Helene Traill
Barrington, NH
Excelsior College®, Associate of Science in Nursing

Helene Traill is no stranger to the struggles of traditional nursing school. After seven years, many of previous her classes had expired. “They weren’t willing to wave the classes, even though as an LPN, I’d lived nursing every day,” she said.

Seeing retaking the classes as a minor roadblock, she set out to meet all of her obligations and begin nursing school. After she’d almost completed all of her prerequisites, her advisor told her that there simply weren’t enough nursing instructors and her acceptance had been deferred.  Heartbroken and frustrated, she searched for another way to become an RN. “I did some research and got a card in the mail from The College Network®. I called and a representative came to my house.  He spent four hours learning about my experience with nursing education at that point.  After talking, I signed up and started the TCN program immediately,” Helene said.

With The College Network, Helene was able to work 25-30 hours a week while building a new addition onto her house. “If I hadn’t used The College Network, my life would have been much more complicated.  I got help whenever I needed it. I called one night at 9:00 and was thrilled that someone was there to help me!  I could not have done this without TCN.  I was given very thorough preparation in each course.  Everything was so organized, and the exams weren’t too difficult because I was prepared.  If I hadn’t had TCN for guidance, I wouldn’t have done as well. The Comprehensive Learning Modules were concise and easy to study.  They were focused and understandable,” Helene said.

Helene made studying a priority and enjoyed challenging herself every day. “Even if I only had the opportunity to study for one hour, I found time.  Making this a priority provided me with the motivation to complete the necessary tasks.  When I went for the first exam, I was slightly nervous and not sure what to expect, but once I read the questions on the exam, I felt confident that I had studied all of the information and did very well on the test,” she said.

Continuing to pursue higher education is important to Helene. “I intend to go on with my studies to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The College Network.  I want to become a nursing school instructor because they’re not just needed; they’re basically endangered,” she said.

Helene has found that there is sometimes a stigma still attached to online education but is encouraged to see that many forward-thinking nurses are pushing eLearning.  “The sky is the limit.  Don’t stop; just keep going,” she tells fellow nurses.

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