Book club: your reviews

Reading Research, fifth edition

23 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

An excellent practical resource, which is user-friendly and helpful for understanding and reading research. It provides useful tips; exercises and weblinks to further enhance the understanding within the book. The authors take a clear step-by-step approach through the steps of reading research reports clearly highlighting areas of importance with useful tips, alerts and text boxes summarising the main points. They demonstrate the differences between quantitative and qualitative research. The section on methods of research was particularly enjoyable and a useful introduction to those new to research.

 What were the highlights? 

The highlights are the simplicity of the book in terms of how it has been practically applied and the level of enhanced understanding for those new or in the early stages of research. It also provides an excellent reference book for those already undertaking research with good reminders and clear explanations. 

Strengths & weaknesses:

The strengths are in the clarity and application that are enhanced by the authors supported by practical worksheets, which can be downloaded for the users to apply when reading research reports. There is also a good glossary of terminology and a bibliography for further reading.

Who should read it?

This book would be useful to healthcare professionals new to and experienced in research who want to enhance their understanding in reading research reports and undertaking their own research.

Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN Examination

22 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This is one book to prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam. Written for nurses in the states, but extremely apt for any nurse who wants to pass their nursing exams. The book contains core content review, questions and exam taking tactics in order to pass the NCLEX exam from the author herself.

What were the highlights? 

This is a valuable tool for studying with a code within the book to a website, which is really comprehensive. There are over 4000 practice questions on every aspect of nursing including midwifery.

The author is extremely passionate about nursing and her experiences as a nursing student, tutor and item writer for the NCLEX exams has helped her write this remarkable book. She has a doctorate in nursing from Nevada USA. There are a number of well qualified contributors from various universities in the states and a number of reviewers also.

This is the 5^th edition and there is a new chapter around the health and physical assessment of the adult patient. Basic life support has been updated to reflect the new CPR guidelines from the American Heart Association and nutritional components of care, which can sometimes get overlooked when caring for a patient, has also been updated.

Strengths & weaknesses:

This is a nursing text book to end all text books as this is so comprehensive and the chapters are well set out and it does not take the reader long to navigate around the book.

There are some draw backs this is written so the reader will be aided to pass their NCLEX-PN exams, so it may not be entirely apt for the UK student.

The pyramid points and pyramid to success sections again are geared to what appears on the NCLEX test plan can be off putting for the UK reader.

If the reader from the UK ignores the fact this book is in preparation for a specific exam and concentrates on the content they will not be disappointed.

The index is set out well at the back of the book, but the reference section is only just over a page, which was surprising considering the content of this book.

Who should read it?

This is written especially for the nursing students to pass the NCLEX-PN exam. It is still a valuable resource for the nursing student in the UK. As this is so comprehensive, this is a book to refresh the newly qualified nurse and would be a valuable resource in any nursing university or hospital library.

Quick look at Medicine

18 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

Quick look at Medicine is a book designed to be easy to read and able to deliver relevant information in a manageable way. It aims to provide the reader with information about medicine briefly and clearly. It is divided into 16 chapters and ranges from looking at the body and sickness and health to governance and training and the medicine business. The book looks at how the medical profession came about and how the profession is now today. This title also looks at how the NHS was established and how it has changed since its conception.

What were the highlights? 

Chapter 14, “Be a GP for a day” is a particular highlight in the book. This chapter details in depth what it is like to be a GP. It explains how a GP surgery is devised and the role that GP partners have in a GP’s surgery. The chapter outlines a GP’s typical day in surgery, it identifies the complexities and the variances of patients and illnesses that they see and treat. This helps to provide the reader with a clearer understanding of why GP surgeries often run late.

Strengths & weaknesses:

The book’s design means that the reader is able to get information about medicine in a manageable manner. Each chapter is small in length but delivers key information about each topic discussed. Also it looks at the different professions that are often involved in the field of medicine, the main focus being of anaesthetists, psychiatrists and nurses. It would be helpful if the book focused on some more of the allied health professions, for example occupational therapists and healthcare assistants so that the reader understands their role in the profession of medicine.

Who should read it?

This book would suit anyone considering a move into medicine. It would suit trainee doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals. It is also well placed for anyone wanting to gain a better insight into medicine and what it entails and covers.   

