Your Nursing Career Doesn't Have to Follow a Straight Line

Your Nursing Career Doesn't Have to Follow a Straight LineSUMMARY: What if your nursing career didn’t have to follow the traditional bedside path to be meaningful—or impactful? In this episode, host MacKenzie Butler sits down with Donna Cardillo, a nurse whose career journey defies convention. From psychiatric hospitals and emergency departments to healthcare reimbursement, education, writing, and career coaching, Donna shares how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities reshaped her professional life—and helped countless nurses do the same. Together, they explore why so many nurses undervalue their transferable skills, how imposter syndrome shows up even in successful careers, and why nursing is an identity, not a job title or setting. Donna offers practical advice on networking, LinkedIn, resumes, and confidence-building—along with a powerful reminder that nurses can create impact far beyond the patients they’ll ever meet face to face. If you’ve ever wondered what else you can do with a nursing degree—or felt stuck waiting for permission to try something new—this conversation is for you. ---Nurses may be able to complete an accredited CE activity featuring content from this podcast and earn CE hours provided from Elite Learning by Colibri Healthcare. For more information, click hereAlready an Elite Member? Login hereLearn more about CE Podcasts from Elite Learning by Colibri HealthcareView Episode TakeawaysView this podcast course on Elite LearningSeries: Your Nursing Career Doesn't Have to Follow a Straight Line