Registered Nurse Education

The National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses (NFLPN) has partnered with The College Network to offer LPNs and LVNs opportunities to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing which will provide the education needed to sit for RN licensure.

As an LPN, you don't have to choose between your career and furthering your education. We make it possible to work and earn your degree at the same time. You can begin today and move at your own pace, setting your study schedule around the things that are important to you.

You may have even encountered the long waiting lists that many people find themselves on before they can enter nursing school. The College Network has designed an online learning environment exclusively for NFLPN members, and you can begin working toward your advanced nursing degree as soon as you're ready - there is no wait list.

 

Register for our free informational webinar on Wednesday May 23, 2012 at 6pm ET. 

We'll be speaking with NFLPN president, and current customer of The College Network, Ottamissiah (Missy) Moore about the role education will play in the future of nursing and her experiences with The College Network's programs.

While you can listen in on the webinar for more information, you must be an NFLPN member to take advantage of the NFLPN University learning environment. To learn more about the NFLPN and the benefits of membership, visit www.nflpn.org. 

There is quite a bit of data out there that shows that the healthcare field is one that is not only stable, but one that is growing.  And while you might be interested in working in this field, you don't feel that becoming a registered nurse would be a good fit for you.

Have you considered a Medical or Health Services Manager?  As a manager, you plan direct and coordinate medical and health services.  You might manage an entire facility or a specific clinical area or department.  Some also manage practices for groups of physicians.  

And while the majority of these jobs are located in a hospital setting, you can also work in long term healthcare facilities or even insurance companies.   You will be working with physicians and surgeons, registered nurses and possibly medical and clinical laboratory technicians.  

So, what is entailed in becoming a Health Services Manager?  You can work through The College Network to obtain your Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Regis University.  Because of the convenience of an online education, you can continue to work and gain professional experience at the same time.

This program also requires an internship at an approved health care facility of your choice.  When you graduate with your Bachelor's degree, you will have practical experience and the comparative knowledge that you need to be successful.  There are many exciting options available to you with your degree.

Please reach out to us today at (800) 39-LEARN to find out more about your future in Healthcare Administration.   

I have been speaking to nurses this week to help write success stories for those that have earned their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degrees.  These nurses are graduating with degrees from Regis University.  

One of the nurses I spoke with had been a registered nurse for 20 years and never planned to go back to school.  She worked in a hospital and was on the floor, taking care of patients.  Her employer came to her and offered her a new position that required her to have her master's degree.   She took the new job but it was contingent upon her obtaining her degree.  

Once she enrolled, she was very surprised to learn how much she loved learning and how many doors it opened up for her personally and professionally.  In fact she enjoyed the experience so much, she is moving forward to start on her doctorate in the fall.  

Not to say it wasn't hard.  She will be the first to tell you that she worked full time while earning her degree and had to find time to study and stay motivated.  But, it is definitely achievable.  She will proudly walk across that stage in Denver, Colorado at Regis University to receive her diploma.  

Wherever you are in your career and education, we may be able to help you move to the next level.  At The College Network, we work with nurses who are just starting their careers and those that are established and want to take on new challenges.  With some hard work and dedication, you too can look forward to walking across the stage, being handed your diploma and starting the new chapter in your life.  Call us today at (800) 39-LEARN, and we'll help you get there.  

There is a great debate between those who see the value of a college degree and those that feel you will never get your money's worth by having your degree.  It is an ongoing discussion, but here are some facts and opinions about having a college degree.

If you look simply at your earning potential by having a degree, the median weekly salary for someone with a college degree is $1053 versus someone with some college but no degree as $719.  If you add that up, there is a difference of almost $17,000 a year.  You also have to keep in mind that you will probably have better benefits offered to you in a salaried position.  

Unemployment has been high in the last couple of years as we all know.  If you look at the difference between someone with a degree, the more educated you are the lower the employment rate, and someone with a diploma you will also see that having an education does help.  If you look at the chart below from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you will see both points illustrated.  

