"Let's talk about me for a minute. Well how do you think I feel about what's been going on?" Many people have adopted these popular song lyrics about faulty communication as their own personal theme song. They probably need to remember that listening is an integral part of any conversation.

Donna's Book Pix: Care of the Difficult Patient: A Nurse’s Guide Peter J. Manos and Joan Braun Caring for difficult patients requires technical and interpersonal skills and the ability to set limits. This book, developed collaboratively by a doctor and a nurse, shows nurses how to deal with difficult patients — whether they’re suffering from mental distress or overwhelmed by serious illness. Pick up a copy for you or for a colleague. (National Nursing Assistants and Direct Care Workers’ Week is coming up. It runs June 12-19, 2008.)

Cool Nursing Web Site:
International Parish Nurse Resource Center
New and seasoned parish nurses, faith community nurses, congregational nurses, and others interested in health ministries will find this resource center helpful. It’s chock full of information, including discussion forums and educational offerings.

Career Article:
New Grad Woes
Ayesha had been a graduate nurse for five months when she told me that she was leaving nursing. Before I could ask any questions, she started to cry and said, "My unit is short-staffed. I’m constantly told that I’m too slow, and my preceptor doesn’t seem to have the time to help me — or the interest. I feel as if I’m drowning. I go home every night and cry. I don’t need this kind of stress in my life." Read more.

News You Can Use:
National Aphasia Awareness Month
Aphasia affects approximately one million Americans and is typically caused by a stroke, but it can also develop through brain or neurological damage, a head injury, or a brain tumor. This June, take time to find out more about this communication disorder that impairs a person’s ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence.

Quote of the Month:
Really listening and suspending one's own judgment is necessary in order to understand other people on their own terms... This is a process that requires trust and builds trust. — Mary Field Belenky

Donna’s Blog: Ailing Economy Easing Nursing Shortage?
There was an interesting story in the May 7 edition of The New York Times about how the sluggish economy and the rising cost of living is easing the nursing shortage. Read more at http://www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Diane E. Scott, RN, MSN, is president of the Nursing Mentors Group, a consulting firm that specializes in the development and enrichment of the front-line nurse manager. Her company provides senior nursing leadership with valuable information to develop specific skills and strategies that promote the performance of their nursing management teams. This is done through in-depth assessments, group workshops, and team coaching.

As a former senior nursing leader and executive, Diane knew how valuable a high performing nursing management team was to her organization, yet she had limited time and money to focus on their development. She also observed that while many consulting and leadership firms provided inspiring leadership training and workshops, few truly understood the unique needs of the nursing leader, and they rarely garnished long-term results. So Diane took matters into her own hands.

"When I started the Nursing Mentors Group, it was driven by the fundamentals of the nursing process: You must assess before you implement,” says Diane. "Before a healthcare organization implements leadership training, they should understand and obtain a real assessment of the strengths and areas of opportunity for their nursing management team.”

Armed with this belief, Diane has more than lived up to her mission of being "strategic in creating great leaders.” And as the head of her own company, she’s a role model for entrepreneurs everywhere.

"Self-employment is a life dream of many people, yet is only for the bold at heart,” Diane says. "The best part is the control over your own destiny, and the most difficult part is overcoming the fear of failure. You really have to be prepared to face such fears and meet them head-on.”

And that’s not the only advice she has for those interested in self-employment: "You need to start with a mission and a purpose that you believe in prior to taking the financial and emotional step in starting a business. Only start a business if you believe in the product or service you are providing,” says Diane. "And remember to spend time networking. You will be surprised at the generosity of others in helping you succeed.”

To learn more about Diane, her company, and her services, visit http://www.nursingmentorsgroup.com.

Upcoming Full-Day Seminars:
Career Alternatives For Nurses®
September 27, 2008 — Chicago, IL area

How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice
September 28, 2008 — Chicago, IL area

Career Alternatives For Nurses®
October 28, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV

Learn to Speak With Style for Fun and Profit
November 11, 2008 – Red Bank, NJ

Half-Day Seminar:
Extreme Career Makeover with Dear Donna
October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV

Come Meet Donna:
Nursing Excellence Dinner
June 5, 2008 — Teaneck, NJ

American Library Association — Annual Convention
June 30, 2008 — Anaheim, CA

Live Chat:
An Evening with Dear Donna
June 18, 2008
Time: 8 PM to 10 PM (Eastern Time)
Topic: Career Advice
Chat URL: http://chat.nurse.com/

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

Book Donna Today
Donna has some great programs to get nurses feeling pumped up and positive about nursing. Call (800) 801-5796 or e-mail donna@dcardillo.com for rates, availability, and program topics. Fill out an inquiry form if you prefer. Call 800-801-5796 or e-mail at donna@dcardillo.com for rates, availability, and program topics. Fill out an iinquiry form if you prefer.

Your 1^st Year As A Nurse Ordering Information
Order a personalized, autographed copy of Your 1^st Year as a Nurse directly from Cardillo & Associates. It makes a great personal or professional gift.

For colleges and healthcare facilities, Your 1^st Year as a Nurse can be purchased at a bulk discount from online booksellers and directly from the publisher. Contact us for more information at (800) 801-5796.