2005 National Volunteer Week is April 17-23. Nurses do so much wonderful volunteer work domestically and abroad each year. Volunteer work is a great way to make a real difference but also offers so many opportunities for networking, skill development, confidence building, and even job finding. This month’s edition of Nursing Connections^TM celebrates volunteerism.

Donna's Book Pix: The Success PrinciplesTM How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield This is the latest book by the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup" series of books. Jack Canfield has managed to capture all the strategies, techniques, wisdom, and thought processes of those who know what it takes to be happy and successful...however you define success. Even for those who are living their dream and happy with their lot in life, this book is a reminder and a reinforcement on the basics of building and maintaining a positive and strong foundation in your life and work. Be sure to note who the author quotes at the opening of Chapter 27 (wink, wink).

Cool Nursing Web Site:
International Medical Volunteers Association
This great site includes a listing of organizations that provide both long term and short term volunteer healthcare services as well as valuable information and advice about the logistics and realities of volunteering overseas. There’s a lot of valuable and interesting information on this site so be sure to thoroughly explore it.

Career Article:
The Value of Volunteering
Most people think of volunteering as charitable work, something you do to help others on your own time. However, volunteering is a valuable career resource that can enhance your career in numerous ways. Read more.

News You Can Use:
The American Nurses Association recently released the results of a significant study, The RN Satisfaction Report, which surveyed 76,000 nurses about job satisfaction. The results may just surprise you. Read more.

Quote of the Month:
Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals. — Dave Gynn

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Nancy Clover, RN, AD is a nurse whose work is occupational - occupational health that is. She is a certified occupational health nurse (COHN-S) and president and owner of Occupation Health Connections. Nancy's company provides temporary and contract placement of nurses and nurse practitioners in occupational health and related settings primarily in the New England area. However, she also provides permanent placement and other staffing services on a national basis. Her clients include business and industry, healthcare companies and facilities, as well as the federal government. Nancy is passionate about occupational health nursing and has this to say about the specialty, "I truly believe it keeps America strong to have a safe, healthy and productive workforce."

Nancy worked in occupational health and case management as an employee for many years. After her second child was born, she was looking for more flexibility so initially decided to work for a temp agency that provided occupational health services. She saw a need for this type of service and decided to break out on her own. Her initial plan was to simply work independently, providing the services herself on an as needed basis. But the need was so great that Nancy found herself needing to hire other nurses almost immediately. She watched nervously as her business literally exploded in the first three months. That was five years ago and the rest is history. Today she has over 60 nurses on her payroll and loves everything about her work except the long hours. But, as Nancy puts it, "That goes with the territory." To learn more about occupational health nursing, visit the web site of the American Association of Occupational Health nurses at www.aaohn.org.

Come Meet Donna at:
Conventions/Conferences

April 12

Nursing Symposium 2005, Mashantucket, CT

Nursing Spectrum Career Fitness^SM Expo

April 28	Chicago, IL
August 30	San Antonio, TX
September 28	Houston, TX

Career Alternatives for Nurses^TM

April 18	Foster City (San Francisco), CA
April 20	San Diego, CA
May 18	Chicago (Hoffman Estates), IL

Educational Tour of Scandinavia August 7-14, 2005
Join Donna on a fun-filled and educational trip to Norway and Sweden. Visit local hospitals, attend CE sessions on professional writing, speaking, and business ownership, relax and enjoy! If you’ve never traveled with a group of nurses, you don’t know what you’re missing! Find out more at http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Tour/.

For additional program info visit http://www.dcardillo.com/events.html

Book Donna Today
Planning a Nurses Week celebration, educational conference, or leadership training program? Looking for a speaker for a new graduate orientation program, student nurse luncheon, or recruitment event? Donna has a program to meet your needs. Her 2005 calendar is already filling up so don’t miss the opportunity to bring the country’s leading career management expert and motivational speaker for nurses to your event. Call 800-801-5796 or e-mail at donna@dcardillo.com for rates, availability, and program topics. Fill out an inquiry form if you prefer.

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