Registered Nursing Career

Nursing has long been a female-dominated profession, but the number of males entering the field is on the rise. A recent study conducted by the United States Census Bureau found that male representation among registered nurses climbed from 2.7 percent in 1970 to 9.6 percent in 2011. The percentage of male licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses also increased—climbing from 3.9 percent in 1970 to 8.1 percent in 2011. This is good news for men looking to break the gender stereotype in nursing.

There are a number of compelling reasons for males to become nurses. An article recently posted on the Minority Nurse Blog details many of these reasons. The article says men should consider joining the nursing field on the following grounds: 

• Men can help decrease the current nursing shortage.
• Nursing includes a technical component that often appeals to men.
• The nursing field offers a variety of specialties, which gives men the ability to pursue specific areas of interest (e.g., emergency, trauma, or pediatrics).
• Nursing organizations have been created that specifically support male nurses (e.g., American Assembly for Men in Nursing).
• Nursing offers the competitive wages and financial stability that many men seek.

If you are a male considering a career in nursing, The College Network wants to help you get started! Click here to learn more about our online nursing degree programs. Don't wait to join the movement and break the gender stereotype in nursing!

In honor of National Nurses Week (celebrated every year from May 6 through May 12), I'd like to highlight some of the top reasons why The College Network (TCN) is dedicated to helping nurses continually improve their healthcare knowledge and gain advanced credentials throughout their careers. At TCN, we understand and appreciate nurses because they maintain selfless attitudes and they embrace their admirable roles in the following areas:

 NURTURANCE

When most people think of nurses, words like nurture, heal, and compassion likely come to mind. Nurses are dedicated to providing optimal care and putting patients at ease. They wear many hats, including those of caregiver, friend, teacher and therapist.

 TRUST

According to Gallop's annual "Honesty and Ethics" survey, nursing is considered the most trustworthy profession in the United States. The 2012 survey marks the 11th straight year that nurses have topped the list, ranking 10 percentage points above pharmacists and 15 percentage points above medical doctors. According to the survey, 85 percent of those polled ranked the trustworthiness of nurses as high or very high.

 LEADERSHIP

Although people may think of doctors as the leaders in a hospital, nurses are the true leaders of patient care. Nurses make sure patients understand instructions and procedures as well as ensure the safe implementation of interventions. Nurses also delegate various patient care activities to other members of the healthcare team. Additionally, nurses are the chief advocates for patient care needs, and they play a major role in improving patient outcomes.

 INFLUENCE

According to the American Nurses Association, "both the Affordable Care Act and the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Future of Nursing report place nurses at the center of healthcare transformation in the United States." The knowledge and skills that nurses possess make them influential characters when it comes to changing healthcare policies, and they are increasingly being put in positions to make significant contributions to the improvement of the healthcare system.

 SERVICE

When asked why they wanted to become nurses in the first place, many (if not all) nurses will say they wanted to help people and make a difference in others' lives. Serving others and positively impacting the lives of patients and their family members is a large part of being a nurse. And it's also what makes nursing such a rewarding profession.

 EDUCATION

Nurses deserve a tremendous amount of respect for their dedication to staying relevant in the healthcare industry by continually seeking more knowledge and pursuing advanced degrees. According to the American Nurses Association's "Nursing by the numbers" fact sheet, 50 percent of registered nurses (RNs) have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2 percent of RNs have a master's degree or a doctoral degree. 

If you are interested in seeking an advanced position within the great field of nursing (or in entering the profession for the first time), The College Network wants to help! Visit our nursing degrees page for more information.

Thank you, nurses, for all that you do!

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 LPN’s, and you can begin working toward your advanced nursing degree as soon as you're ready - there is no wait list.

Hospitals in Georgia have also started requiring that their registered nurses hold a BSN--especially those hospitals who are attempting to earn Magnet status. Holding your RN license used to be the accepted standard, but in keeping with the call for a more educated workforce, hospitals now are giving more consideration to those nurses with their bachelor's degree.

Hospitals in Georgia struggle to find bachelor's-prepared nurses and because of this, have developed policies to address the issue.  These hospitals will hire nurses with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, but will require those nurses to obtain their bachelor's degree within a certain number of years.

