Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Nursing Connections^TM. And how fitting that it is launched during Nurses Week, a time to celebrate the profession. My intent is to share interesting and useful information to boost your career and enhance your life. I want to hear from you. If there are recommendations or articles you enjoyed, recommendations you'd like to make, or career or business tips you'd like to share, let me know. You can write to me at editor@dcardillo.com.

Donna's Book Pix: From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public by Bernice Buresh and Suzanne Gordon, Canadian Nurses Association, Ottawa, 2000

This is a must read for all nurses. Buresh and Gordon, award winning journalists and well known nursing advocates, brooch the subject of how nurses present themselves to the world, how they communicate what they do, and why any of it matters. They touch on issues of image, perception, credibility, and visibility. The book contains comprehensive information on working with the media. Click here for more info.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
The Center for Nursing Advocacy
This site keeps track of nurses and nursing issues in the media. It also offers great tips and advice for working with the media as well as interesting statistics, information, and resources about the profession. Check it weekly as the content is always changing. The Center for Nursing Advocacy

Career Tip:
Make the Right Impression with Business Cards
Get yourself some business cards made and carry them with you wherever you go. Even if you already have a work-related card, get a personal card for other networking situations. You never know who you'll meet where and want to stay in touch with. Click here for more info..

News You Can Use:
Borders Books & Music and Waldenbooks will be hosting Healthcare Appreciation Weekend at their stores nationwide from Friday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16. All healthcare professionals – including nurses and allied health providers – who present proof of employment will receive a 20 percent discount on most items and 40 percent off cafe purchases at Borders Cafe locations. To find a store near you, visit www.bordersstores.com or www.waldenbooksstores.com.
Come and meet Donna at Border's in East Brunswick and Eatontown, NJ. Click here for more information.

Quote of the Month:
Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. — Babe Ruth

Entrepreneur Exchange:
More and more nurses are starting their own businesses and consulting practices. And why not? Nurses have above average intelligent, possess excellent communication skills, and are totally customer service oriented. We have a good work ethic, are detail oriented, and know how to get things done. Did I mention that we are versatile and multi-talented?

One thing I've learned in business is that no one succeeds alone. That means you've got to build support systems, look for role models and mentors, and align yourself with successful, motivated people. Whether you're a business owner or not, consider attending the annual convention of the National Association of Women Business Owners to be held in Dallas, TX on June 3-5. For information go to www.nawbo.org.

Attend Donna's How to Start Your Own Business and Consulting Practice seminar in Atlantic City, NJ on May 24, 2004. For more details, go to http://www.dcardillo.com/events.html or Nursing Spectrum.

May Events:
Donna will be speaking at the National Speakers Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter meeting on Saturday, May 15, 2004 in Plymouth Meeting, PA (near Philadelphia). She'll be presenting How to Become a Star in your Niche Market Learn to Outshine the Competition. For more info or to register go to http://www.nsamidatlantic.org
Book Signing
How to Start Your Own Business and Consulting Practice

May Special:
Order Career Alternatives for Nurses^TM home study version during the month of May and we'll pay for the shipping. This offer is for Internet orders only and must be received by midnight on May 31, 2004. Click here and type FREE SHIPPING on the bottom of the form in the box marked "Tell us how you heard about the product." Be sure to enter FREE SHIPPING to get the offer.