Success with The College Network

“If you want to succeed, you should strike out on new paths rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” – John D. Rockefeller

John D. Rockefeller certainly knew something about success—he was the founder of an oil company that dominated and revolutionized the industry and he became a very wealthy and influential business man as a result. However, Rockefeller didn’t start at the top—his first job was as an assistant book keeper. Because he refused to be content with the status quo, he eventually climbed to the top of American business.  

Rockefeller is certainly not alone. History is full of examples of people who pushed ahead and didn't accept things only as they were. When have advancements happened by simply following established practices in a monotonous circle? Was Alexander Graham Bell satisfied only communicating messages through telegraph? Did Dr. Joseph Lister chalk infection up to a risk of surgery for patients and move on? Did Steve Jobs look to the technology of the day and copy it? Most pioneers in a field don’t follow the path most traveled to leave their mark on the world. They take a chance, act on a hunch or instinct, and push into the unknown on their own path.

Are you tired of status quo in your life and in your career? Are you ready to take a chance and blaze a new trail for yourself by advancing your degree and your career? Get started on the path to earning your online degree with help from The College Network and top university partners like Indiana State University, Regis University, and Tulane University (just to name a few!) and open doors to career advancement and new ways to put your distinct mark on your field. You can get started right away—there is no need to wait for a new semester to begin. Contact us today and strike out on a new path to success!

As National Nurses Week 2013 comes to a close, the best and brightest in healthcare have shared many new insights and ideas with the nursing community. As we reflect on the week behind us, there is one question still to be asked: as a nurse, how will you impact nursing?

Whether your goal is to leave a lasting legacy on the profession or simply become a more skillful nurse, furthering your education is an essential first step. You have the experience – now why not earn the credential you need to move ahead?

At The College Network®, our vision is to enrich the lives of nurses by empowering them with educational opportunities that fit into their busy lifestyles. If you are ready to take the next step toward a successful future, check out our list of nursing degree programs.  Or, give us a call at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. We’re here to help!

If you’ve been following The College Network on social media this past week, you might have noticed our ongoing tribute to several famous nurses. To close out the week, we’re releasing the full version of our latest infographic, “5 Nurses Who Changes the Face of Healthcare.” Click the image below to check it out. And thanks for a wonderful Nurses Week!
 

"The surest test of discipline is its absence." - Clara Barton 

As you know, we've developed a series titled "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" in honor of Nurses' Week 2013. The third nurse profiled in our series is Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross.

If you're thinking about pursuing an online nursing degree, there are many steps you can take to journey toward success. An article recently published on nursetogether.com offers some helpful advice for surviving nursing school. Here are four tips to help you succeed in your pursuit of online education:

1. Stay organized. Use a calendar to keep track of reading assignments for yourself and to schedule your exams. When you log in to The College Network Resource Center, you will see a calendar for just this purpose on the left-hand side of your screen.
    
2. Discover your learning style and use it. People learn in many different ways, but there are typically three major learning styles: tactile, auditory and visual. You can take a learning styles survey in our Center for Learning Empowerment to find out which learning style works best for you. Once you know your optimal learning style, organize your studying around that style to maximize your chance of success.
    
3. Seek assistance if you need it. If you are having trouble with a particular concept, don't hesitate to ask for help! Our Academic Support team is available seven days a week to lend a helping hand.
    
4. Take care of yourself. In order to succeed as a nursing student, it's important to pay attention to your health. Make sure to get enough sleep and to eat a balanced diet so that you feel your best when studying and taking your exams. It's also a good idea to get regular exercise to keep your stress level low.

To learn more about the opportunities for advanced nursing education available through The College Network, visit our nursing degrees page or fill out our information request form.

May is upon us, which—here in the great city of Indianapolis, where The College Network is headquartered—means it's time for the 500 Festival! The 500 Festival is a month-long celebration that culminates with the Indy 500 auto race. One of the most popular festival events is the Mini-Marathon, which is the largest half marathon (i.e., 13.1-mile foot race) in the country. Each year, the Mini-Marathon draws people from around the nation and the world who are looking to accomplish a goal. Some people simply want to complete the race, while others want to run a personal best time.

