Online Degrees from Leading Universities

6 Is A Magic Number

Saturday, April 7, 2012 by Tracia Fernkas

Let's talk about the number 6. It's my lucky number. But it's also much more than that. Here are some very interesting facts about the number 6.

Did you know?

6 is the smallest perfect number.
6 is the atomic number of carbon.
The cells of a beehive honeycomb are 6-sided.
There are 6 strings on a standard guitar.
LeBron James wears the number 6 on his jersey.
Every Braille cell is made up of 6 dots.
John Quincy Adams was the 6th president of the United States.
Insects have 6 legs.
6 points are scored for a touchdown.
The standard term of office for a United States senator is 6 years.
It is said that there are no more than 6 degrees of separation between any two people on Earth.

So, why bring up the number 6? Did you know that with our EARN program, when you refer 6 people to The College Network who enroll into a degree program, we will pay for your remaining TCN loan balance? It doesn't matter if you are currently obtaining your Associate Degree in Nursing, Bachelors in Business, or any other degree offered through The College Network and our leading university affiliates online--you can take advantage of the EARN program.

Here's how it works. When you refer someone to The College Network and they become a customer, you receive $200 for that referral after 90 days from when they started in their program. Then you continue to receive $200 for each referral you make after that. If you add it up, 5 referrals=$1,000. Then when you reach your 6th referral TCN will pay for your remaining contract portion of your program. Or if you have already paid for your program in full, we will pay for 75% of your contract amount. Pretty amazing, isn't it? Click here to review the full program guidelines.

Take advantage of the EARN program and you'll see why 6 is a magic number too. (And, you can still refer someone after your program is paid for and continue to EARN $200 for each referral.) If you're ready to start adding up your referrals, feel free to contact me at 317-566-2647 or email at tfernkas@collegenetwork.com.

Earn Your Nursing Degree With No Waiting List!

Sunday, April 1, 2012 by Melissa Gardiner

You may have heard about the nursing student education dilemma that's currently happening in the U.S. There are more student's applying to nursing programs at brick and mortar schools than these institutions can accommodate. As a result, many of the students are getting turned away.

Did you know that with The College Network's distance nursing programs, you can begin working towards your degree whenever you are ready? That's right, with our nursing programs from leading universities there is never a waiting list to get started!

Once you enroll, you can complete your degree in as little or as much time as you like. Our online nursing programs are designed with you in mind, and with the understanding that life happens. You should be able to earn your degree on your own time, and with our programs that's exactly what you can do.

We offer fully accredited online Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's in Nursing degrees from top nursing schools. If you would like to learn more, visit our web site or call and speak to one of our Program Advisors at 1-800-395-1014.

Adult Learners--Know Thyself

Friday, March 23, 2012 by Tracia Fernkas

Did you know that as an adult learner, the way you learn is completely different from how it was when you were younger? If you are like me, you never thought about it before--but it makes sense. When you are in grade school, you are led by the adults around you, will most likely accept information without questioning it and are more subject-oriented.

Dr. Malcolm Knowles developed the concept of andragogy to describe adult learning styles specific to adults. Adults are more results oriented, self-directed and usually prefer to try out new information before accepting it. They also seek out education that relates or applies specifically to their needs--that is timely and appropriate for their current lives.

At The College Network, we help adult learners find what educational needs they have and help them reach their goals by earning an online degree from leading universities. But, you as the adult learner have to take ownership of your program and know that it is going to be your responsibility to move through your program. Self-paced and self-directed means that we can be here when you need motivation, need help with a module or have a question about your degree; but you have to be the one that is studying.

And we also know that as an adult learner, you most likely have a job where you work 35 or more hours a week and a family. We understand that it is going to be a big commitment to earn your degree. But, you can do it. We have the tools that you need to be successful, including a learning styles assessment that will further help you know the best way for you to understand material as you study.

So, become an adult learner! Call us at 800-39-LEARN.

Woman has success with online nursing degree program

Saturday, February 11, 2012 by TCN Success

“I have always wanted to be an RN,” says Alecia Howard, who is a customer of The College Network and working toward her Associate of Science in Nursing degree program. For Alecia, earning an advanced degree means increasing her knowledge base as well as her earning potential, but her biggest inspiration is her family.

