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The age-long practice of giving care to the sick and comforting the dying have always been seen as mankind’s noblest pursuits. Primary-care physicians and surgeons may get most of the attention, but the functions and importance of nurses cannot be over-stated!
They are the sometimes overlooked, but totally indispensable medical experts who play a big role in holding everything together, as far as medical care is concerned.
The tender care and professionalism of highly trained nurses is most times, the first impression a new patient receives. Patients establish a personal connection with their nurses, they trust them just as they would trust a friend or family member. This comes as no surprise, since nurses spend a good amount of time with their patients.
However, setting out on the road to being a well respected nurse requires a deep understanding and extensive domain-specific knowledge about medical care.
It is no easy task, as it requires hard, long, diligent studies, and of course, NURSING BOOKS!
While in nursing school, students would come across so many books. I am quite sure they are all great books, but among a crowd would always stand out the best.
Best Books for Nursing School
So, which are the best books for nursing school?
In this article, I will be looking at 5 revered nursing books. These books have proven to be very helpful to many nursing students all around the world.
So, are you a nursing student in search of the best nursing books? If you are, then be sure to keep reading!
Portable RN: The All-in-One Nursing Reference
The fourth edition of this renowned book carries very tangible information on the many sacred duties nurses are expected to perform.
In addition to basic nursing procedures and techniques, this very informative book easily and thoroughly explains to nursing students, various patient-assessment techniques, patient-care documentation, preoperative and postoperative routines, pain management approaches, standard wound treatments, drug-administration methods, contagious disease precautions, lab test and ECG interpretations, palliative end-of-life care and other specifics.
This book also points out updated AHA guidelines for obstructed-airway and CPR responses, updated ventilator modes, newer developments in general safety for medication dispensing and patient care, advances in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and expanded information about fast-evolving threats like MRSA and VRE infections.
It thoroughly enlightens nursing students on the up-to-date standards of practice and guidelines published by the Infusion Nurses Society and by the Joint Commission.
It’s a great book, excellent for nursing students.
What You’ll Love About This Book
- Very easy to understand
- It contains up-to-date AHA guidelines, and newer developments in general safety
- It is a very detailed book
RNotes: Nurse’s Clinical Pocket Guide
The not-too-big, but very detailed, fifth edition of this classic pocket guide is filled with information about clinical laboratory values, insulin regimens, ACLS resuscitation procedures, pregnancy complications, pediatric-patient health assessments, adult patient education, advanced life support for neonatal patients, emergency assessment and urgent-care medicines, routine diagnostic tests, common calculations and conversions and other daily aspects of practical nursing.
The index is very well organized and it allows readers find relevant information quickly.
I have to point out that many nursing students, especially those in their first year, will appreciate the coated pages very much, as it makes it easy to later clean off any temporary short notes written on the pages.
It’s a pocket sized book, but the information it holds is very extensive!
What You’ll Love About This Book
- It is pocket sized, so you can take it anywhere
- It has coated pages, so you can take down short notes and wipe off later
A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests
The ninth edition of this colossal reference is sure to answer basically any question around the very wide array of diagnostic tests and procedures that pushes modern medical practices in this century.
With the coverage of nuchal translucency screenings, nuclear scans, differentials for abnormal blood work and advances in the ever-evolving area of genetic testing, this book exemplifies the very extensive treatment of every aspect of patient preparation and after-care procedures.
A lot of nursing students will also find helpful, the online teaching package that offers real-world case studies, participatory assignments and course-management offerings. The online teaching package comes free with the book!
What You’ll Love About This Book
- It comes with free online teaching package
- It is one of the most detailed nursing books
- It uses real-life case studies to teach
Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy!
Don’t let the casual tone of the book title fool you, it is a very serious nursing book!
The second edition of this popular reference carries a lighthearted but totally serious treatment of the fluids and electrolytes that are very critical to human life.
The chemical mysteries of acids and bases are very well explained within their clinical contexts, it also has several case studies that paint a clear picture of the immediate consequences of common and not-so-common issues that come with fluid and electrolyte levels.
Nursing students who are faced with the scientific rigor of physiopathology classes will greatly appreciate the well-organized format that guides newbies through very complex ideas with easy-to-understand explanations.
One thing I must commend is how precise and easy-to-understand, the explanation of the phenomenon of osmotic diuresis that threatens so many diabetic patients with harmful dehydration is. This book is filled with many other spot-on explanations.
What You’ll Love About This Book
- Very precise and clear explanations for beginners
- In depth analysis of real life case studies
I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse
Coming in at number 5, but definitely not the lowest ranked, is this book. I love the title by the way, it makes you want to read it even of you’re not an aspiring nurse!
The very important emotional side of nursing is very well addressed in this highly sympathetic journey through the trials of hard-working nurses who are faced with the daily tribulations of emotional human beings.
It covers personal struggles with the demands of professional nursing ethics, along with the grief of coping with elderly patients coming to the ends of their lives, and the exhaustion of working in an emergency room in a busy metropolitan hospital.
This book carries stories that are both touching, and inspiring. I am sure every nursing student would gain inner strength from reading this book.
It will prepare you for the “real world” of medical practice. Both the wins, and the losses.
What You’ll Love About This Book
- It is quite touching
- It will help prepare aspiring nurses for what’s to come
- It helps nurses deal emotionally with medical tragedies
Why It Is Important For Nurses To Read Good Nursing Books
First of all, every student should read books centered around their field, be it economics, art, science, or business. Nurses inclusive.
Taking classes is great, and the knowledge gained in the classroom is priceless, so is the knowledge gained from a nursing book.
A good nursing book is more like a second teacher, one you can access anytime within your free schedule. It can provide you with extra information which is vital to your nursing practice.
What Should A Good Nursing Book Contain?
A good nursing book should have one or more of the following –
- It should have self-explanatory information
- It should have practical, real life examples
- It should be easy to read and understand
- It should have illustrations where necessary
- It should be as detailed as possible
- It should be able to prepare aspiring nurses for the task ahead, both physically and psychologically
- It shouldn’t be too expensive, since nursing is a noble, humanitarian profession, students shouldn’t have to pay so much to study
Best Books for Nursing School Conclusion
As an aspiring nurse, or nursing student, having these books will give you a far better understanding of the extensive body of knowledge possessed by professional nurses.
To be equipped with such complex, yet readable books will give you a massive advantage over those who are not. To have these books means proper preparation for the nursing world, and how to deal with the challenges that come with it.
I hope this article on best books for nursing school has been of great help.
Are there any other good nursing books you may have read or come across which you think is a worthy mention? If there are, then be kind enough to share with the rest of us via the comment section. Someone out there might need it.
Good luck!