Work for The College Network

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/

Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet.
~ Donna Wilk Cardillo

If you look up "nurse" in any dictionary, you'll likely see a brief definition that defines a nurse as someone who cares for those who are sick or hurt. However, that hardly encompasses all that a nurse truly is. Successful nurses have a number of important qualities that help them thrive in the industry. If you're considering a career in nursing, it's time to take stock of your personal traits to determine if nursing is right for you. Below are checklists of the top traits and skills that successful nurses possess. How do you stack up?

Traits
Compassion	Patience	Confidence	Respectfulness
Flexibility	Passion	Humility	Endurance
Selflessness	Tolerance	Stability	Attention to detail

Skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Critical-thinking skills

Do you have what it takes to succeed as a nurse? If so, contact The College Network today to find out how we can help you complete nursing school prerequisites as you work toward a rewarding nursing career!

Also, to learn more about some of the traits and skills needed to succeed in the nursing industry, read this article.

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.

A study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reports that nurses believe cost, family/children, and lack of time are the three most significant barriers to their pursuit of advanced education. The study is part of the RN Work Project, which is a 10-year research project that began in 2006 and seeks to uncover information about the turnover, attitudes, and intentions of new registered nurses (RNs). The project collects data from nurses in 34 states who live in both rural and metropolitan areas.

According to the study, many nurses who reported cost and lack of time as barriers to educational advancement also reported feeling challenged by the idea of trying to schedule their classes around their work schedules. One of the lead investigators for the study—Christine T. Kovner, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor at the New York University College of Nursing—stressed the importance of making advanced nursing classes available to nurses at more convenient times and in more convenient places. The College Network (TCN) offers these conveniences and more with our online nursing degree programs.

By giving nurses the opportunity to earn online degrees from top universities, The College Network breaks through the barriers that deter nurses from completing traditional, campus-based nursing programs. With online education, nurses can complete their courses whenever and wherever it is convenient for them. They can work at their own pace and set their own schedules for studying and taking exams so that they won't miss out on family time or compromise their positions at work. Additionally, TCN programs can save nurses up to 50 percent over the cost of campus-based college degree programs. (See "How can I pay for my college education?" on our FAQ page for information on financing.) Nurses can also receive financial rewards for referring others to TCN programs through our EARN referral program.

Call The College Network today at 1-800-395-1014 to talk to a Program Advisor and learn more about tearing down traditional educational barriers through our online degree programs. Also, check out this post on The College Network Blog to read more about the benefits of an online education.

“Success doesn’t come to you. You go to it.” -Marva Collins

Marva Collins knew a thing or two about the success that could be achieved through education and hard work. She challenged the status quo in education and become an activist through her efforts to help minority and impoverished students find success. She pushed her students to seek out this success through new methods, encouraging them to be something greater. She was a strong believer in being the captain of your own destiny—if you just play the wait-and-see game, you may spend your whole life waiting. 

Have you been sitting around waiting for success to come to you? Why not stand up, take charge, and go after success? The College Network can help you take the first steps toward advancement in your career and personal success through the completion of a degree.  Check out the business and professional degrees we offer to help you challenge yourself, learn more, and gain the skills you need to achieve success:

Business Degrees
Business 
Business Analysis and Management 
Management of Human Resources 
Marketing Management 
Management
Legal Studies
Project Management

Professional Degrees
Associate in Fire Science
Bachelor in Fire Science
Criminal Justice Administration
Security Management

Don't sit around, waiting for success to find you. We have affordable payment options that make success even easier to achieve! What are you waiting for? Contact us today about how you can get started in the direction of success!

May 15th is Police Officer's Memorial Day (part of National Police Week). Due to the high demand in nursing, many of TCN's efforts are focused on helping nurses achieve the next step in their education.  But we can offer so much more!  TCN has a wide spectrum of continuing education programs, including the Public Safety sector.  

Bellevue University offers two options for a Bachelor's in the Public Safety arena: Criminal Justice Administration and Security Management.  Bellevue offeres undergraduate degree programs in a cohort approach in an online learning format.  

Criminal Justice is designed for people working in or associated with the criminal justice system; Security Management looks at private and industrial security settings.

Read more about these programs on The College Network's website here.  

Read more about National Police Week here.

How will you impact the future of nursing?

We hope you've enjoyed our tribute to influential nurses throughout history in honor of Nurses' Week 2013. These extraordinary women accomplished great things to change the face of healthcare as we know it today. How will you make an impact on the future of nursing?

• LPN/LVN to RN
• LPN/LVN to BS in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing
• MS in Nursing

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing education?

Call us at 1-800-395-1014 or

click here for more information.

"If you stand still and settle for the status quo, that's exactly what you will have." - Hazel Johnson-Brown

The final nurse in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Hazel Johnson-Brown, who was the first African American Chief of the Army Nursing Corps and the first African American female general in the U.S. Army.

"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.

"I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow."  - Dorothea Dix

The second nurse profiled in our series of "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare" is Dorothea Dix, who established the first mental health system in the United States.

