Online Classes for Nursing | The College Network

Barriers, Be Gone! Online Education Helps Nurses Earn Advanced Degrees

Thursday, June 6, 2013 by Abby Nieten

A study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that nurses believe cost, family/children, and lack of time are the three most significant barriers to their pursuit of advanced education. The study is part of the RN Work Project, which is a 10-year research project that began in 2006 and seeks to uncover information about the turnover, attitudes, and intentions of new registered nurses (RNs). The project collects data from nurses in 34 states who live in both rural and metropolitan areas.

According to the study, many nurses who reported cost and lack of time as barriers to educational advancement also reported feeling challenged by the idea of trying to schedule their classes around their work schedules. One of the lead investigators for the study—Christine T. Kovner, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor at the New York University College of Nursing—stressed the importance of making advanced nursing classes available to nurses at more convenient times and in more convenient places. The College Network (TCN) offers these conveniences and more with our online nursing degree programs.

By giving nurses the opportunity to earn online degrees from top universities, The College Network breaks through the barriers that deter nurses from completing traditional, campus-based nursing programs. With online education, nurses can complete their courses whenever and wherever it is convenient for them. They can work at their own pace and set their own schedules for studying and taking exams so that they won't miss out on family time or compromise their positions at work. Additionally, TCN programs can save nurses up to 50 percent over the cost of campus-based college degree programs. (See "How can I pay for my college education?" on our FAQ page for information on financing.) Nurses can also receive financial rewards for referring others to TCN programs through our EARN referral program.

Call The College Network today at 1-800-395-1014 to talk to a Program Advisor and learn more about tearing down traditional educational barriers through our online degree programs. Also, check out this post on The College Network Blog to read more about the benefits of an online education.

Online LVN to BS in Nursing in Texas!

Friday, August 10, 2012 by Joel Kimzey

I am really thrilled to see that Indiana State University's (one of the best schools in the Mid-West according to the U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review) online LVN to BS in Nursing program is now recognized in the state of Texas. This completely distance-based program allows an LVN to work full time and earn his/her BSN RN without ever having to return to the college classroom and without ever having to visit the campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. Indiana State University is accredited by the North Central States Association of Colleges & Schools (the same association that accredits such schools at the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, University of Chicago and the University of Illinois). It's recognized by the National League for Nursing and the Texas Board of Nursing.

This program has three phases. The first is the general education phase. Indiana State University allows nurses to transfer previous college credits into the program as long as the course 1) was taken within 30 years, 2) is from a regionally accredited school and 3) has a grade of C or higher. Any required subject the nurse hasn't taken, can be fulfilled by testing out via The College Network's Comprehensive Learning Modules in our online Resource Center. There is one learning module per subject. When the nurse passes the one exam, she/he receives the same credits from Indiana State University as if she/he sat in a classroom for an entire semester. Almost all of the general education examinations are taken from home via a webcam on the computer.

Phase Two are four nursing transition courses that essentially work the same way as Phase One except the exams are taken outside of the home but locally.

Phase Three are the online nursing classes taken directly with Indiana State University. Also, it's in this phase where the clinical hours are performed. This is one of the best parts of the program! The clinicals are performed locally one-on-one with a preceptor.

This program can be completed in the same amount of time or less time than if the nurse were to quit his/her job and go to school full time at a local university. One nurse told me recently what she liked about this program is that she can fit her education around her life instead of her life around her education.

For more information, please contact The College Network at 1-800-395-1014.

Very best regards,

Joel Kimzey

What's the Difference?

Sunday, July 22, 2012 by Kevin Burton

Many people I have the pleasure of talking to on a day-to-day basis ask me to help differentiate The College Network from Excelsior College® in obtaining their Associate of Science in Nursing Degree. For your information, I'd like to go over a brief synopsis of what roles we each have in this process.

