Aids to learning in each chapter:

• Learning outcomes
• Interactive boxes for all age groups and fields of nursing practice
• Key words and phrases for literature searching
• Useful websites, references and further reading.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to nursing that will meet the needs of students, nurses returning to practice, mentors and other registered nurses.

• Relevant to all branches of nursing settings: infants, children, adults, pregnant women, older people and people with a learning disability or mental health problems
• Themes relevant to all stages and fields of nursing practice include safety, infection prevention and control, managing stress, communication, managing wounds and pressure ulcers, and dealing with loss
• Scenarios develop the skills of evidence-based practice, critical thinking, reflection and health promotion, and encourage further learning
• The areas of psychology, sociology, physiology and pathology are clearly related to nursing practice
• Key principles of health promotion, the law and ethics, the human lifespan and development are explained in earlier chapters, then applied in later chapters
• Cultural diversity information helps with understanding the needs of people from different backgrounds
• Person-centred approach encourages problem solving and application to practice
• Evidence-based practice is explicit throughout, and best-practice guidelines underpin exploration/explanation of nursing care.
• Easy-reference Glossary at the back of the book.

• Meets the requirements of the new pre-registration nursing curriculum including the NMC (2010) competencies and Essential Skills Clusters
• Greater emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable people, maternal health and first aid
• Self-test questions with answers available on accompanying website.