Registered Nurse Program | The College Network

BS in Nursing

Monday, December 19, 2011 by Bryan Curtis

A recent article from U.S. News U niversity 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.

Indiana State University Professor Honored by NLN

Monday, December 19, 2011 by Lindsay Schmitt

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.

You Can Help Fight Back

Monday, December 12, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

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 Faces Shortage of Both Nurses and Nurse Educators

Tuesday, December 6, 2011 by Charles Fox

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.

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.

Single dad joins college sons in earning a degree

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 by TCN Success

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.

Nurse Earns Bachelors Degree to Immigrate to Canada

Saturday, November 26, 2011 by TCN Success

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

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

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

The Pact

Friday, November 25, 2011 by Landon Jones

The Pact has had a tremendous influence on my life. It was one the first books that shaped my academic career and also the loyalty I had with my friends in high school.

The Pact is a biography written by Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt childhood friends and motivational speakers. Although they are all smiles and successful now--they faced many challenges growing up as youth in the city of Newark, NJ. To find a positive influence in the area where they were raised was almost a far-fetched idea in a area where crime and lost potential are too common. After a chance presentation at a information session the three men decided to make a pact; that pact was to go to college and pursue careers as doctors.

When I read this book, I knew that anything was possible and with enough dedication and tenacity I could realize my goals. After graduating high school my best friends and I all went to different colleges and as we grew as scholars so did our own group. Each holiday new friends and acquaintances were introduced into our group, and we all shared a common mantra, "Go to school, graduate, and pursue our passions."

Everyday I run across LPNs who have just graduated from their nursing programs and when we begin the process of setting up an appointment for them to meet with their Program Advisor there is one constant mantra that I hear from the LPNs, "I want to meet with a Program Advisor, but I want my classmates there with me--we plan on becoming Registered Nurses together." It warms the heart to know that in these times people still build up and rely on support from colleagues and friends to ensure that they all pursue their goals. Even if you don't know it--you have a support system that wants you to succeed and see you live your dream of receiving your nursing degree through our online nursing programs. The College Network offers support for you from the moment you begin your research for nursing programs until you receive your degree whether that be an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters degree in nursing.

Make the promise to yourself and your pact that you will go back to school and become a RN because it is possible--the only way you can achieve your dream is if you try.

Landon Jones, Appointment Coordinator

Keep Your Heads Up

Saturday, November 19, 2011 by Ein Peck

Are you an unemployed nurse?

Although times may be tough, there is hope. Forbes recently announced that Registered Nurses are at the top of the list for who is being hired the most.

According to Indeed.com, there are 132,283 job postings for Rn's. So if you are unemployed, keep your head up and keep applying! Jobs

The article, "Who's Getting Hired Right Now", states that "postings are a leading indicator for the job market, offering a forward-looking view of jobs that companies intend to fill".

Unemployed and not an RN? Call The College Network today to find out about our top online nursing programs.

Call (800) 395-1014 to speak to one of our Program Advisors today.

Nursing Camp Exposes High School Students to Promising Careers

Monday, October 31, 2011 by Charles Fox

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.

California Nurse Lockout/Strike is Largest in US History

Monday, October 3, 2011 by Charles Fox

Photo by Damian Dovarganes / AP; appears at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44625868/ns/health/t/nurses-dozens-calif-hospitals-strike/

23,000 nurses at 34 California hospitals are currently not working due to strikes and lockouts, and the situation is reported to be the largest nursing strike in US history according to Fierce Healthcare. The conflict arose from Sutter Health Care and registered nurses under its employ, who are represented by California Nurses Association. The issues at hand are Sutter's attempts to reduce retirement coverage and health care, eliminate paid sick leave and nurses' ability to advocate for patients. Nurses from Kaiser Permanente hospitals located in Northern and Central California are striking in solidarity, despite already having reached a deal with their employer, and nurses from Children's Hospital Oakland are also striking.

We at The College Network hope for a speedy and equitable resolution to the conflict. I talk to nurses in this territory every day, and many of them became registered nurses through help from The College Network. Many nurses in the area are in the process of becoming RNs through the online LVN to BS in Nursing program from Indiana State University as well. If you'd like to become an RN, give us a call at 1-800 39-LEARN.