“I needed to secure our future a little better,” says Alecia. “Our kids like seeing me study because they see that grown ups have to study to learn too. They do not whine about doing their homework anymore because they know that even adults do things that they don’t want to.”

Part of Alecia’s recipe for success in the program is finding the right balance between studying and her other responsibilities. By doing this, Alecia doesn't have to sacrifice work or family time.

Read more of Alecia's success story, or call 1-800-395-1014 to find out more about convenient online degree programs that can be earned from leading universities with the help of The College Network.

Wanted: New RNs

Sunday, January 29, 2012 by Kevin Burton

During my usual morning routine while reading the news online, I came across this article that made me stop. Titled, "10 Hot Careers for 2012 - And Beyond," it takes a look at fields that are in need of more qualified employees. Not surprisingly, #2 on the list is healthcare professionals. Take a look at this link.

As you can see, with an average salary of over $64,000 per year, the U.S. will be in need of 103,900 RNs PER YEAR. So for all you LPNs, LVNs, and Paramedics out there wanting to boost your career, receive a pay raise and a steady job, look no further than the advanced nursing education provided by The College Network and leading universities. We can take you from your LPN/LVN/Paramedic to your associate degree in nursing or BS in Nursing degree and have you earn the RN money and stability you're looking for. Give us a call today!

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

Setting the Bar

Friday, January 13, 2012 by Ein Peck

As many of you already know, a new year is a time for new promises. Each year, many people (myself included) set goals or resolutions for themselves which can oftentimes be very unrealistic.

"In 2012 I vow to lose 3000 lbs"
"In 2012 I vow to win the lottery"
"In 2012 I vow to stop watching Jersey Shore"

These goals oftentimes lead to disappointment in one's self at a later date. Hopefully their goals last longer than a month, but some don't even make it past January before they are back to Jersey Shore's GTL routine (Gym, Tan, Laundry).

When I see people (friends & family included) fall short of their goal, even I sometimes feel sorry for them. Why would you set these ridiculous goals for yourself that you would never have a chance of sticking to?

"Okay Ein, what's your point?"

My point is that you don't have to fail in your goals. Start by making your goals realistic in the first place.

"Okay, well how do I do that?"

Let me explain.

Sure, it's easy to want to lose weight but how should you go about it? In a goal like weight loss, your best option is to start small. If you live on fast food, make an attempt to switch to healthier fast food e.g. a salad or even consider not eating that "biggie sized" fry. Eventually your goal would be to cut fast food out entirely, but you MUST start small.

"So what does all this have to do with The College Network?"

The College Network offers you the opportunity to establish realistic goals. Since our online degree programs are entirely self-paced, this gives you the option to start small. Your goal shouldn't be to receive your Associate of Science in Nursing degree by tomorrow. If you are thinking small, your goal should be to establish an understanding of your keywords tomorrow.

With the help of our talented Academic Support department, you will be able to create a study plan that is customized to your schedule and your needs. We are here to help you reach your goals.

So make 2012 the last year for unfilled promises call The College Network today at 1-800-39-LEARN to learn more about our self-paced online degrees from top universities.

US Moving Towards Mandatory BSN for RNs

Friday, December 2, 2011 by Charles Fox

The United States is moving towards making it mandatory for all RNs to possess BSNs in the near future. “Research shows that there are better patient outcomes when patients are cared for by nurses with a BSN.” Pamela Brown, RN, PhD, president, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, in Quincy, Ill. The wish for Magnet status on part of healthcare institutions is another reason. Canada, Sweden, Portugal, Brazil, Iceland, Korea, Greece and the Philippines already require four year degrees for Registered Nurses.

Recently, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a study directed by University of California at San Francisco School of Nursing professor emeritus Patricia Benner, RN, PhD, FRCN, FAAN, calling for BSN as the minimum requirement for RN licensure. The Institute of Medicine also released a report, entitled “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” recommending that 80% of RNs hold BSNs by 2021. If this movement turns into legislation, it may not be the end of the road; there are also strong pushes towards skipping the BSN entirely and requiring MSNs of RNs.

