Career Advice From Dear Donna
by Donna Cardillo, RN, MA

Dear Donna,

I’ve been a nurse for 26 years and have a varied background. I’m interested in returning to school to earn my degree in healthcare administration (HCA). I have an AA in nursing, and I am uncertain if the BSN would offer me more options. I’d like a change from the clinical arena, and I feel that I would enjoy health policy, insurance, human resources, or other areas that are more applicable to HCA. Does an HCA degree allow for the diversity that the BSN does, or does it limit a nurse? Can you define the opportunities in both?

Looking for Career Change

Dear Looking for Career Change,

Unless you specifically want to teach nursing in a college setting, a degree in healthcare management is perfectly appropriate for a nurse, especially if you want to venture out of the clinical arena. Even if you wanted to stay in the clinical arena and eventually get into management, that degree would serve you well. In fact, some people believe a nurse with a management degree has a broader, more versatile base in healthcare. However, either route would serve you well.

My best advice is always to pursue the course of study that is most interesting and exciting to you and then find a way to make that work for you. There are many nurses out there with all types of degrees working in healthcare administration, in the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, for government and social service agencies, and in private business enterprises. The opportunities are limitless.

The important thing is to start working on that degree. Follow your heart in terms of which major to pursue and everything will work out for you.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I'd like to know how to list continuing education (CE) on my resume. For example, if I take an online CE test like the ones that are offered at Nursing Spectrum and I receive a certificate that I passed, how do I let prospective employers know that I’m diligently pursuing continuing education?

CE Student

Dear CE Student,

I don’t necessarily suggest that you list continuing education on your resume unless it’s something particularly significant, as it can clutter up your resume. You can make a statement under Education or elsewhere, such as “Continuing education credits available on request.” This would indicate that you have some and the employer can request a list if interested. Of course, if you’ve taken some courses that are especially relevant to a particular job you’re applying for, you can mention them in your cover letter.

Donna

Dear Donna,

I’m starting graduate school this summer (in an acute care NP program) and am interested in volunteering abroad for three months. I have searched online, but most volunteer opportunities seem to be geared toward medical doctors/students and perioperative or maternal/child nurses. My background is in critical care. Do you have any recommendations on where I might find more information on this topic?

Wants to Volunteer

Dear Wants to Volunteer,

There are lots of short-term volunteer opportunities for nurses. Check out Health Volunteers Overseas at www.hvousa.org. They send volunteers to Cambodia and surrounding areas for one-week to one-month assignments. Volunteers work as teachers rather than healthcare providers.

For more information about volunteering overseas and other types of agencies, visit the site of the International Medical Volunteers Association. You’ll also find a list of many other organizations at www.medical-missions.net.

Donna

Dear Donna,

Is it smart to tell your current employer that you’ve been offered a position elsewhere? I have a week to decide if I should move on or not. Should I just wait until I make a decision? Since my present employers have been more than wonderful, I feel that I owe them. My family, on the other hand, thinks I owe nothing to them or anyone else and should just leave well enough alone. And, yes, I know I said they were wonderful. So why am I leaving, you might ask? Because I finally found the job of my dreams, and I'm excited about it!

On the Fence

Dear On the Fence,

It’s wonderful that you think so highly of your employer. However, it’s generally not a good idea to reveal that you’re considering another offer unless you want your current employer to make a counter offer. But since you state the position in question is your “ideal job,” I assume that’s not the case.

How nice that a prospective employer is allowing you the luxury of a week to think it over. The problem with mentioning this to your current employer is that things can change. You can decide not to take the job; the prospective employer may rescind the offer or hire someone else in the interim, etc. If you don’t decide to take the job after having let your current employer know you were considering leaving, they may feel you are unhappy there and pass you over for future promotions, raises, etc.

You are wise to always explore your options and go on occasional interviews, even if you love where you are, to see what’s out there and how marketable you are. Always keep in mind that you have an obligation to yourself first and foremost. If and when you do decide to move on, you can show your appreciation for your current employer by giving adequate notice, being gracious, and following proper protocol for resignation.

Donna

See a related article at www.dcardillo.com/articles/resign-style.html.

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All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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