Have you been thinking about furthering your education? If so, is it for personal reasons, or does your desired position require you to have a bachelor’s degree?  I am here to tell you that whatever your motivation might be, I am certain that the experience may have opened your eyes to a broader range of career possibilities and prompted you to rethink your original goals. Maybe you feel that you have outgrown your career and need more education to move into a different field. Or perhaps you are comfortable in your current position, and you know that a bachelor’s degree is needed to ensure your ongoing employability.

I know from personal experience that the thought of continuing your education can be intimidating, but depending on the scope of your education, getting that bachelor’s degree may be more attainable than you think. Consider the following:

Personally: Has a four year degree been your personal goal? Are you concerned about the rising cost of an education? Why is now the best time to further your education?

Professionally: Are you on track to attain your career goals? Can you advance without your degree?

Geographically: Can you relocate for career advancements? Can you attend classes while maintaining full time employment? Do you live in a region where your closest campus is hundreds of miles away?

By considering these questions, you will develop a better understanding of your goals and what part continuing education plays in the big picture.

 The College Network partners with leading Universities to provide more than 40 flexible online degree and certificate programs for the working adults. As one of the nation’s leading eLearning companies and a partner with some of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning, The College Network has helped hundreds of thousands  of adults continue their education.

For a list of programs and partner universities please visit www.collegenetwork.com or contact Reggie Theodore, Atlanta Area Program Advisor for the College Network by calling 646-271-9617 or reggie.theodore@collegenetwork.com.

To see the ranking of one of our partners, Bellevue University, click on the link below:

http://www.educationdive.com/news/the-top-10-online-programs-for-bachelors-degrees/91646/

The College Network partners with Regis University to offer an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program that can help you become a leader in the nursing industry. In fact, the program focuses on leadership in healthcare systems. Become an MSN-prepared nurse, and you'll be qualified for a number of leadership positions, including chief nursing officer, nursing director, and nurse administrator.

NurseTogether recently published an article that discusses principles for practical nurse leadership. If you're interested in earning your MSN and becoming a nurse leader, you should keep the following tips in mind:

1. Exemplify the behavior you encourage in your subordinates. As a nurse leader, it's important for you to set a good example for your subordinates and to stay humble in your leadership position. You should never feel that you are above picking up trash in a hallway or helping a lost patron. Leading by example will help you earn the respect of patients, subordinates, peers, and superiors.
    
2. Surround yourself with employees who are willing to grow with you. If you have subordinates who are unwilling to put in the effort required to meet team goals, you must be ready and willing to make a change. You cannot be successful as a leader if you are unable to get all employees working toward the same goals.
    
3. Remember where you started. To be an effective leader in the nursing industry, you must stay on top of the day-to-day tasks performed by licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and other members of your healthcare team. It's a good idea to periodically walk through a shift with someone in a position you once held in order to get a true understanding of the changes that have taken place in areas like patient care.
    
4. Recognize and spend time with star employees. Low-performing employees often occupy a great deal of a leader's time because low performers are more willing to take time away from work to chat, and low performers also require more coaching. As a result, high-performing employees are often ignored. If you want to be an effective leader, you must find time to converse with and recognize high performers. These star employees bring a lot of value to the company, and you don't want to risk losing them to a leader who reaches out and recognizes that value before you do.

“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!

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. 

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.

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!

In a recent blog, we highlighted the changing healthcare landscape and the call from the Institute of Medicine for 80% of nurses to hold at least a  bachelor's degree by the year 2020. As well, there is a push for nurses everywhere to go back to school with more and more hospitals reaching to achieve Magnet status which requires a high percentage of nurses to hold an advanced degree. If you're wondering how you can reach the next level in your education, here are some options for you with The College Network® and our partner universities.

If you are an LPN who would like to earn a bachelor's degree, The College Network partners with Indiana State University to offer the only online LPN/LVN to BS in Nursing program in the country. Work through your general education requirements using the The College Network's program and then transfer those credits to Indiana State University, where you'll complete the rest of your program and obtain your BS in Nursing degree. Learn more about Indiana State University's program. 

Are you a registered nurse who wants to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree? Regis University offers an online RN to BSN degree designed for busy nurses which allows you to complete your upper-level nursing courses in just 12-20 months. Regis University has full time faculty dedicated to their online students and offers a very student focused experience. You can learn more about Regis by watching the video below. 

