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'm having difficulty finding a job and I think it is because of my lack of experience. What can I do?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Delayed Start, Your experience is common for a new nurse. The job market for all nurses, but especially new nurses, is very tight. For advice, please read the article "New nur... read more
I have 75 contact hours and 168 hours as a clinical instructor. Will this be enough for me to renew my gerontological certification?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Certified Nurse, Presuming your certification was granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the 2013 renewal application requires completion of two of the six categ... read more
I'm a new grad who had a bad experience at a SNF and now I'm unemployed. Given the lack of hospital positions, what do you suggest?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Unemployed New Nurse, A SNF is one possibility for some new nurses, (large national LTC companies and SNFs associated with acute care systems seem to do better), you have many... read more
I have an opportunity to work with a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Can I be self-employed or do I have to be her employee?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Possible Sole Proprietor, The answer to your question may depend on what you work out with the NP. What is her expectation - are you an employee or an independent contractor? ... read more
I am 60, in very good health and continue to enjoy many aspects of nursing. I am considering starting my own business. Do you think this is feasible?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Budding Entrepreneur, The job market for nurses is completely shifting, so don't take your current job hunt challenges personally. Many traditional employment opportunities ar... read more
I recently resigned before I was terminated, as a direct result of horizontal violence and hostility that affected patient care. What can I do about this?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Feeling Abused, This is something to discuss with a nurse attorney who is uniquely qualified to interpret the law, as well as issues related to healthcare and nursing. Find a ... read more
I am a new graduate nurse in a pediatric ED and the pace is too fast for me. I don't like it. What should I do?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Lost New Grad, Talk to your preceptor or manager, if you haven't already. They may be able to help you work through this or encourage and support you to change positions or sp... read more
What should I do about a job while I am waiting to take my boards?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Waiting, The job market for nurses is permanently shifting and is very competitive. What that means is that most of us need to look in new directions for employment and need t... read more
Date: Jun 5, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I graduated in May 2012, but did not pass the boards until March 2013. I'm hav.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Delayed Start, Your experience is common for a new nurse. The job market for all nurses, but especially new nurses, is very tight. For advice, please read the article "New nur... read more
I have 75 contact hours and 168 hours as a clinical instructor. Will this be enough for me to renew my gerontological certification?
Date: Jun 4, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have 75 continuing education contact hours and 168 hours as a clinical instr.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Certified Nurse, Presuming your certification was granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the 2013 renewal application requires completion of two of the six categ... read more
I'm a new grad who had a bad experience at a SNF and now I'm unemployed. Given the lack of hospital positions, what do you suggest?
Date: Jun 3, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, In 2012, I graduated from nursing school and passed the boards. You mentioned .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Unemployed New Nurse, A SNF is one possibility for some new nurses, (large national LTC companies and SNFs associated with acute care systems seem to do better), you have many... read more
I have an opportunity to work with a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Can I be self-employed or do I have to be her employee?
Date: May 31, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have an opportunity to work with a psychiatric nurse practitioner in her pri.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Possible Sole Proprietor, The answer to your question may depend on what you work out with the NP. What is her expectation - are you an employee or an independent contractor? ... read more
Date: May 30, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have been an RN for more than 20 years and worked in many different areas, i.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Budding Entrepreneur, The job market for nurses is completely shifting, so don't take your current job hunt challenges personally. Many traditional employment opportunities ar... read more
I recently resigned before I was terminated, as a direct result of horizontal violence and hostility that affected patient care. What can I do about this?
Date: May 29, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I recently resigned before I was terminated, as a direct result of horizontal .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Feeling Abused, This is something to discuss with a nurse attorney who is uniquely qualified to interpret the law, as well as issues related to healthcare and nursing. Find a ... read more
I am a new graduate nurse in a pediatric ED and the pace is too fast for me. I don't like it. What should I do?
Date: May 28, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am a new graduate nurse in a pediatric ED and I do not like it. I feel the p.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Lost New Grad, Talk to your preceptor or manager, if you haven't already. They may be able to help you work through this or encourage and support you to change positions or sp... read more
What should I do about a job while I am waiting to take my boards?
Date: May 24, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am a nurse with eight years experience in med/surg telemetry. I left my posi.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Waiting, The job market for nurses is permanently shifting and is very competitive. What that means is that most of us need to look in new directions for employment and need t... 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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Go to www.Nurse.com/CEseminars for more information.
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