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 enrolled in an MSN program, but not sure which specialty I want to pursue. Any advice?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Growing Old Waiting to Decide, Many nurses agonize over which major or degree to pursue. What's important is that you get the degree. Your actual area of focus is less importa... read more
After I graduated and passed the boards, I couldn't find a job. I decided to pursue a RN/BSN degree and then take a refresher course. What do you think about this plan?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Delayed Start, The longer you stay away from nursing altogether after your original education, the harder it will be to assimilate back in relationship to your confidence as w... read more
At my age, what would be the advantage of going into a BSN program rather than an associate's degree program?
Dear Donna replies- Dear 46-year-old Student Nurse, Today's healthcare environment is more complex than ever. Still entry to practice educational standards for nurses has not kept pace with other heal... read more
I feel that older, more experienced nurses are being let go and replaced with new graduates. Is there some way that we can bring our plight to national attention?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Being Put Out to Pasture, Because of the current oversupply of nurses with recent inpatient experience, those who have been away from direct patient care for as little as six ... read more
Do you think a nurse with 10 years of experience could become a telephonic case manager?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Scared to Change Specialties, With 10 years of nursing experience, you are more than qualified to do telephonic case management. It is normal to feel nervous about making a ch... read more
I don't feel I get any respect from the physician I work for, no matter what I do. How do I confront this physician without sounding accusatory?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Dismissed, Arrange a meeting with him and prepare what you want to say. Pick two or three behaviors or situations to talk about that particularly upset you. Discuss how it mak... read more
I am 70 years old and have an excellent resume, but can't find a job. I believe it is because of age discrimination. What can I do?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Older Nurse, I'm wondering how you know or why you think it is your age, specifically that is working against you. Because if you are given verbal offers and you have reasonab... read more
I had disciplinary action taken against my license in the past year. How can I present my experience and positive changes in my personal life to potential employers?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Desperately Seeking Employment, You case is clearly complex. If I were you I would consult a nurse attorney to be sure you are on the right track. Some nurses think that consu... read more
Date: Apr 26, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have my BSN and for many years it's has been a goal of mine to pursue an MSN.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Growing Old Waiting to Decide, Many nurses agonize over which major or degree to pursue. What's important is that you get the degree. Your actual area of focus is less importa... read more
After I graduated and passed the boards, I couldn't find a job. I decided to pursue a RN/BSN degree and then take a refresher course. What do you think about this plan?
Date: Apr 25, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I graduated in 2010 and passed the boards, but couldn't find a job. I decided .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Delayed Start, The longer you stay away from nursing altogether after your original education, the harder it will be to assimilate back in relationship to your confidence as w... read more
At my age, what would be the advantage of going into a BSN program rather than an associate's degree program?
Date: Apr 24, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am 46 years old and have a BA in social science. I am pursuing my dream of b.. Dear Donna replies- Dear 46-year-old Student Nurse, Today's healthcare environment is more complex than ever. Still entry to practice educational standards for nurses has not kept pace with other heal... read more
I feel that older, more experienced nurses are being let go and replaced with new graduates. Is there some way that we can bring our plight to national attention?
Date: Apr 23, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, Two years ago, I lost my job because of a workforce reduction and I have been .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Being Put Out to Pasture, Because of the current oversupply of nurses with recent inpatient experience, those who have been away from direct patient care for as little as six ... read more
Date: Apr 19, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am a little scared, but I would like a change from bedside nursing. Do you t.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Scared to Change Specialties, With 10 years of nursing experience, you are more than qualified to do telephonic case management. It is normal to feel nervous about making a ch... read more
I don't feel I get any respect from the physician I work for, no matter what I do. How do I confront this physician without sounding accusatory?
Date: Apr 18, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I'm a new LPN working in a clinic with a new OB/GYN physician. We have been wo.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Dismissed, Arrange a meeting with him and prepare what you want to say. Pick two or three behaviors or situations to talk about that particularly upset you. Discuss how it mak... read more
I am 70 years old and have an excellent resume, but can't find a job. I believe it is because of age discrimination. What can I do?
Date: Apr 17, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am 70 years old, but I look like I'm about 55. I have an excellent resume an.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Older Nurse, I'm wondering how you know or why you think it is your age, specifically that is working against you. Because if you are given verbal offers and you have reasonab... read more
I had disciplinary action taken against my license in the past year. How can I present my experience and positive changes in my personal life to potential employers?
Date: Apr 16, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, For five years, I have been a skilled and experienced nurse. I had disciplinar.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Desperately Seeking Employment, You case is clearly complex. If I were you I would consult a nurse attorney to be sure you are on the right track. Some nurses think that consu... 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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