How To Survive On A Ward (A Nurse's Survival Guide to the Ward - Ann Richards)

Member Name: ickleannie

Product:	A Nurse's Survival Guide to the Ward - Ann Richards
Date:	30/03/09 (105 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy To Read - Useful Information

Disadvantages: Not Pocket Sized - Shame As It Would Be In My Tunic Daily

A Nurses Survival Guide To The Ward Review

Who Is It For?
-----------------

This book is a useful learning resource for those studying nursing. It has a wealth of information concerning the essentials required for effective nursing practice. It would be most useful for student nurses or for those individuals who require a refresher course in clinical practice, for example those returning to the profession after maternity leave or having had a career break or taken a year out of their nurse training perhaps. It has been produced with Nurses and Student Nurses in mind. However would also be suitable for those who have an interest in Nursing or healthcare as a subject.

What Is It About?
---------------------
This is a 336 page book which in my opinion is an invaluable resource. It provides the reader with guidance on various day-to-day procedures and problems that could essentially arise in a variety of clinical settings in nursing. In addition there is an extensive section on how the systems of the body work extremely handy for a quick refresher in anatomy and physiology. It covers several topics. To include: How to organise your job and yourself (well lets face it most of us could do with a little bit of help in this department). How to assess patients in your care. (An absolutely vital and fundamental component of the nurses role and a major responsibility in practice to ensure optimum care and the corrct treatment given for the ultimate benefit of the patient). There is an Important section on principles, procedures and investigations. (This is useful if medical staff require tests which are unfamiliar to nursing staff so a handy tool for reference, pretty much everything is in here and I have referred to this section on numerous occasions in the course of my current role). Furthermore It provides information on a wide range of conditions that are pertinent to everyday practice. In addition the book also Highlights the importance of safe drug administration, and perhaps most importantly to my mind what to do in an emergency situation. (Contrary to popular belief these situations don't happen regularly in nursing unless of course you work in A&E or HDU for example. Thank Goodness!!!!!) The book is also handy in that it explains the importance of good communication. (Effective communication is a vital component and is key to efficient nursing and its subsequent practice). Information is also given on legal and health and safety issues which could affect those working in the healthcare profession and which have implications for effective Clinical Governance which is the main government body who oversee how we practice as nurses. Divided into several useful sections this book is very easy to understand. The main sections of the book are outlined as follows:

Section 1.

This looks at your job and its organisation.
Emergency Situations.

Section 2.

This part looks at assessing and investigation.
Identification of patient problems.
Assessment, observation and measurements.
Procedures and Investigations.
Nursing Care Issues

Section 3.

General principles and procedures
Infection and its control

Section 4.

Looks at the systems Fluid and electrolyte balance
Nutritional Support
in the body. The cardiovascular system, The respiratory system, The blood, The gastrointestinal system, The renal system, The nervous system, The endocrine system. Diseases of the bones and the joints. The immune system, cancer and surgery.

Section 5.

Deals with pharmacology, Drugs and the law, Administration of drugs, Nurse prescribing, Pharmacology in practice, Classification of drugs, Poisoning.


Finally there is a further reading section and the appendices which deal with units of measurement and Drug measurement and calculations.

Overall

A great book which incorporates all of the main elements that would you would expect to encounter on a day to day basis in nursing. Unsuitable however for those at a more advanced level. I would also recommend this book to student nurses as it is an invaluable resource. Easy to read and understand. Please note that this edition has been replaced by a second newer edition, which I would tend to recommend over this one as it will incorporate more up-to-date resources. Important as I am sure you will be aware with the recent focus on evidence based practice and the essentials of having the most up to date information for practising nurses. Overall a good read and recommended.

Summary: Invaluable Resource