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By Donna Cardillo
I recently stayed in a hotel out of state the night before a speaking engagement. I decided to walk to a local market to buy some food rather than go out to eat. It was raining lightly, but enough to need an umbrella. I noticed a pickup truck with a passenger cab in the parking lot of a small park along the way. It looked as if the truck bed contained all of someone’s earthly belongings, uncovered and getting rained on. I spied a few children who looked out of place playing outside in the immediate area in the light rain, one young boy barefoot. I also saw an adult woman and suspected they were a family experiencing homelessness. When I walked back to my hotel from the store, the light rain had turned into a torrential downpour. The truck was still there, the contents getting soaked, and everyone was now in the truck cab. So it didn’t seem appropriate to stop and chat which I was otherwise drawn to do. I thought about them all that evening and wondered if they would still be there the next day or if they had moved on. So when I was finished speaking at noon, I changed my clothes and took a walk past the park. There the truck still was. I walked past the vehicle this time down a short hill into the park. Two of the children I had seen the previous day were in the park with a blanket set out and playing with each other. I sensed their wariness toward me and asked them if their truck had broken down (to further assess the situation). The older child, a girl of about 12 or 13, quietly said ‘no.’ I asked if they were OK and if they had enough to eat. The girl responded ‘yes’ as the younger child watched carefully. Her response was in a cautious and rehearsed way. So I walked back up the hill and now saw the adult woman with a 3rd child, even younger than the other two, at the truck. They seemed camped out in the parking lot. I asked her if she needed any help. She politely responded, “No.” I asked if I could give her some money for gas and she hesitated and asked if I wanted to buy some greeting cards. Presuming she wanted to ‘sell’ me something rather than just take the money I said “Sure.” She tried to find the cards but could not put her hands on them right away. I pulled out a $20 bill and handed it to her saying, “Let me give you some money for gas. Don’t worry about the cards.” She asked tentatively, “Are you sure?” I replied, “Yes. I see you have some children here.” She smiled slightly and took the money softly saying, “Thank you.” After that, I headed to the airport to return home. I wish I could have done more and perhaps I could have if I lived in the area. But my heart goes out to them and everyone in their situation. I understand how easy it is to experience homelessness these days. You lose your source of income, then lose your home, have no one to help, and you’re out on the streets. The fact that she had 3 young children with her broke my heart. Sometimes we have to witness what others have lost to truly appreciate all that we have. Take a moment to be grateful for the roof over your head, having a safe, dry bed to sleep in, and enough food to eat. And don’t forget to extend a little help to those in need, even in a small way. It might help them remember that they are not invisible and that others do care. Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success!
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By Donna Cardillo
The summer before my senior year of RN nursing school, I worked as an LPN (we were allowed to take LPN boards then after 2 years of RN education) in a county-run long-term chronic psychiatric facility. Most of the patients had been there for years and years long ago abandoned by their families. It was very much like the ward scenes in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. These men were otherwise ignored, neglected, and sometimes abused by staff members. I was 19 years old, altruistic, naïve, and inexperienced. The stories I could tell you about my short time there, including being threatened when I started to advocate for my patients to get them the basics like shoes that weren’t falling apart, a clean bathroom, and art supplies. I was undeterred and probably lucky that I left there unharmed . . . not by the patients but those on the payroll who were bilking the system. I made some deep connections with those patients in that short time. I hope that I showed them, however briefly, that they were worthy of respect, love, compassion, and nurturing. I never forgot them and still have some of the notes, cards, and pictures they made for me. I did manage to get some art supplies, an occasional pair of new shoes for them, and one day brought in cleaning supplies and from home, and we had a ‘cleaning party’ in the bathroom when I finally realized that the absentee housekeeping staff was never going to show up. Feel free to share one of your own nursing stories to celebrate Nurses Week this month! Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success! By Donna Cardillo
