The Informed Practice Nurse

This level of nurse works largely independently and their work is managed rather than supervised. They are able to demonstrate their duties to less experienced employees and supervise students, and can undertake surveys or audits. They may occasionally participate in research and development, clinical trials or equipment testing.

The second edition of The Informed Practice Nurse offers both the new and experienced practice nurse the opportunity to reflect on their current practice. The chapter content is evidence based and accurately referenced, making it an essential text for students on undergraduate and post-graduate courses. Management and ethical issues in general practice are placed in context to government directives and the dynamic ethos of nursing. Women’s, men’s and young peoples health care are addressed in separate chapters, concentrating on health issues often neglected in other nursing texts and the health needs of lesbian women and gay men are discussed in a sensitive manner.

Contributors.

Preface.

Introduction.

Chapter 1. Ethics (Pat Tweed, Cath Molineux and Marilyn Edwards).

Ethics, philosophies and codes of practice.

Issues of Consent.

Respect for patient autonomy.

Chapter 2. Management (Pat Tweed, Marilyn Edwards and Karen Mayne).

Organisations.

Change management.

Clinical governance in primary care.

Time management.

Chapter 3. Infection Control (Mandy Beaumont and Chris Baldwin).

Introduction.

Pathology of infection.

Standard precautions.

Minor surgery within general practice.

Waste.

Protection of staff and patients.

Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH).

Vaccine storage.

Healthcare associated infections.

Infestations.

Notifi able diseases.

Summary.

Appendix.

Chapter 4. Health promotion (Diana Forster, Diane Pannell, Marilyn Edwards).

Needs assessment

Promoting preconception care

Infections.

Genetic disorders.

Women with diabetes mellitus.

Prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Summary.

Chapter 5. Men’s health (Marilyn Edwards, Glenn Turp).

Social issues surrounding men’s health.

Healthcare services.

Well men.

Improving men’s health.

Testicular cancer.

Prostate cancer.

Men who have sex with men.

Summary.

Chapter 6. Women’s Health (Georgina Paget, Gudrun Limbrick and Marilyn Edwards).

The invisible minority; health needs of lesbian women.

Pre-menstrual syndrome.

Domestic Violence (Domestic abuse).

Chapter 7. Health needs of young people (Marilyn Edwards, Susan Jones, Wendy Okoye).

Nutritional issues in young people.

Eating disorders.

Teenage health care.

Chapter 8. Wound management in general practice (Joy Rudge).

Types of wound.

The healing process.

Wound assessment.

General assessment of the patient – factors affecting healing.

Wound cleansing.

The ideal dressing.

Dressing types.

Management of minor traumatic wounds.

Management of post-operative wounds.

Management of leg ulcers.

Nursing management.

Summary.

Chapter 9. Moving Practice Nursing Forward (Marilyn Edwards).

Nursing in practice.

Nurse-led management in clinical care.

Skill mix.

Non-medical prescribing (nurse prescribing).

Triage.

The primary healthcare team.

Training.

Refl ective practice.

Clinical supervision.

Practice based commissioning.

Nurse partnerships.

The future.

Summary.

Index.

"This valuable book provides in-depth information for student, novice, and experienced nurses with the goal of helping nurses to develop inquiring minds. As in all of healthcare, nursing practice is constantly changing and requires nurses to be attending to the most recent quality data to ensure that they are providing the most effective and efficient patient care." (Doody's, January 2010)

Marilyn Edwards is the author of The Informed Practice Nurse, 2nd Edition, published by Wiley.

Nurses have to be informed in order to deliver sensitive and holistic care. The new edition of The Informed Practice Nurse is fully updated to offer both the new and experienced practice nurse the opportunity to reflect on their current practice, develop their knowledge and question their role. This text explores the nurse’s role in health promotion, issues of infection control and wound management. Management and ethical issues in general practice are discussed and placed in context to government directives and the dynamic ethos of nursing. The health of women, men and young people are explored in individual chapters, concentrating on health issues often neglected in other nursing texts.

The Informed Practice Nurse is invaluable for all practice nurses, and students, enabling them to improve their knowledge and understanding to improve patient care and safety.

Special features:

• Evidence-based throughout
• Looks at the new GMS contract and the nurses role
• Explores the changing role of the practice nurse
• An essential text for students on both undergraduate and post-graduate courses.