but I never thought I would have the chance to do it. Flight nursing jobs were few and far between, besides these had to be the smartest of the smart, very selective, top notch.

In late March of 2004, Mattie developed a high fever, a strange body-wide rash, swelling to her hands and what appeared as bilateral pink eye. She was started on oral antibiotics by her pediatrician. After two days, Mattie went back to her pediatrician. Her symptoms were getting worse and her fever reached 104 degrees even though she was being treated with antibiotics plus OTC meds for her fever. During her re-check at her pediatrician’s office, Mattie’s grandmother came in with a newspaper clipping from the local newspaper, The Ashland Daily Independent. The paper has a small medical advice column that’s called “Ask Dr. Donahue”.

In this particular “Ask Dr. Donahue”, someone asked about Kawasaki’s Disease. Dr. Donahue explained that it was a rare, pediatric illness that primarily occurs in the spring, usually in Orientals, mostly in males. It is diagnosed by particular symptoms that include a “sandpaper rash”, high fever, bilateral eye redness, and a “strawberry looking tongue.” Mattie’s tongue was indeed bright red and bumpy.

Mattie’s pediatrician wanted to do some blood work, so he sent Mattie over to the hospital to have her blood drawn. While waiting for her results, we took Mattie down to the ER to have a friend of ours who was a physician in our ER, take a look at her. Just to see what he thought. We asked him if he thought it could be Kawasaki’s disease. He said he didn’t think so because Mattie didn’t fit the typical patient profile for the illness, and it was very rare.

Mattie’s lab work came back with findings consistent for Kawasaki’s. There is no true lab test for Kawasaki’s, but diagnosis is based upon symptoms and particular irregular lab findings. Mattie’s sed rate was greater than 100, and her liver enzymes were elevated. She was admitted to the hospital with Kawasaki’s, and started on IV fluids, steroids, high dose aspirin and an infusion of human immunoglobulin. (Immunoglobulin is a blood product. It takes 1000 blood donations to extract enough immunoglobulin for one infusion.)

 
Matthew HaleMattie seemed to be improving over the next day. Her fever came down and she was scheduled for an echo-cardiogram of her heart to see if any of her coronary arteries had developed aneurysms. Shortly after her echo, the cardiologist came in and said Mattie’s coronary arteries showed no aneurysms but they appeared enlarged. He was going to talk to her pediatrician. Meanwhile, Mattie’s fever had returned and she had started vomiting. Her pediatrician informed the pediatric charge nurse he wanted Mattie transported to Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati immediately by air.

The pediatric transport team from Children’s arrived at KDMC in a very short time. It was amazing how quickly they made it to Ashland. They were excellent with Mattie and took the time to explain to my wife and myself exactly what they were going to do. They said one of us could go with Mattie. She was going by plane to Cincinnati and there was room for a parent. They loaded Mattie up to all of their equipment. Secured her to their cot, and assured me my daughter and wife both would be fine. Then they left with two of the three most important people in my life, and one was very sick.

I was going to drive to Cincinnati. I knew they would get there much sooner than I. I was on the highway and hadn’t even made much more than an hour of traveling when my cell phone rang. It was my wife. They had arrived at the airport in Cincinnati and Mattie was being loaded into a waiting Children’s Hospital Ambulance, just as the flight crew had said back at KDMC, to complete the trip to the hospital. Mattie was doing better and loved the airplane ride.

I cannot explain the amount of relief I felt knowing my family was safe in Cincinnati, and my daughter was doing better. I will never forget it. I was able to continue my trip to Cincinnati knowing at least, these two things.

Mattie ended up getting another dose on immunoglobulin, her coronary arteries were fine, and she was discharged a few days later. A few days after coming home, the same local newspaper that had the unexplainable circumstantial article on Kawasaki’s Disease at just the right time, did an article on My Mattie.

The following year, I became a critical care transport nurse for an air medical service in Eastern Kentucky. I started out on the ground transport service, but after 2 months I had completed orientation for the flight program. I loved flying and was hooked.

On my first day out of orientation, on my own, wouldn’t you know, my first flight was a pediatric trauma patient, a three year old. He was involved in a head on collision. His mother died on scene, his father had severe fractures and was flown out earlier. Our little guy had a femur fracture, but was stable. He did fine on the flight. (And I did fine on the flight.)
 
