Book Description

"These stories cannot help but touch the hearts and souls of all who read it, nurses or not. The authors have done nursing a wonderful service by bringing to light the touching, funny, heartfelt anecdotes shared by those at the bedside."

-Sally Russell, M.N., R.N. , Educational Director Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses

This collection of true stories champions the daily contributions, commitments and sacrifices of nurses and portrays the compassion, intellect and wit necessary to meet the challenging demands of the profession.

Stories from student nurses recall why they entered the profession; stories from seasoned nurses reveal why they stay, and some stories reflect on the "good old days." Most important, as every fan of the series knows, each story shares hope for the future.

Regardless of age or area of practice, health-care workers the world over will find their own hearts and souls in these stories as they discover the universality of what they do-and the power of their skillful hands and devoted hearts.

Reviews (14)

Wonderful!
Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul pays grateful tribute to nurses - - those exalted and capable servants who selflessly tend the sick, injured, aged, and downhearted with deep compassion and unceasing dedication. Containing more than one hundred true stories of service and sacrifice, this uplifting book tugs on your heart strings and tickles your funny bone while artfully honoring the noble profession of nursing. Anyone who has ever been the recipient or the provider of health care will be challenged, motivated, and enlightened by these inspiring, true-life examples of exceptional courage, commitment and caring.
Dr. Mom, Marianne Neifert, MD

Nurse's need this!
Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul is a book long overdue. These stories cannot help but touch the hearts and souls of all who read it, nurses or not. Nurses will recognize their own experiences somewhere in these stories, which affirm the personal nature of nursing and the importance of personal touch involved in the care of others. The authors have done nursing a wonderful service in bringing to light the touching, funny, heartfelt anecdotes shared by those at the bedside.
Sally Russell, M.N, R.N
Educational Director
Academy if Medical Surgical Nurses

Great books for nurses
Every nurse can relate to the emotions portrayed in this book. The short story format is perfect for the busy nurse to read. The next time you want to remember that special nurse in your life or the one who helped you through a crises, or if you are a nurse yourself, read this book! It's my second favorite inspirational book -- my first being "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Book of Wisdom" by Taro Gold. Giving these kind of inspirational gift books assures that your present lasts longer than candy and flowers and will boost the readers' self esteem! Every nurse I have known who has read these books has loved them!

Heart Warming Memories
I have been a nurse for 21 years and have never read any book that depicts the true value of this wonderful profession. Each story is so easy to relate to. I hope that anyone who is a nurse or knows a nurse reads this book!

Morale Booster
This diverse blend of candid and illuminating stories helps to illustrate what nurses really do, and their importance in balancing the healthcare equation. The heart and soul of nursing
involves far more than the fictional portrayals depicted on television or in the movies. “Chicken Soup for the Nurse’s Soul” comes at a time when this dwindling number of overworked, overstressed and underpaid “angels of mercy” everywhere struggle to practice their art against all odds. I highly recommend regular portions of this morale booster.

Laura Lagana (...) ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive resource gives practitioners a wealth of wound car education handouts for patients and caregiversin English and Spanish.Plus, it provides educators with practical how-to guidance on caring for and instructing wound care patients, and checklists for ensuring compliance with education guidelines.Youll find fully up-to-date care information on:Circulatory system disease and ulcers, Diabetic foot care and ulcers, Wound and skin care dressing treatments, Pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, Nutrition, And much more!For Orders and Inquiries, please call: 1-888-427-5800. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to meet the needs of both novice and advanced practitioners, the first edition of Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles and Practice established standards and defined the core curriculum of legal nurse consulting. It also guided the development of the certification examination administered by the American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board. The extensive revisions and additions in Legal Nurse Consulting: Principles and Practice, Second Edition make this bestselling reference even more indispensable. The most significant change is the inclusion of 15 new chapters, each of which highlights an important aspect of legal nurse consulting practice:Entry into the SpecialtyCertificationNursing Theory: Applications to Legal Nurse ConsultingElements of Triage for Medical MalpracticeEvaluating Nursing Home CasesPrinciples of Evaluating Personal Injury CasesCommon Mechanisms of Injury in Personal Injury CasesERISA and HMO LitigationThe LNC as Case ManagerReport PreparationLocating and Working with Expert WitnessesThe Role of the LNC in Preparation of Technical Demonstrative EvidenceMarketingGrowing a BusinessBusiness EthicsLegal Nurse Consulting: Principles and Practice, Second Edition presents up-to-date, practical information on consulting in a variety of practice environments and legal areas. Whether you are an in-house LNC or you work independently, this book is your definitive guide to legal nurse consulting. ... Read more