Excelsior College® is the school in the matter, and where you will earn your degree. The Excelsior College® Associate Degree in Nursing program is a completely online, self-paced, test-out program to help Paramedics and LPNs/LVNs transition to get their degree and RN license. Excelsior College® is regionally accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by many state boards of nursing, and approved .

What The College Network does is streamline the test-out process of the program by providing the educational materials (our modules) to help students test out of their general education and nursing courses instead of taking a full-blown semester-based class or buying all the books for the course and trying to figure out what to study on their own. We have subject matter experts and college professors help us create our educational materials (modules) that significantly help students obtain the knowledge they need to earn their college credits, and eventually degree. All of our modules come with an academic guarantee that you will pass each course that you use them for, or we will supply a tutor and pay for any exams you need after 2 attempts.

Once the customer finishes all their courses, they then move on with Excelsior College® to complete the remaining requirements to obtain their degree. They must finish these last things before they can graduate with their Associate Degree in Nursing.

I hope this helps in your understanding of the LPN/LVN/Paramedic to RN program. As always, let us know if you have any other questions or would like to enroll!

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

2012 Academy of Nursing Education Fellows Announced by NLN

Friday, June 15, 2012 by Charles Fox

The competitive process of selecting nurse educators for the NLN Education Summit is now complete. 32 nurse educators will now be a part of the National League for Nursing' s Academy of Nursing Education. This class is the largest in the history of the Academy, which was established in 2007. This year marks the first time that five honorary fellows will be inducted as well, honoring distinguished retired nurse educators or other people who have helped to advance nursing education.

“I believe it is noteworthy that the NLN has set a gold standard for excellence in nursing education such that more and more of today’s nurse educators aspire to fellowship in the academy,” said Judith A. Halstead, PhD, RN, FAAN, ANEF, the president of the NLN. Remarking on the new category of honorary fellow at the time it was established, Dr. Halstead added: “Honorary fellows will bring an added dimension to the diversity of the academy as the NLN seeks to spotlight individuals from outside the profession and other nursing leaders from around the country and around the world who may not be eligible for full fellowship.”http://www.nln.org/recognitionprograms/index.htm

This information came from a PRweb press release on timesunion.com. For more information on NLN click here. To learn about NLNAC Accredited online education programs through The College Network, call 1-800-39-LEARN.

Positive Paralegal Certificate

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by Kevin Burton

Most of my customers, before joining their program of choice, will make sure and research The College Network. I, for one, think that is fantastic, because it shows their passion for completing the right program to suit their needs. But, don't believe everything you see out there.

The negative things you have seen across the Internet, they are not indicative of what our company is about. We have successfully helped almost 180,000 students further their education, and unfortunately some have given up on their dreams and blamed us because of it. The main chunk of our business is for people completing nursing degrees online where we supply them with the educational material they need to test out of their college courses. We also partner with schools: Boston University, Purdue University, The George Washington University, Indiana State University, Regis University, and Lake Superior State University and even professional organizations to help people enroll into their professional certificate programs and/or online degree programs.

For the Paralegal Certificate program, we do the enrollment and marketing, but the learning material, classes, instructors and certificate all come from the school itself, not The College Network. You will receive a world-class education experience from Boston University online. Don't let negative comments from someone who gave up on their dream discourage you from pursuing your goals, especially when they are most likely referencing a completely different program. Here is a link to some of the success stories from people who have earned their Paralegal Certificate: click here.

Thanks again for your interest in the program, and as always, please let me know if you have any other questions or would like to enroll.

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

Mario Kart - Part II

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by Kevin Burton

In my last blog post, I discussed the flexibility of our distance nursing programs where different kinds of people and learners are able to complete their degrees using the example of the Mario Kart video game series. I'd like to continue using Mario Kart as a reference point to show how things you have already done, things we at The College Network can help you with, and things you can do to avoid obstacles in preventing you from finishing your degree program.