I love my job! I was right, it is the pinnacle of nursing, and I am lucky to be able to do it. I want to do it as long as I can.

We have to remember, our patients are someone’s baby, or mother, or father. Chances are they are very important and very much loved by someone. That’s why I take a moment and talk to the family, and I try to get a number and call once we arrive with the patient. I know what it is like to be on the other end of that phone call.

A few years later, when Mattie’s class graduated from kindergarten, as they walked across the stage to get their diplomas they got to say into the microphone what they wanted to be when they grew up. Mattie said she wanted to be a flight nurse.

She is now doing great. This year she will be in the 5th grade and she only has to follow up with Children’s Hospital once a year, for a yearly echo.

The key to Kawasaki’s Disease is early diagnosis, early aggressive care, and rapid transportation to a specialty facility when needed. If Kawasaki’s Disease goes untreated, there is a high risk of aneurysm development in the large vessels. These develop after the acute, 5-day high fever stage when the child actually looks like they are improving. Clots can form in the aneurysm and the child can throw a clot. There are also possible long term effects on the vessels due to the aneurysms, and the disease effects on the circulatory system. Studies continue on long term effects of both treated and untreated Kawasaki’s Disease.

So, why did I become a flight nurse? Because of My Mattie.

Name: Matthew Hale, RN
From: Kentucky


Clinicals in Distance Education

Tuesday, January 4, 2011 by Industry News
Clinicals are an important component of nursing training no matter how you get your education. Distance learning is no exception. These supervised sessions in a real healthcare environment give you a chance to display your mastery of what you've studied and get a feel for what work will be like on a day-to-day basis as a nurse.

How your clinicals with The College Network and its partner universities will work depends on the program you choose and the level of education you're receiving. Rest assured that even though you are getting your education independently, you will have the resources you need to be well prepared for your clinicals.

While clinicals can be a stressful part of your nursing education, you will be able to rely on what you've learned through The College Network and its partner universities. We're ready to make sure you  have what you need to be a successful nurse from clinicals to career.

Distance Nursing Programs: Which direction will you go?

Friday, December 17, 2010 by Tim Rogers
Nurse education choices

There are so many choices for nurses to consider in continuing their education. Should you go back to a traditional college and re-work your life to fit the college for the foreseeable future? Or should you take charge of your education by making your education fit your life for the next couple of years? How can you possibly complete the required clinical component in a traditional brick and mortar school and still hold down a job when you have to get the kids to soccer practice?

 

Good questions, and there are good answers. Take charge of your nurse education with online courses for nursing in accredited degree programs from major universities including Regis University, Indiana State University, and St. Joseph's College of Maine.

 

Which direction will you go? If you are an LPN in Pennsylvania you can begin your associate degree online today with the help of The College Network. LPN’s can start working on a BSN through our partnership with Indiana State University. RN’s can begin immediately working on a Masters Degree utilizing nursing independent study. 

 

Which direction will you go? Take the first step in continuing your nurse education by leveraging inexpensive nursing degrees to improve your future. Contact Tim or Meredith Rogers at 814-280-0054 or 814-280-0055.

Nursing Independent Study

Sunday, October 3, 2010 by Rick Helfin
"I love the Academic Guidance Planner from The College Network!  It's a great help to put a study plan together and stay on track to complete the Associate Degree in Nursing ADN Program."

Jessica, St. Louis

Six Changes in Health Care That Go Into Effect Today

Thursday, September 23, 2010 by College Network
September 23, 2010 is when the first scheduled changes from the new law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPACA, will take effect. Because there is still a lot of confusion on the new laws, I thought it would be helpful to list out the changes here as they go into effect.

1. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny children coverage for pre-existing conditions.

2. Children of parents with insurance will be allowed to remain covered under those policies until the age of 26.

3. Insurance companies will be forbidden from terminating coverage for any other reason than customer fraud.

4. Insurance companies will no longer be able to cap the amount of benefits and treatment a person can receive in a lifetime.

5. Insurers can no longer charge customers for preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies.

6. High-risk pools are mandated to cover those who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

"The Affordable Care Act is already making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans," President Obama wrote in a letter posted at Whitehouse.gov. "And starting tomorrow, the Patient's Bill of Rights goes into effect, ending some of the worst abuses of the insurance industry and putting you, not your insurance company, in control of your healthcare."


