As opposed to the common belief, I used “enthusiasts” to describe the nursing profession. With the burden of responsibilities, we often forget that nursing, indeed, is a very esteemed practice—one that houses the capability to run the health care system across the world.
Second, with “enthusiasts,” I wanted to reflect upon the fact that only the people—who work in favor of their progression—are able to find space for learning. And when learning is on one’s mind, books aren’t far away.
For that precise, I have handpicked some nursing books, which are fun, professional, informative, and inspirational.
1. Inspired Nurse by Rich Bluni by Rich Blunt, RN
If there was ever a book that can re-ignite your passion for nursing, it’s right here in the name Inspired Nurse. Rich Blunt goes on for a cheesy read while he strives to inspire the nurses to up their game and comprehend what they are capable of.
2. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: A Guide to Planning Care by Elizabeth Ackley and Gail Ladwig
A NANDA-I approved book with its 10-edition currently selling in the market. Ackley and Ladwig put forth a simple approach for creating customized care plans along with providing information about potential diagnoses for various conditions. In simple words, it’s a thorough, reasonable, organized, and incredibly comprehensive book that every nurse should own.
3. Nursing Mnemonics: 108 Memory Tricks to Demolish Nursing School by Jon Haws
Mnemonics strengthen the capability to retain, and that’s what Jon Haws focuses on as he provides a compilation of 108 mnemonics for nursing students to accelerate their learning and perform better.
4. How to Succeed in Nursing school: by Caroline Porter Thomas
This book is a perfect blend of inspiration and information. It presents a win-win scenario for nursing students who want to know how they can enjoy their profession and how they can use their learning time effectively. For a comprehensive understanding, Caroline puts forward some interesting nursing interviews.
5. 63 must-know lab values for nurses by Jon Haws and Sandra Haws
Talk of a great reference book for nurses and here we are with another book from Jon Haws. As the name suggests, the book guides the nurses through values that must be internalized for problem-solving and remaining confident during lab evaluations.
6. Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice by Geri LoBiondo-Wood and Judith Haber
Use the studies and apply their methods—that’s what this book aims to achieve. Authors shed light on the research concepts and entail the students to the understanding evaluation of research.
7. Notes Nurse’s Clinical Pocket Guide by Ehren Myers
Now you can carry nursing knowledge in your pocket thanks to this pocket-size clinical guide from Ehren Myers that has waterproof pages. The guide is ideal for acquiring information about the employment of drugs, nutrition intake required, etc.
8. Oh Sh*t, I Almost Killed You! A Little Book of Big Things Nursing School Forgot to Teach You by Sonja Schwartzbach
If you want to lighten the mood and laugh and cry while inhaling essential information, you must read this book. In concrete terms, it is an account that speaks to what everyone in the industry thinks, and that’s what makes it special.
9. 2019 Lippincott Drug handbook by Amy M. Karch
As the name suggests, it is a book saturated with information about drugs. But that’s not it, for it features a comprehensive photo guide of the common tablets and capsules making itself a one-stop-shop for the healthcare professionals who recommend medications.
10. I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse by Lee Gutkind
There’s no doubt that nursing is one of the most challenging jobs in the world; however, that doesn’t imply that nursing is devoid of rewards. But the fact that nurses remain the unsung heroes cannot be denied all of which is depicted in the book with the use of real-life narratives.
11. Nursing care plans: Diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes by Meg Gulanick and Judith L. Myers
And we’re back to academics because it’s important if you want to grow as a competent nurse and ply trade aloof of the ever-increasing competition. Gulick and Myers take you through a journey of modern-day best practices and appropriate care plans that can successfully be employed in today’s scenario.
12. Your 1st Year as a Nurse by Donna Wilk Cardillo
If you want to gather knowledge about surviving the first year as a nurse, this is a must-read. Cardillo ensures that all the aspects, including the challenges, practical issues and real-world scenarios are brought to light, so that newbie nurses have an idea about what it’s like to be in the profession.
13. How to Survive and Maybe Even Love your Life as a Nurse by Kelli S. Dunham
An all-encompassing book is a requirement of every student. Favorably, Dunham fulfills this need for the nursing students by helping them through their graduation to their years in the nursing profession.
14. Neonatal nursing care handbook, second edition: an evidence-based Neonatal Nursing Care Handbook: An Evidence-Based Approach to Conditions and Procedures by Carole Kenner and Judy Wright Lott
Neonatal nursing is a challenging job principally because of the dynamic nature of its requirements. Kenner and Lott, thus, have designed this book for neonatal nurses so that they can make swift and appropriate decisions.
15. Skills in Clinical Nursing by Audrey Berman and Shirlee J. Snyder
A book that covers 166 nursing skills and that, too, is arranged in the order of their complexity. In the broader context, this collection of invaluable information covers the domains of physiology, pathophysiology, and anatomy.
So, that’s my go-to list for some of the most prominent nursing-related books out there. I believe that these books act as storage for nursing knowledge that should be incorporated while plying trade in the profession.
That said, if you have read one of these books, let me know in the comments below. Also, if you have any other book recommendations in mind that should be included in this list, I’m all ears.
