The UN declared 1998 The Year of the Ocean. And several conservation agencies are touting 2009 as The Year of the Gorilla. Isn’t it time the world recognized nurses’ amazing qualities? Find out where to sign the Year of the Nurse petition in this edition of Nursing Connections™.

Donna's Book Pix: The Making of a Nurse by Tilda Shalof, RN Tilda Shalof has been a caregiver since she was a child taking care of her sick parents — but her skills didn’t come easily. With humor, honesty, and skilled storytelling, The Making of a Nurse describes how Shalof became the capable ICU nurse she is today.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
Center for American Nurses
The Center for American Nurses is a national professional nursing organization that educates, equips, and empowers nurses to advocate for themselves, their profession, and their patients. The website offers a career center and marketplace, resources, and a listing of educational activities. For more, visit www.centerforamericannurses.org.

Career Article:
Coming Back From the Brink
Arlene was let go from her job because she made a medication error. When it happened, she was exhausted from working overtime and rushing to finish up before going home. Her patient wasn’t harmed, but her employer had a rigid medication error policy, so she was let go. Nothing like this — the error or the firing — had ever happened to her. Read more.

News You Can Use: International Year of the Nurse Campaign The American Nurses Association is encouraging nurses and healthcare professionals around the world to take part in a campaign urging the United Nations to adopt resolutions declaring 2010 International Year of the Nurse and 2011-2020 a UN Decade for a Healthy World. Nurses can sign an on-line pledge at www.nightingaledeclaration.net/declaration/healthy To learn more, go to www.nightingaledeclaration.net.

Quote of the Month:
There are only two things that prevent you from accomplishing your goals: fear and self doubt. When you learn to trust yourself and ask for help, the world gets a whole lot easier.
— Wyatt Webb

Donna's Blog
Medicare for All
There is a fascinating study and proposal out by the California Nurses Association (www.calnurses.org) about the benefits of expanding Medicare for all Americans. This is a must read for all nurses to begin to understand the direction that this country will likely go in to provide healthcare coverage for all citizens, what the financial impact would be, and how a one-payer system would benefit everyone. Read more at www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Thom Golden, RN, BSN, is a specialist in child safety product installation in the home and is widely renowned as a leading authority on pediatric trauma prevention. He is the president of Dr. Baby Proofer and the founder of the International Association for Child Safety.

An RN for 30 years, Thom worked in the emergency department, before starting his own business. While in the ED, he witnessed many cases of child injuries and poisonings that could have been prevented.

He has spent the last 20+ years working in the specialty practice of pediatric trauma prevention.

"This area of professional specialization is wide open for the profession of nursing — a new frontier, so to speak," he says.

Dr. Baby Proofer offers in-home safety evaluations, child safety products, professional child safety product installation, and child safety educational seminars.

For more information, go to www.drbabyproofer.com.

Come Meet Donna:
Power Networking - The Key to Your Success
March 5, 2009 - Spring Lake Heights, NJ

You Make It Happen!
March 8, 2009 - Reno, NV

Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs
March 13, 2009 - Burlington, MA

How to Use Public Speaking to Promote Your Business
April 21, 2009 - Manalapan, NJ

Toot Your Horn
April 28, 2009 - Long Branch, NJ

For additional program info visit 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.

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

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

Available now!
Donna’s long-awaited second book, The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses, is available now. Order now by credit card at 800-801-5796 or click here www.dcardillo.com for our secure order form.

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