Book Description

The full-color revised reprint of the fifth edition of this comprehensive resource offers complete coverage of more than 200 nursing skills in a two-column format with rationales for each step. This new edition emphasizes evidence-based practice and features delegation considerations, new unexpected outcomes and related interventions, and long-term care and home care considerations. In addition, new skills include using small volume nebulizers, applying pneumanic compression devices, placing a client on a rotokinetic bed, administering continuous subcutaneous medications, and irrigating a small-bore feeding tube. Plus, we have added the new 2002 CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

get this book
The book is very clear and concise. It walks you through all the steps needed and explains well the rationale for each step. This is a book that I will use throughout my nursing career. ... Read more

Book Description

A valuable resource for all prospective nursing students, this comprehensive study guide provides a thorough review for students preparing to take a nursing school entrance exam. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Made a HUGE difference!
I had 9 whole days to study for the NLN test. I had never taken anatomy, physics, microbiology, mechanics, electricity, and Im only half-way through chemistry. I havent had math in 20 years. So I was a bit worried when I got this book and saw how uneducated I was on the science section and how rusty I was on the math. But I read the science section 5 times and took ALL the pactice tests. I also studied every question I got wrong. There really wasn't much I could do to practice for the reading test, but taking the practice tests helped me figure out 'their style' of testing so I was better able to figure the correct answer. The bottom line is, I scored a 151 which is in the 99% - top 1% score in the country - and I couldnt have done it without this book! But just buying it isn't enough - take EVERY test in the book and if you don't know your science, read the science review as many times as you can. When you score your test, go back and find out WHY you got an answer wrong. Tip: dont circle the answers in the book, but write them on a separate piece of paper, so you can go back and take the tests again. The real test was just like the review book. Also, be aware of TIME - I used every minute during the real exam! You need to do each test in the practice book in 45 minutes.

not very helpful
I devoured this book from front to back and I only scored 115. Although it gives you some review in each area covered on the exam, none of the vocabulary was what was on the test. Don't count on this as your only source. Check out a couple other review books, and good luck.
Kathy

RN2B--hopefully one day
I only rated this book 2 stars because I feel like it wasn't as helpful as I had anticipated. The math portion was good--the practice questions were VERY similar to what was on the test. The verbal part--maybe it's helpful if you're a slow reader and need to just "pracice" reading passages. The vocabulary on the real test didn't even compare to what was in the book. The science helped some to refresh what I had already taken in school. But it didn't cover enough re: electricy and ohms and stuff like that. A lot of questions on my test were about electricity. I felt as if I needed to take a course in that alone to be able to pass the science portion. I took the test a couple of days ago so maybe once I receive my scores I will have a different opinion. Right now, though, I wouldn't recommend anyone buying this book.

You don't need any other book to prepare yourself.
This is all you need to prepare for the test. I took it on march and I did great. Of course this will be true if you are not seeing the subjects for the first time. I mean, that as a review book for preparation it is all you'll need for the NLN entrance exam.

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!!!!
This book was nothing but a waste of paper and money. I will admit that the science review was somewhat helpful but the math and verbal review were a joke. Both reviews basically tell you everything you DON'T need to know. The first time I took the test I made a 144, I bought this book thinking I could raise my score a little higher and made a 119. I wouldn't recommended this book to anyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Comprehensive, logically-organized, and easy to read, this market-leading fundamentals text provides students with a solid base for their nursing education. Encompassing principles, concepts, and skills, it offers thorough coverage, a nursing process framework, an emphasis on critical thinking, and a focus on care in all settings. This new edition addresses a number of key issues, including evidence-based practice, safety concerns, and end-of-life care. To better meet the needs of beginning students, care plans have been expanded to more clearly explain assessment findings leading to nursing diagnoses, as well as evaluation of outcomes. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Love this book!
I got this to help me during clinicals in nursing school. It has a vast amount of information that is well indexed so it is easy to find. The first time I brought it to clinicals my instructor (a nurse practitioner) took it and looked through it for about an hour. By the next day in class she had already purchased her own copy and she recommended it to the whole class.

