Advanced Practice in Healthcare

What was it like? 

This book provides readers with a framework for implementing advanced practice in their healthcare environment. It is divided into three sections: clinical skills (clinical decision making, consultation and planning care), management (theory, effective management skills and advanced nursing practice in the US) and the professional role in leadership (professionalism, clinical effectiveness and influencing others).

What were the highlights?  

This title is well written and appears to be well-referenced. What is particularly pleasing is the standard layout adopted by all of the contributors, making it easier for the reader to navigate the book. The use of learning outcomes listed at the beginning of each chapter is particularly helpful.

Strengths & weaknesses: 

The contributing authors and editors are all senior nurses, some currently working in clinical practice and some in higher education (or both). This senior input provides credibility for the book. The book is easy to read and follows a standard structured layout.   

An introductory chapter discussing advanced level practice is particularly helpful. The three editors discuss the Department of Health’s position statement on advanced level practice as well as the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE)’s recent report relating to it. Levels of practice are discussed in detail.

It would have been useful to include a brief overview of the book on the back of the outside cover. One of the chapters discusses advanced nursing practice in the US. It is questionable whether this chapter would be of interest and of benefit to readers not working in the US.

Who should read it? 

Being edited and written by nurses, this book is particularly aimed at nurses currently working in advanced practice or wishing to do so. Allied health professionals would also find the book of interest.