At The College Network, we have options for you if you are either an LPN or an RN who would like obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

We partner with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN to BSN program in the country.  This three-phase program allows you to work through your general education and prerequisite courses with The College Network and then enroll with Indiana State University for your nursing transition courses and final nursing courses with concurrent clinical hours. Courses are delivered online, and you can get started today.

The College Network has helped over 200,000 nurses begin working toward an advanced education! We can help you too! Getting started is simple. Just call me, Jerry Kelly at 404-217-6638 or go to www.collegenetwork.com/kelly to learn more about how you can reach your dream of earning your advanced nursing degree in the state of Georgia.

You’ve graduated from nursing school and now you are ready to hit the ground running in your new career. Congrats! It is a great time to be a nurse. Despite ongoing changes in the job market, over 32,000 new health care jobs were created in the month of February.

So, what supplies do you use during a day on the job? The items you carry may vary depending on your area of specialization. If you have specific questions on which supplies you need, be sure to check with your supervisor. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips for staying prepared. 

On Your Person:

While each nurse has their own personal preference for what to carry during the workday, there are some essentials that you need to have. Here are some common supplies that you’ll likely use on the job: 

1. Stethoscope


2. Penlight


3. 2 pens


4. Hemostats


5. Tape


6. Scissors


7. Alcohol prep pads

In Your Locker:

1. Lotion: Washing up repeatedly can be taxing on your skin. Keep lotion in your locker to help sooth your hard-working hands.  


2. Hand sanitizer: Though there are probably plenty of opportunities to sanitize on the floor, it never hurts to be prepared.


3. Ibuprofen: Let’s face it—a long shift can sometimes be a headache.  


4. Energy bars: For a quick energy boost during your shift, keep a box of granola bars or energy bars in your locker. These snacks are a good source of protein. Though there are countless brands to choose from, some of the healthier options include Clif Bars and Nature Valley.


5. Vitamin Packets: No matter how hard you try, you’ll still be exposed to some nasty germs on the job. Since you are probably already drinking water during your shift, try mixing a vitamin packet like Emergen-C® into your drink. Crammed with nutrients, these flavored packs will make your water a little less boring.

If you are interested in becoming a registered nurse, there’s never been a better time than now. If you are an LPN or RN seeking to further your nursing education, The College Network can help. To learn more, call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. Or, view a full list of our degree programs for nurses or request more information here. Good luck!

What do you think of when you hear of career options in the healthcare field? Do you think it only means a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or someone that has a nursing degree? There are actually many diverse career options in the healthcare field. And it's a field that is not only stable but growing according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Let's look in particular at a Medical and Health Services Manager. People with this type of degree are often the staff in doctor's offices or hospitals that manage medical services. They may manage an office, a department or a nursing home. And there are different focuses within medical and health services that might match your interests. Nursing home administrators, clinical managers, health information managers or assistant administrators are just a few of the positions that you could hold.

To become a Medical and Health Services Manager, you will need to have your bachelor's degree. Earning your Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Bellevue University will enable to you pursue a career in health services. Bellevue University awards transfer credit for previous college credits, so you might be closer to earning your degree than you think.

Working through our online program at The College Network® will enable you to continue to work in your field while earning your degree. Bellevue University also offers many other bachelor's degree options such as business, criminal justice or software development and many more. If you would like to learn more about the bachelor's degree in healthcare management program at Bellevue, simply click here to request more information or call us at 800-395-1014 to find the right degree program for you.  

I have seen quite a few postings on Facebook lately about what people are thankful for at this time of year. Personally, I think it's a great practice to develop. So many times we don't think about being grateful for the little things we have in our life. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hectic schedules that we try to keep up. Work, exercise, school, kids, parents, friends...the list never ends. 

I encourage you to take a moment today to be thankful for the education that you have. It has brought you to where you are. If you think about education as building blocks in your life, you can see how far you have come. We learned to read, then write and then figure out if the sum of y is equal to or greater than x. (I still haven't figured that one out and as an English major, I hold little hope that I will.) Once we have those in place, we moved onto a more career-focused education. 