A few years back during a loss of power after a storm, I went to a convenience store that had electricity to get coffee and ice… essentials during a power failure! A customer (a man in his 40s) saw me trying to juggle several bags of ice and picked one up to help me out to the car. A woman who works there and apparently knows him says, “Leave it to a Marine to help!” On our way to my car, I said, “Thanks so much for your help. That was very kind of you.” Him: Just pay it forward. Me: I always do. I’m a nurse! Him: (Throws his hands up in the air and smiles) Why didn’t you say so? (Nurses, law enforcement folks, first responders, and military folks have a close bond). Me: So you’re a Marine? Him: Yup. 27 years. Me: Thank you for your service. Him: Thank you. I appreciate that. He then puts his arm out to hug me and as I reciprocate he kisses my cheek, we hug and wish each other a great day. And this is what life is made of, these small moments of connection and support. Reach out to another human being with kindness whenever you can, even in the seemingly smallest way. You may make their day as he did mine. You might even unknowingly be throwing a lifeline to someone, often a total stranger, who unbeknownst to you is in a dark place in their life and desperately needed that connection to pull them back into the light. Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success! By Donna Cardillo
I always get excited when I see or hear a nurse on television or radio. It’s probably because we’re hardly ever there! But it’s also because TV and radio appearances offer nurses the opportunity to show the world how bright, articulate, and knowledgeable we are. And while it’s a scary prospect to be on TV or radio — especially the first time —learning the basics and getting a little experience goes a long way to becoming comfortable in front of the camera or microphone. Here are some tips and advice. Do your homework: Watch or listen to the program ahead of time to become familiar with the format and the host’s style. It’s also helpful to watch and listen to other guests to see how they answer questions. Talk to the host, producer, or studio assistant beforehand when possible. Ask if the program will be taped or broadcast live and how much time you’ll be on camera. Find out what questions you’ll be asked and who else will be a guest on the show or part of the panel, if applicable. While some talk shows have a discussion format, most news shows have a more structured, prearranged format. Be armed with facts: Even if you’re an expert on a particular topic, it’s a good idea to do some research so you’re up on the latest news, information, and research. You never know what questions will come up, even in a prearranged format. Do an Internet search, check the relevant literature, and talk to those in the know. Practice answering questions, and time your answers. Time is at a premium on TV and radio, so you’ll usually have much less time to make your point or deliver your message than you anticipate. Dress to impress: If you’re appearing on TV, what you wear will make an impact. In most cases, it’s appropriate for both men and women to wear business suits or other tailored professional attire. Avoid wearing white or black, which tends to make you look washed out. Avoid bright reds or oranges and small patterns, stripes, and plaids, which have a tendency to “move” on camera. Keep in mind that even some in-studio radio interviews are video recorded so ask about that before showing up. Be aware of your body language: Your body “speaks” as loudly as your words. Maintain an active and engaged posture by leaning slightly forward and sitting up straight. Don’t slouch back in your seat or sink into a soft chair. Use hand gestures that are low and close to the body. Facial expressions add interest and texture to your message. An occasional smile conveys confidence and warmth as long as it isn’t plastered on your face. Get focused: Once the camera is rolling, look directly at the host unless otherwise directed. There is more than one camera in every studio, so even if the host is talking directly into one of them, there is likely another one focused on you. Try to forget about the cameras and just focus on the conversation. Ignore distractions both on and off the set. Assume the camera is always rolling and the microphone is always on. When the segment is finished, stay seated. Don’t forget you’re hooked up to a microphone and the cameras will likely still be rolling for a few moments. Someone will come to take your mic off and let you know when it’s time to get up. Keep it simple: Regardless of the host’s credentials, consider who the audience is and speak in a language that is understandable to them. Use plain English devoid of jargon and acronyms. Speak in sound bites — short, concise statements that make a point or provide information. In addition:
Next time you have the chance to be on TV or radio, consider the bigger opportunity to promote the nursing profession… and take it! Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success! Numerous studies have shown that Americans get much of their information about health care from the media. Likewise, what they see and hear in the media, whether a TV drama or a print news story, influences how they perceive nurses and the work we do.
