Now that the trick-or-treaters have hung up their pirate costumes and consumed their sugary booty, it's time for the easy-listening stations to cue up the Christmas Carols. Before you head over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house, I'd like to offer my best wishes for a fantastic holiday season. And I hope you enjoy this special November/December edition of my newsletter.

Donna's Book Pix: 7 Summits: A Nurse's Quest to Conquer Mountaineering and Life by Patrick Hickey Hickey is the first nurse in the world to successfully summit the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, the 7 Summits. His book is part memoir, part travel journal, part inspirational story, and part nursing guide. It explores goal setting, motivation, dedication, and the pursuit of challenge in the face of adversity.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations
NCEMNA, a national collaboration of ethnic minority nurse associations, is a unified force advocating for equity and justice in nursing and healthcare for ethnic minority populations. Learn more about the coalition and the associations involved by visiting its website. For more visit www.ncemna.org.

Career Article:
Age Is a State of Mind
I always marvel at how hung up on age so many of us are — even when we're still relatively young! I often receive Dear Donna questions such as: "I'm 28 years old. Am I too old to become a nurse?" or "I'm 48 years old and just got out of nursing school. Will anyone hire me at this age?" or "I'm 55. Is it too late to go back to school for a higher degree?" If only I had a nickel for every time someone asked me if they were too old to do something — I'd be rich! Read more.

News You Can Use: Nurses From Canada and the UK Speak for Their Healthcare Systems Healthcare needs an overhaul, most people agree. But detractors have labeled the British National Health Service and the Canada Health Act as “socialized” medicine gone awry and examples of what Americans do not want to happen in the U.S. But are all those horrible stories being told really true? Separate fact from fiction by reading www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/gannetthg/nursecom_200911/#/16.

Quote of the Month:
Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.
— Lillian Dickson

Donna's Blog
Has Anyone Ever Been Mean To You?
While recently speaking at a nursing conference, the speaker before me was trying to make the point that nurses don't support each other. One more sweeping generalization to put a negative thought in everyone's head and start off the conference on the right note! She asked for a show of hands asking, “Who has ever had someone be mean to them in the workplace?”
Read more at www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Dawn Ginese, RN, is The Singing Nurse.
Ginese has worked with children for more than 30 years and has been a musician for most of her life. So when she became a nurse in 1995, it seemed natural to combine the three. The Singing Nurse started in 2000 when she taught Head Start children simple health concepts and prepared them for visits with the local audiologist or dentist.

“I love music and enjoy communicating healthy living in a fun and educational way. I like teaching simple health concepts while integrating music and movement. Currently, I work with children and families at my church, and I do home care nursing. I recently worked as the ‘Music and Movement' specialist at an Early Childhood Learning Center, and I continue to write songs.”

Go to Dawn's website to buy her CD or download her album or individual songs.

For more information about Dawn Ginese, go to www.thesingingnurse.com.

Upcoming Seminars: Double Header Event
Career Alternatives for Nurses®
February 22, 2010 — Atlantic City, NJ

How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice
February 23, 2010 — Atlantic City, NJ

2010 calendar in process. Check back.

Holiday Special
Purchase any of Donna's DVD or CD sets between now and December 31 and receive a 20% discount on the price and FREE SHIPPING. This offer does not apply to books. Order must be placed by midnight on 12/31/09. Discount will automatically be made at time or order fulfillment. Order now by calling 800-801-5796 or online here. Mail orders also accepted for special offer if received by December 31.

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 — Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career, is available. Order now by credit card at 800-801-5796 or click here www.dcardillo.com for our secure order form.

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