An Excellent Tool!!!
I have looked at a great many clinical nursing pocket guides and I must say this is the best. This clinical notebook is published by the same company that publishes Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, just from this you can tell that most of the information is detailed, to the point, and easy to understand. The pad is made of waterproof resistant material and you can write on it with a ball point pen then wipe off with an alcohol swab and use it again. There is enough room to eneter information in for 5 patients. While I am not sure it will be of much use to a practicing nurse, it has proven very helpful for students.

Little Book, Big Help!
I am a second-year RN student and I've found this little pocket book to be quite helpful at clinicals and at work (student nurse at a local hospital). Not only were my fellow nursing students raving about it, but my co-workers were just impressed with the content of the book and the fact that one can write pertinent info and wipe off that info when the patient is discharged.

ALL- IN -ONE POCKET- SIZED REFERENCE!!! LOVE IT!!!!
I just received this little pocket lifesaver!! I am a second year RN student and have only flipped through RNotes. I wish it came out sooner and I had it last year! The book really will fit into your pocket and the fact that you can write on the pages and then wipe them off to reuse is great. This way you can change the pertinent info to the facility you happen to be having clinicals at. I will definitely reccommend this book to all my classmates and even suggest to my Dean that this book be put on the list of required texts.

Awesome reference!!!
I love RNotes very much. There is so much information right at your fingertips. It fits nicely in my scrub shirt. It can be written on and wiped clean. There are so many topics of information such as, calculations and conversions, lab values, assessment skills, emergency information, medications, and much much more. I recommend this book highly to any student nurse or "old-timer." ... Read more

Book Description

This best selling resource remains a comprehensive source of the essential information needed for success at all levels of nursing.New to this edition is a chapter on Mass Casualty Disaster Nursing as well as new sections on maternity and pediatrics. Additional new features include: evidenced based nursing care, cultural/religious considerations, case studies, expanded management guidelines, and a focus on community based nursing.Appropriate for all levels of nursing - from basic to advanced. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Resource and Worth the Money
This volume presents skills from very basic to very complex which will be used in a variety of clinical settings. This volume is probably not something a novice would snap up because of the price, but it a reference that every practicing nurse would want on the shelf - novice or expert. The pictures include current equipment. The steps of the procedure are detailed and include safety tips and equipment needed. Good idea for the student's special Christmas present or the nurses' station.

Pictures are informative and all around great book
I really enjoy reading this book and looking at the pictures of procedures being done on patients. I am entering an LPN program soon and I feel that this book will be a great asset to me during my studies and throughout my career. Much recommended to anyone interesting in the nursing profession. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fourth Edition of this classic comprehensive referencecontinues to provide reliable clinical guidance for neurological andneurosurgical nursing. A wide range of clinical topics is presented,including neuroanatomy, physiology, neurological assessment, diagnosticevaluation and specific disorders such as trauma, stroke, tumors,aneurysms, headaches, seizures, infections, and degenerative diseasesof the nervous system. The hottest topics in the discipline receivefocused attention in this edition, resulting in six completely newchapters: The Continuum of Care and Models of Practice; ClinicalReasoning and Neuroscience Nursing Practice; Pharmacological Managementof Neuroscience Patients; Respiratory Management of NeurosciencePatients; Management of Pain; and AIDS: Neurological Manifestations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Love neuroscience-get this book!
The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing is an excellent overview of the care and management of the neuroscience patient. It's perspective is largely that of neurosurgery/ trauma nursing and is focused predominately on the acute phases of care. This text is arranged topically by disease/ injury process with the introductory chapters oriented towards concerns in neuroscience nursing. The depth and breadth of the material is suitable to meet my needs in the neuro-intensive care unit of the Level I trauma center in which I work. It provides a ready and easy to use reference with solid explantions of disease process, complications, treatment, pharmacology, and nursing considerations. I recommend this text to new nurses in neuroscience at my hospital regularly and I am currently using it to prepare for certification in neuroscience nursing. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Saunder 'd been a good review book for very long time.
I found it so much details and effective. I believe people who used this book would have said that too. I think what the other reviews was right. The only thing is CD question was unexpected for me. The content was good but CD question wasn't good enough.