And yet, nurses have historically shied away from the media. Some of us think reporters dig for dirt only when something goes wrong. Others are so accustomed to deferring to physicians or administrators that we forget we’re health care experts in our own right. And many of us feel intimidated by media representatives and don’t know how to talk to or work with them. So we avoid the media and often don’t consider opportunities to demonstrate our knowledge, promote health and wellness, support nursing’s agenda, and gain visibility and credibility. The media are powerful institutions, and positive media attention is key to elevating our image. It can promote a more accurate understanding of what nurses really do and help recruit others to the profession. It also influences legislators and administrators when they’re allocating money and resources for nurses. Here are some key ways to harness the power of the media. At Work If you’re a department manager, make contact with the marketing and public relations person in your facility. Make sure he or she knows about the unique work your department does and about any special projects or programs your team is involved in. These might include a mentoring program, a research project you’ve completed, or an innovation on your unit. Make sure the PR person knows that nurses are experts, too, and as such should be referred to as sources for the media. And since the media loves tie-ins with special occasions and events, National Nurses Week and nursing specialty weeks are good times to seek publicity. If you’re not a manager, encourage yours to make that connection or volunteer to be the PR liaison for your department. If you or someone in your department wins an award, is named an officer in a professional association, or receives special recognition from a community or civic group, make sure the marketing department knows about it. When one nurse is honored and spotlighted, the entire profession benefits. Encourage your facility’s PR people to pitch stories to the media about nursing. Nursing is a particularly hot topic right now with the widely publicized shortage. Positive publicity about nursing is great marketing for your facility, is a good recruiting tool, and helps promote a more accurate image of nursing. Through Professional Associations Get on a marketing or public relations committee. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the world of media relations and develop important contacts. Organize a media panel for a conference or meeting. This is not only a great way to learn more about how the media works, but also a great opportunity for the media to learn about nursing — who we are, what we do, and what we know. Bring in a speaker or consultant who offers media training. Then, the next time you have the chance to appear on TV or radio or be interviewed by a journalist, you’ll know what to do. Some associations have developed media training kits to assist members in working with the media. Most professional associations, at both the national and local chapter level, have a member resource list available for the media. Offer to become a topic expert for your professional association. On Your Own Pitch stories or submit articles to mainstream media about nursing and health care topics or capitalize on current events. When popular actor John Ritter died years ago, one nurse did some research and wrote an article about aortic dissection in layman’s terms so the public could understand what he died from. The article was published in a local newspaper with the nurse’s name as the author. Write letters to the editor or author of articles in newspapers, web sites, and magazines to comment on health-related articles. Thank them when they write accurate stories about nursing and correct them when they don’t. Admittedly, the media is intimidating to most of us. But by taking steps toward becoming more media savvy, every nurse can learn to harness the power of the press for the good of the profession. By Donna Cardillo
March is National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month. Twenty-six years ago, my husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Twenty-six years ago, I became a family caregiver; and, more specifically (in my case), a spousal caregiver. I didn’t even realize that I was a family caregiver at that time because I always envisioned family caregivers as people who had to dress and feed the person for whom they cared. My husband didn’t need any of that. As time went on, I started to become very overwhelmed and bordering on burnout. I started to do some research online, and I found several wonderful websites that cater to family caregivers. As I began to read about what family caregiving is all about, I realized that I do all of those things—and more! I truly am a family caregiver. Caregiving is not just physically caring for someone with bathing, dressing, or eating. It’s also medication management, spending time on the phone with insurance companies and medical offices, and providing emotional support for the person for whom you care for. Family members, neighbors, and friends very often don’t want to ask the person who’s ill or disabled how they’re doing and get a real answer. Instead, they turn to the caregiver for all of those responses. Once I found relevant information online, I felt so much better just understanding my own experience more. The reason I’m bringing this up in National MS Month is that family caregivers suffer in silence. We often go unrecognized, even by ourselves. So, we suffer as a result—with a higher incidence of chronic illness—even a higher incidence of premature death. That point is not to scare you or make you paranoid, it’s just to illustrate the seriousness of the job we take on and why it’s even more important not to try to do it all alone. How vital it is—for us as family caregivers—to take care of ourselves and to also make ourselves a priority just as we do our loved one! Self-care doesn’t necessarily mean going to the spa, although that would be lovely. It does include things like getting help and support through support groups or through counselors—visiting your own healthcare professionals for both physical and mental health issues. Create opportunities to do things like spending time outdoors, working on some hobbies—there are lots of things that you can do on your own for yourself! I became aware of how easy it is to get sucked into the vortex of caregiving, and as a result, lose yourself in the process. Then, if we lose that loved one at some point, we don’t even know who we are anymore, and don’t have much of a life left. I want to tell all family caregivers, whether your loved one has multiple sclerosis or another disability, or you care for elderly people, that you are a vital part of that equation. Taking care of yourself is just as important as eating and sleeping. When people ask if they can help you in any way, we usually say, “No,” or “I don’t know.” Or they say, “What can I do for you?” We don’t even know what to say as a caregiver. So, here’s my best advice for you: The next time someone says, “Can I help you in any way?” Just say, “Yes,” even if you don’t know exactly what you need. Default to “Yes.” Then, if they say, “Oh, great! What can I do?” say, “What do you suggest?” In other words, you’re not even coming up with something yourself, you’re leaving it to them to offer. They might say, “How about I bring dinner over? Or maybe I can come over and sit with your loved one while you spend some time outside?” Say, “Yes! Great!” You have to seek help and support. You can’t operate in isolation. You’re not alone. I want you to know that. In fact, I wrote extensively about my own family caregiver experience in my book Falling Together: How to Find Balance, Joy, and Meaningful Change When Your Life Seems to be Falling Apart. I share my own experiences with readers so that even if they don’t have my exact experience, they can glean lessons learned. Everybody who has read the book—especially the chapter on how caregiving feels—can relate in some way. Whether you are caring for children, elderly parents, or anyone else in your life who depends on you for your ongoing care and support, pick up a copy of that today, and get some additional tips on how to cope and care for yourself. Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success! By Donna Cardillo
Because of a shortage of paper table napkins in the stores, my husband and I started cutting ours in half at the fold to conserve. That leaves us with a 2-ply napkin instead of a 4-ply one which works quite well. We realized that we don’t really need a whole napkin at every meal. I am reminded of my in-laws who lived through the great depression of the last century. They had to learn how to conserve, do more with less, and even live without many things. They carried those lessons throughout their entire lives. Even when they were in a more comfortable position later in life, they lived well but simply. Waste not, want not was their unspoken code. In times of abundance (whether personal or global), there is a tendency, by some, to be wasteful, greedy, and have a sense of entitlement. When scarcity arrives (and it almost always does at least once in a lifetime), we either learn/practice gratitude, appreciation, compassion, resourcefulness, and humility, or we make ourselves sick and become angry, demanding, complaining, blaming, and fear-mongering. Each of us has a choice. (Hint: The latter does not serve you, your loved ones, or the world.) Planning your next event? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to schedule your ideal speaker and make your event a success! By Donna Cardillo
I recently presented to a group of women and spoke about how important it is not to lose oneself in caregiving (whether a parent or taking care of an ill, elderly or disabled loved one) and that it is vital to maintain something for/of themselves. Afterward, a woman came up to me and shared that ever since she was a kid she wanted to learn to play the drums. Her mother told her she could not but that she could take piano lessons. She did that for a while but didn’t like it. Again, she asked for drum lessons and her mother said no but that she could take guitar lessons. She didn’t want to do that so she never took music lessons again. When her husband died several years ago after a protracted illness, and at the age of 63, she signed up for drum lessons. When she showed up for the lessons, the teacher assumed she was the mother of the student. She loves playing the drums and is finally doing something she has wanted to do since she was a child. It’s never too late to follow your heart and your dreams and do the things you want to do. What part of your life has been on hold and needs nurturing? Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Donna Cardillo
I recently went into a store that makes their own sausage. It sits in one long continuous looped pile waiting to be portioned out. I asked the woman behind the counter to give me about 1 pound of sausage. She deftly cut off a piece and placed it on the scale. Voila… 1 pound exactly. I said, “Wow…so exact!” She smiled and wrapped it up. Today at the airport I had a large heavy bag to check at the curb. I had weighed it at home before leaving so knew it was 47 pounds, 3 pounds shy of the 50-pound limit. The skycap lifted the bag, concentrated for a few seconds and said confidently, without putting it on the scale, “Weight’s OK.” I responded, “Wow…You can do that just by feel?” He grinned broadly and said proudly, “Yup!” I marvel at and am grateful for all of the people in various lines of work who develop expertise and proficiency in what they do. It makes my life simpler and easier and even adds joy to my day. Notice and appreciate how others do their jobs. Acknowledge and appreciate them for it every day. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By Donna Cardillo
An LPN student recently wrote to me with a bleak view of the job market. This person said, "I’m graduating soon. What can an LPN expect when looking for jobs? What can we do to make ourselves more attractive to potential employers?" How LPNs can make themselves stand out to potential employers Opportunities for LPNs vary from state to state, depending on the scope of practice. By and large, LPNs still have opportunities in long-term care, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities, as well as hospice and home care. Additionally, LPNs are also being used in schools, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals/clinics, correctional facilities and a wide range of other ambulatory care settings, including medical practices, clinics, group homes, dialysis, wound care centers and more. LPNs also work for insurance companies doing pre-certification, in occupational health, nursing informatics, and quite a few other non-traditional healthcare settings. The job market is competitive for all nurses, so putting your best foot forward, activating and cultivating your professional network, and continuously expanding your skill set are all essential. For more specifics on marketing yourself well, read the articles “Put Your Best Foot Forward for Maximum Impact” and “Interview to Knock Their Socks Off.” It is important for you to join and get active in nursing associations too. It is through professional associations that we build community in nursing. Without community, you may survive but you will never thrive. Join and get active in the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses. Also, check with your state chapter of the American Nurses Association to see if they have a membership category or special coalition for LPNs in your state. Many of them do. But even if they don’t, you can attend meetings as a guest to network and learn. Participation in professional associations expands your professional network, keeps you current with knowledge, information, and trends, and provides support throughout your career. Plus, networking is well known to be an effective way to find job openings and get interviews. LPNs play a vital role in healthcare. Be proud of what you have accomplished and what you do. Convey that sense of pride when you network, interview and work. There are always opportunities for individuals who are passionate, professional and enthusiastic. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! |
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