Love to learn? Dreaming of returning to school? There’s more scholarship money available today than ever before. Do you know where to find it?

Donna's Book Pix: Cherry Ames, Boarding School Nurse Helen Wells Remember Cherry Ames? When she left her hometown and entered nursing school, she embarked on a lifetime of adventures that would-be nurses followed eagerly. In this book, Cherry’s natural curiosity leads her to discover a secret room in the reconstructed château now used as a girls’ boarding school. Relive your childhood or pass the magic on to a potential RN.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
Nurselearn
Going through mandatory training on documentation and latex allergies isn’t all fun and games — unless you visit Nurselearn. After playing their free learning games — crossword puzzles, word searches, and word scrambles — remembering universal precautions and back safety techniques will be easy.

Career Article:
Master the Scholarship Game
I so often hear nurses say, "I can't possibly go back to school. I just don't have the money." And yet there is more scholarship money available today than ever before. You just need to know where to look. Read more.

News You Can Use:
Not Enough Nurses, Docs to Implement Presidential Candidates’ Health Reform Plans
Plans put forward by the leading 2008 presidential candidates to enhance access to healthcare will prove impractical without more physicians and nurses, a new report completed by AMN Healthcare, the largest healthcare staffing company in the United States contends. Read more.

Quote of the Month:
You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.
— Richard Bach

Donna’s Blog: Do Nurses REALLY Eat Their Young?
Denver’s Nursing Star magazine recently based their Question of the Week on an article I wrote titled "Do Nurses REALLY Eat Their Young?" They asked readers if they had ever had an unpleasant experience, but they didn’t ask if they’d ever had a pleasant experience. Read more at http://www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Rebecca Hulem, RN, RNP, CNM, is known as the Menopause Expert. She is a professional speaker and author on the subject of women's health, providing education, inspiration, and empowerment to women across their lifespan. Her background consists of more than 30 years as an RN, OB/Gyn nurse practitioner, and certified nurse midwife. She is also a certified menopause clinician. Rebecca, author of Feelin' Hot? A Humorous and Informative Guide to Menopause, also offers a free online monthly newsletter called "The Menopause Moment." She is a Menopause Coach, providing coaching advice for women having difficulty with menopause symptoms.

Rebecca remarks," I decided to start my own speaking business because I realized that I would never get paid what I am worth working for someone else. I wanted to see what I could do and began working for myself."

"One of the biggest challenges that I have faced was not following my intuition when hiring people to help me — thinking that so-called "experts" knew more than I did. Another challenge was learning how to market myself. As nurses, we were never taught to 'blow our own horn.'"

She cautions, "The best advice that I can give other nurses wanting to start their own businesses is to keep your day jobs until you see revenue coming in. But don't get discouraged if you don't see appreciable revenue right away. It takes three to five years to get a business paying for itself."

In June 2008, Rebecca is copresenting Feelin' Hot? Women's Health and Wellness, a conference for all healthcare professionals in an atmosphere that nourishes the caregiver. Join her at Miraval, voted #1 Health Spa in the U.S., June 26–29, 2008. Each nurse will receive nine continuing education contact hours for attending this two-day conference. Learn more about Rebecca and her products and services at http://www.themenopauseexpert.com.

Upcoming Seminars:
Career Alternatives for Nurses®
March 10, 2008 — Atlantic City, NJ

How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice
March 11, 2008 — Atlantic City, NJ

Come Meet Donna:
Annual Convention — NJ State School Nurses Association
March 14, 2008 — Eatontown, NJ

Nursing Summit — Centra Health
March 18-19, 2008 — Lynchburg, VA

Nursing Spectrum Career Expo
March 27, 2008 – Teaneck, NJ

Recruitment Event — Enloe Medical Center
April 5, 2008 — Chico, CA

Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Tau Chapter Induction Ceremony
April 13, 2008 - Basking Ridge, NJ

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