Q&A Review for NCLEX Saunders
The book is okay and I do like having the rationales right next to the questions. However I got the Dosage and Calculations CD instead of the RN review CD. I havn't taken my NCLEX yet and am not having much luck reaching the publishier to replace my CD.

SAUNDERS NCLEX-RN REVIEW/ Q&A NCLEX-RN
It is extremely different reviewer from my previous resources. Infact, I am already used with it since before, It helped me to pass my Philippine Nursing Board Examination since 1994 when I took my licensure examination in the Philippines. I find it very detailed.

I have worked in different countries as a nurse but I stick only to the best book which made me a successful professional nurse.

Edwin

Good book but the CD-ROM is defective
I have exchanged the CD-ROM of Saunders Q & A more than five times and it is still either the incorrect CD or defective one. It kept giving me the same rationale for each and every question; and, did not tabulate my answers. Very frustrating. I called the publisher already but still got a defective CD-ROM.

One of the best NCLEX-RN review book!
This book really help me prepare for the boards. I would suggest not to bother with the book because they had the rationales right next to the questions so it was quite annoying. However, the cd-rom was great. The exam format and questions are similar to the NCLEX exam. I highly recommend this for practicing Q & A's. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nurse as Educator: Principles of teaching and learning for n
Nurse as Educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice 2nd ed. by Susan B. Bastable
Fifteen chapters are divided into three parts: 1. perspectives on teaching and learning, 2. characteristics of the learner, and 3. techniques and strategies for teaching and learning. The book deals with theory and application. The second edition has an increased emphasis on the teacher as facilitator, shift from teaching the ill to promotion of health and prevention of disease. A chapter about technology has been added. Each chapter starts with chapter highlights, key terms, and objectives and ends with a summary, review questions, and references. Major divisions in chapters and tables are colored. Bullets and numbers facilitate reading. There is a glossary at the back of the book. This is a scholarly 571 page book An Instructor's Manual that contains multiple choice and essay questions, learning activities, and instructional materials including PowerPoint slides for each chapter is available with this edition. This book is appropriate for students and registered nurses who do patient teaching and faculty. ... Read more

Book Description

This handy pocket reference provides operating room personnel with general guidelines for setting up a mayo stand for a variety of surgical specialties. The 12 chapters are organized by surgical specialty. Each chapter includes a brief overview of that specialty, special considerations related to that specialty, an alphabetic list of the procedures, and a detailed guide to the instruments and equipment required to set up a mayo stand and/or back table for that procedure. Selected illustrations throughout the guide help users visualize the set-ups for the more complicated procedures. This pocket guide is appropriate for all OR personnel who will be working in a scrub role, such as a surgical technologist or surgical nurse or for students who are training to perform in these roles. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Must-Read for any Legal Nurse Consultant
Marketing is, by far, the hardest and scariest part of starting a Legal Nurse Consulting business. This book takes all of the key ideas in marketing, and organizes them in a consise, basic, and reader-friendly format. Though the marketing strategies are not any big new revelations, the organization of the book itself and the flow of strategies makes it unique from any other marketing books I have read. While the context of the book is an invaluable resource, the text is light, humorous and very easy to follow and understand. It is, if it is used as it was written, a roadmap to a successful and profitable Legal Nurse Consultant business. I highly recommend this book!!!

A MUST for all LNCs regardless of business experience
Betty and John Joos have created THE BEST marketing book for Legal Nurse Consultants ever written! The book is an easy read packed with real-life answers to real-life marketing questions. It is a practical approach to what really works, coupled with humor. Unbeknownst to them, they have become my business partners.

Every LNC should have this book!!
Marketing for the Legal Nurse Consultant is the most valuable book in my library! The Joos' walk LNCs through the world of marketing with ease. I've been lucky enough to have met these fine people in person and attended their marketing seminars. Here again, this is a "must do" for the independent legal nurse consultant. My cards and brochures went through major overhauls with their help and my business has prospered! Thank you both, John and Betty, for all you do! I'm looking forward to purchasing your next edition.