"How very little can be done under a spirit of fear."  - Florence Nightingale

In honor of National Nurses' Week 2013, The College Network has created an infographic about "5 Influential Nurses Who Changed the Face of Healthcare." The first nurse profiled in our series is Florence Nightingale, often recognized as the founder of modern nursing.

What does an online learner look like? Probably just like you! Online learners come from both genders and all adult age groups, with a sizeable portion comprised of middle-aged adults. Les Burr at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia reports that people tend to use the Internet as an educational resource more as they age and that people over the age of 50 participated in online learning more than any other age group in his study. Online learners range from traditional students to stay-at-home moms and dads to corporate executives with busy schedules. No matter who you are or how old you are, you’ll be in great company as the number of online learners continues to grow.

According to a recent report by the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6.7 million postsecondary students took at least one online course in 2011, compared to around 6.2 million in 2010. And the number of students who are taking classes and earning their degrees online is only expected to increase. Research firm Ambient Insight predicts that by 2014, 5.14 million students will complete all their coursework in a traditional classroom, but 3.55 million will complete all their classes online. With the increase of online learning comes a new appreciation and respect for what online degree programs have to offer. As part of their recent study, the Babson Survey Research Group surveyed a number of academic leaders, and 77% of them said that online learning outcomes are the same, somewhat superior, or superior to those encountered in traditional classroom settings. As innovation continues to shape and change the face of online education, the appreciation and respect for online education is sure to continue to rise.

At The College Network, we are constantly working to be on the cutting edge of online education. We seek to assist anyone interested in furthering their career by providing them with challenging and meaningful courses that will help them reach an educational goal. If you’re ready to join the millions of people just like you already making their dreams a reality, contact us today!

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!

World Health Day was observed on April 7 to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO was established in 1948 to serve as the authority on global health concerns, and each year, World Health Day comes with a theme to bring attention to one of these concerns. The theme for 2013 was hypertension (HTN), or high blood pressure.

The WHO web site reports that one of every three adults worldwide has elevated blood pressure. According to The College Network's Pathophysiology comprehensive learning module, "HTN causes narrowing of blood vessels by causing the contraction of the smooth muscle cells lining the vessel wall and also by inducing the hyperplasia of these cells. In the heart, increased blood pressure leads to left ventricular hypertrophy. In the kidney, small blood vessels may be obliterated as a consequence of HTN. HTN is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease, leading to stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, MI, aortic aneurysm, and kidney failure."

It is widely known that increased stress and anxiety can lead to significant spikes in blood pressure. If you're feeling the stress of trying to balance work, life and education, let The College Network put you at ease. We can help you complete nursing school prerequisites (like Pathophysiology) through self-paced education and training. We offer full-course modules as well as supplemental interactive content.

To learn more about The College Network and what we have to offer, click here.

If you’ve been researching online education at all, you've probably discovered a wide range of positive and negative opinions about getting a degree online. Many of the negative aspects of online education that you’ll find discussed on the average website may warrant a little more investigation as some of them are simply myths (including those busted by my colleague in a previous post). There are, however, several benefits to earning your degree online that are definitely not myths. Five benefits you’ll enjoy when earning your degree with The College Network include:

1. Flexible Schedule: Earning your degree with The College Network means that you are able to determine when and where you study and learn. If you want to work through a lesson and take a quiz at 3 a.m., you can!
    
2. Range of Options: With The College Network, you have access to a wide range of courses and degree programs. There are no worries about courses being full or having to sit on a waiting list. No matter what the degree or the course, you can get started today!
    
3. Control: You control how you complete a course and a degree program. You set your own goals for completion and can work at your own pace. Unlike in a traditional classroom, you have the ability to pause a lesson and come back to it!
    
4. Engagement: Students in online courses are really taking time to learn. According to a study completed by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), "on average, students in online learning conditions performed modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." One of the main differences in online versus traditional classroom settings was time. In the study, the DOE found that online learners were able to spend more time on tasks related to their studies than students in traditional classroom settings typically did.
    
5. Cost-effectiveness: Online programs are often more budget friendly than traditional on-campus programs in more ways than one. Outside of the cost of the courses, other expenses like transportation and babysitting that may be required for attendance in traditional settings can add up. While earning your degree online, those additional expenses may not be necessary!  

With so many benefits, The College Network could be the right place to get started making your educational dreams reality. Contact The College Network and get started today! 

There are many steps people go through when preparing for an interview. While it is important to look up company information and prepare questions to ask the employer it is also important to know the types of questions that could be asked during an interview. There are many questions employers can ask throughout the interview; however there are some questions that are more common than others. Below is a list of top 10 questions asked during an interview from Monster.com:

1. What are your weaknesses?

2. Why should we hire you?

3. Why do you want to work here?

4. What are your goals?

5. Why did you leave (or why are you leaving) your job? 

6. When were you most satisfied with your position?

7. What can you do for us other candidates can't? 

8. What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? 

9. What salary are you seeking? 

10. If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

The College Network has open positions in Information Technology, Inside Sales, and Appointment Coordinating. If you are currently looking for a new position please view our website for our career opportunities! 

For the full article please visit: http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-questions/top-10-interview-questions-prep/article.aspx

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.