Luckily, there are options. Current diploma or ASN RNs can obtain their BSN or MSN online with help from The College Network. LPNs can obtain an ASN or BSN, depending on their state of residence, with help from The College Network and then later enroll into another program to receive either a BSN or MSN. Don't wait until the law puts you out of a job; advance your nursing career today! Information appeared in an article on nurse.com.

A Little Bit of Courage...

Friday, November 18, 2011 by Bryan Curtis

This past week, I learned that a little bit of courage can go a long way. I taught a swim lesson for a seven-year-old girl who has some physical disabilities that have affected her self confidence, leading her to fear new and challenging things.

When we first got in the water several weeks ago, we stayed in the shallow end because she was afraid of being in water where she couldn't touch the bottom. As she became more comfortable in shallow water, I suggested that we try going into deeper water where she could still touch the bottom, but the water would be up to her shoulders. I was always within arms reach of her in case she got nervous, which she did, but as we progressed, I would take a couple steps farther away from her. Before she even realized it, I was a couple yards from her and she was swimming on her own. I knew she could do it on her own, she just needed someone to remind her to be confident and courageous, and she could do anything.

I think a lot of people can take a lesson from this story. Many times we forget that we are capable of great, courageous things and we sell ourselves short on the things we can do with our lives. It makes me think of all the people The College Network has helped, over 150,000; TCN exists to give people the means and the confidence necessary for them to overcome obstacles and earn online degrees from to universities.

Reconnecting Generations Through Nursing

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Landon Jones

Two months ago, my best friend gave birth to two twin boys. In the time leading up to their birth, she and her fiance were relatively calm about having two children in their home. I, on the other hand, panicked at the thought of having one child - let alone two. They are both still calm and enjoying their two boys, and I still panic whenever she and I talk on the phone about Josiah and Jonathan. I use the word panic loosely, I do get light-headed, but my best friend says she just lives day-by-day and treats each experience as a learning process.

Granted my best friend, has a sister who is a nurse and can assist her at the drop of a dime. My younger sister is graduating from nursing school next year and I know when the time comes for me to start a family, she will be there to assist my partner and I.

There are first-time mothers who don't know what to do and don't have the same personal resources afforded to them. In my effort to research health care programs that provide resources to everyday people as well as health care professionals seeking to reach out to their community, I found myself reading about the Nurse-Family Partnership.

Located in 32 states, the Nurse-Family Partnership assists first-time mothers by provided them with a nurse who assists them from their pregnancy until their child becomes two years old. The program has been successful in providing mothers with a medical resource through public health nurses and in turn reducing risk factors that come with inexperienced parenting. It's one of the many ways parenting and care for youth remains reciprocal.

When I speak with nurses about advancing their nursing education through The College Network, helping people isn't even brought up when they tell me why they want to receive a online degree through our partner universities.

It comes with the territory of being a nurse, at their core they only want to help people and ensure that they are properly certified and experienced to do so.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator

New Year's Resolution

Friday, September 16, 2011 by Landon Jones

There are three months left in this year which means many of us have three months to complete, continue, or start our 2011 New Year's Resolutions. My first resolution, this year, was to lose weight through eating proper meals and exercise. I think I did pretty good for myself considering my pants no longer fit me like skinny jeans.

My second resolution was to give back to the world in any way I could, and I think I handled that pretty well also through small deeds and through calling many people like yourself who made the resolution to continue advancing their nursing education. As the year comes to a close, I think about all the healthcare professionals I've talked to and how many of them decided to pursue their degrees through our online nursing programs from leading universities. I can't help but wonder if around this time last year they we're planning to make 2011 the year they decided to go back to school.

From my desk this year, I've personally called thousands of healthcare professionals who took the initiative to inquire about our online programs online. From that, more than 800 of you met and spoke with our Program Advisors about our nursing programs. Now let me remind you this is just from who I've spoken with this year so my colleagues in the Appointments Department have been doing the same amount of work if not more to reach many of you nationwide.