Many of you have completed your training and are now LPNs. It was this building block that allowed you to move forward and become a working nurse. Are you now ready to talk about your next building block?  The College Network offers a way for you to earn an Associate of Science in nursing degree to provide the education requirements necessary to become a registered nurse.   

Through our partnership with Indiana State University, we are also able to offer the only NLNAC-accredited LPN to BS in Nursing degree program that can be completed entirely through distance learning. This self-paced program allows you to work as an LPN while working toward your degree.  

Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our nursing programs.  It's time to think about the next building block you need to move forward. You will be thankful you did. 

According to a recent report from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, patients who are treated at  Magnet hospitals have a 14 percent lower post-surgery death rate than those treated at non-Magnet institutions. The report reviewed post-surgery patient outcomes across 564 hospitals in four states, with nearly 100,000 registered nurses participating in the study.

Administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Magnet status is a designation given to hospitals that have achieved a high level of excellence in the areas of patient care and staff education. The Magnet initiative is focused on heightening hospital staff performance by improving career development initiatives, management style and nursing autonomy. Before a facility can qualify for Magnet status, hospital staff must meet certain educational requirements; for example, 75 percent of the facility’s nurse managers must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing.   

Nearly 400 U.S. hospitals have achieved magnet status thus far, a number that’s expected to grow quickly in the coming years. As the population ages, patient cases are expected to become increasingly complex and demand higher levels of staff expertise. As hospitals begin to increase educational requirements for nurses, there has never been a better time to pursue a higher nursing credential. Call The College Network at 800-395-1014 to learn how simple the next step can be.   

In today’s economic conditions, there are very few career paths that guarantee job stability. But, according to a 2012 report from Newsweek’s The Daily Beast, nursing graduates have the best chance of being hired upon graduation. Nursing ranked as the #1 most useful major on the website’s recent list of the “13 Most Useful College Majors,” followed by mechanical and electrical engineering.

According to the report, the unemployment rate for recent nursing graduates is 4%, a league above the current national unemployment rate of 8.3%. At 1.9%, the unemployment rate for a nurse with previous field experience is even more promising.  This means that nurses who choose to return to school in the near future have a greater chance of landing a job upon graduation than students in any other profession in the country. For nurses who’ve been considering going back to school for a higher credential, the numbers show that now is most definitely the time.  

This isn’t the only time nursing has ranked #1 for job stability; registered nurses ranked first on U.S. News’ “25 Best Jobs of 2012” report. At a time when our country’s economic future is uncertain, it certainly pays to be a nurse.

If you’ve been thinking about earning your RN with an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in nursing, don’t put it off any longer. Here at The College Network, we’ve created programs that make earning your degree simpler than ever before.   Contact The College Network at 800-395-1014 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Program Advisors and get started today.

A recent joint UK and South African study shows that nurses taking over duties for HIV patients resulted in no negative impacts and actually showed patient benefits, including improvement in tuberculosis detection rates, increased weight and white blood cell count, and better compliance with the treatment program. This could open the door to shifting responsibility from physicians to registered nurses, and serves to underscore the increased importance of nurses in the changing global healthcare system.

Becoming an RN today includes new challenges, opportunities and career paths that only serve to increase in the near future as the nursing role becomes more prominent. “Our findings show that with very little extra training and support nurses can deliver HIV care that is just as safe and effective as that provided by doctors,” said joint lead author Professor Max Bachmann, of Norwich Medical School at University of East Anglia. Read the entire article here, and continue to seek updates in the ever-evolving field of nursing on The College Network Nursing Blog. 

The College Network has exciting news for Texas LVNs! We are now making it possible to complete an LVN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program entirely through distance learning. This program, available through Indiana State University, will enable you to sit for your NCLEX-RN exam in Texas.

As you know, registered nurses can make significantly higher salaries and have increased job opportunities. It is more important than ever before to advance your education by becoming an RN and earning a BS in Nursing considering a recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine that calls for 80 percent of RNs to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing by 2020.

Indiana State University partners with The College Network to provide you with a way to continue your education while you continue working full-time as an LVN. We will work with you to ensure you have the education and training you need to advance your career right away without the need for long waiting list.