On May 4, I will join thousands of other runners as I participate in the Mini-Marathon for the second time. I have been training for the past several months, and I'm hoping to run a personal best time on the course. I enjoy training for half marathons because I can set a goal and work toward it. Training for a half marathon is a lot like studying to advance your education. It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and you often have to push outside your comfort zone. Additionally, much like successfully completing a degree program, finishing the race and accomplishing the goal is extremely rewarding.

Are you an LPN ready to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an RN ready to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)? Let The College Network help you race toward a new degree or a new career goal! The theme of this year's 500 Festival is "TurboCharging Indy," and we can help you turbocharge your education this May!

To learn more about the nursing degrees you can earn with assistance from The College Network, click here. It's never too late to start working toward a new goal! On your mark. Get set. Go!

Starting an online program can be daunting. Where to begin? You may be like me and find little things to “help” you prepare to embark on a major task. I find myself reorganizing my desk, moving pens and pencils and notebooks from one side of the desk to the other—after all, how could I even begin such a major undertaking with my pens on the wrong side of the desk? Then there is always Internet distractors—I’ll just check my email/Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn accounts and then I’ll get started, right?

If you know it’s time to leave the pens where they are and stop procrastinating on Facebook, here are some tips for the best ways to get started in your program with The College Network.

1. Log-in to the Resource Center™ and familiarize yourself with the way it is set up. Check out the Center for Learning Empowerment while you’re there. Be sure to take the Learning Styles Survey and discover the best methods to help you learn.
    
2. Set a schedule with goals. Decide when you’d like to take your first exam and work backward from there, setting small deadlines along the way to make sure you meet your target date. Setting a daily routine that includes even fifteen minutes of study can help you stay connected with what you are learning and ensure you don’t procrastinate.
    
3. Familiarize yourself with the layout of a learning module. Don't worry about studying right off; just click through a lesson to familiarize yourself with the format of the material.
    
4. Check out the printable resources section. You'll find the full text of the modules that you can print and take with you to study when you're away from a computer.
    
5. You might also want to take a peek at the exams and quizzes in the Resource Center that will test your knowledge once you're ready.

That wasn't too hard now was it? And since you're already logged in and more familiar with the material, why not go ahead and get started? Put a stop to procrastination and get started with that first lesson today. There's no time like the present!

Since spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, it's the perfect time to start thinking about fresh starts in your life. Are you considering heading back to school as an adult learner? Are you perhaps intimidated by the number of years that have passed since you were last a student?

The College Network (TCN) wants to help you bloom into a confident learner with our Center for Learning Empowerment (CLE). The CLE is packed with information to help TCN customers get the most out of their learning experience. It includes engaging lessons designed to lead students toward effective and efficient thinking, studying and learning. The CLE is also home to a learning styles survey, which can help you identify the different types of learning styles that work best for you. 

If you are a TCN customer, you already have access to the Center for Learning Empowerment in our online Resource Center. Log in, and check it out! Knowing and understanding how your brain organizes and digests information will maximize your chance of being a successful adult learner. Additionally, the information you can gain from the CLE will help you become a more empowered learner for the rest of your life! 

If you are researching and considering online education, you have likely come across several myths about distance learning. Don't let those myths hold you back. I'm here to bust them wide open!

Myth #1: Online learning outcomes aren't as positive as the outcomes of face-to-face instruction.

A recent post on The College Network (TCN) blog discussed an online education study that was conducted by the Babson Survey Research Group and the College Board in 2012. According to the study, 77 percent of academic leaders believe online learning outcomes are equal or superior to the outcomes of face-to-face instruction. Additionally, Thomas L. Russell compiled a large body of research on these two main types of learning, and he described the findings as the "no significant difference phenomenon." According to the No Significant Difference web site, "Mr. Russell found that an overwhelming number of studies showed that when the course materials and teaching methodology were held constant, there were no significant differences (NSD) between student outcomes in a distance delivery course as compared to a face-to-face course."

Myth #2: Online courses and degrees are not accredited.

I can't speak for all courses and degrees you may see advertised online, but The College Network offers a number of courses that are accredited by the American Council on Education. We also partner with the following respected universities:

• Angelo State University
• Bellevue University
• Indiana State University
• Lake Superior State University
• Purdue University
• Regis University
• Tulane University

Myth #3: Degrees and certifications earned online are not recognized by employers.