But we're not finished and neither are you. There's still three months left in this year which means you have three months to inquire about our nursing programs via our website. Even if your resolution was to begin researching schools that offer RN training or Healthcare Management, it's not too late. There is no deadline from The College Network, and there should be no deadline for you to decide when it is time to go back and receive your nursing degree.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator

Going the Distance

Thursday, September 1, 2011 by Landon Jones

After a seven-month protest, I finally decided to get cable. The first thing I watched was Toddlers and Tiaras. It's strange - I know, but everything else that was on television was either something I owned on DVD, or as my partner so eloquently put it, "WHY WOULD YOU WATCH SOMETHING THAT WE COULD WATCH ON NETFLIX!" She also pointed out how immediate everything is in our lives.

We sat in our living room with the television on, laptops open, cell phones not only presenting me with messages, but tweets also. We are in the 21st century - where a buffer queue on YouTube makes our heart stop. In this age, if we hear a song on the radio we haven't heard in a long time, we can easily go home and following an Internet search, we're listening to it. A system that places the world beneath our fingertips and connects us with our grammar school crush is sometimes taken for granted and doesn't always live up to the sharing is caring hype.

Enter the new social media tool Lift which I believe will be a way to amplify you and your passions. It's a great idea because it will be a great way for many people to finally pursue their dreams and hopefully step away from their computers and step out into the world.

I'm excited for Lift because it shares a lot of similarities and ideals we share at The College Network. Through our distance nursing programs, nurses and paramedics are able to receive degrees through online nursing programs from leading universities. Along the way, The College Network supports them as they attain higher education online through our website and a team dedicated to providing academic support. One could say we do everything we can to lift our nurses up.

It shows when I receive phone calls from people just like yourself who want to enroll in our programs because they know a colleague who became a RN or a family member encouraging them to go back to school and pick up where they left off on their road to becoming a RN.

Technology has brought us to this point where we can do it with a worldwide network of support, its time we began looking beyond the limit.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator

To Learn or not to learn?

Monday, August 8, 2011 by Bryan Curtis

"To be, or not to be - that is the question." If anyone epitomizes indecision, it's Hamlet. He has several opportunities to avenge his father's murder but never takes the initiative to do so. He waits too long and his indecisiveness eventually leads to his own downfall.

So how does this relate to learning and The College Network? We all have decisions that we have to make in our lives, whether we want to or not. It is important that we're not forced into situations that we are not in control of, including waiting to further our education.

With The College Network's distance learning programs, an individual can learn at his or her own pace - on his or her own time. Whether one is looking for one of the top online nursing programs or to earn a degree from one of the top universities, The College Network can help.

It is important with today's tough economy and job market for individuals to be as prepared as possible, and this requires individuals to make the important decision to further their education.

2012 Is Right Around The Bend

Monday, August 8, 2011 by Carla A. Downing, Ph.D.

Can you believe August has already rolled around and the start of fall semester is right around the corner? It seems like just yesterday we were all talking about our New Year’s resolutions and what we wanted to achieve this year. Now here we are, 8 months into the year with 2012 coming quickly around the bend.

All of this brought to mind some words I heard when I was a kid. I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother and her friends. I guess I was one of those kids who was a bit older than my years. Anyway, I remember one of my grandmother’s friends telling me that as we grow older time seems to go by faster. At the time this made absolutely no sense to me. The words fell on young and confused ears.

But as I grow older I’m beginning to understand. A week is still a week and has the same number of days and hours but my how they fly by now that my time is stretched between so many commitments and responsibilities. As a kid, a month used to feel more like three months; but now feels like only two weeks.

Hhhhhmmmm, a month; what could I accomplish in a month?

I recently watched this brief video of a gentleman named Matt Cutts talking for a few minutes about the value of 30 days and how he changed his life by challenging himself 30 days at a time.

Stop reading and watch the video…you won’t regret it.

...

Did you watch it?

...

What would you like to change in 30 days? Are there things you wanted to achieve this year that have fallen by the wayside?

There are still 5 months left in this year. What could you accomplish in that time? What could you do in just 30 days?

