With the holidays fast approaching, spare time is at a premium. So I’ve streamlined the November and December editions of Nursing Connections™ into one newsletter. Best wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and joyous Kwanzaa.

Donna's Book Pix: Learn to Speak With Style for Fun and Profit: 2 DVD Set with Workbook by Donna Cardillo, RN, MA Yes, speaking in public can be enjoyable and profitable on many levels when you master the art and science of effective public speaking. Energizing, fun, and info packed, Donna’s newest DVD will allow you to tap into her wisdom, experience, and enthusiasm as an experienced keynote speaker, trainer, and seminar leader. You’re guaranteed to develop an increased sense of confidence, know-how, and motivation to speak for fun and profit. Whether simply looking to improve your platform skills, seeking more effective ways to market any business or service, or eager to launch your own speaking business, this program is for you! Order Now! Special introductory offer for Nursing Connection™ readers: $199 (regular price $229) through December 31, 2008. When ordering online, enter CODE:199NC in the comments box.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
Nurses House
During this season of giving and giving thanks, I encourage you to remember those in need, including our fellow nursing colleagues. Nurses House provides short-term financial assistance to nurses in need due to illness, injury, or disability. And while many of us are experiencing our own financial pinch this year, it is good karma to give some of what you have away to those who need it even more than you do. Give what you can and be grateful for what you have.

Career Article:
How to Run an Effective Meeting
Every nurse will be responsible for running a meeting at some time, whether it’s on his or her unit, as part of a committee, or through a professional association. While many people dread meetings, they can be productive, and even invigorating, when well run. Read more.

News You Can Use:
New Credential for Nurse Managers
Nurses will be able to earn a new credential, Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, thanks to collaboration between the American Organization of Nurse Executives and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

The CNML is designed for nurse leaders in the nurse manager role. Those interested must have the following qualifications: a valid, unrestricted RN license and either a BSN (or higher) plus two years of experience in a nurse manager role or a non-nursing bachelor’s plus three years of experience as a nurse manager or a diploma or associate’s degree plus five years of nurse management experience. More details are available at both associations’ websites.

Quote of the Month:
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other.
— George Eliot

Donna's Blog
Job Crisis in Nursing
These are very interesting times in the world and in the nursing profession. We continue to read about the severe nursing shortage and how it will get even worse. And yet, I spoke at an open house for a New Jersey hospital, and the majority of nurses in the audience — both new graduates and experienced nurses — were unhappily unemployed. Read more at http://www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Susan Scanland, MSN, GNP-BC, is a certified gerontological nurse practitioner and owner of GeriScan. Her company’s mission is to communicate the latest research on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to caregivers, healthcare providers, and the public in a customized, applicable manner to improve dementia care. For the past nine years, her business has been funded entirely by presenting at state and national CE meetings and serving on Speakers’ Bureaus for Alzheimer’s medication companies.

After 20 years of geriatric practice, Susan decided to go into business for herself. "I practiced in LTC and home care, and I taught geratrics to family medicine residents. I observed huge gaps in eldercare between the evidence-based research and the ‘trenches.’ I decided to close that gap by educating greater numbers of healthcare providers and family members about Alzheimer’s, dementias, and depression in elders. I love being my own boss and the flexibility of a home-based office."

Susan advises would-be entrepreneurs to start on a part-time basis, saying, "It took me several years to make a profit. I taught part-time in Binghamton University’s nurse practitioner program the first four years of my business." She also offers these tips:

• Learn as much as you can about the area you are interested in.
• Find out what your clients need, and directly target your marketing efforts to their unmet needs.
• Thoroughly research what Web 2.0 and social networks can offer your business.
• Connect with every organization that will benefit from your services or products.
• Don’t be afraid to delegate the tasks you don’t enjoy. Find others who can do them more efficiently, so you can spend more time building your business.
• Follow your gut. Always believe in yourself and your unique gifts.