Student Nurse Handbook: Difficult Concepts Made Easy (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

B. Gayle Twiname (Author), Sandra M. Boyd (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130417122 | ISBN-13: 978-0130417121 | Publication Date: August 23, 2001 | Edition: 2

A “must-have” resource for all nursing personnel, this book focuses on areas in nursing that consistently cause the most confusion. The engaging, reader-friendly writing style simplifies difficult concepts and presents them in a clear, concise manner. Chapter topics cover ABGs, drug calculations and medication issues, laboratory and diagnostic studies, ECG, and epidemiology. Handy survival tips for clinical settings are also included—with advice on using the Internet to access current nursing information, and how to communicate more effectively For nurses, social workers, and other allied health professionals.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Student Nurse Handbook Difficult Concepts Made Easy Second Edition

A "must-have" resource for all nursing students, Dr. B. Gail Twiname's Student Nurse Handbook is the answer when it comes to nursing questions. An engaging, reader-friendly writing style simplifies difficult concepts, presenting them in a clear, concise manner. Also presented are handy survival tips that include - advice on test taking, navigating Internet resources, and effective communication strategies. Also included:

• Two new chapters on Time Management skills and Alternative Therapies.
• New material on learning styles including Web courses.
• A revised chapter on legal concerns with new information on ethics and delegation.
• Updated and expanded Internet resources and links.
• Coverage of universal topics such as spirituality, sexuality, death and dying, as well as cultural differences.
• Bulleted outlines that alert of key content.
• Case studies highlighting real-life application of material.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Wow! You are a nursing student. What a challenge! During our years as nursing faculty we have seen many successful students. This text is our way of helping you to successfully graduate from nursing school.

The second edition of our book incorporates some new chapters and some revised chapters. We made these changes based on input from students and others who reviewed our book. Here are some of the changes:
* Learning Styles and information on Web Courses have been added (Chapter 1).
* We have included a new chapter on Time Management (Chapter 2).
* Ethics and delegation have been added to the chapter on Legal/Ethical Concerns (Chapter 9).
* Another new chapter has been added on Alternative Therapies (Chapter 21).
* All of the Web addresses have been updated and more have been added (Chapter 35).

Do not expect this to be a typical text on a specific nursing area. Rather, it is a resource for some of the more difficult foundation material generally covered in early nursing courses: knowledge that is used in multiple nursing settings. This book will not be able to replace detailed textbooks or class attendance. You will still need to read your textbooks, participate in the learning laboratory, and put time and energy into written assignments.

We anticipate, however, that this book will help you by presenting the highlights of these challenging, yet essential, topics. You will notice that this book is different from course texts in three additional ways.
* The format is flexible: some material is in typical narrative format, some is in question and answer format, and some is in outline or bulleted (list) format.
* Many areas are written in "conversation" style, as if we were with you in a learning environment.
* Some chapters are very short.

In addition to the difficult topics, we have also included guidance in some areas that tend to be stumbling blocks to success.

As with many professions, knowledge learned today in nursing is often outdated by tomorrow. New technology and research is occurring at an alarming pace. So what does this mean for you? Well, several things. First, you must understand this phenomenon and accept it. Second, when research supports new knowledge and techniques, you must be able to release "old" knowledge and ways of doing things. Third, you must keep on top of these current changes through multiple means: reading your professional journals, attending conferences, and searching the Internet for credible new information and technologies.

We believe that this book will help as you progress through nursing school. We would love to hear from you through our publisher, Prentice Hall. How has our book helped you? Are there some other things you would like to see in future editions?

Nursing is a rich and rewarding career. We are very proud of the "nurse" in us and pleased that we may share a small part of building the "nurse" in you. We wish you the best in your nursing career!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 397 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (August 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130417122
• ISBN-13: 978-0130417121
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,036 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, February 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Student Nurse Handbook: Difficult Concepts Made Easy (Paperback)

I just graduated from nursing school and the best book I had during school is this one. This was the only book that truly "spoke" to me about the realities of nursing school and I used it in all my courses. I plan to keep it handy because I know I am going to forget some of the information I learned about EKG's, Fluid & Electrolytes and some of the other things I may not use every day.These authors made me feel like they were talking to me, not at me and I enjoyed reading the information that they had to share. I also appreciated the numerous "short cuts" that I learned. The cartoon-like figures were always good for a chuckle and the examples in the book really fit my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone in nursing school no matter what level you are. Good luck! Keep studying! It's worth it!

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, February 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Student Nurse Handbook: Difficult Concepts Made Easy (Paperback)

This is the best book ever! I have used it since my first day in nursing school and I am amazed by how much helpful information fits into such a small book! I love the information about how to get along with faculty and also write papers, study, take tests, etc. Everything I've read I've been able to use. The section on the internet is fantastic and I've been able to use the links to find information for my patients and for those nasty care plans! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is in nursing school and anyone who plans to go to nursing school. I plan to keep mine after I graduate because I know I'll be referring to it when I'm working. If you are struggling in nursing school, get this book! It will help!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Buy for All Nursing Students, October 12, 2005

By 

Sweet Girl (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Student Nurse Handbook: Difficult Concepts Made Easy (Paperback)

This is an extremely informative book packed with valuable information. I can't say enough good things about this book! It covers more than just nursing, however.

The first section is entitled "You Too Can Get Through Nursing School." Chapters here include: Study and Test-Taking Skills, Papers, Computers, Texts, Faculty Variability, Asssertiveness, Professional Possibilities, Legal Considerations, and Risk Management. This section covers the basics of getting you through school. The study tips chapter was especially useful to me.

Other sections include "Universal Issues That You Will Encounter Wherever You Go," (which includes Culture, Stress, Pain, Rehabilitation, etc); "Concepts That Are Difficult to Understand," (which incudes ABGs, Endocrine, Drug Calculations, ECG, etc); "Content You Needs To Know," (which has just 3 chapters: Critical Thinking, Research, and Theory); "How to Get Your Point Across," (which includes Communicaiton, Documentation, and Nursing Process); and a final section entitled "How to Access Information Via the Internet and Beyond."

I highly recommend this book to you. It is a wonderful resource as it explains hard concepts AND teaches you study skills, how to get along with others, and so much more!