If while reading this post, or watching Matt’s talk you found yourself thinking about your educational goals and the fact that you’d like to complete an advanced nursing degree, become a BSN, or learn more about online degrees from leading universities, call The College Network (1.800. 395.1014).

Challenge yourself. Let’s see what you can accomplish before the end of 2011.

cd

The Core of Who We are

Wednesday, June 8, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

So, you've been seeing my blog posts on The College Network for the last month and a half. I've told yo

u about our online degree programs from leading universities, the benefits of online education, trends in the nursing world and so on and so forth. What I haven't told you is who we (The College Network) are as a company.

We have a list of "core values" that we as a company want to live by. Today, I thought I would share our "core values" with you so you can get to know The College Network a little better.

quality
Quality is at the forefront of all our practices.

learning
Our commitment is to cultivate and empower lifelong learners.

innovation
Information is applied in unique ways to turn thought leadership into reality.

excellence
Challenge and question the status quo with courage and have a commitment to constant process improvement.

integrity
Always doing what is right even when no one else is looking.

service
Through devotion, respect, and acknowledgment of duties, provide world class service to all TCN stakeholders.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know us! Now, we would love to get to know YOU. Call The College Network today at 1-800-395-1014.

How do nursing graduates stack up?

Thursday, May 19, 2011 by Tracia Fernkas

Only 53% of today's college graduates are working full time, with a high percentage of those working in jobs that do not require a BA or BS degree, reports the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development.  As everyone knows, these graduates are facing one of the toughest job markets in history.

In contrast, The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), conducted a national survey and it was found that 65% of new Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates had job offers upon graduation. Additionally, four to six months after graduation, the survey found that 89% of these new graduates had job offers.

What does the current jobs market look like for a Nursing graduate?  It is growing! In March of this year, between hospitals, long-term care facilities and other ambulatory care settings, over 37,000 new jobs were created. This was the largest monthly increase in any employment sector. Within the last year, 283,000 jobs have been added in the healthcare sector. (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

So, you have all the facts. There really isn't a better time than now to get the education you need to succeed.  How are you going to do that?  With The College Network, not only will you save up to 50% more than going to a traditional brick-and-mortar school, you can obtain your online nursing degree from a leading university at your own pace. You save money, have great job prospects in a growing industry, and the deep sense of fulfillment that you have positively impacted those patients you come in contact with. Carpe Diem! Call us today at 1-(800)395-1014 or click here to get started.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Nursing Career!

Thursday, May 12, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

Saturday, May 14 was opening day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway marked by a series of events leading up to the "greatest spectacle in racing:" the Indianapolis 500. This year's Indianapolis 500 is special because it marks the 100th anniversary of the event! In honor of the big anniversary, why not get a speedy start on your nursing career with help from The College Network?

Put your career in first place with an online education. The College Network partners with top universities to offer you an affordable, convenient way to get your nursing degree. With these unique online degree programs, there is no race to the finish. You set the pace for completing your courses, and if you need to make a pit stop you can.

Your ticket to a nursing education won't break the bank, either. Some of our customers save up to fifty percent from the cost of attending a campus based college program. You have the flexibility of completing your courses from home, work or wherever else you choose, eliminating the extra expense of fuel.

There really is only one thing left to say: ladies and gentlemen...Start Your Nursing Career, today! If you would like to learn more about how The College Network can help you, call one of our Program Advisors at 1-800-395-1014. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, I leave you with some fun facts:

Churchill Downs, Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, the Roman Colosseum and Vatican City all can fit inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, which covers 253 acres.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, with more than 250,000 permanent seats. If the seat boards from the grandstands were laid end-to-end, they would stretch 99.5 miles.

The first event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a helium gas-filled balloon competition on Saturday, June 5, 1909, more than two months before the oval was completed. (facts source: indianapolismotorspeedway.com)

Don't Settle for More of the Same

Friday, April 8, 2011 by Carla A. Downing, Ph.D.

So many times when we want to change where we are in life, we end up doing more of the same thing we’re already doing. I’m sure there’s a formal name for this but I generally refer to it as human nature because in most situations, people just don’t know what it is they don’t know.