Degrees earned online through reputable organizations and universities are just as credible as degrees earned through campus-based learning. The College Network has seen many success stories in which people have been able to advance their careers through completion of one of our degree programs. Furthermore, successfully earning a degree through distance learning can show employers that you are hard working and disciplined.

Myth #4: Online learning is only for those who are lazy or who tend to underperform in a traditional classroom.

Online learning requires organization, determination and self-motivation, so those who successfully pursue it are far from lazy. TCN's Back to School infographic shows that many of those who choose online education do so for the convenience of self-paced education and training. Our infographic shows that 37.6 percent of people cite a heavy work schedule as their reason for pursuing distance education, while 19.7 percent cite personal circumstances related to their family and/or health. Additionally, students of all ages seem to be participating in online education with increasing frequency. Our infographic indicates that today's distance learners include 15 percent of those ages 15 to 23, 26 percent of those ages 24 to 29, and 30 percent of those age 30 and over. 

Online education can be a little daunting, especially if traditional classroom education is the only experience you’ve had. One of the biggest concerns you might have is whether an online education is the right fit for you. Consider whether you agree with any of the following statements:

• I have goals and am dedicated to reaching them.
• Furthering my education will provide me with further opportunity in my career.
• Education is important to me.
• I am organized and self-motivated.
• I work well independently.
• I feel comfortable asking questions.
• My schedule or circumstance makes it difficult for me to commit to traditional on-campus learning.
• I am ready to devote time in my schedule to furthering my education.
• I have people around me who will support my goals and the efforts I make to reach them.
• I have regular access to a computer with Internet access and am comfortable accessing information online.

For each statement, give yourself one point if you agree, zero points if you disagree.

7-10 points: You are an ideal candidate for online learning! You are motivated and prepared to reach your goals and we're ready to help you get started. Click here to begin your journey!

3-6 points: You have the desire, but you may need some help with tips for staying disciplined throughout the process. Call 1-800-395-3276 and speak with a Program Advisor who can help you determine the program that best fits your goals and help you discover the tools you need to be successful.

0-2 points: Online learning may be a challenge for you, but we're ready to help you overcome any barriers you may have to earning your advanced degree. We will support your goals and help make online learning a great fit for you! Contact us today to speak with a Program Advisor and find out how The College Network can offer you the flexibility and support you need to achieve your personal and professional goals!

Interested in learning more about valuable traits for online learning? Read more here.  

Do you know why goal setting is so important to you success?

You've probably set a goal for yourself in the past—maybe even when you signed up to earn credit with The College Network.  More than likely, you set a goal to earn your degree. But did you stop to consider what it would take for you to reach this goal?  

It is important that you don't underestimate yourself in setting goals. When you only answer to yourself on the success of achieving your goal, it can be tempting to let yourself slack or fall into bad habits. You don’t want to let yourself off too easily when you know you’re capable of doing more.

For example, it can be easy as an adult learner working in a self-paced program to say that you are going to work on your courses for 20 minutes each night, but deep down you know that if you try, you can make time for an hour of study time. Many times, we underestimate our abilities because we fear falling short and not meeting our own expectations. But you will progress more quickly when you stretch yourself and make small sacrifices to achieve the goal that you really want. 

Fear of failure is often an indicator of something that could be significant. Setting a goal that is outside of your comfort zone and reaching to achieve it means that you are growing.  You are going after something you REALLY want or something that will have a HUGE IMPACT on your life. Use the fear and apprehension you feel about going back to school as a motivator to propel you forward rather than letting it keep you from accomplishing the things you truly want. This is when the impossible becomes possible!

Contact us at 1-800-634-1443 or visit www.collegenetwork.com/customers if you need assistance as you progress throughout your program. We're here to help. 

Now that you've put in the long hours and completed your nursing degree, it's time for the final step: passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). And while that may seem like an overwhelming leap, there are many resources available to help you succeed.