The best part about our bachelor degree options is that there are no waiting lists. You can get started today in your degree program. So if you're ready to find out more, call us at 800-395-1014 or simply click here. 

At The College Network, we are often asked one fundamental question:

“If The College Network isn’t a university, how can the program help me earn my degree?”  

The answer is really quite simple. The College Network’s online programs are designed to help you earn college credits that can be applied toward a degree from one of our partner universities. You can work toward these credits from the comfort of home and at your own pace.

Here’s how it works: Our programs prepare you to earn college credits for general education and elective requirements by passing end-of-course college equivalency exams. Credits earned this way can be applied toward an online degree program with one of our university partners.

Completing your general education and prerequisite courses online by way of The College Network is a time-saving and cost-effective way to start working toward your degree today. Because you can complete your courses at your own pace, you can choose to gradually ease back into life as a student while continuing to work professionally or to accelerate the process and advance faster than traditional means.

When you enroll with one of our university partners, you will have already completed an essential portion of your studies, leaving you free to focus on the core courses in your major for the remainder of the program. Upon completion of the remaining courses in your program, you are eligible to graduate and receive your degree from the partner university.

To help you better understand how to earn your degree with help from The College Network, we’ve created an infographic that illustrates the step-by-step process. From academic assessment to graduation, The College Network will be there for you every step of the way!

Click on the image below to visit the full infographic.

If you'd like more information on our programs, you can view our full list of degree programs or our list of professional certificate options. To learn more about The College Network on social media, visit our new Social Resources page.

“Students and employers are increasingly finding value in the way subjects can be mastered in a digital environment." U.S. News has long provided data and a ranking to determine which schools have the best bachelor’s and master’s degree programs available.  They are now expanding this list to include online programs.  They do warn you that they have to rely on schools to report key metrics (such as graduation dates and debt levels) but as the popularity of online programs increases, it is important to know what is out there and what your options are.   Click here to read the full article.  Click here to see how each school was ranked as well as explore the other categories U.S. News used to rank programs and schools.  

P.S. One of The College Network's partner schools, Bellevue University, was ranked #9 for Best Online Bachelor's Programs!

Another partner of The College Network, Regis University, was ranked #26 for Best Online Graduate Nursing Program!

Since the 2011 release of The Future of Nursing report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), healthcare researchers have continued to justify the push for more baccalaureate-level registered nurses. One of the most powerful testaments to the power of baccalaureate education lies in the fact that facilities with more BSN-RNs have better patient outcomes.

The most recent evidence of improved patient results comes from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who reviewed outcomes from 134 Pennsylvania hospitals. The resulting study showed that a 10-point increase in the percentage of bachelor’s-level RNs was directly linked with an average reduction of 2.12 deaths for every 1,000 patients.

The report is the University of Pennsylvania’s most recent piece of evidence in an ongoing effort to emphasize the link between baccalaureate-level education and improved care. In 2008, the University partnered with the Journal of the American Medical Association to release a similar study, which revealed that a 10 percent increase in the number of BSN-RNs on staff led to a 5 percent decrease in the risk of patient deaths.

In order for healthcare facilities to improve their bachelor’s degree-level nurse ratios, more nursing students will need to start choosing baccalaureate degrees over associate degree programs.  In 2011, 60 percent of candidates who passed the NCLEX-RN^® exam held an associate’s degree, while only 40 percent held a baccalaureate degree. In today’s workforce, only 45 percent of U.S. nurses hold a bachelor’s degree. The number of nursing students entering BSN programs will need to increase significantly if the industry hopes to meet the IOM’s recommendation, which states that 80 percent of RNs should hold a bachelor’s degree by 2020. 

If you are interested in earning your bachelor's degree in nursing, now is the time. The College Network offers a variety of options for LPNs and RNs who are interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree. To learn more, you can view a full list of our degree programs for nurses or request more information. Or, call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with a program advisor. 

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. 

Are you interested in learning how to leverage social media for your business? With new certificate programs created by Splash Media U, you will develop knowledge in the right mix of social platforms and learn to use them effectively for your business. Gain the skills needed to effectively manage social media marketing efforts. 

Splash Media U has selected LearnScale™ Solutions to market and distribute online social media certificates that focus on top social outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and various blogging platforms as well as an all-encompassing Master Social Media Certification program, which is  designed for businesses that want to ensure employees have the skills necessary to run social campaigns and for individuals who want to prove mastery of social media marketing.

