Registered Nurse Program

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.   

There are many reports that talk about the increasing need for registered nurses.  With the aging baby boomer population, planning for changing healthcare needs will be at the forefront of hospitals and providers across the country.

The registered nursing field is going to grow by 26% by 2020.  If you break that down, it means that there are currently 2,737,400 jobs for registered nurses in the United States.  And, by 2020, that number will be 3,449,300, showing an increase of 711,900.  In comparison to other occupations that are growing by 14%, this field is far and away one that is at the top percentage of growth.  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Registered Nurses) 

So, let's talk about pay.  Registered nurses, on average, make $64,690 a year. When you compare nursing to other occupations that have an average salary of $33,840,  you can see that becoming a registered nurse will offer you a secure, comfortable future.  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, Occupational Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Registered Nurses)  

You can easily plan to be a part of the 3,449,300 working registered nurses.  There really is not a better time to gain your Associate Degree in Nursing.  Working through your online program with The College Network is doable, and you can continue to work full time.  Also, you can work at your own pace, on a schedule that fits into your life.

Learn more about our nursing programs here or call us today at (800)-39-LEARN to reach one of our Program Advisors and plan for your future.  

 

So, you've enrolled in one of The College Network's distance nursing programs, and you're already to get started. Before you jump into your program, take some time to reflect on why are are doing this and what you hope to accomplish by doing so.

Setting goals is a great way to keep your focus in mind. When you are thinking about what your goals are, try to set SMART goals which will help you define more specifically what you are trying to accomplish and help you get the task done.

SMART goals should be:

Specific—Make sure your goals are specific and well defined. Set a goal to complete your degree in a specific amount of time. For example, set the goal to be finished by two years from your enrollment date.

Measurable—Set a specific time frame for your goals. For example, set a goal of completing one course per month, so at the end of each month you can measure your progress.

Attainable—Be sure the goals you are setting for yourself are realistic. Don’t set a goal to study for three hours every night when you have a full-time job, are a parent and have a home to manage. This is not a goal that would be possible to complete, therefore you would be setting yourself up to fail.

Relevant—Choose goals that matter. If you’re ultimate goal is to become a Registered Nurse, set a goal to earn your Associate of Science in Nursing degree or BS in Nursing degree, now, rather than "some day." You will be that much closer to reaching your goal and having your dream career.

Time Bound—Once you set your goals, commit to a deadline. This will help you stay focused so that your goal does not get lost in all of your other daily responsibilities. If you want to finish one course per month, set a goal to study every evening, Monday through Friday.

Procrastination - where I'll do it tomorrow becomes I'll do it next week - becomes I'll do it next month - becomes I never do it... Ever. 

You may have noticed that my posts have been lacking lately. Yes. I'm human, and I'm just as much of a procrastinator as the next person. It's something that most (if not all) of us deal with on a regular basis. 

Procrastination can affect us in many ways: We can fall behind in our careers, in academics, or even in our personal lives with family our friends. For as many of us as there are that do procrastinate, you would begin to assume it was actually a good thing.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG!

Procrastination is a killer. Not always a physical killer (unless you procrastinating your meals or crucial vitamins), but it is almost always a killer of dreams and goals.

You've wanted to become a registered nurse your entire life but now               (insert random excuse) is keeping you from doing it? Do you think there will ever be a perfect time to go back to school and fulfill your dreams? 

NO!

You have to make the time. If you do not work towards your dreams, I'm sad to say that you will probably never see them come true.

So sure, maybe now isn't a great time, but let's realize how small changes in your daily routine can lead to exponential results and help you achieve your lifelong goals.

The College Network offers top online nursing programs that can be completed at your OWN pace. There are no required log in times, no due dates, no penalties for moving too slowly or too quickly. So what's stopping you? Sure, it would be great to devote 6 hours a day to studying but even a half hour will get you to your goals eventually.

Make the change today! Call The College Network to learn how you can achieve your goals at your own pace.

Ein Peck, Program Advisor 

(800) 634-1443 ext 4786   mpeck@collegenetwork.com

 

 

So you want to become a registered nurse. But how do you do it? It seems like it might be an impossible goal. You work, take care of your family--when are you going to find time to go to school?  Here are 10 easy ways you can become an RN with help from The College Network.