The same is true when people want to improve their ability to learn. Generally, they begin by doing more of the same thing they were already doing. So, if they were already operating at the Comprehension Level they will try to comprehend more. If they have been operating at the Analysis Level they will try to analyze more. This can lead to serious frustration when the learner is exerting more effort but seeing little return on their investment from the learning perspective.

Rather than simply doing more of the same thing, learners should ask and answer the following questions to be sure they're on target.

-- What does it take to complete the assigned learning tasks?

-- At which level does the assigned learning task align with the 6 levels of learning?

-- Am I just doing more on the same level or am I improving my ability to achieve more advanced thinking/learning?

If you aren’t sure you know the answers to these questions as they relate to your education goals, call The College Network (1.800.395.1014) so that we can help you ensure that you get a great return on the time and money you invest in your education. We can help by showing you a better way to earn online degrees from top universities while becoming a more effective learner overall.

Making a difference is all that really matters!

Friday, April 8, 2011 by Cory Eyler

I read something recently that really put things into perspective, and I wanted to share it with everyone.

"An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young boy was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean. 'Why do you bother?' the old man said, 'You’re not saving enough to make a difference.' The young boy picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back into the water. 'Made a difference to that one,' he said!"

If you’re like me, you probably lose sight of the little things from time to time. I think the story above does a great job putting things into perspective because while you might spend time focusing on the greater good, you often spend less time realizing how much good you have actually done.

It’s normal to have points in your life where you feel underwhelmed with work, family, or just life in general, and it’s can be easy to get caught up in all the ridiculous stuff going on around the world. Unfortunately, people tend to hang on to the not so positive things that happen on a day-to-day basis but I encourage you to see through the nonsense and focus on the things you do that really make a difference.

The College Network cares about helping nurses in a way you might not expect... We provide a way for you to get the education you need in order to gain job opportunities, provide better care for your patients, or even change your life. We believe that education can be achieved regardless of your situation, and we will do everything in our power to offer inexpensive nursing degrees from leading universities that can be earned conveniently online.

For more information about the programs available, please contact us at 1-800-395-1014 or request more information online.

Limitless

Friday, March 25, 2011 by Burt Rosenthal

I recently saw a movie that made me think of The College Network. The movie, Limitless, is about a guy going nowhere who finds a pill that makes him instantly smart and successful.

We all know this is just a movie, but some people expect to this type of thing to happen when they sign up for an online degree program. However, in order to achieve your goals and dreams, you need to work and fight through your hesitations to make your efforts result in success, both professionally and personally.

In reality, almost everything worth having requires effort. I constantly work at my 29+ year marriage, and I work hard to make myself a more knowledgeable and helpful Program Advisor. I would love to find a pill that I could take to just make things happen but we all know that this is not reality - at least not yet.

The College Network offers a way to earn online degree programs from leading universities. These program are not necessarily "easy", but they are convenient. We provide the tools to get the job done, but our customers need to use those tools, and do the work required to earn their degree!

The feeling of achieving your goals and extending yourself to become successful is one of the most gratifying feelings you can have as you pursue new goals and aspirations. Now is the time to make your dreams come true... don’t wait for the “pill” to make things happen!

Your Program Advisor, Burt Rosenthal

Please reach me at 1-800-378-8515, Extension 4738 for more information. Have a good day!

EARN it! App from The College Network

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 by Lindsay Schmitt

The College Network is excited to announce the development of our first mobile App available for both iPhone® and Android®! Now you can view our company blog, make referrals, and learn more about The College Network from your phone with our free "EARN it!" App.

For iPhone®:
Search "EARN it!" in the App Store® to download the application for yourself.

For Android®:
Search "EARN it!" in your Android Market® to download this free App today.

This App provides an additional way to view our blog! Read inspiring stories of customers and company news to help you make the decision to earn your degree or stay motivated as you progress through your program.

We are extremely excited about this new development, and we wanted to share the good news with you. Download the "EARN it!" App free today!

For more information about earning your online degree from a leading university or programs available, contact The College Network online or call 1-800-395-1014 today.