Meet the RN: Donna Wilk Cardillo

Donna Wilk Cardillo, RN, MA, 56, of Sea Girt, NJ, is a registered nurse. She works as a speaker and a writer to help nurses stay pumped up and positive, appreciate the value they bring to health care, and make the most of the great profession--registered nursing.

A. I have been in the profession for 35 years, starting my career in psychiatric and emergency nursing. For the last 14 years, I have been self-employed as a nurse entrepreneur. Although most of my time now is spent speaking and writing about the nursing profession, once a registered nurse always a registered nurse. I became a registered nurse because I loved helping people and loved science. I worked as a candy striper when I was in high school which provided my initial exposure to the health care field.

Even then, I really had a sense that I wanted to help people and couldn't think of a more interesting science than human science. I really did love the hospital environment. It always seems as though something important was going on and I wanted to be part of that.

As a registered nurse, I was.

I wanted to feel that I was making a difference in the lives of people and as a registered nurse and motivational speaker I certainly do feel that way.

A. I went to a hospital-based diploma program. Today, that's old-fashioned. There are very few diploma programs for nursing still out there. Most people today who want to go to nursing school go to a community college for an associate's degree in nursing or to a four-year college that offers a bachelor's degree in nursing. I earned my master's in nursing as well.

I would recommend starting with an associate's degree if that works for you, but to make plans for a bachelor's degree, and then possibly a master's degree. It doesn't have to be done at one time. I stretched my nursing education over 25 years--from the time I graduated from nursing school until I completed a master's program. Today, it's even possible to complete nursing degrees through an online education program.

Once you become a registered nurse, you have lots of opportunities for employment, even in this economy. As many of us are getting older, the demand for health care should only increase. Also, many of today's registered nurses are nearing retirement age so there should be a need for additional RNs. RNs do a lot of different things in a lot of different places. You don't have to work in a hospital or a long-term care facility. I'm as much an RN today as I was when I worked in the emergency room.

Today, I heal with words. I've done traditional and non-traditional RN jobs as well, but there are many different ways and places that RNs can make a difference.

A. I spend about a third of my time on the road--traveling by car or by airplane both in and out of the country. I go to hospitals, nursing school and nursing career fairs, conferences, and conventions where I may deliver a speech. The rest of the time I'm doing administrative work, including answering correspondence, developing new programs and materials, and keeping up with what's happening with RN jobs and the nursing field.

You never know where being a registered nurse will lead you. I have found there are many opportunities for registered nurses in numerous places. I became a speaker and author (Your First Year as Nurse, The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses, and Beginning Nurses) because I really wanted to share that information with others who are interested in pursuing RN nursing.

A. Nursing is one of the most diverse professions today. It can take you anywhere you want to go. You can combine other interests with nursing and build a whole career around it. If you are a registered nurse, there is a schedule, a specialty, and a work environment to suit your needs. And there is lots of scholarship money available for nursing school whether for your basic nursing education or an advanced degree.