Renewal, according to Webster, implies extensive remaking of something that has faded into something wonderful and new. This faded RN started the ReNewal process five years ago when I completed Vickie's CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar. Prior to that week I was a nurse with many years of experience suffering from what I now refer to as "professional bradycardia."

This ReNewal thingy literally changed my personal and professional lives while at the same time enhancing my creativity. I have a variety of unique and personal marketing tools for my CLNC^® marketing packages thanks to this newly found creativity.

But renewal is so much more than boosting your creativity. Renewal is finding out just what in life actually brings you to life. It's finding the kind of work that really isn't work at all, but a pleasurable experience that forces you to grow and then grow some more. For me that pleasurable growing experience is being a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant^CM (CLNC^®).

My renewal also transformed me into something of a public speaker. Me, a public speaker! That wasn't a transformation; it was a downright miracle, but that's what can happen when you speak your passion. Speaking out on patient safety issues led me to develop a seminar for nurses on professional and legal aspects of nursing care. I also started to write, which for me was highly unusual, since I had always thought writing was something others did. Yes indeed, ReNewal can work wonders.

I put into practice one of Vickie's 5 Promises, to become a lifetime learner. I got thirsty for knowledge and found myself reading more on various subjects. That may not seem like a big deal, but before my ReNewal I was a nonreader for many years.

Renewal can give your self-esteem a jolt. I now feel just plain good about my career, my choices and myself. Most importantly, I appreciate my family more and more each day.

Renewal is also handy when disappointments come your way. Whether it's the loss of a loved one or a personal health scare, feeling positive and renewed is a huge help when facing life's ever-changing challenges.

It's funny what happens when you become ReNewed. If you're like me, you become creative, you thirst for knowledge, you speak, you write, your fears start to dissipate and you make more and more personal contacts. Then you start to renew others, which in turn adds to your own precious renewal cycle.

Thank you, Vickie, for awakening the nurse within me and starting my personal and professional renewal process. It's no wonder those letters RN are found right there in that word ReNewal. If you're suffering from "professional bradycardia" like I was, a good old-fashioned CLNC^® jolt can convert you back to RSR (Regular Success Rhythm) and start your ReNewal.

– Lawrence H. Frace, RN, CLNC

Agility is the word that best describes how I live my life. Agility isn't confined to sports. You have to be agile in every facet of your life.

To me, agility means being able to bounce back when something or someone disrupts your life. Some people just accept life's disappointments and don't do anything about them, at least not right away. I see those disappointments as opportunities to change my direction and transform the challenge into a second chance at reaching my goal.

Don't wait too long though. If you start analyzing the situation, you may talk yourself out of acting on the opportunity. If you have to make sure you know exactly what to say or do, you lose out on a lot in life.

Agility is thinking fast on your feet. I try to anticipate that any given situation may change and I may need to have plan B ready to go.

However, agility isn't necessarily impulsivity. I can be impulsive, but sometimes that isn't good. I've been around long enough now to recognize when my impulses are trustworthy and when I should wait. I think of this kind of agility as controlled impulsiveness with a pinch of common sense.

Agility is also part of my personality. Some people think I have a quick wit or I'm funny. I see being able to look at the world around me and find humor as another kind of agility.

My agility plays a big role in my ability to market my CLNC^® business. When I speak to attorneys, they pick up on this trait. They don't look at me and say, "Wow, Jane, you're agile." But they do think I'm outgoing, friendly and knowledgeable.

When a CLNC^® is agile, she'll find it easy to market herself. When a CLNC^® is able to take herself lightly, she won't hesitate to speak because she's too terrified she'll say the wrong thing. Life is too short to be that serious.

Look around at the successful people in the world. They have all been surprised by things in their life and business. Yet they are agile enough to change their situation for the better. Vickie Milazzo began as a nurse and used her agility to become very successful. That's the kind of agility I aspire to.

– Jane Hurst, RN, CLNC

My introduction to the 10 Strengths came at a session with Vickie and four other CLNC^®s. We were not told what we would be doing, so of course, I was most curious. After a long day of activities and a wonderful dinner, we sat comfortably around a small coffee table, and Vickie described this thing called Fusion. I was cautious but I trust Vickie. I'd worked with her long enough to know she would not mislead us.

