Do you still wonder what you want to be when you grow up? This edition of Nursing Connections™ features tips for finding your niche in nursing. It also offers a resource for how-to articles about safe lifting and info on a book that explores critical perspectives on nursing and healthcare issues.

Donna's Book Pix: The Complexities of Care: Nursing Reconsidered Edited by Sioban Nelson, RN, PhD, and Suzanne Gordon This collection of essays explores critical perspectives on major issues in nursing and healthcare work. The international contributors delve into topics such as the importance of relationships in nursing practice, moral integrity and regret in nursing, the challenge of reconciling the ideals of holistic care, and the state of nurse staffing. The essays are linked by a central theme: The reputation of the nurse as an angelic caregiver trivializes the expertise and demands required for the work.

Cool Nursing Web Site:
Lift Patients Safely
A five-part series of how-to articles about safe lifting is available on the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention website. The free articles include details about assessing patients, selecting lifts for patients with special needs, and infection control for lifts and swings. Download the articles and much more at: www.safeliftingportal.com.

Career Article:
How to Find Your Forte
Often I hear, "I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up." No, I don’t hear it from young children but rather from experienced nurses who are trying to figure out where they fit in healthcare. Are you like those nurses, searching for your niche in nursing? Start with a journey of exploration and discovery about yourself and the healthcare system. Read more.

News You Can Use:
Stopping Smoking Reduces Cardiovascular Risks for CKD Patients
Nearly 47.5 million Americans currently smoke, and the habit is one that increases the risk and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD also develop cardiovascular issues as the disease worsens. Smoking cessation may decrease cardiovascular disease as well as slow the progression of CKD.

In "Smoking Cessation Therapy Considerations for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease," an article in the July-August 2008 issue of Nephrology Nursing Journal, authors describe smoking cessation therapies for the CKD population and review a variety of drug therapies.

For more information, go to www.annanurse.org/journal.

Quote of the Month:
If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. — Joseph Campbell

Donna's Blog: Advocating for Patients. . . and Nurses!
As the president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Speakers Association (www.nsaspeaker.org), I was recently asked to speak at a local Kiwanis International club meeting. I suggested speaking on the popular topic of public speaking, but the event host said the members didn’t do any public speaking and asked if I would speak about nursing. I was happy to oblige. Read more at http://www.nurse-power.net/blog.

Entrepreneur Spotlight:
V. Yvette Cheeks RN, BSN, is owner of Professional Healthcare Education Service, Inc., a nursing continuing education company. Her company offers nurse refresher programs (classroom-based and home study), foreign-educated nurse transition programs, nurse remediation courses, and a variety of continuing education offerings for nurses, social workers, and case managers.

Cheeks went into business for herself because she was "frustrated with the lack of attention given to continuing nursing education in healthcare facilities. I felt there was a real need to assist nurses in continuing competence, mentoring them back into an appropriate setting for their skill level, and giving them the support they need to transition successfully."

She urges nurses considering entrepreneurship to "realize the level of commitment it takes to run a successful business. You will work harder and longer than you have ever worked. You must have a passion for something and be willing to give it your all.

"The biggest lesson I learned is that you cannot provide every service requested. Early on, I tried to please everyone that called and was afraid to say no. I now concentrate on the products I feel are most important to our nursing community’s needs and work to develop a better product every day."

To learn more about Yvette, her company and services, visit www.phesonline.com.

Upcoming Seminars:
Career Alternatives For Nurses®
September 27, 2008 — Chicago, IL area

How to Start Your Own Business or Consulting Practice
September 28, 2008 — Chicago, IL area

Extreme Career Makeover with Dear Donna
October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV

Career Alternatives For Nurses®
October 28, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV

Learn to Speak With Style for Fun and Profit
November 11, 2008 – Red Bank, NJ

Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs
September 9, 2008 - Mt. Laurel, NJ
September 12, 2008 - Plantsville, CT
September 26, 2008 - Oakbrook Terrace, IL
October 27, 2008 - Las Vegas, NV
November 6, 2008 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Come Meet Donna:
Nurse Power!™
September 18, 2008 - Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack University Medical Center Open House
For more information, call 201-996-4651 or e-mail jbeaugard@humed.com

Power Networking – The Key to Your Success
November 13, 2008 – Spring Lake Heights, NJ
Wall Township Chamber of Commerce Networking Event

Live Chat:
An Evening With Dear Donna
October 15, 2008
Time: 8 PM to 10 PM (Eastern Time)
Topic: Career Opportunities for Nurses!
Chat URL: www.nurse.com/chat

Teleseminar:
How to Use Public Speaking to Promote Your Business
October 13, 2008
For more information and to register, go to http://powerfulyou.com/Speakers/Speakers.htm

For additional program info visit http://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. 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.

Available now!
Donna’s long-awaited second book, The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses, is available now. To order, call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://www.nurse.com/CE/7250.

For an autographed copy call (800) 8012-5796 or visit www.dcardillo.com.

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

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

Newsletter Archives