Scrubs magazine published an article that offers helpful advice from an NCLEX insider on how to approach the exam. The insider encourages you to organize your studying around the test plan, which is available on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) web site. She also warns that simple memorization will not help you pass the NCLEX-RN; you must be able to think critically and apply the information you have learned to various nursing scenarios. Additionally, the expert offers the following tips for test day:

1. Take your time reading each question to make sure you don't miss important words like "not" or "first."
2. Decide on an answer to each question before you view the answer choices to avoid being distracted by the other probable answers.
3. Don't overcomplicate a question by making assumptions or thinking about exceptions; answer each question based on the information that is presented.
4. Don't spend too much time deciding between two equally good multiple choice answers; try to pinpoint a clear reason why one is wrong.
5. Look for patterns in the answer choices for each multiple response question.

If you're ready to start studying for your exam, The College Network offers a comprehensive NCLEX-RN exam preparation package. Our Rx for NCLEX Success is the only test prep bundle developed with the National League for Nursing (NLN), and it includes thousands of NCLEX practice questions, eight comprehensive learning modules and a testing strategies guide.

With spring upon us and summer following soon after, my thoughts are on schedules. My husband always groans as the calendar pages turn to summer months because he knows that the pristine white squares representing the days from June through August will soon be filled with a mass of names, places, and times. I, on the other hand, delight in the calendar with its busy squares. You see, I adhere to the philosophy of Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He says, “The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities,” and during the summer, I have a lot of priorities!

Once you decide to advance your career by earning a degree, your education has to become one of your main priorities, and if you follow Covey’s thinking, that means you have to schedule it! While adhering to a schedule may feel like putting chains on your life, having one can actually give you a different kind of freedom—the freedom to achieve what you truly want to achieve. Instead of thinking of a schedule as taking away from your ability to do what you want at any given moment, think of it as giving you the ability to do what you want with your life and your future.

One of the benefits of earning your degree online is that you can do it at your own pace, fitting it around a full-time job, family time, and social commitments. However, that freedom can quickly become detrimental to your goals if you don’t make a point to truly incorporate study into your daily or weekly schedule. To find balance and ensure that you meet your goals, making a schedule is imperative. Here are some tips for creating a schedule:

1. Mark the set parts of your day on your calendar. Set parts of the day include work and family commitments; they don’t include catching the latest episode of American Idol! Doing this can help you determine the time you have that is essentially "free."
2. Schedule in time for yourself: eating, exercising, sleeping. You learn best when you are healthy, so take time for yourself!
3. Next, consider your educational goals. Determine deadlines for taking exams and mark those on your calendar.
4. With your deadlines in mind, schedule time to devote entirely to study. You may find it helpful to schedule study for the same time each day, preferably a time when you are most alert. Even if you end up only reviewing your notes for fifteen minutes, you are staying engaged with what you are learning every day.
5. Make sure that you plan enough time to study throughout the week to stay on track and reach the goals you set for yourself. According to Carolyn Hopper, author of Practicing College Learning Strategies, you are more likely to remember what you study in the first twenty minutes and the last twenty minutes of a study session, so each study session doesn’t need to be long. You just need to make sure you have several study sessions spread throughout the week.
6. Block out some time on your schedule where you can be spontaneous, flexible, and free to do whatever you choose! Everyone needs a little break now and then!

The most important thing to remember when it comes to creating a schedule for achieving success is that it must be realistic. It has to be something you can actually follow; if it isn’t, you can easily become discouraged and give up. Do realize that sometimes you will have to deviate from your schedule. Things come up and schedules take a backseat. Don’t let that discourage you! Just get back on schedule as soon as possible. If you find that the schedule you created is no longer working, make adjustments and continue on.

Make earning your degree with The College Network a priority and enjoy the freedom that can come with success!

“Socrates told us, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living.' I think he's calling for curiosity, more than knowledge. In every human society at all times and at all levels, the curious are at the leading edge.” –Roger Ebert

I recently heard the news that Roger Ebert, well-known and loved film critic, passed away. His passion for film and the way he shared his love of movies won him a Pulitzer Prize and a place in pop culture history.  Even though he had been a writer and critic for most of his life, Mr. Ebert never stopped honing his craft and he was truly a leader in his field. I suspect he revealed part of the reason for his success in the quote that started this blog: he had a curious nature.

Without curiosity, there is no true learning. We have to wonder what is just around the bend, or what makes something work, or why things are the way they are to inspire us toward learning. As a result, curiosity and education go hand-in-hand. There is nothing better than a path started by wondering. Be open to seeing your learning as a journey toward discovery.