1. Call the The College Network to learn more about online nursing degree programs.
2. Set an appointment to meet with one of our Program Advisors. They can answer all your questions and set you up with a program that is right for you.
3. Make the decision to move towards your goal of becoming an RN and get started in your program.
4. Take our Learning Styles Survey to find out how you learn best. 
5. Complete your Academic Guidance call with our customer support team to review your learning style and develop a study plan for your Comprehensive Learning Modules.
6. Start studying.
7. Schedule your first TCN Exam.  Then go ahead and schedule the rest of your exams on your calendar.  This will help to keep you on track and give you a timely goal to work towards. Keep studying and passing your exams. 
8. Enroll with the university and complete any other requirements for your program.
9. Graduate! Plan to walk with your fellow nurses in the graduation ceremony.
10. Take and pass the NCLEX exam and receive your new RN License!

It really be done in these 10 steps.  You just have to make a commitment, set your goals and take action.  We are here to help every step of the way.  Call us today at (800) 39-LEARN and check your first item off your to-do list.  

Nursing homes, a stronghold of LPN jobs, may become progressively less so. Illinois, for one, is attempting to instate a new law requiring 20% of nurses in nursing homes to be RNs. The change would cost the state $122 million annually, but Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, as well as local advocacy groups, are pushing for the change because they believe that care from RNs prevents hospitalization. This information comes from an article on the Progress Illinois website.

If you are an LPN and you want to take action now to avoid worries about job security, do not fret. Give The College Network a call at 1-800-39-LEARN to find out how you can work towards obtaining RN status while continuing to work full time as an LPN through our online programs from top universities. 

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.

 

 

U.S. News & World Report has issued its picks for the top ten jobs for 2012. Perhaps not surprisingly, Registered Nurse came in at the number one spot! Economist Michael Wolf, quoted in the article, says that in the next decade nursing will grow 26% and add 712,000 positions.

What are you waiting for? Take charge of your future today. In addition to the service RNs provide to others, their median salary is $64,690. Since 1992, The College Network has been enabling people to advance their careers in nursing through our online programs with top universities. If you think you can handle the #1 job, call 1-800-39-LEARN today.

For more information from U.S. News & World Report on the Registered Nurse job, click here; the entire list of top jobs appears here.

While it is a fact that the nursing field is dominated by women, there are many great male nurses as well. 

The Delaware Chapter of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing(AAMN) has set out to lessen the gender gap between men and women in the nursing field with their "20x20: Choose Nursing" campaign. The goal of the campaign is to have 20% of the nursing workforce consist of male nurses by 2020. The efforts of the campaign include local chapters of the AAMN reaching out to junior high and high school students to try and encourage more men to go into nursing. 

Currently, in the United States, male nurses make up about 5.8% of all nurses which is about 168,743 total nurses. This number is growing about 2-3% each year and if it continues to do so, that would make the total population of male nurses more than 20% by 2020.

If you're a man who is thinking about a career in nursing, I encourage you to purse your dreams. As we know, the future outlook of nursing is extremely positive with job growth expected to skyrocket over the next several years. Nursing also has a reputation for paying extremely well with starting salaries averaging between $25-$30 per hour for registered nurses.

If you are already in a nursing career but it's your dream to advance to a higher level, The College Network can help! We offer online degrees from top universities. Our nursing degree programs are accredited, and there is never a waiting list to get started. Plus, they are all self-paced so you can earn your degree while continuing to work. For more information, visit our website, or call us at 1-800-395-1014.

Sources: nurse.com, malenursingscholarships.com

As the nursing career field expands, the niches nurses fill expand in turn. The number of nurse researchers present in hospitals is increasing as of late. Establishing best practices and improving standards of patient care are key tenets of nursing research programs. The research topics are relevant to nurses working in the field because they often come directly from nurses curious about certain areas of inquiry. "It's nurse-driven," said Pam Ginex, RN, EdD, OCN, a nurse researcher. "[The nurses] come up with ideas or problems they want to look at and work collaboratively with members of the team to address a specific problem." Findings are published so that data can be shared with other healthcare providers.