In Mario Kart, each character/kart can obtain different bonus items to help their cause in winning the race. Some of these items are mushrooms (speed boost), turtles shells (wreck the opponent near you), banana peel (make someone spin out), and lightning bolts (shrink your competition). Each of these can draw a parallel to helping you overcome obstacles in your program.

Mushrooms - a speed boost. First off, with our Comprehensive Learning Modules, we streamline the test-out process, but we also offer other services to help as well. Now, for certain prerequisite and general education classes, we offer online testing via a webcam proctor service to help you schedule and complete courses much quicker than a traditional testing center. Also, by financing your exam fees with the rest of your learning modules, you do not have to wait to budget out test costs, we've done that for you!

Lightning Bolts - shrink the competition. For those of you that have previous college credit, the good news is that it will most likely transfer in to the program if it is from a regionally accredited school. By transferring in those credits, you can shrink the size of your program, and save time and money!

Turtle Shells - knock out the competition. Each of our learning modules arms you with a turtle shell to knock out the opponent (the courses you need). We guarantee you will pass each exam by using our modules, so whenever you shoot a turtle shell, it will be like a red one that finds the nearest competitor to knock them off. Use the practice exams in the modules to help make sure you are prepared for your actual exams at the testing center or in the online webcam tests. All in all, the modules will lead the way to finish your program and each one is a turtle shell to knock off your competition along the way!

Banana Peels - in case you slip. Banana peels are notorious for being slippery, and the same is true in Mario Kart. In life, and in these programs it is easy to fall behind, or slip up every once in awhile. This is why we offer our Academic Support team to help you stay on track. They are there to help you with curriculum questions, scheduling exams, obtaining exam fee checks, navigating the online resource center, and making sure you properly enroll and complete your top online nursing programs with one of the schools we partner with or recommend.

We at The College Network enjoy serving you to help you complete your education and lifelong goals. Mario Kart is a great game on all platforms of Nintendo video game systems, and although it may not be the first thing you think of when completing your education, maybe now you can see the parallels between your education and having fun with a game. So go out, run your race, complete your program, and come away in 1st place!

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or needs. Have a great day!

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

Paramedic Works Toward His RN Online

Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by TCN Success

Ian Stewart became a paramedic in 2010. Although he loves his job, a life-changing event has led him to consider a new career. “My wife is pregnant with our second child. I’m a paramedic now, and I like the work. I’m proud of what I do, but it simply doesn’t pay very well. Using my certifications as a springboard to a better paying job just seemed logical,” he said.

Ian decided to pursue his Associate of Science in Nursing degree. After researching various programs, he chose to earn his degree online through Excelsior College® with help from The College Network™. “The College Network offered the most resources for the best rates—not to mention the fact that, with this program, I don’t have to be online at specific times or write papers. It’s a no-nonsense, streamlined program,” Ian said.

To Ian's surprise, earning a degree online has proved to be very efficient and productive. "I didn't realize prior to this course of study how much time in class is occupied by things not related to actual learning - roll call, class breaks, having to settle a class down, even time spent while the teacher answers other student's questions. That all adds up. With the self-paced learning, you can move a lot faster," Ian explained.

Continue reading Ian's success story here.

Woman Finally Gets Chance to Make a Dream Come True

Monday, February 6, 2012 by TCN Success

“To become a registered nurse has always been a desire of mine, but I started a family before completing school. So, after my children were all grown and out of school, I decided it was my turn,” says Emily Burton who is earning her Associate of Science in Nursing Degree and is a customer of The College Network.

For Emily, it was important to find a degree program that did not interrupt her life. With The College Network, she is able to study at her own pace while continuing to work full time. “Study at your own pace while working a full-time job does work. There are no deadlines to make, no grades to stress over, and no interrupting my day to go to class,” Emily says.

“I study at least two to three hours at night. The Comprehensive Learning Modules™ are great. They cover so much material that is presented in the tests. The glossary and testing at the end of each chapter help prepare you for the exam,” Emily explains.

