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.
At 64 years young, would it make sense for me to increase my education and become a PA or a nurse practitioner - or pursue an MSN?
Dear Donna replies- Dear 64 Years Young, Retirement is being redefined in our society. Everyone is living and working longer. While some may do it for financial need, others just want to stay engaged ... read more
Can you tell me how many CEUs are required per year in Florida and when they must be obtained?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Florida Nurse, You can find the Florida CE regulations at http://ce.nurse.com/state-nurse-ce-requirements/florida. It states: "All Florida-licensed RNs are now in a 24-month r... read more
How can I get a hospital to give me a job opportunity? I've applied everywhere and still can't find anything.
Dear Donna replies- Dear Lost, The hospital job market for all nurses is very tight right now. It also is important to know that every nursing career doesn't have to start there, despite what you may ... read more
I am 38 years old and want to do nursing. I am a BA graduate. What type of course should I go for at this age?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Wants to Do Nursing, Yes, you can definitely do nursing. Because you already have BA in another major, look for an accelerated BSN program or a second-degree BSN program. Don'... read more
I feel tension at work because I prefer not to socialize with colleagues. What should I do?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Don't Want to Socialize, While everyone has a job to do at work and that is a priority, taking time to build professional relationships with other members of the team also is ... read more
Does it make sense to hold a confused and disoriented patient criminally responsible for punching a nurse?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Concerned About Charges Being Pressed, Violence against nurses has been on the rise not only in frequency but also in severity of injuries, especially in EDs. Unfortunately, t... read more
I want to be able to continue with face-to-face care for patients. Where do I go to keep growing and finding challenges in my career?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Prefers Face-to-Face Care, It's challenging to make recommendations without knowing what type of area you live in. But if the only provider in your area just closed - unless y... read more
What age is too old to go for your master's degree?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Feeling Old, Your fears and concerns are so typical of any adult going back to school. And yet you will be surprised to find that there are nurses of all ages, even some older... read more
Date: Mar 1, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am 64 years young and have been a nurse for 30 years. I have practiced in ma.. Dear Donna replies- Dear 64 Years Young, Retirement is being redefined in our society. Everyone is living and working longer. While some may do it for financial need, others just want to stay engaged ... read more
Can you tell me how many CEUs are required per year in Florida and when they must be obtained?
Date: Feb 28, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have a Florida nursing license and am seeking employment. Can you tell me ho.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Florida Nurse, You can find the Florida CE regulations at http://ce.nurse.com/state-nurse-ce-requirements/florida. It states: "All Florida-licensed RNs are now in a 24-month r... read more
How can I get a hospital to give me a job opportunity? I've applied everywhere and still can't find anything.
Date: Feb 27, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, How can I get a hospital to give me a job opportunity? I've applied everywhere.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Lost, The hospital job market for all nurses is very tight right now. It also is important to know that every nursing career doesn't have to start there, despite what you may ... read more
I am 38 years old and want to do nursing. I am a BA graduate. What type of course should I go for at this age?
Date: Feb 26, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am 38 years old and want to do nursing. I am a BA graduate. Why type of cour.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Wants to Do Nursing, Yes, you can definitely do nursing. Because you already have BA in another major, look for an accelerated BSN program or a second-degree BSN program. Don'... read more
Date: Feb 26, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am a relatively new nurse finding myself in a rather bizarre situation of mi.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Don't Want to Socialize, While everyone has a job to do at work and that is a priority, taking time to build professional relationships with other members of the team also is ... read more
Does it make sense to hold a confused and disoriented patient criminally responsible for punching a nurse?
Date: Feb 25, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, What are the nursing ramifications of ED nurses pressing charges against patie.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Concerned About Charges Being Pressed, Violence against nurses has been on the rise not only in frequency but also in severity of injuries, especially in EDs. Unfortunately, t... read more
I want to be able to continue with face-to-face care for patients. Where do I go to keep growing and finding challenges in my career?
Date: Feb 25, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have been a field case manager for hospice for 12 years. I started out as a .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Prefers Face-to-Face Care, It's challenging to make recommendations without knowing what type of area you live in. But if the only provider in your area just closed - unless y... read more
What age is too old to go for your master's degree?
Date: Feb 22, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am 58 and have always wanted to get my master's degree in nursing, but the t.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Feeling Old, Your fears and concerns are so typical of any adult going back to school. And yet you will be surprised to find that there are nurses of all ages, even some older... read more
showing 57-64 of 80
*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.
Latest From Dear Donna
Upcoming Events
*Join Donna Cardillo on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at 7:30 AM America/New_York for an in person live event on 'Career Alternatives for Nurses®' in Woburn, MA and earn Nursing Continuing Education(CE) credits for your participation.
Go to www.Nurse.com/CEseminars for more information.
Go to www.Nurse.com/CEseminars for more information.
Ask Donna a Question
Become a member and log in to ask Donna
a career question
a career question
Not a Nurse.com Member? Sign-Up, it's free!