Real Answers to your LNC marketing questions
All the accolades that have been written about the Joos' book are true! This little jewel of a book is one I know I will keep referring back to in the years to come. The marketing plan and suggestions are aimed specifically at legal nurses which makes everything in this book usable and practical. "Marketing for the LNC" is an invaluable source of information not only for nurses at the early stages of setting up a new consulting business but also for those that have been at it for awhile and are wanting to expand. Betty writes as one who has an understanding of the fears that most nurses experience who are marketing themselves for the first time. This is one of those "must have" books for "newbies" and seasoned LNC's. It explains what is needed to promote yourself and explains how to effectively do so in a professional manner without spending a small fortune. After reading this book, marketing started to feel like less of a necessary evil; although it's still not my favorite way to spend my non-billable hours....I now have a much clearer idea of the message I want to send to my prospective attorney-clients and I have the tools to help me get my message across.

A "must read" for the beginning LNC...
This book takes one of the most difficult parts of the LNC business and breaks it down into simple and concise steps. From the initial, terrifying (yet neccessary) phone calls, to keeping your clients long-term...this book is invaluable. It's an "easy read" and I find myself referring to it frequently as a resource because of all the helpful tips it contains. Great job Betty and John! ... Read more

Book Description

This unique text is the definitive reference for the formulationof nursing care plans for independent nursing care. It contains careplans for all ill adults as well as those with specific clinicalproblems. It also includes research validated identification offrequently encountered nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems.This easy-to-read text has a strong documentation focus providingguidelines and complete coverage of nursing care. This edition containsnine new care plans including Acute Alcohol Withdrawal, Sexual Assault,and Dying and Death. A new appendix includes a case study thatillustrates how to use this text as a guide to creating care plans forclients with multiple medical diagnoses. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

There is a better choice!
I bought this book thinking it would be a bigger and better version of the spiral bound Handbook of Nursing Diagnosis. It really isn't! I feel that this book is hard to navigate through and never use it! I paid 45ish dollars for this book and think it was a HUGE WASTE OF MONEY. I do, on the other hand, LOVE the SPIRAL BOUND HANDBOOK OF NURSING DIAGNOSIS by the same author Carpenito-Moyet. I have discussed this topic with many of my classmates who also have these books and eveyone of my classmates have agreed.

This author is great
Carpenito's books tend to be the best in the nursing care plan area. They are easy to read and provide great reference material for the student. ...

Recommended in Brandon and Hill for small medical libraries
The Brandon and Hill bibliography for best medical and nursing books recommends this title as item for small nursing libraries in the catagory of nursing diagnosis. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A book for all nurses (and historians, and art lovers)
When young Michael Zwerdling left the University of Vermont in 1965 with a degree in psychology, he was still 14 years away from starting his collection of nursing postcards, and almost 30 years distant from the work he does today as a nurse in a busy emergency room in Washington, D.C.

Somewhere between the milestones of getting his bachelor's degree and RN license, Zwerdling instructed university students in psychology in New Hampshire; worked as a psychiatric aide in a Waltham, Mass., hospital; and taught karate, meditation, and yoga at his own school in Boston.

His considerable life experience seasons the pages of his first book, Postcards of Nursing. The stunning history not only depicts choice samples from his 25-year collection of nursing postcards, it delivers details, many little-known, about people, world history, art, and culture. The 384-page book is broader than even the "worldwide" its subtitle implies. Zwerdling's research spans time as well as place, offering a look at wars, critical nursing shortages, the Depression, art and humor. All the while it provides the history about who/what gave birth to the profession and why.

The basics: Postcards of Nursing exhibits 600 postcards from the years 1893 to 2002. The book's layout offers easy perusal by building a chapter the same way you'd lay out a museum exhibit. The reader walks through the pages just as he would go from room to room in a museum. For readers wanting more information about the pictures, each of the chapters starts out with a brief introduction and ends with detailed notes about many of the postcards. A bibliography and index prove useful for finding more information.

The rare images you see here indeed come from all over the world. Some are romanticized, some humorous, and some tragic. Some tell a story via sequential images and rhymed words. Nurses are not always people in the depictions, and neither are their patients.

Readers will also recognize some of the drawings from other milieu. Remember those round-faced kids on the sides of soup cans? Zwerdling's book includes the whimsical art of Grace G. Wiederseim, the woman who created the familiar Campbell's Soup Kids, except here her familiar kids are nurses and doctors. And here, as in many other areas, the author thoughtfully provides notes about the artist's life and death.