At The College Network, we can help you with your online education so you can gain your degree.  Whether you are pursuing your Bachelor's, Associate's or continuing your education by obtaining a professional certificate.  We offer you so many options.  You can graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Bellevue University, or become a registered nurse with your Associate of Science in Nursing.  You can even become a certified Project Management Professional. 

The truth is that with a college education, you are going to have more options.  To me, it really doesn't seem like there is much a debate.  So, call us today at (800) 39-LEARN to find out more about how to earn your degree.  

 

Setting your sights on becoming a CRNA, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, is another great reason to become an RN. CNRAs typically earn $150,000 and up per year due to their specialized training. "The cost of educating and training a nurse anesthetist is a fraction of the cost of educating an anesthesiologist and they provide the same safe care," said attorney Philip Recht, quoted in a recent article. The expanded role of trained "advanced-practice nurses," he said, is part of modern medicine's effort to "provide more services more cost effectively."

CRNA is the oldest nursing specialty, with 150 years of history in the USA. The CRNA role is becoming increasingly important as cost-effectiveness becomes a constant buzz word in the healthcare industry. There are currently about 40,000 nurse anesthetists in the USA.

 

A recent article in the Herald-Tribune addressed a forecast for the upcoming Florida nursing shortage. "A workforce survey by the Florida Center for Nursing shows that vacancies and turnover began to accelerate in 2011 after a four-year slide. The nonprofit center predicts that Florida will run short of registered nurses by 11,000 openings in 2015 — and by 50,000 in 2025."

A recent article from marketwatch.com stated, "With more than three million nurse professionals in the United States alone, nursing is the largest segment of the healthcare industry and touches every facet of care from the doctor's office to home care to hospitals." With all of the praise that doctors and physicians receive for all of their hard work, it's easy to forget the significant influence nurses have in the healthcare field.

With the advent of improved healthcare technology, the expanding role of the registered nurse has become essential to the functionality of any hospital. "Nurses have been championing quality-of-care improvements, spearheading research innovation, advocating for patient rights and generally challenging the status quo. Simply put, their impact has been enormous and will continue to be so over the coming decades." 

If you're considering the field of nursing, there has never been a better time to obtain the education and training necessary. There are myriad nursing schools and online degree programs to accommodate just about anyone's schedule, but there is only one that combines online, self-paced learning with online degrees from top universities.

Since 1992, The College Network has helped hundreds of thousands of people earn certificates and degrees, including thousands of people who wanted to earn or further their nursing degrees. Visit The College Network's web site to learn more and begin the journey to becoming a registered nurse.

 

 

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

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

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

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

source: www.nasbhc.org

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

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

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

The main responsibilities of a school nurse include:

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

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

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

For those of you who are established in your career, the idea of continuing your education can be something that you might not see the importance of pursuing. You have experience and years on the job.  But, did you know that 31 states require registered nurses to obtain continuing education in order to keep their license current. You can click here to see a full state list.

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

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

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

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

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

Nebraska has been short on nurses for decades, but that situation is being exacerbated by the state's aging population and thus its increasing need for nurses. Furthermore, qualified applicants are being turned away from local nursing programs due to a lack of nurse educators. 73 out of 93 Nebraska counties have fewer nurses than the national standard, according to Juliann Sebastian, Dean of University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, quoted in an article on JournalStar.com. The Nebraska Center for Nursing projects the shortage as totaling 5,581 nurses in the next nine years. Despite these numbers, employment of RNs is expected to rise 24% in the next seven years. 

Nebraska hopes to strengthen and expand its nursing education programs, but at this time capacity issues shut out qualified candidates. Why wait around for changes that might occur? 50% of Nebraska Registered Nurses hold BSNs and 5.3% hold MSNs or doctorates. You can join the gainfully employed group of Nebraska RNs and/or find yourself in the minority of those with higher degrees by enrolling today in one of The College Network's nursing programs from regionally accredited universities recognized by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing.  If you are an LPN or RN in Nebraska looking to increase your education and further your career, call me today at 1.800.378.8515 ext 4768.  

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.