First, we selected a descriptive word that we felt represented us. I chose Renewal. Then each of us shared our story as it related to our chosen word. After listening, we shared our feelings, understanding and insight with each speaker.

Before the Fusion session we didn't know each other well (or in some cases not at all). Yet to an amazing degree we were able to identify each other's unique personal characteristics. This experience showed me that I was seen as I'd hoped to be seen through my actions, words and commitment to others. After hearing my brief story of some significant life events, these relative strangers told me that I had become the person I wanted to be.

Participating in the Fusion gave me a sense of freedom. I had not shared these experiences with many people because I felt embarrassed and did not want others to think poorly of me. By sharing this very personal story with people I didn't know, I took a chance that my greatest fear would be realized. Contrary to my expectations, I felt supported by these women. Somehow they did not judge me, but were understanding and compassionate. I was no longer afraid to share what had hurt me so much for I realized that through my experiences I could truly help others.

When I took Vickie Milazzo Institute's CLNC^® Certification Program in 2001, I was at a very complicated time in my life. Through Vickie's program I not only became a successful CLNC^® but I also became the woman I know I was meant to be.

Soon, I had an opportunity to become a CLNC^® Mentor and to see how other CLNC^®s struggle to rise above their own challenges. Just by talking with them as they build their CLNC^® businesses, I give them hope and support. I also had the chance to speak at the CLNC^® 6-Day Certification Seminar, sharing how I grew my business in spite of challenges and giving confidence to those in the audience.

Most recently, I was asked to close the 2-Day NACLNC^® Apprenticeship program with my story. I took a chance and shared from the heart my struggles, trials and successes as I built my CLNC^® practice. This is a difficult speech to deliver; however, I hope that by sharing the renewal I have found as a CLNC^®, I can help others experience renewal in their lives.

My life will never be the same again. Fusion helped me become a stronger person in areas of my life I was still unsure about. The confidence I gained will assist me even more as I continue to grow my CLNC^® business. Thank you, Vickie, for including me in your Fusion session.

– Rachel Cartwright, RN, MS, LHRM, FNC, CLNC

I can identify with all 10 strengths Vickie reveals in her book, Inside Every Woman. Every one of those strengths supports me in my successful CLNC^® business.

Attending the NACLNC^® Conference with many enthusiastic nursing colleagues awakened the strength of Enterprise in me. After that conference I was on Fire, passionate to realize my dream of owning my own business, of being the CEO of my own company.

I had the Intuitive Vision to take action on that dream and start my business with a fire that's never gone out. My path was not always easy. Running your own business can be hard work. Yet as I marched forward, my Agility allowed me to take advantage of every opportunity, and my Endurance gave me the energy to achieve one goal after another.

I have the Integrity to respect and honor my 38 years of clinical nursing experience along with my many years of life experience. Vickie showed me how to integrate all that experience into the successful CLNC^® that I am.

When it comes to Genius, I continue to further my education, attaining new knowledge from the NACLNC^® Conferences and countless other sources. Once in a while, all this expertise gives me a genius approach to a difficult case I'm reviewing or to a new attorney-client who needs me to educate him in the medical jargon that only we seasoned nurses understand.

All the strengths I've mentioned so far have fostered the strength of Engagement, the source of my powerful relationships with my attorney-clients. I'm equally committed to engaging with the people I know personally. I have learned not to take relationships for granted, but to keep them strong with continual Renewal.

I built on these strengths and Female Fusion to achieve my success as a CLNC^® quickly. Within the first two years, I had tripled my salary and earned the respect of my peers and clients. I never would have imagined the success that was possible for me. This "girl" from a small town in Illinois is now the CEO of her own legal nurse consulting business. Even though at my age I could be contemplating retirement, the fire and passion that started me on this journey still speak to me and the strengths Inside Every Woman still sustain me.

– Marie L. Wendle, RN, BS, CCRN, CLNC

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