Zwerdling's extensive research also shows how nurses were used to tout everything from War Savings Stamps to stout, from telephones to fountain pens, and even to the danger of spreading tuberculosis by spitting. Using a nurse to sell a product or idea extends even to modern times, with a 1997 postcard from Denmark featuring an attractive blond nurse and the caption "AIDS is Still Here" as a reminder of World AIDS Day.

As is often the case, there's a story behind the story. The book is a product of the Zwerdling Nursing Archives, the author's personal collection of rare art and photographic postcards. Zwerdling selected each piece for its historic significance, artistic composition, and condition. Although nursing cards make up the primary collection, he also collects postcards with themes related to health. His HIV and AIDS postcards number about 300. He's amassed cards on controlled substances and pharmaceutical advertising, and as a sideline he collects greeting cards and other items related to nursing, storing each piece in archival Mylar.

"Were it to be lost, it would be impossible to replicate," Zwerdling says of his archives. "Many of the items are one of a kind, the prices have skyrocketed since I began collecting, and the cards were assembled via hundreds of sources cultivated over a 25-year period, through trips to France, Belgium, Germany and England."

Still, the collection is immortalized thanks to the book and to Zwerdling's belief in sharing. He makes the images available to nurses and people associated with nursing. He also licenses images for commercial use and offers them free to people researching the history of nursing. "Give of yourself," he advises in one interview when asked why he created the book.

Postcards of Nursing would not be out of place in anyone's library, but nurses with a reverence for the profession will treasure this book.

From two points of view
I view this book as both an artist and a practicing clinical psychologist. From the artistic side, The richness of the imagery is nothing short of breath taking. Post cards were the media vehicle of the time. The cell phone and internet of all the people. The images that Michael has collected reflect the slice of life and slice of art that crossed all cultural boundaries. This might have been chaotic if the author had not displayed exquisite good taste in his selections. The wealth of images stimulates my creativity and gives me material inspiration for my own work.

As a psychologist, the interest is just as keen. What a fascinating mind the author has! He comes to the work from the vantage point of myth and symbol, pointing to the universality of issues of sickness, injury, and mortality juxtaposed against the equally universal themes of nurturance, service and healing. This comes from a person in the field, working as a trauma nurse in a major hospital.

Just as intriguing is the sociological point of view that places all these images in their political/ cultural contexts. We are told of fashion, war, royalty, advertising, and prejudice. I especially love the little human-interest stories that are sprinkled here and there.

What a first rate piece of work for those interested in the human condition. Nursing, per se, is not something I would have gone out and bought a book about, but glancing though a copy of this book hooked me. I am so happy to spend many hours visiting Michael's world. I would love the opportunity to pour through the cards that didn't make it into the book and get a curated tour by Mr. Zwerdling.

Sumner Silverman, Ph.D.

Our Avatars of Compassion and Mercy
I am most grateful to Michael Zwerdling, RN for the creation of this heart-felt tribute to the nursing profession. He has compiled a through and profoundly moving volume that details the history of nursing in a unique and beautiful manner. I could not help but be reminded of my own mother who was a dedicated nurse all her life.

The images in this book speak volumes of the loving kindness manifest by nurses in their care for people in sickness, while injured and their tireless efforts at providing comfort. His tribute is an outstanding expression of appreciation for the active compassion of all nurses.

Everyone who has a nurse in their family, or is the friend of a nurse, or who has benefited from the compassionate care of nurses while in hospital, might consider making a gift of this book to their favorite angel of mercy.

This book is an incredibly beautiful tribute to all nurses, our avatars of compassion and mercy.

Beautiful book opens a window on nursing, art, & history
My first thought on encountering this book was, "Why postcards?" I've always thought of postcards, if I've thought of them at all, as trivial things that you buy for a quarter when traveling, to show your friends and family pictures of places you've visited. After reading this book, I can now tell you that postcards are much more than that. Postcards are windows in time and space, windows that give us a glimpse of art, history, and society. This particular book gives us glimpses of how nurses have influenced society in the 20th century, and how they, in turn, are viewed by that society.