Colorado Nurse Acts Heroically To Save Woman's Life

Friday, September 16, 2011 by Charles Fox

Photo by Joshua Buck /Longmont Times-Call

First responders---firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and police officers---are often discussed in conjunction with heroism, and rightly so. Those who serve the public in more controlled situations such as hospitals display a unique brand of heroism as well, but this is especially apparent when they go above and beyond the call of duty and work to save lives outside of their workplace, in uncontrolled situations with complete strangers. This is exactly what happened recently, and the swift, informed and decisive actions of Registered Nurse Kathy Poiry and another employee of Longmont United Hospital are credited as saving a young woman's life after a near-fatal train accident in Colorado.

Longmont Police Detective Commander Jeff Satur was quoted as saying, "I think they can be directly credited with saving her life." The young woman's family stated, "We are especially grateful to several bystanders who provided aid for our daughter at the scene." Situations like this remind us that nurses are truly heroes, and we at The College Network salute nurses today and everyday. Research The College Network and find nursing programs today. You never know when you may be called on to save a life.

Congratulations Ian!

Thursday, September 15, 2011 by Ein Peck

As much as I do love the name Ian (especially when it is spelled E-I-N), I will honestly say that his name has nothing to do with this.

Congratulations to Ian from Aiken, South Carolina. Although Ian was very modest when I spoke to him this afternoon, I was extremely impressed with his scores.

Ian actually received a PERFECT score on the Analysis and Interpretation of Literature exam as well as an A on Microbiology and several other great scores.

Not only has Ian been doing very well on all of his coursework for the online paramedic to RN program, he also has been completing it very quickly. Ian has passed six of his exams (with a grade of B or higher) in the last three months!

Congratulations from all of us here at The College Network Ian, you've earned it!

Funding Your Education

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 by Landon Jones

For the past few days, I've been maxed-out and for good reason; a lot of you have been calling in requesting to meet with local Program Advisors about advancing your nursing education through our distance nursing programs. In coming weeks, many of you will sit down with your local Program Advisor to receive information about our associate's, bachelor's and master's in nursing programs from leading universities and at the end of those meetings, many of you will be enrolled in those programs on your way to becoming RNs or gain advanced degrees.

The other day I spoke with a LPN who said that she rushed home to call me, because she was interested in receiving her Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Indiana State University and wanted to meet with a Program Advisor as soon as possible. She was ready to enroll. She had always wanted to be a RN but financial reasons and other obligations prevented her from completing a previous RN program. She was ready to enroll because her employer offered to pay for her and her coworkers to become RNs.

Its not uncommon for me to speak with people who have their employer or the military pay for their education, but she could not stop talking about how highly The College Network is held at her employer. I ended up setting the appointment for her that day to meet with her local advisor, and I definitely cannot wait to see her story from her point of view on our My TCN Story Blog real soon.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator

Tragedy Inspires Change

Sunday, September 11, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

As we spend this September reflecting on 9/11 and the ten year anniversary, it makes me think of a story I'd like to share with you. A story about a woman who witnessed the tragedy first hand and who later used The College Network to change her life.

Jean Brennan had been working as a paramedic for 20 years. September 11, 2001 started out as a normal day for Jean, who went to work at the hospital in Brooklyn, New York where she was employed. At 9:03a.m. she looked out of a window and saw an airplane fly into one of the World Trade Center Towers.

Being a paramedic, Jean spent the day tending to the victims of the attack. She describes the day as very surreal and says she understood what was going on, but that it was like watching a movie in slow motion.

Jean had been thinking about becoming an RN for a long time, but working first hand with the victims of the 911 tragedy are what motivated her to move forward with her dream. “I love being a paramedic, but I wanted something that promoted health, because that promotes peace,” she says.

Jean has since completed her Paramedic to RN program with help from The College Network and says it has completely changed her life. She was able to continue to work full time while earning her degree and says she used her down time at work to study. To learn more, you can watch Jean tell her inspiring story here.

Nursing Wages and Jobs On The Rise

Friday, September 9, 2011 by Charles Fox

Even in the midst of economic turmoil, nursing wages and job openings are increasing. Health care is extremely stable in the job field, according to a press release from RegisteredNurseRn.com that was posted to The Sacramento Bee. The increase in salary is significant: average hourly wage for registered nurses rose from $30.65 to $32.56, while average RN salaries increased from $63,750 to $67,720.

The release also states that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be as many as 3,200,200 RNs by 2018, making nursing one of the fastest growing occupations. "Nursing is always in high demand, and the overall employment outlook is excellent, said Sarah Perry, a registered nurse and the administrator of RegisteredNurseRn.com. "Even in a bad economy, people get sick and health care demands remain fairly consistent."