Read more of Emily's inspiring story to see how she is successful in her online nursing degree program.

Where We End Up

Saturday, January 28, 2012 by Bryan Curtis

I had a recent discussion with a friend of mine who I swam with in college. During his undergraduate program, he was an exemplary Biology major who devoted all of his time before and after practice to studying. His goal was to do well enough to get accepted to a local Dentistry doctoral program. Despite good grades and great test scores, he was not accepted into the program and was left in a sort of limbo, unsure of what to do with his life since his four-year goal had been denied.

He told me that he took some time off to re-evaluate his situation when his sister, who was a year younger than him, suggested a local nursing program that she was enrolled in. His life was in idle, so he figured it was worth a shot if it meant getting him out of his current situation. He took one class and shadowed a local nurse and he said, "I found my calling." He said it didn't have all of the glamour and prestige of a doctorate, but he couldn't imagine a more challenging/rewarding career. He just recently graduated from his nursing program and is now studying for the NCLEX exam.

If you're like my friend and are searching for a rewarding career in the field of nursing, The College Network can help you on your way to earning that degree. If you just need nursing school prerequisites or are interested in an online degree program, visit TCN's web site.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

"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!

Nurse Earns Bachelors Degree to Immigrate to Canada

Saturday, November 26, 2011 by TCN Success

A life changing event is what led Tamara Tuller to enroll in an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree program. She was immigrating to Canada with her husband, a Canadian, who owns a fishing resort there. “I wanted my education to be on par with the standards for registered nurses in British Columbia,” Tamara said.

Tamara chose to earn her bachelors degree from Indiana State University with help from The College Network, and she admits she was nervous about online education. “It was very hard to do my classes online at first because I was so computer illiterate when I started, but I figured it out. Then I really appreciated the flexibility it provided. I could even go to British Columbia before we moved to work on finishing our house and still keep up with my lessons.”

Since earning her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree Tamara has taken on a new job that she really enjoys. To see how Tamara became successful in her online degree program, read more of her inspiring story here. If you want to speak to a Program Advisor about how The College Network can help change your life call 1-800-395-1014.

I'm Thankful For...

Thursday, November 24, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

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!

Core Values: Service

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 by Kevin Burton

The last of my look at The College Network Core Values, I'd like to blog on our commitment to service.

It is a personal goal of mine to treat others as I'd want to be treated. At The College Network, we instill that motto into all of our employees. We are devoted to respecting others, internally and externally, and strive to provide world-class service to all of our stakeholders.

As a service based company, we have many areas of interaction with our customers. As a program advisor, we serve those who are interested in enrolling and learning more about our distance nursing programs and online certificate programs. Our academic support, appointment setting, financial services, marketing, and independent program advisors also help shape all the of service departments of our company.

We're committed to providing the world class service you deserve. Feel free to call us anytime!

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

The Language of Learning

Thursday, November 3, 2011 by Tracia Fernkas

When I first started at The College Network—I must admit there was a bit of a language barrier. And, probably not in the way you are thinking; so many of the terms and abbreviations were ones that I had never heard before. I was able to understand the terminology only after I studied about the online programs offered, and how our customers learned the materials.

I approached my new job like a class. I researched terms, their significance and meaning, in order to give myself a foundation. As a marketing person, I cannot speak to others about that which I don’t understand. Some of my questions were: What exactly is Lean Six Sigma? Bloom’s Taxonomy? Who knew that I was an auditory learner? And, I had never heard the word asynchronous before.

A vast majority of information came from The College Network’s online Resource Center. In the Center for Learning Empowerment, I was able to learn about Bloom’s Taxonomy, defined as a classification of learning objectives within education. I also took a short quiz to find out that I am an auditory learner. And well, asynchronous is a student-centered teaching method that uses online learning resources (comprehensive learning modules) and is for example, self-paced.