Postcards of Nursing: A Worldwide Tribute is a beautiful book. The author states that his intention was to create an experience like an art gallery, and indeed, paging through this book is like walking through a very diverse art gallery. The variety of art represented here is incredible, representing a wide variety of artistic media and styles ranging from pointillism to manga. Many postcard artists were anonymous, but there are also postcards here with art by famous artists such as children's book illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott, for whom the Caldecott medal was named.

The book has much to offer from a historical perspective as well. Most of the major wars of the 20th century are represented here, as well as developments in medicine and technology and other historical events. There are sections on royalty and nursing, nursing in film, and advertising. Over 65 nations are represented here, giving a truly global perspective on nursing in the 20th century, Many of the postcards have extensive notes explaining various historical, social, or other details of interest. I was fascinated to read, for example, that Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia and her two oldest daughters trained as nurses and worked in a military hospital during World War I, enduring many horrors and tirelessly helping the wounded. This selflessness contrasts starkly with the way Alexandra is usually portrayed as being pampered, self-absorbed, and unaware of the problems existing outside the royal circle.

This book will be of special interest to postcard collectors and those involved with the nursing profession. It would make an excellent gift for a nurse. In a broader sense, however, anyone who is interested in art, history, or society in the 20th century will find this a fascinating book.

Love a Nurse!
As the father of a son who is an R.N. and another son who has a Ph.D. in art history while being the son of a mother who collects early 20th century postcards, Postcards of Nursing was irresistible to me. I was delighted to find that the book greatly exceeded my high initial expectations.

Michael Zwerdling is an R.N. who has collected these wonderful postcards. He brings a deep appreciation of nursing to his collections. He also has a wonderful knowledge about nursing and its history that makes his essays and notes a joy to read.

The book contains much unexpected material that delighted me. In the first chapter, Mr. Zwerdling looks at the different ways that nurses have been symbolized in postcards, and goes on to provide helpful notes about the history behind those symbolic meanings. These symbols include being a healer, working in concert with Jesus and angels, servant care, guardian, lady with the lamp and mother. He goes on to describe the origins of many symbols used in connection with nurses such as the Cross of Lorraine, Cross of St. George (the familiar Red Cross) and Maltese Cross. His collection is worldwide, and many of my favorite examples come from Europe. In the symbolic chapter, see figures 1.5 (Italy), 1.35 (England-the Nightingale Memorial), 1.37 (Italy) and 1.42 (Italy).

Chapter two looks at 20th century postcard art and explores the freshness of youth we associate with young nurses, subtle relationships between those who nurse and are nursed by them, children pretending to be nurses, cartoons of animals as nurses, and nurse humor. See figures 2.8 (Germany), 2.10 (Italy), 2.20 (France), 2.26 (England), 2.41 (Spain), 2.47 (Japan), 2.50 (Netherlands), 2.64 (United States), 2.68 (France), 2.89 (USSR), 2.104 (Minnie Mouse), and 2.116 (Ending Sexual Harassment).

Chapter three investigates nurses on advertising postcards (often for "health" products, hospitals and fund-raising to cure diseases). This chapter includes a variety of nurses posing as telling the parents that a new child is a boy or a girl. These are overtly sexist in showing more enthusiasm for the boy announcements. In fact, throughout the book you will see many subtle reminders of other aspects of our culture.

Chapter four shows mostly photographic portraits of nurses and includes those who play nurses on the stage or screen as well as royal and aristocratic women who worked as nurses. The different styles of nursing caps and clothing are quite interesting in this section. One of my favorites is 4.69 where a young Shirley Temple is dressed as a nurse. There is also an interesting series about the Dionne quintuplets, first with their nurses, then dressed as nurses, then viewing infants in the hospital as grown women. This chapter includes a list of movies featuring "nurse" in the title.

Probably the most moving chapter is number five, War! Florence Nightingale got her start in the Crimean War, and women have played a major role in wars as nurses since then. There is a moving section about Nurse Edith Cavell who was executed during the First World War for helping soldiers escape the Germans. In this section, the author shares Nazi postcards of nurses following a page-long note explaining why he included them. Although some may be offended, the examples are few and the images are revealing of how nurses can be powerful symbols for both construction and destructive regimes. The notes to this section do a good job of describing the strains that World War I and the world-wide influenza epidemic played on the nursing profession.