When considering the nursing career field, opportunities such as this make becoming an RN seem even more appealing because they provide alternatives to the traditional role of a registered nurse or nursing manager. Growth within the career field of nursing is occurring not just in numbers, but also in responsibilities and opportunities. Information obtained from an article on nurse.com.

 

Many LPNs dream of moving forward and becoming a registered nurse someday.  And the majority of people decide that the best way to do this is by earning their Associate of Science in Nursing degree.  But, did you know that you also have the option to earn your BS in Nursing as an LPN?

The College Network partners with Indiana State University to offer an LPN/LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  You can fulfill your dream of becoming an RN while earning your Bachelor's at the same time.  

This might sound like a daunting prospect, but it is very doable and you can be successful in this program.  Would it help to hear from other LPNs that achieved their degree?These are nurses just like you that worked hard and overcame obstacles to reach their goal. You can check out their success stories to give you inspiration.  Just click here to find their stories.  

If you would like to find out more about how you can best reach your goal--please give us a call at (800) 39-LEARN.  We will make sure that we find the right program to help you become an RN.  

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!

“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. 

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.

A recent article from U.S. News University Directory reports that more nursing students are choosing to earn bachelor's degrees instead of associate's degrees. The article goes on to state a couple of important facts: "According to a press release, enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs increased by approximately 3.9% between 2010 and 2011. Additionally, the survey found that enrollment in bachelor's degree completion programs, or RN-to-BSN programs, grew by 13.4%."

More importantly, the article says, "As more students opt to enroll in these courses of study, many schools across the country have found that they are having trouble accommodating so many degree seekers due to faculty or space restrictions. Preliminary data from the report shows that in 2011, about 51,082 qualified students were turned away from 503 entry-level bachelor's degree nursing programs." 

For aspiring bachelor's degree nurses, this is troubling news. Demand for bachelor's degree nurses is still very high, but traditional colleges don't have the means to satisfy the desires of many who wish to earn these degrees. So what can one do? Give The College Network a try. With a myriad of degree programs in nursing, whether associate's, bachelor's, or master's, TCN can possibly help you bypass the long wait lists of some universities by offering convenient higher education online. 

Betsy Frank, PhD, RN, ANEF; a professor emeritus at Indiana State University was honored for excellence in teaching at the recent NLN Education Summit 2011.

In the article found at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3317/is_6_32/ai_n58502666/, Dr. Frank discusses technology and how it has changed teaching.

"Who could have imagined 40 years ago that we could teach effectively online? I know I didn't! But I can say that teaching online has made me a much better teacher--even in the classroom."

Dr. Frank is a strong advocate for nurses becoming educators. She earned her doctorate degree at the age of 35, and encourages others to receive advanced education as early as possible to allow them to grow in their careers.

"Noting that not all students will be successful, despite the best efforts of faculty, Betsy concludes that in the main, 'Our focus on students will help them be successful in whatever they choose to do. It is the solid educational foundation that allows our students to take flight!'"

The College Network would like to congratulate Dr. Betsy Frank on her accomplishment!

If you would like to learn more about the online LPN to BS in Nursing programs and RN to BS in Nursing programs available from Indiana State University where Dr. Frank teaches, click here or call 1-800-395-1014 for more information.

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.  

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.

Lloyd Snider is a single dad of two sons, a caretaker for his elderly father and a full time paramedic. For Lloyd, his 23 years of service as a paramedic, working 24 hour shifts at a time and lifting lots of heavy loads, has taken a toll on his body.

“I am nearing the end of my [paramedic] career. Health care is a logical choice for me, so nursing was a great choice,” Lloyd says. His two sons are both in college and Lloyd has used that to motivate himself. “My goal is to get a degree before each of my boys finish,” he explains.

“This has not interfered with any aspect of my life. It’s self paced, so any pressure is self applied—which is really cool because a traditional college would disrupt your life,” Lloyd says. “It’s really excellent for someone who has the kind of commitments I do, but still wants to pursue a degree. This is really career based education and it’s kind of refreshing.”

Read more of Lloyd Snider's inspiring story or or call 1-800-395-1014 to learn more about how The College Network's online Paramedic to RN program from an accredited university can change your life.