Dementia support for Families and Friends

16 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This book describes the complete journey of a person with dementia, from early worries to death. It is described from the point of view of the carer, rather than the person with dementia, though no doubt a person with dementia may wish to read it. The authors outline the problems that may occur at various stages, and give solutions in generally helpful terms.  

What were the highlights? 

The highlights are the quotes from families about what dementia was like. 

Strengths & weaknesses:

A great strength is the knowledge of the writers, but a weakness is the generality of the advice and the assumption that care services are organised in similar ways in English speaking countries for example describing the CQC and saying “other countries will have similar systems”. Either the authors should check that out or leave out the sentence, to be fair to the reader. The challenge that such a book has to meet is that it is competing with the free publications that are being produced in increasing numbers by health authorities and third sector organisations in response to the previous terrible lack of information for carers. The best of this information is highly localised and is kept up to date on the internet. As such, the existence of this book will help to fill the gap for people who are searching for help in a library or through bookshops or outlets such as Amazon. Because it aims to talk to people in all English-speaking countries, it faces another challenge. This is that carers who would be reading this book are often looking for specific information, and the book itself only signposts some of the resources, and in only some of the English-speaking countries. This means that it risks falling between two stools  There are some areas that would have benefitted from tighter editing and proofreading, such as grammatical errors and misspelling of names, and more attention to what the illustrations are meant to add.

Who should read it?

This book is intended for families and friends who have little or no previous knowledge of dementia. 

A Survival Guide To Children’s Nursing

11 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This user friendly, pocket-sized text book is a practical and evidence-based guide providing those in the early stages of their careers as children’s nurses with clinical information and insights in a concise, structured and informative way to assist and support them in obtaining the knowledge required and clinical skills needed to nurse children today.

This book begins with an overview of the general principles underpinning all aspects of care such as achieving clinical competencies, infection control, communication and knowledge of child development, reflective practice, care planning and documentation. It divides into six main sections relating to the daily practice of nursing children from birth to sixteen years of age within the context of the family and includes: the latest guidelines on emergency care; assessment of a child; investigations such as haemodynamic monitoring and diagnostic procedures; nursing interventions in a variety of settings, common medical and surgical conditions in children inclusive of mental ill health; psychosocial care, legal and ethical aspects of professional practice; palliative care and the principles of safe drug administration. Finally, a reference list and useful websites to inform and support further reading of current specialist literature.

What were the highlights? 

The major highlight of this book is the information and support it provides to the novice practitioner. The factual information will provide a strong foundation upon which nurses can develop and enhance their clinical knowledge and skills so as to be able to assist the provision of holistic care, improve patient care and enable adaptation to children’s wards and other settings.

Strengths & weaknesses:

This book is structured systematically and clearly in a bullet point format and is complimented greatly by the inclusion of visual aids (for example pictures, tables and flow charts) for increased clarity assisting the reader to better understand the information being presented. Despite being of a small size, it covers the range of clinical skills and background knowledge and understanding required by children’s nurses well. It lays the foundations of practice knowledge and stimulates further discussion and reading including references and useful websites helpful for further focussed reading without neglecting any important issues. Additionally, this book includes a glossary of terms and abbreviations used within the text and frequently within nursing practice. It makes an excellent starting point and source of reference for those involved in nursing children and young people.

Who should read it?

This book will be of benefit to all children’s nursing students throughout their training supporting modules covered both at university and on specialist practice placements. Additionally, qualified nurses undertaking relevant specialist courses and modules would find this text book informative. Those new to and in the early years of practice will be able to refer to this survival guide when working to answer day-to-day practice questions, obtain clinical information on conditions and procedures and understand underlying pathophysiology of relevance within hospital and community settings.

Anatomy and Physiology (Laboratory Manual)

10 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This is a working textbook, which enables its reader to enhance their anatomical and physiological skills. Its methodology incorporates structure, function and control. Although this is a laboratory book, it can be used in non-laboratory settings too thereby broadening its usability.

It is readable with clear goals set for learning. As the learning develops for human anatomy there is inclusion of animal anatomy and physiology with graphics included of some animal dissections. Having a ring binder style, binding makes for easier page turning and durability of the book. 