If you are considering the nursing field, these statistics should come as welcome news. The College Network offers online degrees from top universities, allowing you to obtain a convenient RN license. Our Distance Nursing Programs are suited to your schedule, so don't wait another day to start on the path to great salary and job security!

Two Bits, Four Bits...

Tuesday, August 30, 2011 by Kevin Burton

Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar! All for Alysha, stand up and holler!

(Please stand up with me right now and holler)

Everyone who has been to an elementary, junior high, or high school sporting event has heard that cheer. Well, what does it have to do with higher education online with The College Network?

I'm so glad and proud that recently I was able to help Alysha from Texas start on her Online Paramedic to RN program. One thing that we talked about was that we at The College Network are here to cheer her on while progressing through her program (using pom-poms and megaphones, of course). Anytime you have questions about our program, course content, or just need a fun cheer like 'Two Bits' from us, you can always give us a call, both our Academic Support team, and even your program advisor like myself. We care about helping you achieve your degree and goals.

Changing lives everyday is what we all do here at The College Network. Alysha is one example of someone I enjoyed working with and helped take the next step in her life. Needless to say, we even had a little fun in the process.

If you would like to speak about any of our programs at The College Network, or are a current customer that needs a cheer, please give me a call and let me know. We may even have fun in the process.

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

Are you Magnet material?

Monday, August 29, 2011 by Melissa Gardiner

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.

The education requirements are as follows:
Chief Nursing Officer
Minimum of a Master's Degree
Nurse Managers
Must be a Registered Nurse with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
Nurse Leaders
Must be a Registered Nurse with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

If your organization has a goal of becoming a Magnet hospital, The College Network can help your staff achieve the education requirements. We offer online degrees from top universities including bachelors of science in nursing and masters of science in nursing programs.

Our online degree programs are self-paced, affordable and ANCC accredited. The College Network makes going back to school and earning an advanced degree simplified. If you would like to find out more call and speak to one of our program advisors at 1-800-395-1014.

Bottleneck Bypass

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by Kevin Burton

Don't you hate being stuck in traffic? Sitting in the car and not moving but a mile an hour isn't the most fun in the world. Besides traffic, another place where there is a bottleneck of people waiting is to get in is nursing programs. I talk to so many Paramedics and LPN/LVNs that want to find nursing programs with no waiting lists, and most on campus options are currently booked. I even talked with an LPN yesterday whose local school had a 12 year waiting list for the RN program!

The College Network allows nurses to bypass the "traffic" and start and finish their RN program with no waiting list. Whether you want your Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelors Degree in Nursing, our programs offer self-paced flexibility for your general education and prerequisite courses! So why make yourself sit in traffic when you can start right away? Call me, and I'll show you the way to bypass the bottleneck and achieve your goals with degrees from leading universities.

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

Back to School

Monday, August 22, 2011 by Landon Jones

For many of you it's that time of the year. I can tell because the other day while I was out buying groceries, I noticed that "End of Summer" shift. Children's faces were frowned, and parents had great big smiles. Their vacation was slowly beginning and their children's were slowly coming to a end... Back to School shopping was in full effect.

Last week, while speaking with nurses who have children, you could hear it in their voices. They didn't even have to say it, but school was back in session.

All hail the school bell as it lures children away from leaving toys around the house and twenty-four hour Sponge Bob sessions...

For parents with college-bound youth, it may be a little hard to let your baby go but also understand, once they cross that threshold into semi-adulthood - YOU HAVE THE HOUSE BACK! When my mom dropped me off my freshmen year of college, she cried. The next 3 times she couldn't get me out of the car soon enough, and when she picked me up my senior year, she cried again.

I joke of course, they were tears of joy but during those four years of discovering myself, my mother did the same. Her hair styles changed as mine did, she went outside more, and she began the process of going to college as well.

As fall approaches and the noise levels in your homes decrease, definitely think about going back to school yourself. Think about the many programs The College Network offers to mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, and grandparents who want to receive nursing degrees. Did I mention that you don't have to travel to Colorado to become a MSN at Regis University or to New York or Indiana for LPN, LVNs and Paramedics seeking a RN Program with no waiting list.

The College Network offers distance nursing programs that people pursue while on their lunch breaks, weekends, and while kids are in school. If it sounds like something that you would be interested in, you can learn more about nurses just like you who have completed our programs. Visit www.mytcnstory.com.

Landon, Appointment Coordinator