2024 AMSN Annual Convention Keynote Preview: Donna Cardillo
Donna Cardillo, MA, RN CSP, FAAN, will deliver the closing keynote at the 2024 AMSN Annual Convention, which will be held Sept. 12–14 in Toronto. Get to know Cardillo, “The Inspiration Nurse,” and preview some key takeaways from her keynote here.
AMSN: Tell us a little about yourself and your area of expertise.
Donna Cardillo, MA, RN CSP, FAAN (DC): I've been a registered nurse for several decades, having worked in many diverse settings including ER, psychiatric, medical weight control, quality improvement, and more, loving each and every one of them. I launched my nursing education/professional development company over 20 years ago with a goal to expand a nurse’s vision of who they are, what they do, and to elevate the profession to new heights. I've spent the last 25 years speaking, writing books and columns, making media appearances, creating and facilitating seminars and retreats, and traveling around the world as an advocate for the nursing profession. I am just as passionate about nursing today, if not more so, than I was when I graduated from nursing school years back.
AMSN: Why is it important for AMSN Annual Convention participants to attend your keynote?
DC: After four years of isolation, darkness, and overload, it's time to come together to celebrate who you are, what you do, and where you are headed in the future. It's time to reconnect with one another, reignite your passion, and get energized for the exciting journey ahead in a post-pandemic world. Look out world, here come the medical-surgical nurses!
AMSN: Without giving too much away, could you provide a few keynote takeaways for attendees?
DC: Attendees will learn strategies to:
- Stay engaged and energized at every stage of their career.
- Be a catalyst for positive change.
- Maximize multi-generational teams.
- Enhance recruitment and retention.
- Promote collegiality.
AMSN: What about your keynote has you most excited?
DC: I want to remind medical-surgical nurses of the tremendous value they bring to healthcare and to feel good and proud about who they are and what they do. I also want to restore joy and passion in their work, their specialty, their workplace, and their profession.
AMSN: What are some guiding principles that have influenced your life and work, and how can medical-surgical nurses apply those to their own careers?
DC: I have always been curious and adventurous in my career, open to learning new things and having new experiences. I would always volunteer for things at work, whether working on a special project or committee, working with students, or taking on some additional responsibility. It kept things fresh and exciting for me, plus it expanded my skill set, my confidence, and my resume! It also helped me discover where my strengths lie and what I really enjoy doing. I continue to challenge myself professionally on a regular basis.
AMSN: Is this your first trip to Toronto? If you’ve visited before, what are some must-dos and must-sees for first timers?
DC: I have been to Toronto on several occasions in the past and love the city! It is a vibrant, metropolitan city with so much to offer. Toronto is culturally diverse, with great restaurants and shopping. My favorite thing to do there is to go to the theater to see a Boardway-style show!