Patton’s book contains 55 exercises, which range from simple labelling and colouring exercises through to more complex dissections for those with laboratory exercise. In conjunction with this there is also, from point of registering, a 12 month access to on-line learning through student ELabs  that can be used with Tutors who have registered a course on line or as an independent learning student.

I enjoyed the penultimate section of this book. It focuses on reduced mobility and the need to prevent pressure ulcers since this is a current area being addressed in acute and non-acute care settings in correlation with national guidelines, which are translated into local policies for practice.

What were the highlights? 

As a ward-based nurse I found this book good for revision of anatomy and physiology. The highlights were its usability outside of a lab setting specifically its focus on internal and surface anatomy.

Strengths & weaknesses:

The strength of this book is that it is focused on laboratory based learning and this is clearly indicated on the cover page. Even though it is an American publication it is written in clear English so there is no concern regarding language and terminology. Much thought has gone into its structure and layout making it easy to follow and aids a logical learning process with numerous full colour illustrations. The strength of the on-line material is that it enables further learning on development of diseases.

Who should read it?

This book should be read by students of medicine who are primarily laboratory based. It should also be considered by members of the health care professions who wish to revise or enhance their working knowledge of anatomical structures, scientific methods of analysis and relevant terminology.

Landing Your Perfect Nursing Job

9 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This book is written by an American author, who is currently dean of Education in Minneapolis but also a job search strategist and resumé (CV) writer, to help you “successfully navigate today’s nursing market” whether you are newly qualified or looking to move on in your career.

What were the highlights? 

There are 11 chapters covering job searches, networking, resumés and cover letters, goals, interviewing, how an interviewee should market themselves and nursing culture and how it impacts on the job search. There are also a  further five short sections in the appendices containing interview resources, templates, tools and an index.

Strengths & weaknesses:

The section of “Interview Resources” provides useful ways to prepare for an interview including questions interviewees may be asked and ones for them to ask during the interview and a list of “What not to do”.

Throughout the book, there are “Land that Job!” boxes with questions to the reader on how they are feeling, tasks to carry out and things to think about.

The language and style is American, which I found quite annoying at times but if you can ignore this, the exercises are thought provoking. Each chapter ends with a “Best Candidate Checklist” and limited references but starts with a quotation relevant to the chapter ahead.

Who should read it?

The author states, and I agree with her, that “experienced nurses should always be on the lookout for opportunities for professional growth and development” and not only when they are experiencing “short term moments of desperation”. This book leads the reader through the process in a logical manner, providing the opportunity to think about their future career direction and plan for it rather than reacting to acute problems.

Any nurses interested in reviewing how they search for new job opportunities, complete applications and prepare for interviews would find this book a useful resource and despite having an American author, is still relevant to UK nurses.

Think about your life. Practical tools for people on the cancer journey

5 April, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This is essentially a work book to help and guide people on their cancer journey. There are many links to websites that can provide more information about the various areas that are identified. There are suggestions as to how the book can be used as a resource for an individual as well as advice about involving family and friends. or even forming a support group with other people with cancer.

It works logically through the stages that you will encounter and offers ways to cope with them by supplying tools that can be used to help clarify and focus on different areas. These are ways that others have used during their cancer journey and I can see a lot of what I was thinking about when I faced a diagnosis of cancer. In particular when they speak about hearing the words “you have cancer”, which is probably the worst and most shocking thing I have ever heard.

As well as looking at the stages you pass through, it also has an additional book looking at what happens afterwards to help develop a survivorship plan, which contains good strategies and ideas for continuing with life after an interruption. Initially it looks a bit simplistic with cartoons and lots of blank space but once you get into it, it covers everything you want and need to know but didn’t realise you should know.

What were the highlights? 

It has a different approach, which urges you to take control of your life and the cancer journey rather than letting it take control of your life.

Strengths & weaknesses:

At first glance looks lightweight, but if you persevere and actually read it, you realise just how good and relevant it is. It is a distillation of the experiences of many who have either completed or are still on the cancer journey. It is different to many books about cancer.Iit does not actually talk about cancer but rather with ways to deal with what is happening and how to involve others, if you wish to.