Everyone has a story about how they decided to become a nurse, but here is one that caught my eye on Nurse.com:  Trinitas Regional Medical Center of Elizabeth, New Jersey has utilized the format of a summer day camp in order to show high school students the merits of a career in nursing.  The week-long camp allowed students to shadow nurses, observe patient care, visit various areas of the hospital, and learn preliminary facts about the medical field. The program is entering its fourth year.

It is exciting to see high school students consider nursing education programs.  Becoming a registered nurse is a very practical goal in today's economy considering the projected growth for nursing.  Being able to see what nursing is like in a real-time, hands-on environment certainly places students who attended the camp a step ahead in considering their future careers.

If you live in Union County, New Jersey and you have a high school student who has an interest in the nursing field, information about the camp can be obtained by calling Lisa Liss, Director of Volunteer Services, at 908-994-5164.  More information is also available online.

According to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal, Akron General Medical Center has announced that it is cutting 70 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) positions, and filling the spots with Registered Nurses.  All of the jobs that were lost were in inpatient care, which will now be exclusively staffed by RNs. There remain 82 LPNs on the Akron General Medical Center payroll, but all of them are in outpatient care and other areas.  There are a total of 1,005 registered nurses working at the hospital, and more will be hired.

If you are a LPN in Ohio, we can help!  Becoming a RN is no longer just about increased salary and responsibility, it is about increased job security.  Obtain a convenient RN License through an Associate Degree of Nursing or LPN to BS in Nursing online.  In a rapidly changing job market that is leaving many LPNs unemployed, The College Network is stepping up to provide a convenient transition to RN status.  Don't wait until it's too late---invest in your education and your career today!

Quality patient care. Nursing excellence. Innovative professional nursing practice. Magnet Status-is this something your hospital is trying to achieve?

Magnet Status is one of the highest recognitions of nursing excellence a hospital can be awarded. This program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and provides consumers with information on the quality of care they can expect to receive. 

Magnet Status is not just awarded to any hospital that applies. Your organization must meet over 65 standards developed by the ANCC which must be detailed in extensive written documentation and validated by a site visit.

Did you know there are education requirements that must be met before applying for Magnet Status? In fact, if you visit the Magnet Recognition website, the education requirements are the number one subject in the list of FAQs. 

We here in the state of Indiana were stunned last Saturday evening when a stage collapsed at our state fair, killing five people and injuring dozens more.  It was horrific to watch and surreal to think something like that could happen.  We learned in the days that followed that the nation shared in our grief and shock.

Amidst the devastation, came images of people running towards the stage to help those that were trapped and those that needed medical help.  They did not think about potential injury to themselves, but were only concerned with other people.

I saw a news story about a nurse and doctor who were at the concert and when the tragedy struck, they went to work.  A nurse took care of a three year old girl whose arm and leg were injured, a doctor stepped in to try and stabilize people until paramedics could reach them.

You see pictures of those nurses, doctors, EMTs and paramedics, calmly helping people and doing what they could to provide care.  While I have certainly thought it before—this event made me more thankful for them and the fact that they run towards trouble, not away from it. 

If you are one of those people, know that you have my appreciation.   At The College Network one of the things we do is to help those that want to move forward in their education and become a Registered Nurse, obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing or receive an MS in Nursing degree.  You can find out more about what we do and how we can assist you obtaining your degree by visiting our website www.collegenetwork.com.  

My Name is Maykel Verdecia Alonso. I studied registered nursing in Cuba for 5 years (from 1996 to 2001). Before taking the national state licensing exam, I legally migrated to the United States as a refugee. The reason why I did not take the national licensing exam in Cuba was because I was afraid that I was not going to be able to leave the country (the Cuban government, in order to avoid professionals leaving the country, has dictated laws that prohibit graduated students from leaving unless they spend 3-5 years performing social services). Since I had the urgency to leave the country, I decided to voluntary drop out of school and immigrate to the USA.

Soon after I arrived in the United States, I went to City College of San Francisco to learn English as second language. I discovered that City College also had an LVN refresher program for foreign nurses, so I enrolled in that to become a licensed nurse and apply to the CA-LVN Board. My hopes to be a nurse started to become a reality; even though, I was considered to be a drop off nursing student-immigrant from Cuba.