The easiest way for me to understand more about Lean Six Sigma was to write a blog about it—much like you would write a paper or study for an exam. I researched the definitions, history and practical applications. I was also able to speak to some of our customers who obtained their Lean Six Sigma certificate. I then sat down to write a blog, in an attempt to help others like me who needed a better understanding of it.

I like to consider myself a lifelong learner. I truly enjoy the process of learning. While I am not in a position where I have to take exams, I do have to be able to be an expert in my field. This time that you spend right now in your Associate of Science in Nursing program, BS in Nursing program, or in your certificate program is adding to your foundation and making you a stronger, smarter person. It isn’t just about the material; it’s about how you use it.

Improve Today For A Healthy Future

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 by Landon Jones

Today is the day that you begin the steps toward improving your life and reaching your goals. Don't hold back, say it out loud--lets say it together, "Today is the day that I begin to change my life for the better. Today is the day that I begin to plan my future, and step one is going back to school."

Your pet, relative, spouse, or co-worker has just heard you say this out loud and now they're thinking the same thing and you've started something revolutionary--you've improved upon yourself and your surrounding. If you're reading this, that means you started the process of receiving your nursing degree through our distance nursing programs.

Here comes the doubt--"How will I afford it?"; previously we talked about support through grants and scholarships to help you. It's also important for me to point out to you that we offer programs that allow you to achieve higher education online--so worrying about missing class or finding gas money is no longer an issue.

Imagine a year or two from now as you finish your rounds and send a patient on his or her way, you're at your locker getting ready to go home and when you close your locker door behind your name is 'RN'. That didn't happen because of magic, you became a RN because you refused to take no for an answer. Feel free to look around on our website and when you're ready, feel free to give me a call at 1-800-378-8515 (ext 2643) so we can make your future one that you can be proud of.

Earn Your Degree from Anywhere

Friday, October 7, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

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.

Defying Reality

Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Landon Jones

The desire to go back to school is easier said than done in some instances. Growing up I had limited educational options presented to me, but you would not have known considering my upbringing. I remember being six years old talking with my father about my career aspirations:

Dad: What do you want to be when you grown up?
Six year old me: A CARTOONIST!
Dad: How will you become a cartoonist?
Six year old me: Drawing all the time!
Dad: What school will you go to become a better artist?
Six year old me: Hillman College!

You see I thought Hillman College was a real school located somewhere in a far away land. What I didn't know is that Hillman College was a college created by the television writers for A Different World. My father and my family were proud that I had my mind set on college at such a young age because where I grew up I didn't come across too many college graduates. Neither did my classmates as I transitioned from year to year. There are literally a handful of my family members who have gone to and completed a undergraduate education, not because they didn't want to--the tools and resources provided to them were scarce and as they grew older so did their responsibilities.

I found an article recently that covers why so many adults have difficulty finishing their undergraduate education. The stories were very similar to the LPNs, RNs, and Paramedics who, at one point, were enrolled in a school with the intent of having a degree in advanced nursing education and how it was difficult for them to complete it. Some stopped after having children and pursuing families, stopped halfway through and decided on receiving their LPN license, or couldn't afford to go back.

Written by Jorge Rivas, this article shows that in a study conducted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 75% of the college population were attending school part-time while juggling families and careers and 25% of the college population were in school full-time. Those who are in school part time are still not graduating even if they take a longer amount of time to do so.

http://colorlines.com/assets_c/2011/09/college-part-times-whogetscounted-4278.html

Even worse is students who are enrolled part-time are not documented by the Federal Government, so that means that there are no programs designed to improve part-time students retention rates by the government.

The study offers solutions like fixed schedules that appeal to students' jobs, allowing a fast track program and shorter class times that have students receiving their degrees at a faster pace, and classes that offer review but aren't the premise of the entire course.