As you work towards your educational goals, let your curiosity engage you with the content. Don’t be a passive learner! According to an article by Thomas Frey, “a student driven by their own curiosity will learn more, learn faster, and retain far more.” So, as you study, give in to your wondering. Did you read something that made you stop and think and ask more questions? Was there a reference to a piece of art you’ve never seen? Why not go beyond the module and learn more? Open an Internet search window and discover new parts of the world around you. You never know what you might learn and where it might take you.

Let The College Network be a starting point, curiosity be your guide, and find yourself on the leading edge in your profession!

Spring officially arrived on March 20, ushering in what some may say is truly the most wonderful time of the year. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season a distant memory, it's time for the scrape and scrub of the spring cleaning season!

If you're anything like me, you love the sweet satisfaction that comes after you've successfully cleaned the house, washed the car, organized the garage, uncluttered the nightstand or even emptied your email inbox. The idea of starting anew with a bright, clean slate is invigorating and motivating. It's like the first sign of sunshine after a powerful, cleansing rain.

Most people associate spring cleaning with household chores, but have you ever thought about doing a spring cleanup of your work life? There are many steps you can take to move toward a brighter professional future. You can start by getting organized, prioritizing your goals, and purging negative thoughts about the status of your career.

The Chicago Tribune recently published an article about how to spring clean a career, and it advised professionals everywhere to cleanse themselves of bad work habits like being apathetic, worrying, and trying to do it all alone. If you want to see progress, you must care about your work and your future, you must face your professional fears, and you must allow others to help you reach your goals.

If you're proud of your work and ready to spruce up your career with an advanced education, do it this spring! Going back to school as an adult can be a scary prospect, but you can't let your fear hold you back. One of my favorite childhood authors, Judy Blume, once said, "Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it." You also must remember that you aren't  alone. The College Network can help you earn an online degree or a certificate from one of our professional partners through self-paced education and training. And our Academic Support department is here to assist you with every step of the journey.

Kick-start your spring cleaning with The College Network, and we'll help you dust away the educational barriers!

Most of us have considered going back to school at one point or another. I want go back to school to get my master's degree. I, like you, research programs to see what will work best for my lifestyle. I will need to continue to work my full time job and run my household, while I obtain my degree. The reasons that we decide to go back to school as an adult are much the same--no matter what degree that we pursue. 

So, let's talk about my top 5 reasons.

1. Career Advancement--Earning your associate's or bachelor's degree will open up more career opportunities for you. If you earn your Associate Degree in Nursing online, you can move forward in your career to become an RN. If you earn your Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, you can advance into higher ranks and move into a leadership role. But whatever degree you pursue, earning it will lead to more options for your career. 

2. Earning Potential--By advancing your education and earning your degree, you increase your earning potential. The easiest example of this is the difference in pay between an LPN and an RN. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salary for an LPN at $40,380 and the average salary for an RN at $64,690. That is a remarkable difference!

3.Expanding Your Horizons--Learning opens us up to all kinds of experiences. I think we can rediscover our love of learning and how much we enjoy the challenge of finding answers. It can spark a lifelong love of new adventures.

4. Achieving Your Dream--By earning your degree, you will accomplish a milestone in your life. It is one that will take hard work and dedication. There might be times along the way when you feel like giving up--but you can push through to keep going. Thinking about how your life will change can help to motivate you to stay on track.

5. Inspiring Others--Most people don't realize that by reaching their goal, they inspire others to take a chance and follow their dream too. You will impact those around you with your success and will be a role model for those that are contemplating taking the next step in their career.  

I'm sure after reading these reasons, you might even have more reasons to add to your list. If you're ready to discover more about earning your degree online through The College Network and one of our partner universities, call us today at 800-395-1014. Or you can request more information here. 

As you work through your online degree program, do you share your success with friends and colleagues?  Do you announce on your Facebook or Twitter account that you have passed an exam?  If you do, you probably have people who congratulate you on your success and ask you about your degree program. 

Since you are inspiring others with your success, are you also helping them to advance their education?  The College Network's EARN program is for people like you who want to achieve their dream of an associate's or bachelor's degree and also help others. If you are a nurse who works in a hospital or long term care facility, I'm sure there are other nurses who would benefit from an online LPN to BS in nursing program or those who dream of obtaining their associate of science in nursing.  

