"Nurses are very much overworked," says Kathleen D. Pagana, RN, PhD. "They don't take time for themselves."

And Pagana, president of Pagana Keynotes & Presentations and a professor emeritus at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa., can relate.

There have been times throughout her career during which Pagana did not have a healthy work-life balance, she says. She still struggles with some areas today. But because she believes balance is not a luxury, but rather a necessity to achieve happiness, Pagana has devised a list of 10 strategies nurses can use to improve their lives.

Sound overwhelming? Pagana addresses that, too. "It's like learning to juggle," she says. "Use one ball first." Any one strategy can be employed alone and then, once mastered, more can be added.

Pagana, who is also the author of the book "The Nurse's Etiquette Advantage," will present two continuing education sessions at Nursing Spectrum's Networking and Educational Event on April 7. "The Etiquette Advantage: Tools for Career Advancement" will be at noon and "Life in the Fast Lane: Stress and Work/Life Balance" at 2:30 p.m. Sessions are free, and one contact hour will be awarded. Pagana will sign copies of her book after the first session.