I think it would have been useful for me as I feel it would have helped me to get things straight and make more preparations when I was on the journey (hopefully now completed and clear for six years), but I still recall the fear and helplessness I felt the day before the operation, even though I spent it at work so I did not think about it.

Who should read it?

This book is aimed directly at those with cancer and that is the obvious target. However, I think it is a book that would be useful to many students and clinicians in order to give them an insight into how their patients may be really feeling and what they may really want to know. I have found that having been on that journey I have been able to help others with my experiences and I think it has made me a better nurse. However I would not really recommend having cancer as a good career move.  

Inconvenient People

27 March, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

These are stories to shock make your blood curdle. The author has written 12 stories from the Victorian times – these are not myth or Halloween stories; but real stories of unfortunate people who did not fit into the stiff upper lipped Victorian society. It is frightening to think that so many people were “put away” because society could not cope or had understanding of the person, better to shut away than deal with the problem.

This is a well-researched book and is more of a book of crime short stories of that period rather than the history of this subject.

What were the highlights? 

The title itself is a highlight as it describes in two words the thinking of society at that time.

The author is a historian with an MA in Victorian studies and knows her subject well. It delves into a part of history we thought we knew but were merely scratching the surface.

What were the highlights? 

The author is well-read in Victorian history and this is apparent throughout the book. The author will surprise the reader as one normally thinks of the husband or family locking away the mad woman,– much like Rochester’s Bertha Mason in the Jane Eyre novel. This opens up shady characters who put away people for money, people forcibly kept prisoner in their own homes, and shockingly pauper patients who required only one doctor and a magistrate or a member of the public to certify their lunacy.

The appendix section should be read first because this gives the reader information on acts such as the lunacy legislation. Statistics are included for the certificated insane in England and Wales, but the author guides the reader by advising them to take with a pinch of salt and there is no statistics for those suffering from delirium or some other condition as there are no figures.

Who should read it?

Anyone involved in the care of others should read this. Some nurses and clinicians will remember all too well psychiatric institutions. It makes us realise society and healthcare has come a long way in caring for the mentally ill, the title suggesting illness rather than madness.

Readers interested in this part of history will benefit from reading this gripping and fascinating account of Victorian England.

A Nurse’s Survival Guide to The Ward, Third Edition

27 March, 2013 Posted by: Ibadete Fetahu -

What was it like?

This book is robust and sturdy enabling it to stand up to frequent use with its hard-wearing cover. Its components build on the skills learnt during student nurse training as the transition from student to registered nurse. It is basic and concise in its layout. The chapters break down and cover areas that include how to organise working in a ward environment, legal and ethical issues, patient-centred care and how to effectively communicate with our patient to achieve the best outcome for them.

The authors of this book have included the majority of clinical skills employed in all care and nursing environments, as happens in many books of this nature. However, what the authors do incorporate into their book is a section covering the systemic approach to patient-centred care. This section makes up approximately half of the book. The work put into this book is clearly evident to the reader. For example, with the increasing prevalence of type two diabetes the data presented educates the reader in the pathology of the diabetes, insulin, clinical features, testing and monitoring, how insulin and tablets work. In conjunction they address the issue of diet and nutrition as well as short- and long-term complications of poor glycaemic control.

The writing throughout this book maintains a strong learning style, which is user friendly.  This book does not contain many pictures to aid learning but where it does they are relevant and focus on aiding the reader to understand the skill being explained, for example when discussing ECGs  and the PQRST wave or when discussing anterior and posterior sites for subcutaneous injections.

What were the highlights? 

The highlights of this book are its comprehensive contents; and the manner in which subjects are covered, specifically the systematic approach to managing patient care. 

Strengths & weaknesses:

The strength is the sheer volume of information covered by the authors. It is comprehensive in the data provided. It has expanded from previous editions to include issues related to professional practice for nurses. Being revised, it is up to date and this is seen through the inclusion of the current resuscitation guidelines.

Who should read it?

This book should be considered by newly qualified nurses who are beginning to take on responsibilities of ward-based nursing, while it could enhance and refresh the knowledge of more experienced nurses. Students of nursing may also benefit from this book as it will be a good resource to support them through their training to qualification and into their nursing career.