Nursing 'Bibles'

There are some books that you should not be without. At all, ever. Without a doubt a decent A and P (Anatomy and physiology) text is invaluable. Depending on how much depth you want to go into will determine, ultimately, the use of the book.

Marieb, E (1998) Human Anatomy & Physiology 4th Edition ScottForesman

Saladin, K (2001) Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function 4th Edition, McGraw Hill

A good clinically oriented anatomy text (meant for medical students - but might as well aim high) is:

Moore, KL & Dalley, AF (1999) Clinically Oriented Anatomy 4th Edition, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins

Also, if you find an area you like, get yourself a small book on it. Or whatever. Oxford do a good series of handbooks which cover loads of specialities. The 'Crash Course' texts are excellent too, A&P for idiots so to speak.

Secondly, a good nursing text will be a useful resource to double check on. Though you may never use them once qualified, for three years you can check things up. A brilliant one to invest in is:

If you want to explore the social welfare aspects then a great text is 'Health and Disease: A reader' (2001, 3rd edition, Ed. Davey, Gray & Seale, Open University Press) - is good for articles on mental health approaches and the sociology of health. 'Nursing as Therapy' (2002, 2nd edition, Ed. McMahon & Pearson, nelson thornes) is quite good too for basic model nursing.

Oh, and 'Nursing Practice: Hospital & Home: The Adult' (2003, 2nd edition, Alexander, Fawcett & Runciman, Churchill Livingstone) is not to be missed as a universal reference!

Lastly, perhaps, a nurses dictionary is a must. Any one of them is useful. Oxford mini dictionary is good, as is Collins. Ballieres is specific for nursing and useful.


There are many many books out there, but definitely definitely definitely get a A&P book that you can understand. Understanding the basics of chemistry and physics will make Nursing have much more sense. You do need to understand about the effects of hydration, about sodium/potassium channels and levels; about how little things like positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms can affect the body.

It is the difference between coasting a course and understanding it. You'll come across this concept of 'Holistic care' : caring for the whole person, and this is more than just 'knowing' how to do things, its understanding why they're done and what this will do for and to your patient.

Sorry if this sounds a little grrr. But you get what I mean. ;))