Soon after a fully credentialed evaluation and completion of the LVN refresher program, the LVN Board granted me the authorization to take the licensing exam. Since 2001 I have been working as an LVN in the United States.

When I felt confident working as a nurse, learned more about US law, rules and regulation, and gained more skills following policies and procedures; I decided to apply to the RN Board. Soon after I applied, the CA RN Board wanted my official transcripts from Cuba again (Cuban transcripts are to be use in Cuba National territory ONLY unless they are released by the government). After waiting a response from Cuba for several years, my immigration status in the US, Cuba-USA embargo, and after I realized that everywhere I go, institutions would request official transcripts, I decided to go back to school and retake all the classes I took for nursing in Cuba.

Since City College of Saint Francisco was the first institution that I enrolled in when arrived to the United States, I decided to complete my general education with them, and I have earned more than 80 units of general education. It is time for me to pursue my educational goal in this country, which is why I have applied to Indiana State University (ISU) to hopefully get into their LVN to BSN program.

Before I enroll into ISU, I first need to pass the ISU pre-exams which educational materials and preparation is offered by The College Network. Thanks to the excellent customer services of College Network and the excellent study materials offered, I already completed two of the pre-requisite exams needed for the LVN to BSN program of ISU.

Thanks to The College Network, Indiana State University and City College of San Francisco for allowing me to pursue higher education. I had to struggle with the political struggles between US and Cuba but it does not mean that I will not pursue my educational goal which is to become a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

As of today, I have an LVN license granted by the CA-LVN Board, I have 80 units of general education earned at CCSF, I have eight years of experience as an LVN, I have successfully completed the joint LVN-refresher refresher training program for foreign and American nurses, which is equivalent to two hundred twenty hours of nursing theory at CCSF, and 360 hours of laboratory and clinical practice in medical surgical nursing at St. Francis Hospital, General Hospital, and leadership / skilled nursing at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center; thus, 5 years of nursing education in Cuba, whose courses and grades were officially evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.

I would imagine there are other foreign trained nurses like me that would like to go back to school and that are not able to get their documents from their home countries (i.e. the school has closed, has changed name, has burned down during the war, are not politically related with this country, or simply are not willing to produce this type of document). For them, I would like to share my nursing experience.

Name: Maykel Verdecia
From: California

Most of us have heard of the nursing shortage "crisis" by now.  The word crisis clarifies the impact this has on our nation.  Many people blame the shortage on the current state of the economy which could force health care facilities to make budget cuts, ultimately resulting in layoffs.  While this may be a factor in the nursing shortage crisis, there's another issue I see at hand; a shortage of people enrolling in nursing programs.

The College Network offers online degrees from top universities, because we understand the consequences this shortage of nurses has on the quality of care for patients.  For example, infections are thought to be the cause of nearly 400,000 nursing home deaths per year in the U.S., and studies show that this could largely be due to a lack of LPNs and RNs working in the facilities.  If there is a shortage of nurses, there is a shortage of patient care.  Simple supply vs. demand; in this case the demand for nurses is greater than the supply of nurses.

There is definitely a high demand for nurses, especially RNs.  37,000 new hospital, long-term health care and ambulatory service jobs were added in March of this year, and it is expected that RNs will be recruited to fill the majority of these positions.

So, what does this mean for you?  It means there has never been a better time than now to sign up for Registered Nurses programs!  The College Network's unique online nursing programs make it convenient AND more affordable for you.  You set your own pace for completing your courses, and in most cases our customers save up to 50% over traditional campus-based college degree programs.  Our team of Academic Advisors will assist you throughout your education journey with quality academic counseling, transcript evaluations and ongoing follow-up.  

Think how awesome a world filled with more nurses will be!  Together, we can partner to make this happen.  

The question that comes to mind is who is a nurse? In the first place a nurse is a highly trained and skilled professional who cares for the sick and the infirm. A nurse helps to educate the patients in issues of healthy living “wellness” as well as any current or chronic disease process and treatment. A nurse performs treatments and procedures prescribed by physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Nurses need to have great compassion for their fellow human beings. They have to have good communication skills in both listening as well as speaking. Nurses need to be patient and they often have to have a thick skin.

