This text aims to analyze the reasons for failures on the part of the nursing profession to reach the standards expected by society in the latter years of the 20th century. It describes the rituals and myths that still abound in hospital wards that hamper progress in nursing care.

The rich history of British nursing comes to life in this lighthearted volume exploring the traditions and experiences of nurses across the 20th century. Nursing in the United Kingdom has been steeped in tradition since the Nurses Registration Act of 1919. Many of the customs and methods practiced today have been passed down through the generations. Rituals & Myths of Nursing collects amusing and poignant reminiscences of nursing through the 20th century to paint a picture of this unique profession from the first registration of SRN No 1, Ethel Gordon Fenwick, to the present day. Written with humor and a light touch, each chapter explores a theme with stories told by nurses from different eras. We have tales of alcohol prescribed to dilate blood vessels or simply for the feel-good factor. Enemas were less fun for everyone concerned, but highly common as they were given for almost all bowel conditions.

Thinking Nursing This major new textbook provides a unique one-stop resource that introduces nursing students to the disciplines that underpin nursing practice. The broad range of subjects covered includes Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Public Health, Philosophy, Economics, Politics and Science. Written by nursing lecturers with nursing students in mind, this book enables nurses to grasp the principles behind these disciplines and apply the concepts to everyday health care practices. Each chapter offers: ·The theoretical background of the major tenets of each discipline ·A comprehensive discussion of how they relate to practice ·Cross-references to other relevant chapter sections ·Suggestions for further reading ·A glossary of key terms. Practical advice is also available in a chapter dedicated to methods of research, planning and construction of written work. Moreover, the textbook encourages creative and lateral thinking beyond its use in planning and writing assignments. Thinking Nursing is essential reading for nursing students on Common Foundation Programmes (both at diploma and degree level) and qualified nurses undertaking additional specialist training including masters degrees, as well as those involved in planning, designing and the implementation of educational courses for nurses.

In this sequel to their highly successful 'Nursing Rituals, Research and Rational Actions', the innovative & challenging approach adopted by the authors is pursued further. They argue that unless nurses continually think & act autonomously & creatively, new ideas introduced to improve practice could themselves be in danger of becoming ritualised. Well referenced, this accessible book is for practising nurses, managers & educationalists, as well as diploma & degree students.

Research can seem difficult to get to grips with. However, at the heart of this book is the view that research is essentially a simple activity, the principles of which can be readily understood by students new to the subject. Each chapter guides the reader to uncover the 'mysteries' of research, exposing each aspect in turn, while demonstrating how research in healthcare is a practical activity, orientated directly to patient care. Fully updated to refer to the latest sources and studies, this book now includes: Two new chapters on qualitative research, clearly explaining what it is and how to do it A comprehensive glossary of qualitative and quantitative terms to demystify tricky terminology An appendix of statistical tests, explaining the procedures for each Many new examples from practice, applying the theory to a wide range of scenarios from across the healthcare professions This book is designed for all students of nursing and allied health professions studying research for the first time. Research is illustrated through examples of activities familiar to students from their daily lives, helping to build confidence in undertaking research and evidence-based practice.

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