The College Network immediately came to mind because the study recommended online programs as a solution as well. Generally, people believe that sitting in a classroom increases their chances of completing a nursing program but that's not always true--especially if you believe that a teacher will hold you accountable for for being done. The reason why The College Network offers online nursing programs is so that those health care professionals seeking a degree from top nursing schools can receive their degree at their own pace while juggling responsibilities.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator

Remembering 9/11

Sunday, September 11, 2011 by Kevin Burton

As I sit here and ponder what to write about, the only thing that comes to mind is the events that took place exactly 10 years ago, today. So today, I'll take a break from talking about higher education online programs through The College Network.

It is no doubt that September 11, 2001 changed the lives of people across our country, and today is about giving thanks to those folks who were so courageous on that day 10 years ago. A common theme I've seen throughout the past week is people remembering what they did on that fateful day. Where were you?

I was a young, first-year student at Purdue University. I was in a computer lab for one of my classes, and in came running a teaching assistant for our class exclaiming a plane had hit the World Trade Center in New York City. The first thing I remember is panicking and trying to look at the news online. For some reason, I knew something strange was happening. So along with others, we left the class early to go investigate what had happened. As soon as I arrived in my dorm room, I turned on the TV and right away saw the second tower hit with another jet. To this day, that may be the scariest image I've seen in my whole life. Watching the rest of the events unfold that day were nerve-wrecking, and something I'll never forget. The rest of the day, campus felt like a ghost town. I remember the dining hall being eerily quiet for dinner that night. The only conversations uttered were based upon the events of the day. Everyone was in shock. I'll never forget 9/11/01.

Again, I want to send out well-wishes, thanks, and support to all Americans whose lives were effected in any way, shape or form through September 11. And of course, thank you to our Armed Forces who protect our freedoms across the globe. Also, a special thanks to one of my best friends, who is a Naval nurse stationed in Sicily, Italy. Thanks buddy - thinking of you today.

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

Change Is Coming for Illinois Nursing Home Patients, and Nurses In Turn

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 by Charles Fox

The recent decision of a class-action discrimination lawsuit relating to the Americans with Disabilities act in Cook County, Illinois marks the end of some 20,000 physically and mentally disabled people's lack of decision making power in regards to where they live. Previously, people in Cook County who were unable to afford housing or care on their own were forced into state-run nursing homes. They will now have a choice, and the State of Illinois will help them to pay for housing in the community and in-home caregivers, according to an article in the Daily Herald.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is quoted as saying, “(It) responds to the aspirations of those who want to live more independent, productive and fulfilling lives in community and home-based settings. For many people with disabilities, institutionalization is unnecessary and unwanted, and these settlements will help us continue to move in the right direction on community and home-based care.”

The change for patients means a change for nurses, as well. Many of our customers here at The College Network are nurses who work either in home-based care or at nursing homes. The increased choice this will afford nurses in determining the course of their careers, and providing more fulfilling lives to patients at the same time, is truly an exciting opportunity. If you are in Illinois and you are considering becoming a nurse, research The College Network and learn more about higher education online, including ways to obtain a convenient RN License. A rewarding career awaits!

Nurse earns masters degree at her own pace

Monday, July 4, 2011 by TCN Success

“I wanted to provide a strong foundation to pursue leadership positions,” Tammy Simon said of her decision to enroll in the Regis University Master of Science in Nursing degree program with help from The College Network™.

The flexibility of a self-paced online degree program is what made going back to school possible for Tammy. “I found it practical for me. Working full time and having a family made it difficult to travel. The College Network removed the time and travel barriers,” she explained.

Tammy doesn’t regret her choice to pursue her education through distance learning. “I feel this program is very comprehensive and allows the adult learner to perform at a level where he or she feels comfortable. In addition to easy class access, I didn’t need to wait for the next class. I think this is an excellent program. It is especially great for students living in rural areas with very little advanced degree opportunities within a close driving distance. I highly recommend The College Network,” she said.

Ready more of Tammy Simon's success story or call 1-800-395-1014 for more information.