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Dear Donna

Donna Cardillo, RN, well-known career guru and president of Cardillo & Associates, is a speaker, entrepreneur, humorist, and master of the career universe. She uses her expertise to help you polish your rough edges and shine in your career.

"Experience is not enough in today's fast-paced, competitive world," notes Cardillo. "You must look good, speak well, appear confident, have the ability to perform with increasing daily demands on your time, and through it all maintain a positive, upbeat attitude."

Cardillo brings more than 20 years of clinical, management, and business experience to her new role. She is the top-rated speaker at Nursing Spectrum Career Fairs and takes a down-to-earth approach to career advice. Cardillo has appeared on television and radio and written many articles on career and professional development topics. Most recently, Cardillo was a career consultant with monster.com, but she left that position to assume her exclusive Dear Donna! relationship with Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek.

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I need to go back to school, but I have no idea what for. Suggestions?
Wednesday November 19, 2008
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Question:

Dear Donna,

I am currently in my third year of PICU nursing. I’ve been working as a traveler for the past year. I am at the point where I need to move on to something else because I am tired of bedside nursing. I’m at a total standstill as to what to do next. I know I need to go back to school, but I have no idea what for. I’d like to do something where I have better hours, a salary as good as the one I have now (preferably better), and more independence. I have been juggling ideas like nurse educator, PICC nurse, NP, dermatology, and administration around in my head, and I am at a total dead end as to where to go. I know I’d like to go back to school fall 2009, so I need to sort this all out soon! Do you have any advice that may help me?

Val



Dear Donna replies:

Dear Val,

Clearly it’s time for a change. Nurses have so many options that it can be hard to sort it all out. Start by reading “How to Find Your Forte” at http://www.dcardillo.com/articles/forte.html.

To start generating ideas, gathering information, and making contacts, you need to start getting yourself out there and talking to people. Do this by attending Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs <http://events.nursingspectrum.com/expo> and getting out to professional association meetings in your area. For example, find out where your local chapter of the state nurses association meets, and attend a meeting (attend as a guest if you’re not already a member). Yes, you’ll have to step out of your comfort zone, but that is a good thing. Without change, there is no growth. And fear is always part of the process when you are stretching yourself.

I also recommend that you read my newest book, The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses <http://www.nurse.com/CE/7250>. You’ll find tons of advice in there about deciding where to go from where you are, how to explore your options, how to launch a job search, and how to choose the right position. You’ll also find information about returning to school, how to choose a major, and more.

I also recommend that you attend my Career Alternatives for Nurses® seminar to fully explore your options, brush up on your self-marketing skills, identify transferable skills, and get pumped up and positive. See where I’ll be at http://www.dcardillo.com/events.html. The program is also available in CD <http://www.nurse.com/ce/CD6> and DVD <http://www.nurse.com/ce/DVD1> home study versions.

Transition is a process, so be patient with yourself and the process. You don’t have to know where you’re headed to start moving forward. Put one foot in front of the other, follow the advice in the above-referenced article and book, and start creating momentum in your personal and professional life. Keep moving in a positive, forward direction, and the right path will eventually reveal itself to you.

My best wishes,
Donna



Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, well-known career guru, is Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek’s “Dear Donna” and author of Your First Year as a Nurse: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional and The ULTIMATE Career Guide for Nurses: Practical Advice for Thriving at Every Stage of Your Career. Information about the books is available at www.nurse.com/CE/7010 and www.nurse.com/CE/7250, respectively. To ask Donna your question, go to www.nurse.com/asktheexperts/deardonna. Find a “Dear Donna” seminar near you: Call (800) 866-0919 or visit http://events.nursingspectrum.com/Seminar.



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