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.
Should I take a job at a hospital that often terminates employees just before their orientation period is up?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Worried About Being Terminated, There is no way of knowing what exactly happened in that other case. If you run from this position because you fear the same thing may happen t... read more
I will complete my BSN in two years. I would like to work on my med/surg certification too. Should I take a semester off to get certified or wait till I finish my BSN?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Torn Between BSN and Certification, There is no clear-cut answer to your question. The answer will vary from one employer to the next. I recommend you do your own informal sur... read more
Why are hospitals making it very difficult for nurses to go from a skilled nursing facility to an acute care facility?
Dear Donna replies- Dear SNF Nurse, It's a simple matter of supply and demand. There is an overabundance of nurses with current acute care hospital experience to fill the need. It's nothing personal, ... read more
Is it a better idea to go for a BSN right away or pursue an associate degree and then do another bridge program for a BSN?
Dear Donna replies- Dear LPN-to-RN Seeker, A BSN is becoming a standard in the world of nursing these days, so I would advise you to go directly for that. More and more, employers want to hire only BS... read more
I'm moving to Portland and I have less than a year of experience. Is it unrealistic for me to think I will find a job with so little experience?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Nervous About Moving, The fact you are working in a hospital, even though it isn't for long, will serve you well. Even though some hospitals say they want one year of experien... read more
Is it possible to reactivate a license after seven and a half years? Will I be required to take the exam again?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Lapsed Licensee, To reactivate your RN license in Pennsylvania, you will have to call the board of nursing directly at 717-783-7142. They will take your information and advise... read more
I have a conflict with a job I've been offered and a job I currently have and want to keep. What advice do you have?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Needs a Delayed Hire, All you can do is ask. If the nurse manager says she will not hold the position, then you will have to consider what to do next and where the best opport... read more
I have been out of the nursing profession for 12 years. What can I do to become employed as a school nurse?
Dear Donna replies- Dear Wants to Be a School Nurse, It sounds like you're on your way. In addition to the steps you are taking now, attend local meetings of the National Association of School Nurses ... read more
Date: Feb 22, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am an RN with 32 years' experience but have been out of work since May 2012 .. Dear Donna replies- Dear Worried About Being Terminated, There is no way of knowing what exactly happened in that other case. If you run from this position because you fear the same thing may happen t... read more
I will complete my BSN in two years. I would like to work on my med/surg certification too. Should I take a semester off to get certified or wait till I finish my BSN?
Date: Feb 21, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have three years of med/surg experience and it will take me another two year.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Torn Between BSN and Certification, There is no clear-cut answer to your question. The answer will vary from one employer to the next. I recommend you do your own informal sur... read more
Why are hospitals making it very difficult for nurses to go from a skilled nursing facility to an acute care facility?
Date: Feb 21, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, Why are hospitals making it very difficult for nurses to go from a skilled nur.. Dear Donna replies- Dear SNF Nurse, It's a simple matter of supply and demand. There is an overabundance of nurses with current acute care hospital experience to fill the need. It's nothing personal, ... read more
Is it a better idea to go for a BSN right away or pursue an associate degree and then do another bridge program for a BSN?
Date: Feb 20, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am an LPN who is interested in becoming an RN. I am in my 50s and would like.. Dear Donna replies- Dear LPN-to-RN Seeker, A BSN is becoming a standard in the world of nursing these days, so I would advise you to go directly for that. More and more, employers want to hire only BS... read more
Date: Feb 20, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I graduated in May 2012, and I have a job on a stepdown/telemetry unit. I am m.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Nervous About Moving, The fact you are working in a hospital, even though it isn't for long, will serve you well. Even though some hospitals say they want one year of experien... read more
Is it possible to reactivate a license after seven and a half years? Will I be required to take the exam again?
Date: Feb 19, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have not worked as a nurse for seven and a half years. I was injured, and th.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Lapsed Licensee, To reactivate your RN license in Pennsylvania, you will have to call the board of nursing directly at 717-783-7142. They will take your information and advise... read more
I have a conflict with a job I've been offered and a job I currently have and want to keep. What advice do you have?
Date: Feb 19, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I am a new nursing graduate and have been offered my dream job. I was asked to.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Needs a Delayed Hire, All you can do is ask. If the nurse manager says she will not hold the position, then you will have to consider what to do next and where the best opport... read more
I have been out of the nursing profession for 12 years. What can I do to become employed as a school nurse?
Date: Feb 18, 2013 | Dear Donna
Question - Dear Donna, I have been out of the nursing profession for 12 years. I am enrolled in a nur.. Dear Donna replies- Dear Wants to Be a School Nurse, It sounds like you're on your way. In addition to the steps you are taking now, attend local meetings of the National Association of School Nurses ... read more
showing 65-72 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!