Demand for qualified social media marketers continues to increase year after year, but a lack of training programs means companies are often forced to gamble when making hiring decisions. Splash Media U has developed the only certification program that uses actual social media experts as instructors, giving its students real-world application of social media marketing practices using more than 530 lessons.

“Companies of all sizes need help in determining if an individual is qualified to assist them in their social media marketing initiatives,” said Paul Slack, President of Splash Media U. “Our certification program is designed to help employers train highly skilled social media marketing employees by offering a credential from a professional program. We are pleased to announce our partnership with LearnScale to help bring this product to a nationwide market.”

In this strategic partnership, LearnScale will bring the online certificates to target audiences nationwide, provide ongoing marketing campaigns, and use its professional distribution network to ensure that enrollment goals are met. Splash Media U will continue to focus on developing and delivering exceptional training courses in social media marketing. The Master Social Media Certification program, as well as other social media training courses, will be available on January 14, 2013.

About LearnScale™ Solutions

The Learning Corporation, doing business as LearnScale Solutions, leverages The College Network's more than 20 years of experience developing, marketing, and providing education and training solutions. It partners with organizations and allows them to continue to focus on their core business while it helps to identify and develop educational and training programs. 

Another year is drawing to a close.  It's usually the time when we look back at what we have accomplished while we also look forward to our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. If you're at all like me, you wish you would have accomplished a few more goals that you had on your list this time last year. It's hard because day-to-day life can easily get in the way of our goals.

Is advancing your career and education one of  your goals that you carry forward from year to year? Are you an LPN that hopes to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing degree? Or are you an RN who wants to become a nurse educator by getting a master of science in nursing? The great news is that by this time next year, you can be well on your way to earning your degree. 

Don't let another year pass by while you are waiting to start your degree program.  The time is right--right now. The College Network can help determine what general education courses you will need, which courses will transfer to one of our partner universities, and how you can get started. We will be with you every step of the way.  

Call us at 800-395-1014 to speak with one of our Program Advisors, who can answer any questions you may have about our programs work.  You can also click here to request more information. Make this next year one that you will look back upon and be excited about how far you have moved forward towards your goal. 

I think most of us have a bucket list.  Even if it isn't something that we write down, we keep it in the back of our mind. It's the dream that we would like to achieve certain things and have certain experiences during our lifetime. Sometimes it's the glamorous dreams that get our attention. For instance, one day I want to attend the Cannes Film Festival in France and ride in a gondola through Venice.  Sounds pretty good, right? Well, I also have things on my list that won't require a passport. I want to read one book every week. I want to learn how to cook as good as my mother. Those are certainly much more attainable. (Although, my mom is a great cook!)

What is on your bucket list? Do you think about what you would like to accomplish? Does it include a more challenging career where you could earn more money? If it does, you need to look at your education. Can you obtain the type of position that you want with the education you currently have? 

Let's talk about all the options that you have at The College Network. We can offer you a flexible, convenient way to earn your degree online. Through our partner Bellevue University, you can find the degree that will fit your experience and goals.

Bellevue offers many bachelor degree programs. Bachelor of Science in Business or Management will help you move forward in your career.  Or maybe you want to explore a healthcare career--a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management will enable you to work in hospitals or physician's offices managing staff and resources. Explore their degrees--you will find they can offer you the bachelor's degree that you have been thinking about. 

So if your bucket list includes going back to school, we can help you check that off your list. Call us today at 800-395-1014 to get started. 

If you are a nurse, you have probably heard of the call from The Institute of Medicine that 80% of all nurses hold their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree by the year 2020.  But did you know that holding your bachelor's degree in other fields can also help your career opportunities?

In the past couple of years with the state of the economy, jobs were harder to come by and sometimes through no fault of the employee, they were lost due to downsizing or closure.  A recent study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce finds that jobs that require bachelor's degrees have increased by 2.2 million since the start of the recession.  And of those unemployed,  7% of those had bachelor's degrees while 24% held only a high school diploma.  Also, you will earn nearly twice as much with your degree compared to a high school graduate.  

Obtaining your advanced degree is more important than ever.  Here at The College Network®, we can help you find the program that is right for you.  We partner with colleges and universities throughout the country to offer many bachelor degree programs.  Maybe you are interested in a Business Analysis and Management degree from Bellevue University or a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management from Regis University?  We can help you find the best fit for your background and interests.