Please contact The College Network at 1-800-395-1014 to learn more about this program!

Very best regards,

Joel Kimzey

Did you know that moving to a new city can mean a big raise in pay? If you're an LPN/LVN or RN, keep in mind that certain locations offer higher salaries than others. Of course, it's always wise to do your research before a move -- your final pay depends largely on the cost of living in your new city and the type of healthcare institution you are looking for. Salaries tend to decrease as you move away from major cities. 

With the help of Scrubs Magazine and PayScale.com, we've dug up some stats on the highest-paying destinations for nurses. The country's major cities hit the top of the list -- but a few of these high-paying places might surprise you:

  LPN/LVNs (Annual Salary): 

Thursday June 14, the American Nurse's Association (ANA) hosted the 2012 Healthy Nurse Conference in Washington, DC. The theme of this year's one day event was "Nurses as Models of Wellness in Action."

The purpose of the event was to strengthen nurses' knowledge of healthy lifestyles so they may be inspired to integrate those habits into both their RN careers and personal lives. Registered nurses are continuously educating others on healthy habits, but often times they forget about the importance of implementing these behaviors into their own lives. The 2012 Healthy Nurse Conference and others like it help nurses remember to take care of themselves while they care for others. 

If you are thinking about becoming an RN and would like more information on how to get started, call The College Network today and speak to a Program Advisor at 1-800-395-1014.

This post is the first in a series about in-demand jobs today, the hottest job sectors and their related college and educational requirements.  

Higher Education is about learning and learning is about curiosity and growth. Learning new information and skills helps us all respond to the changing landscape of our world. At The College Network® (TCN) we provide the framework, but the curiosity to learn and grow comes from within.

In these challenging times of high unemployment and the need for many to earn nursing or other college degrees in order to advance their careers, we invite you to explore The College Network.  The College Network has been and is a great resource helping hundreds of thousands of people like you pursue their educational goals.

There are many lists of the most in-demand jobs, but we found that the "25 Best Jobs of 2012"  published by U.S. News & World Report has the most comprehensive method of ranking. A summary of the top 10 jobs from this list follows.

1. Registered Nurse

2. Software Developer

3. Pharmacist

4. Medical Assistant

5. Database Administrator

6. Web Developer

7. Computer Systems Analyst

8. Physical Therapist

9. Computer Programmer

10. Maintenance and Repair Worker

Follow the link above for more details including median salaries, the growth rate and the total number of jobs available through the year 2020 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Please be sure to research The College Network as you learn about the kind of high-value, cost-effective education programs that we offer to help you realize your personal goals.

Thanks for reading our Blog and good luck in your pursuit of a better future!

The Staff at The College Network

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.  

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

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.

Letters of recommendation are a crucial part of the job search process. A recent article from nurse.com shared some useful insights from Nursing Managers and educators on what they seek when reading letters of recommendation for for new graduates looking to begin RN careers, as well as insights on professional and personal qualities sought in new-hire nurses. Below are some highlights from the article, which can be read in full here:

"The qualities I'm looking for are initiative, commitment to safe practice, great character, personal ethics and potential for leadership because all of this makes a great nurse in the end. I don't care if you ace all your exams. I may look over 100 letters a year so if I don't see those qualities spelled out, I'll pass on to the next person." - Anna Tigar, RN, Nurse Manager at NSLIJ Health System/Lenox Hill 

"The way to obtain a positive reference letter is stay in touch with professors, not on a daily basis, but drop them an email, let them know how you are progressing in your courses, send a holiday card. You may want to use this person again, even after you graduate, so it should be an ongoing relationship. Ideally, the letters are written by someone who knows you well, not the clinical instructor you had last month. I want to see that they are familiar with your achievements." - Geraldine Varrassi, RN, EdD, Nurse Educator at NSLIJ Health System/Lenox Hill

"A detailed scenario is always the best way a teacher can describe the superior qualities of a candidate. For example, maybe this student handled a difficult situation with extraordinary tact and knowledge, as in helping a patient and their family cope with a new diagnosis of cancer or diabetes.” -  Linda Bell, an RN-C who oversees a 37-bed medicine unit at North Shore-LIJ Health System's Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City