Dear Donna Career Advice
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, Nurse.com's career advice columnist and president of Cardillo & Associates, is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur and author of "Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional" and "The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career."
She brings more than 20 years of clinical, management and business experience to her role as career guru.
She brings more than 20 years of clinical, management and business experience to her role as career guru.
I am an RN with a BSN, but without any experience. What's the best way for me to find a job?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Nechama, The very first thing you need to do, as soon as possible, is start volunteering in a healthcare setting. Try the American Red Cross, hospice and local public health d... read more
Have you noticed a tendency for older nurses to be dismissed for economic cutbacks and then have difficulties finding a new job?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Questioning, What I have noticed is that hospitals across the country are doing a lot of downsizing and reorganizing as healthcare and the demographics of the population are c... read more
I will be an over 50 new nursing graduate. Is there a specialty you foresee may have the most openings?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Mary, The good news is that preliminary research shows that older new nurses seem to assimilate better into the work environment, probably because of the increased life and wo... read more
I am considering changing from an office to a long-term care setting. How can I revise my resume to be more marketable?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Marie, As long as you have an up-to-date format for your resume and focus on adverse skill set rather than tasks, you should be fine. Also, I would urge you to read "The ULTIM... read more
One of my coworkers is very sociable with little boundaries and patients and administration love her. How can I, and others get the same recognition?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Patricia, It is challenging to address this type of situation without knowing all the details and the players. From the few details you have shared with me, it sounds as thoug... read more
Why are nurses not more involved in the implementation process of new devices?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Eric, Nurses are very involved in the product selection and purchase process in many facilities. But if you are marketing directly to the purchasing agent and believe you are ... read more
I just earned my ADN and have a bachelor's degree in health sciences. Is that enough to get a job?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Therese, An employer who requires or prefers a BSN typically will not see a bachelor's degree in health sciences as comparable. Most of the coursework may be the same or very ... read more
Could you tell me if there is a website that helps nurses with medical and financial issues?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Angela, Without knowing what specific type of help you need or why, I would recommend that you check out what Nurses House has to offer (www.nurseshouse.org). They provide sho... read more
Date: May 15, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
I am an RN and completed my BSN two years ago. I have no work experience. Do.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Nechama, The very first thing you need to do, as soon as possible, is start volunteering in a healthcare setting. Try the American Red Cross, hospice and local public health d... read more
Have you noticed a tendency for older nurses to be dismissed for economic cutbacks and then have difficulties finding a new job?
Date: May 15, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
Have you noticed a tendency for RNs in their late 40s and 50s with long career.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Questioning, What I have noticed is that hospitals across the country are doing a lot of downsizing and reorganizing as healthcare and the demographics of the population are c... read more
I will be an over 50 new nursing graduate. Is there a specialty you foresee may have the most openings?
Date: May 15, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
Are there any unique challenges I will face as a mature, over 50 nursi.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Mary, The good news is that preliminary research shows that older new nurses seem to assimilate better into the work environment, probably because of the increased life and wo... read more
I am considering changing from an office to a long-term care setting. How can I revise my resume to be more marketable?
Date: May 14, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
I am an RN with a BSN. I am considering transitioning from primary care nursin.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Marie, As long as you have an up-to-date format for your resume and focus on adverse skill set rather than tasks, you should be fine. Also, I would urge you to read "The ULTIM... read more
Date: May 14, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
I have worked at the same facility for 10 years giving excellent care to my pa.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Patricia, It is challenging to address this type of situation without knowing all the details and the players. From the few details you have shared with me, it sounds as thoug... read more
Why are nurses not more involved in the implementation process of new devices?
Date: May 14, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
I've been a critical care nurse for more than 30 years. I recently developed .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Eric, Nurses are very involved in the product selection and purchase process in many facilities. But if you are marketing directly to the purchasing agent and believe you are ... read more
I just earned my ADN and have a bachelor's degree in health sciences. Is that enough to get a job?
Date: May 11, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna,
I am a new nursing graduate and just earned my associate degree in nursing. Ho.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Therese, An employer who requires or prefers a BSN typically will not see a bachelor's degree in health sciences as comparable. Most of the coursework may be the same or very ... read more
Could you tell me if there is a website that helps nurses with medical and financial issues?
Date: May 10, 2012 | Dear Donna
Question - Could you tell me if there is a website that helps nurses with medical and financial issue.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Angela, Without knowing what specific type of help you need or why, I would recommend that you check out what Nurses House has to offer (www.nurseshouse.org). They provide sho... read more
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*Due to the sheer volume of questions received, Donna Cardillo cannot answer every question or respond privately to any questions. All questions answered will appear on Nurse.com, and some may be printed in Gannett Healthcare Group publications. Last names and e-mail addresses will be omitted.
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*Join Donna Cardillo on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 7:30 AM US/Eastern for an in person live event on 'Career Alternatives for Nurses®' in Newton, MA and earn Nursing Continuing Eduction(CE) credits for your participation.
Go to www.Nurse.com/CEseminars for more information.
Go to www.Nurse.com/CEseminars for more information.
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