Looking to make a change in your career? Look to The College Network for inexpensive nursing degrees, nursing independent study, distance nursing programs, and other online degrees from leading universities.

Nurses Choose THE COLLEGE NETWORK

Thursday, August 19, 2010 by Jeannie Pennington
Nurses lead such busy lives that the idea of going back to a classroom to earn a degree can be an overwhelming idea.  That is why so many nurses today are choosing the flexible format offered at THE COLLEGE NETWORK.

Prerequisite and general education courses can be done at your own place and at your own pace.  No waiting for a start date; choose a  program and the classes may begin at once! These courses can be completed as quickly or as slowly as you wish.  Previous college credit is often accepted, and all partner colleges and universities are regionally accredited.

For those who wish to further their education but have family and career considerations, THE COLLEGE NETWORK makes a lot of sense.  Academic support and success guarantee are the "icing on the cake" for this type of independent study, creating a very attractive alternative to the traditional classroom or online format.

Find out more today!

www.collegenetwork.com/pennington

"Education Inspired by Life"



Thoughts on Workforce Strategy - Part 1 of 2

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Clark Crowell

I had an opportunity to read an article in the August 2010 issue of Chief Learning Officer Magazine that discussed the current trend in talent management to create a work experience for employees that allows them to feel more empowered to act in the best interest of the organization.  The article, titled "One Size Fits One" by Owen Sullivan, provides us with a great model for how to best prepare ourselves and our organizations to not only develop but more importantly retain our best talent. 

The author provides five specific steps that we should be following, each of which is an integral piece of The College Network experience at the corporate relationship level.  Today, I will look briefly at the first two of five.

Step one: Inventory current talent and identify future needs:  This is what The College Network refers to as a Group Needs or a Gap Analysis.  Our Program Advisors and Education Executives spend time getting to know the specific needs of your organization in nursing, management, and other areas.  Not just where you are today, but where you want to be tomorrow.  In some cases it's a matter of increasing credentials via advanced degrees to meet specific standards set by the facility or by an organizational goal.  Other times, we work with learners to work through certificate programs (such as Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, and others) to give employees a more rapid and specific learning experience in their chosen area.  In either case, we tailor our efforts to make certain the learner has the information and the options available to them to make the decision that best suits their specific goals, whether those goals are best served by independent study or by an accelerated program is specific to that individual.

Step two: Align the workforce strategy with the business:  This is an integral piece of the Gap Analysis.  Our goal at The College Network is two-fold.  First is to make certain that individual learners have the opportunity to earn their certificates or degrees from leading universities across the country with the convenience of an online format.  Second is to make certain that our corporate partners are able to get the most immediate impact available for their organization.  While a hospital working to attain Magnet status may require help to increase the number of bachelors degree prepared registered nurses they have on staff, another hospital may desire to find more efficient ways to care for their patients.  For both the end goal is improving patient outcomes, however the path to those improvements is different for each location.  Bottom line, our effort is to work with the executive staff in each location to find the best way to achieve their goals in the most cost-conscious way possible, even if that means options other than our own.

I continue to welcome your insights and thoughts and look forward to sharing the remaining three steps that a workforce strategy should consider later this week.

The Pathway to Earning Online Degrees from Leading Universities

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 by Rick Degeeter

Mobile computing and advancements in technology are continuing to bridge the gap between educational needs and practical solutions.  Technology has integrated itself into our everyday lives in so many areas, so it's no surprise that technology and education are such a natural fit.

The College Network Online Resource Center (TCNRC) is an excellent example of technology meeting the needs of the 21st century nursing student; someone always on the go, working full time, and raising a family - someone who wants to complete a nursing independent study program while maintaining some semblance of a normal life. 

Available wherever an internet connection exists, the TCNRC allows you to remain connected to College Network Support throughout your entire learning experience.  Not only can you study, take notes, print key terms, or complete practice exams, but you can also chat with a member of Academic Support who can simultaneously view your progression in the online courses for nursing and nursing prerequisites.  Let's see an ordinary textbook do all that!

With this type of connectivity, distance nursing programs no longer seem so distant and the route to earning inexpensive nursing degrees has never been so apparent.  Embrace the technology and the advantages The College Network Online Resource Center provides and know that Academic Support is just a click away.

Customer Support
The College Network