EARN stands for the Educational Ambassadors Resource Network™. It's comprised of people who have referred their friends and colleagues. One of the best things about this network is that enables people to start their own study community while they support their own education.

As a customer of The College Network®, when you refer someone and that person enrolls in a degree program, you will receive $200.  And on your sixth referral, remaining balance on The College Network portion of your loan will be paid in full. So while you support your education, inspire others to achieve the same success and create your study community. You will be recognized for your efforts.

Want to learn more about the EARN program? Go here to find out more about how it works and for a complete list of rules and guidelines. And if you are already to refer someone today, you can go to our online referral form.  Keep up the good work, and keep inspiring others! 

Let’s face it—most of us have been out of school quite a long time. The prospect of returning to school can be exciting, and a bit scary. Especially if the last time you were in school you sat behind a desk and are now looking at your computer, wondering how it’s all going to work.  Well, don’t worry.  We’re here to help calm your nerves, help you get started and keep you motivated as you work through your online degree program.

Once you enroll in your degree program with help from The College Network—what's next? The steps below outline what you will experience and hopefully take some of the anxiety out of what you might be feeling.  Use this as your guide and you'll be well on your way to earning your degree.

Log in to Resource Center—This is your learning portal.  You will go to the online Resource Center to find your course materials, discussion boards where you can post questions to other students, the resource library and to online chat which you can use to converse with our academic support team when you have a question.

Find out your learning style—As adults, we learn differently than we did when we were younger. It's important to know if you are an auditory learner, a tactile learner or a visual learner. Our learning style survey will help you identify your unique learning style so you can study more effectively. 

Complete your Academic Guidance Call—Our customer support team will contact you to review your learning style so you understand more completely how to be successful in your studies.  You will also work with them to develop a study plan for your program and review all aspects of the resource center.  If you have any questions about working through your degree program, they will be able to guide you. 

Set a goal for taking your first exam— Having a specific date in mind will help to keep you on track and be motivated to succeed. With self paced education, it's easy to put other things ahead of studying. We want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of earning your degree. After you pass your first exam, schedule the rest of your exams so that you have a calendar to work from. 

 Set a weekly study schedule—With our busy lives and work schedules, it can be hard to find the time to study. If you approach your study time like you would a part-time job with a set schedule, you will be able to commit to this time and make weekly progress toward your goal.

Create your support network--Use the Resource Center to find others in your area that are working through their program.  Or ask around at work to see if any of your colleagues are also pursuing their degree. It's also a good idea to include your family and friends in your pursuit of a degree so they will support your goal.  They can be your biggest motivators! 

So are you ready to get back to school?   We offer the support you need to get started and the motivation to keep you going.  Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about our degree programs and our support team. 

Although the unemployment rate increased slightly in October-going from 7.8% to 7.9%-the United States still added 171,000 new jobs. Amongst the top industries contributing to these new jobs was health care with 31,000 new positions added.

If you are unemployed or just looking for a more stable career, health care is an excellent choice, and The College Network can help get you started down this new path. We have several different programs for you to choose from to earn an online degree in the health care field:

Associate's Degree Programs

• LPN/LVN to RN
• Paramedic to RN

Bachelor's Degree Programs

• LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• Health Care Administration
• Health Information Management
• Healthcare Management

Master's Degree Programs

• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

The College Network offers academic support for our portion of these degree programs from leading universities, so when you enroll with us, you are never alone. Your success is just as important to us as it is to you, and we will work with you as much as you need our help to ensure that you master the knowledge you are learning. There has never been a better time to begin a career in the healthcare industry, so if you would like more information on our online degree programs call 1-800-395-1014.

Recently the Institute for College Access and Success, a California-based non-profit, stated that "nearly two-thirds of college graduates who finished college in 2011 left school carrying student loan debt in the amount of – on average – $26,600." The student loan debt problem, according to the recent trend, is only getting worse. But this is only part of the issue; "the unemployment rate for people looking for a job while holding only high school credentials is a staggering 19.9%."

What does it take to earn a degree and avoid the high price of a traditional university? The College Network offers a viable solution of self-paced learning and the tools necessary to gain the knowledge to earn college credit, saving money on the cost of entry level university classes. Visit TCN's web site to learn how you can change your future at a fraction of the cost.