Mastering Precepting: A Nurse's Handbook for Success
Beth Ulrich. Sigma Theta Tau International: Indianapolis, IN, 2012, 320 pages, paperback. US$39.95. ISBN-13: 978-1-935476-59-7
*Reviewed by:
Elaine Marinello, MSN, RN-BC
Education Resource Specialist
WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Raleigh, North Carolina
(e-mail: [email protected])
This book is described as a "survival guide for preceptors and precepting" and is designed to provide information for both new and current preceptors (p. xxvi). The book is also billed as a tool to use with preceptor education programs. It is meant to facilitate the development of preceptors and, in turn, the growth of preceptees.
In the Introduction, the author states that each chapter builds on the previous chapter, and thus, chapters should be read in order. Although this would facilitate the greatest understanding of content, the book is structured such that this would not be necessary. Each chapter has a clear, descriptive title and lists in bullet format the objectives to be covered. A comprehensive reference section is offered at the end of each chapter. The appendix is laid out with suggestions for how to incorporate each chapter into a preceptor education program. Both the table of contents and index are thorough and aid in locating specific concepts for review. For the most part, appropriate graphs, tables, visuals, and sample documents are incorporated throughout the book to reinforce and further clarify particular ideas. Finally, tools for reflection and incorporation of chapter concepts are included at the end of each chapter and on the accompanying book Web site.
The book's introduction addresses important precepting myths. In dispelling those myths, the author paints a realistic picture of the current precepting environment. Throughout the book, precepting is addressed from various perspectives-precepting a student nurse, new graduate nurse, experienced staff nurse learning a new skill/role, and new hire. Relevant literature and research related to nursing education and nursing care provision is incorporated seamlessly.
Experience with precepting, adult learning principles, and nursing staff development would contribute to more easily grasping the material presented. However, the information is written so that this experience is not a prerequisite to understanding and integrating the content into practice. Important concepts, such as precepting models, clinical teaching strategies, competence, developing objectives, learning taxonomies, communication, coaching, and additional pragmatics of precepting, are discussed. The final two chapters of the book are excellent. Chapter 12 is designed for managers and deals with "selecting, supporting, and sustaining preceptors" (p. 213). This was a welcome addition to the book and helps set it apart from books that only address precepting from the preceptor perspective. This chapter candidly establishes the importance of the manager's role in aiding the success of the preceptor-preceptee relationship and illuminates proactive strategies for doing so. The final chapter summarizes self-care practices and was a refreshing reminder for all nurses of these important considerations.
Ulrich authored the first four chapters and Chapter 9. Sixteen contributing authors were responsible for the remaining eight chapters. All have the requisite qualifications and background for the chapters they wrote. The style of writing was smooth and clear overall, although two of the chapters (Chapters 5 and 8) with multiple authors were a bit more challenging to read.
Some details related to learning taxonomies and instructional technologies could have been omitted, and some contents related to communication (Chapter 6) could have been expanded. The reflection tools at the end of each chapter would be improved by allowing more space to complete.
Overall, this book is excellent and would be a great addition to a nurse's library. Although it is intended for preceptors, it would also be beneficial for nurse managers/administrators, nurse educators, staff development educators, and nursing students. The book is a wonderful reminder of the importance of the preceptor role, because, after all, "the preceptor is the nurse who forms the profession of nursing, one nurse at a time" (p. 222).
Disclaimer: The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.
Restorative Care Nursing for Older Adults: A Guide for All Care Settings (2nd ed.)
Barbara Resnick (Ed.). Springer Publishing Company: New York, 2012, 186 pages, softbound. US$55.00. ISBA: 978-0-8261-3384-7
*Reviewed by:
Cynthia A. Adams, MSN, RN-BC, RAC-C
Restorative Nurse
Bay Pines Healthcare System, Florida
(e-mail: [email protected])
The purpose of this book is to present the philosophy of Function Focused Care to healthcare providers for implementation in their facilities. It encourages the reader to assess a facility by identifying the different aspects involved in the improvement of the conditions surrounding the patient. Because the main goal is the patient's physical function and to use the information contained in this book to increase activity, the table of contents guides readers toward understanding how to enhance activity development wherever they are providing care.
This introductory level book presumes that the reader has no prior knowledge of restorative care nursing. It presents the disease process and how healthcare facilities have evolved to the present day. It is an excellent resource based on the fact that it relates to helping the healthcare professional help the patient. The references are outstanding, and the content presented in such a way that engenders confidence and acceptability using a broad array of sources.
The title indicates that the purpose of the book was to guide restorative care nursing, although throughout the book mainly refers to function focused care. It attempted to address achieving function focused care through frequent evaluations of the patient and the facility, use of motivational techniques, and rewarding the team.
Function focused care infers that it is a higher level of care, but it mirrors restorative care nursing. Restorative care nursing is intended to provide resident-centered care so that patients gain optimal levels of function, which is as high as they can get.
Disclaimer: The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.
Fast Facts for Career Success in Nursing: Making the Most of Mentoring in a Nutshell
Connie Vance. Springer Publishing Company: New York, 2011, 174 pages, paperback. US$25.00. ISBA: 978-0-8261-0689-6
*Reviewed by:
Valerie Ventura, MSN, RN-BC
Orlando Health, Florida
(e-mail: [email protected])
The book serves as a resource and guide for the relationship between mentors and proteges. The book is divided into four parts and conveys strong message that mentoring is an essential component of growth as a nurse. Each chapter begins with a short introduction and a list of key points, which are elaborated on throughout the chapter. Highlights of chapter contents are also provided via bulleted statements creatively termed as "Fast Facts in a Nutshell."
The first part, "Navigating a Successful Nursing Career," discusses what it means to be a professional nurse. This section defines the term mentor and provides an example of one nurse's story of how mentors affected her life, physically and emotionally. Part 2, "The ABCs of Mentoring," breaks down the mentoring acronym ABC: Assess, Build, and Cultivate. The importance of honestly assessing individual readiness to be mentored, creating a personal mentor action plan, and fostering one's own potential and talent to be a great protege are discussed in this segment.
The third part, "Making the Mentor Match," reviews the art of networking, the importance of choosing expert and peer mentors wisely, and the significance of establishing realistic expectations. The mentor-leader association is delineated in Part 4, "Career Success and the Mentor Connection," along with the 10 tips to reaching the highest level of achievement.
After reading this book, novice nurses and expert practitioners alike will have a better understanding of what mentorship entails and how to successfully seek empowering mentors. The book is an easy and quick read that I would highly recommend to all nurses who are committed to continuously developing their professional nursing career.
Disclaimer: The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.