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 need advice on the best educational path to take to become an RN, and then eventually a nurse practitioner.
Dear Donna replies- Dear Considering Becoming an RN, Taking steps now to enroll in a BSN program is a great way to start. During your education, including your clinical experience, you'll learn much m... read more
Something is wrong with the Pearson Vue website and my test results haven't been posted. Is this a bad thing?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Worried, It's hard to know what the issue is, but it just may be a technical or administrative issue on their end. You can email them at pvemeamarketing@pearson.com. It may ta... read more
What are the best options for nursing phone or Internet work that I can do abroad?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Relocating, You would be able to do writing and research. You could work as a freelance writer, writing health-related articles for nursing, medical and consumer magazines, ne... read more
After 12 years off, I want to return to work. Can you provide any tips for getting current and making myself marketable?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Confused and Overwhelmed, So much has changed since you were in the nursing workforce. Your age is not a problem, but because of your absence from bedside nursing, hospitals w... read more
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
Date: May 2, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I'm 18 years old and considering obtaining a BSN degree and becoming an RN. Al.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Considering Becoming an RN, Taking steps now to enroll in a BSN program is a great way to start. During your education, including your clinical experience, you'll learn much m... read more
Something is wrong with the Pearson Vue website and my test results haven't been posted. Is this a bad thing?
Date: May 1, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I took my NCLEX practical nursing boards on Monday. Something is wrong with th.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Worried, It's hard to know what the issue is, but it just may be a technical or administrative issue on their end. You can email them at pvemeamarketing@pearson.com. It may ta... read more
What are the best options for nursing phone or Internet work that I can do abroad?
Date: Apr 30, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am an RN with three years of clinical experience. I need four credits to com.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Relocating, You would be able to do writing and research. You could work as a freelance writer, writing health-related articles for nursing, medical and consumer magazines, ne... read more
After 12 years off, I want to return to work. Can you provide any tips for getting current and making myself marketable?
Date: Apr 29, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I received my RN license 20 years ago and took a job at a local hospital. Afte.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Confused and Overwhelmed, So much has changed since you were in the nursing workforce. Your age is not a problem, but because of your absence from bedside nursing, hospitals w... 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
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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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