Chapter six focuses on American photographic postcards (which include some women of color and some men) and chapter seven looks around the world.

The quality of the reproductions in the book is consistently outstanding when you consider that these are common items, intended to be thrown away after a brief perusal. The book contains hundreds of images and no viewer will fail to find dozens of interesting and rewarding ones to view . . . regardless of your tastes.

The book ends with an extensive bibliography for those who would like to pursue any of the many subtopics in the book (such as overcoming tuberculosis, nursing education, religious nursing orders, nursemaids, and biographies of the many outstanding nurses portrayed in the book).

I recommend this as a purchase to all nurses . . . and as a gift to those you love who are nurses. If a nurse has helped you through an illness, this book would also make a fine gift for her or him.

What else can I say about this fine book? It just makes you want to love a Nurse! ... Read more

Book Description

As the leading pathophysiology textbook for over a decade, this outstanding resource boasts comprehensive coverage, complete and separate treatment of pediatric pathophysiology, a clear writing, and numerous full-color illustrations. In its new 4th edition, this authoritative classic features extensively revised and updated content, more illustrations, and a greatly enhanced full-color design. The first part presents the general principles of pathophysiology, including -- cellular structure, injury, and repair; fluids and electrolytes, and acid-base balance; immunity, inflammation, and infection; stress; and oncogenesis. It also discusses the influence of the environment and the role of genetics in the development of disease. The second part, organized by body system, examines normal anatomy and physiology, alterations of function in adults, and alterations of function in children. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Pathophysiology Made Clear
This is an outstanding textbook of the subject of pathophysiology. This can be, and is, a difficult subject to grasp the concepts of but this book makes it easier to learn. Gone are the days of boring pictures that don't really help the learning process. There is a good combination of artwork and photographs to illustrate what the text is saying. I am a self-taught student in this field and this book has helped me gain a good understanding of the topic.

The chapters all begin relatively basic but move into the areas of in depth knowledge. There are a number of charts and graphs that basically sum up what a portion of a chapter is talking about. It is interesting how this book can be used as a resource text and as an initial learning tool. Whether this book is being used for self study or for a course it is important for the student to have a foundation in anatomy and physiology so they can understand the content better.

I really like how this book is very applicable to those who provide emergency medical care. I highly recommend this book to those who are new to the subject of pathophysiology because if its ease to use, its quality and quantity of content. I have benefitted a great deal from this book.

A Lifelong Investment
McCance and Huether's Pathophysiology book is a lifelong investment. I bought it for a pathophys. class and continue to use it long after the class is over. It is thorough and easy to understand. Great illustrations and diagrams. I would recommend it to anyone in the healthcare field.

Great Book
I have been using the book and the information is easy to understand and is well organized. The pictures are expecially helpful and make the material easier to study. The anatomy and physiology chapters also provide a good review. This is a book I plan to keep and use for a reference.

great book easy to understand
I think the first reviewer must of read a different book. This is an excellent book, easy to read and the illustrations are superb. I highly recommend this book for people who want an upto date text.

Pathophysiology
I have been using this textbook for about 2 months and find it to be one of the poorest written books that I have come across. The authors fail to realize that the book is written for students and often introduce uncommon terms that are either never defined or defined several pages later. With that being said, it doesn't help that the book doesn't have a glossary.

I know that your purchase options may be limited because the college you are attending requires that you use this book. However, if you must purchase it, also purchase another Patho book to explain what this book is trying to say. ... Read more

Book Description

This book's design, content review, and test questions have been updated and carefully organized to help the student prepare for this important test. ... Read more

Book Description

This computer-based review tool is specifically designed to help students determine their readiness for the new NCLEX-RN.The Computerized Review simulates the NCLEX testing experience and provides a useful review in all core areas of the test. By generating practice exams from a bank of 2,000 questions coded according to content area, cognitive level, category of integrated concepts and processes, and category of client needs, students can assess their knowledge of the material through hands-on practice. Once a student has taken an exam in the test or quiz mode, the CD provides an immediate, detailed analysis of performance designed to help students focus their studying more effectively on areas of weakness.In the review mode, students are given answers that include comprehensive rationales, test-taking strategies, question categories, and references. ... Read more