So nursing is a health care profession focused on the care of individuals, families and communities so that they can attain and maintain optimal health and quality of life from conception to death. Nursing as l am seeing it, is a career that should comes from the heart, and not what others should force some one to do, nor entered as a result of making money because nursing is a career that need compassion and patience and accept those they are caring for as they are. I believe that those who make decisions to become nurses need to have the above qualities.

As I was asked to tell my story and at the same time, why I am a nurse? I was born and raised in Nigeria where every one cares for one of another. Then now, I am currently a nursing assistant at one of the nursing homes in New York and still aiming to become a registered nurse, which I believe to be my goal since my childhood.

For example, when I was in primary school, my teacher asked the students to write a composition, on what we would like to be in future or our goals. What I wrote was that, my goal was to become a nursing sister, in order to take care of the poor, the needy, the aged, and the neglected. In this case, after my school, I entered the convent where I spent some years and became a professed nun. After that, I was asked by my superior general to go home to spend two weeks with my parents for my holidays and come back to the generalate house, so that I could start my mission work.

After my holiday, as I was heading back the generalate house, behold there was an auto accident right in front of me. At that moment, I told the driver to stop so that I could help the pregnant woman that was lying by the side of the road. Then, I begged the driver to help me to take the woman to a nearby hospital, the man asked me whether I knew the woman, and I said ‘’no’’, he asked who is going to pay if we drop her in the hospital. I told the man that I will pay him, and for the woman I will contact the family then, both of us left for the hospital, where I met a very compassionate nurse who took care of the woman immediately, then, I told the nurses to contact the family for I do not know her background.

This story was narrated to my superior general, and she said to me, “do you know that you have started your mission work?” I said I hope so. After three days I went to the hospital to see the pregnant woman, but found her with a baby boy. It was during this incident I made my final decision to become a nurse. Moreover, whenever I see people on the streets begging for money, just to get their daily bread, I feel very sorry for them, always want to help them yet I did not know how since I was not a nurse, but some times I give them the little, money that I have. In fact, all these have made me to realize that health care is truly the right path for me. However, moving over to the United States of America taught me the methodology I should take to help these kinds of people who are in great need of health services.

In other words, with my experience as nursing assistant since I came to the Unite States of America, with good equipment for health care services and the books which I have been reading from The College Network for nursing, had made me to be more aware of the situation and the scope of practice I should perform when I become a fully registered nurse. I believe that it is my goal to have this accomplished. I know that I could do my part, then, my experience of those who are handicapped, who lack good health care gave me more than the desire to become a nurse. In fact, it gave me the passion and determination to achieve my life ambition.

I believe that compassion and determination are some of the important attributes of a nurse. Let me give another incident that happened when I was having a service in the church here in New York, where a 76 year old parishioner fell down from his seat. On observing that, immediately I ran to help him, while the people around felt afraid to touch him. When I came to the scene, everybody was confused for nobody knew exactly what to do. I wanted to help but for the fact that I lack experience, I could not do anything for this man. From then I said that I will be a nurse. Immediately I told one of the sisters to call 911. Then, immediately when the 911 arrived I showed them the man and they took him away. I felt bad that I could not offer something meaningful.

My sister who is a nursing assistant, her stories from the hospital inspired me and convinced me that nursing is truly for me. The feeling of giving yourself to a stranger in their great time of need is like no other feeling on earth. I am very willing to care for someone who is unable to care for himself or herself. I truly believe that I am called to become a nurse. I am honest and open to communicate, and these qualities or attributes have helped me to interact with not only the patients but also their family members. The words I used, my actions, and my attitudes can help other human beings to get healed and that is something that I will remember all through my life.

However, learning something new everyday motives me to becoming a nurse, and as a nurse to make a difference in the lives of the people that are unable to help themselves. Also, nurses care for individuals of all ages and cultural backgrounds, who are healthy and ill in a holistic manner based on the individual’s physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of the people. Thank you very much for making the time to read my essay.

Name: Marynnamdi Chukwu
From: New York