Now that the kids are back to school, it’s a good time to think about your own educational credentials. Have you been sitting on the fence forever deciding which degree to go back for? Is your current degree so old that your diploma flakes when you touch it? Have you convinced yourself you’re too old or don’t have the money or time to go back to school? If you answered yes to any of the above, it’s probably time to beef up your credentials and your cerebral capacity. This issue is devoted to one of my now favorite subjects, higher education!

Donna's Book Pix: The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen From the author’s of the Chicken Soup series comes this empowering book about learning to ask for what you want in life. This is no easy task for most of us yet it can lead to more control and power, better relationships, more love, and self-actualization. Canfield and Victor Hansen delve into why we are afraid to ask, how asking will open up a whole new world, and who and how to ask for what you want and need. It gently guides the reader through a process of overcoming fear, knowing what to ask for and getting started in a variety of settings including work, home, school and the universe at large. The content is peppered with cartoons and quotes and short testimonials by those who successfully asked for, and got what they wanted.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
All Nursing Schools
If you’re considering a degree in nursing this site lets you browse by type of degree, nursing major, location, and type of program. It offers a direct link to schools listed and is fairly comprehensive.

Career Article:
Go Back to School and Change Your Life
I have a confession to make: I never cared too much for school, and I was never a particularly good student. I always considered myself a “hands-on” person who wanted to dive right into things and learn as I went — in other words, on-the-job training. I never had much patience for the classroom and usually found myself falling asleep, doodling, or thinking about what else I could be doing with my time. Read more.

News You Can Use:
By now, most nurses are familiar with the wonderful nursing recruitment campaign Johnson & Johnson launched in 2002. The campaign includes television commercials as well as complimentary marketing tools such as videos, posters, pamphlets and more. If you haven’t yet visited the campaign web site, be sure to do so at www.discovernursing.com. There’s lots of great information and resources there for all nurses.

This past year J&J added a new dimension to the campaign which they call Become a Nursing Advocate. This program is designed to assist nurses in promoting the profession to school-age children and others. Just for the asking, you’ll receive a kit which includes a scrub top to wear during presentations, a sampling of the free promotional materials available including a coloring book, and information about the nursing shortage and how to make a difference. Both Spanish and English language materials are available. To be a part of this program, send an email with your mailing address and scrub top size to nursing@hcsus.jnj.com.

Correction: In last month’s edition of Nursing Connections^TM we mistakenly used the phrase “automatic electric defibrillator” to describe an AED. The correct name is “Automated (or automatic) External Defibrillator.” We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

Quote of the Month:
Genius without education is like silver in the mine. — Benjamin Franklin

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
Eleanor Sullivan, RN, PhD is a nurse with a mysterious avocation. She writes mystery novels that feature nurse sleuth Monica Everheart. Eleanor recently published her second mystery, Deadly Diversion. She is currently working on the next book in the series, Assumed Dead. Eleanor is also author of many non-fiction books on diverse subjects such as influence, leadership, management, and substance abuse. Several of her books have received Book of the Year Awards from the American Journal of Nursing. In addition to writing, Eleanor is a speaker and consultant. In gratitude for the opportunities she has had in nursing, Eleanor contributes a portion of her book sales for nursing scholarships.

And speaking of the opportunities Eleanor has had in nursing, here are just a few of her outstanding professional accomplishments: Dean of the University of Kansas School of Nursing, President of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing, and Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. To learn more about Eleanor – her background, her books, and her speaking – visit her web site at http://www.eleanorsullivan.com/.

Upcoming Events:

October 17	AORN Multispecialty Conference in Las Vegas, NV
October 21	Maryland Nurses Association Convention Linthicum, MD
October 22	Celebrating Pediatric Nursing Conference Woodbury, NY
October 23	Ohio Nursing Students Association Convention Cleveland, OH
October 27	Ellen Colgan Memorial Seminar in Port Jefferson, NY

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

Book Donna Today
Planning a Nurses Week celebration, educational conference, or leadership training program? Looking for a speaker for a new graduate orientation program, student nurse luncheon, or recruitment event? Donna has a program to meet your needs. Her 2005 calendar is already filling up so don’t miss the opportunity to bring the country’s leading career management expert and motivational speaker for nurses to your event. Call 800-801-5796 or e-mail at donna@dcardillo.com for rates, availability, and program topics. Fill out an inquiry form if you prefer.

Newsletter Archives