PHOENIX, AZ—The College Network recognized the most recent inductees to the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education with a $20,000 unrestricted gift to the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education. The donation, made in honor of esteemed nursing educators, was presented by Gary Eyler, CEO of The College Network, at the NLN’s Education Summit, Evolution or Revolution: Recreating Nursing Education, on September 28 in Phoenix, AZ.

Among the inductees were nursing professors Betsy Frank, Ph.D., RN of Indiana State University (ISU) in Terre Haute, Indiana; and Judith Halstead, DNS, MSN, RN, of the Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both Drs. Frank and Halstead focus their expertise in the field of online nursing education. The College Network partners with several of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning to provide college degrees to working adults through distance learning.

“We were happy to make a donation in honor of Drs. Frank and Halstead and the other talented nursing educators who contribute so much to the quality of today’s online nursing programs,” Eyler said. “The College Network is passionate about advancing excellence in nursing education and helping to alleviate today’s nursing shortage.”

"We are so pleased to accept this generous gift honoring our new fellows,” said NLN CEO Dr. Beverly Malone. “The NLN and the NLN Foundation work together to promote excellence in nursing education and to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce. We are proud to share that commitment with The College Network.”

Added Eyler, “With this gift, we want to recognize these fine educators, and we want to continue to play a role in furthering the development of nursing education through the hardworking efforts of the NLN.”

The College Network publishes Comprehensive Learning Modules written by professors who are nationally recognized in their respective fields. Dr. Judith Halstead is the author of The College Network’s Comprehensive Learning Module Nursing Concepts 4 which focuses on cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, abnormal cell growth, congenital anomalies, genetic disorders, and developmental problems.

After prerequisites and general education courses are complete, customers of The College Network enroll in online degree programs offered by partner universities, such as Indiana State University’s progressive Bachelor of Science in nursing. Dr. Betsey Frank teaches for Indiana State University in the LPN to BSN program. Her classes include Nursing 322: Research and Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice and Nursing 470: Nursing Leadership.

In addition to working with top-ranked schools to offer accessible, accredited nursing degrees, The College Network has partnered with the NLN to offer The Total Assessment Program for NCLEX^® Success. The comprehensive TAP product is designed to bolster the studying and test-taking abilities of current and future nurses, to guarantee that they pass the NCLEX^® exam and earn their RN licenses.

About Dr. Betsy Frank
An Indiana State University faculty member for 12 years, Dr. Frank served as department chair in ISU’s College of Nursing from 1995 to 2000 and has been a pioneer in online learning. Dr. Frank has her BSN from The Ohio State University, her MN in medical-surgical nursing from the University of Washington, and Ph.D. from the University of Utah with a major in educational administration. She teaches online in ISU’s RN-BS track of the baccalaureate degree nursing program, on campus in its BS program and online in the Master’s program in Nursing Administration. In the past few years she has received the Faculty Distinguished Service Award, President's Medal, and the Caleb Mills Teaching Award. She has published many articles and book chapters on a variety of nursing education and nursing administration topics.

About Dr. Judith Halstead
Dr. Halstead began her appointment July 1, 2004 as executive associate dean for academic affairs at Indiana University School of Nursing and also has an appointment to professor in the school’s Department of Environments for Health. With more than 25 years of experience in undergraduate and graduate nursing education, Dr. Halstead has focused her expertise in online education, nurse educator competencies, and evidence-based teaching in nursing education. She is co-editor of the widely referenced book, Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty. Dr. Halstead has served as the chairperson for the NLN’s Task Group on Nurse Educator Competencies, which resulted in the development of evidence-based educator competencies. Dr. Halstead was the 2005 recipient of the MNRS Curriculum and Education Research Section Advancement of Science Award for her leadership in advancing the science of nursing education. She is currently the chairperson of the NLN’s Nursing Education Research Advisory Council.

About the National League for Nursing
Founded in 1893 as the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses, the National League for Nursing (NLN) was the first nursing organization in the United States. The voice for nursing education and dedicated to excellence in nursing, the NLN is the preferred membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. NLN members include nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies, and interested members of the public. The NLN offers faculty development programs, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 23,000 individual and 1100 institutional members. Visit www.nln.org for more information.

About The College Network, Inc.
Since 1992, The College Network, Inc. (TCN) has provided educational solutions that enable working adults to enjoy the pride, prestige, and earning power that result from obtaining college degrees and professional certificates from highly acclaimed universities. As one of the nation’s leading educational marketing and services companies and a partner with several of the nation’s foremost institutions of higher learning, TCN has helped over 115,000 adults advance their education without sacrificing their personal or professional lives. Visit www.college-net.com or call 1-800-39-LEARN (395-3276) for more information.