Call us today at 800-395-1014 to get started.  Your bachelor's degree is the next step you need to take to move forward, build your career and ensure your financial stability.  

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

The College Network is pleased to announce its alliance with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) — a non-profit nursing organization formed in 1971, which represents 150,000 nurses, nursing students and retired nurses from the United States, Eastern Caribbean and Africa with 83 chapters in 34 states. The formation of this alliance will allow The College Network to further provide working nurses with opportunities to achieve advanced education.

Earlier this year, the NBNA created its Future of Nursing committee to make recommendations regarding the NBNA’s direction and priorities. The relationship with The College Network was formed after the committee stressed the importance of “promoting seamless academic progression for an increase in the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree from 50 to 80 percent by 2020,” following studies released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Medicine.

When asked about the recent alliance, NBNA president Deidra Walton, JD, MSN, RN said, “NBNA recognizes the invaluable source of knowledge gained from advanced education in nursing and is excited about our alliance with The College Network. Advanced education in nursing will help prepare professional nurses to take on leadership roles at the hospital, the board room and in advanced practice, research and education.”

The College Network is committed to partnering with the nation’s leading healthcare organizations in an effort to help alleviate the nursing shortage by providing a way for nurses to earn the education they need to keep up with changes in healthcare while they continue to work in their field. Education opportunities including associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing will be offered in conjunction with recognized institutions of higher learning to NBNA members.

“The College Network has become a leader in eLearning by offering advanced education opportunities for working adults,” said Gary Eyler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The College Network. “The ability to work and earn a degree is especially important to nurses who often have irregular hours. We look forward to partnering with the NBNA to advance the future of nursing by making  higher education available to their members through flexible, self-paced programs and guaranteed financing options.”

If you are a member of NBNA (or are interested in becoming a member) who would like more information on advance education opportunities available trough The College Network, please contact us by calling 1-877-725-9376 of visit us at www.collegenetwork.com/NBNA today.

If you are a nurse, you most likely have heard of the call by The Institute of Medicine that by the year 2020, 80% of nurses hold Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.  It is a call to action for the nursing industry to respond to the changing needs of the healthcare system.

Hospitals have also started requiring their registered nurses hold a BSN--especially those hospitals who are attempting to be awarded Magnet status.  This change has happened in the last several years.  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 struggle to find BSN nurses to hire and because of this have developed policies to address this.  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 are an RN who would like obtain a Bachelor's degree in nursing.  

We partner with Indiana State University to offer the only LPN-BSN online program.  This 3 phase program allows you to work through your general education and prerequisite courses with The College Network and then enroll with Indiana State for your nursing transition courses and final nursing courses with concurrent clinical hours.  Everything is online and there is no waiting list.  You can get started today.

For those registered nurses who are seeking their Bachelor's degree, you can obtain your degree through our partner, Regis University.  You can complete your upper-level core nursing courses in 12-20 months.  You can decide to work through a fast-track progression or a standard progression--depending on what works best with your busy lifestyle. 

Call us today at 800-395-1014 to learn more about these programs and find out which one is the best fit for you. Your Bachelor's degree is waiting for you.  

Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books once said, "Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful." I think for someone debating whether to go back to school and earn an advanced degree there isn't a more encouraging quote.

The decision to go back to school is a life-changing one. It takes a great deal of time, energy, and effort, but as you know, the benefits are well worth the investment. A greater potential for finding a career, higher pay, maintaining a higher quality of life, and increasing the possibility for promotions. You can't put a price on education, and with The College Network, you'll be getting the most out of your investment. With online degrees from top universities, the courses you take through TCN may be transferred to degree programs with some of TCN's partners in education. To learn more, visit TCN's web site.

The web site Education News.org recently posted an article about the struggling job market for those who don't possess an advanced degree. "The overall unemployment rate, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics was 8.2% for the month of May, but while that represented an increase from April, not everyone’s news was quite this glum. On the contrary, people with a college degree saw their unemployment rate fall from last month to 3.9% from 4%. For those with only a high school diploma, on the other hand, the rate went up from 7.9% to 8.1%."

The article goes on to quote Jack Downing, a partner in a job placement firm, "They [employers] have an option now, so they're going to take somebody with a college education over somebody that's not (got a degree).

Don't waste any more time in a job market where you're already at a distinct disadvantage. Take the time to visit The College Network's web site to learn more about securing your future and being well-equipped for a tough job market.