Dear readers, fans and colleagues,

This is the last column I will be writing here at Nurse.com.
After 15 years as Dear Donna, it is time for me to move on to other projects. During the last decade and a half, I have answered thousands of questions from nurses, nursing students, those considering nursing, high school students, family and friends of nurses, guidance counselors and others from all around the world.
Many of you have shared your personal stories, your struggles and challenges and your triumphs with me, and I have been enriched by that. Though I have not met all of you, I consider you each a friend and a colleague.
All of your past questions and my responses to you will remain archived on the Nurse.com site, so you only need to search for a topic or subject to see what I’ve said about it.
Likewise, many of the articles that I have referred to in my responses will also remain here for your future reference. In those ways, I will still be here!
Keith Carlson, RN, known as “Nurse Keith,” will take over where I leave off today. I have known Keith for many years and have complete confidence that he will continue to provide the type of information, advice, support, resources and inspiration that you have come to rely on at Nurse.com. And you’ll still have Nancy Brent of Brent’s Law to answer all your legal questions.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you here for so many years and to work with Nurse.com.
My parting words to you are these: Always be proud of who you are and what you do. Never say “just” or “only” in reference to yourself, your work or your profession. Follow your heart in nursing and make it your own. There are many ways and places to make a difference in this glorious profession.

Warmest regards,
Donna Cardillo, MA, RN, CSP