Any Good Books to Read Before Nursing School?

Published

I was looking for some good books to read before nursing school started just maybe to read some experiences about what it would be like before I started according to others that have went before me. Any suggestions would be really helpful!!!

If you get a chance, find a book that will teach you about time management - then start trying to live your life under a more strict regiment even right now

Up Vote Up Vote ×
"Tending Lives" is Echo Heron who is fabulous. You'll enjoy "Intensive Care" by her, too.

just read the review on these books on amazon, def. going to borders to pick them up. which did you guys like better of the two books?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMCU.

I buy those kind of books second hand on Amazon.

To the OP -- if you feel you want to get ahead with your reading by all means. I did and it has helped me enormously because life happens during nursing school. If I had not read ahead I would have ended up behind.

If you can get hold of a syllabus for your nursing fundamentals class or pharmacology have a look at the reading assignments. I contacted my instructors in advance and asked them if the previous semester's reading assignments would change.

I would try to read some non-nursing stuff for fun as well because the last time I picked up a book for fun was last summer.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am about to start reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. It came highly recommended by another nursing student... I was told that it's non-fiction and reads like a page-turner novel. It also raises a lot of ethical questions that nurses need to consider.

My mom bought that book for me a couple years ago for Christmas! It's quite good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am about to start reading The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. It came highly recommended by another nursing student... I was told that it's non-fiction and reads like a page-turner novel. It also raises a lot of ethical questions that nurses need to consider.

This book is great! I need to re-read it. :) I know a lot of med students are required to read this as well. I have a soft spot for this book because I am also Hmong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Right now I'm reading "I Knew A Woman" by Cortney Davis. It deals specifically with being a woman and treating "the female condition". I've found it very insightful and well written. She handles delicate topics with grace and ease, and also explains the science as well as the emotional components to being a woman and helping women patients. Not only knowing what they're going through but trying to help and educate them as their advocate. She explains that you don't realize how much power you hold over someone until you're in their personal space, performing the most invasive and intimate of exams (she is an NP in a women's clinic), and Cortney is able to balance the medicine with the person. I believe she has written other books as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes! Anatomy & physiology, especially the heart.If you already know the college you are going to attend, you can buy your books early. That's what I did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"The Making of a Nurse" or "A Nurse's Story", both by Tilda Shalof.

Just good stories from an ICU nurse in Toronto.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Pediatrics, Home Health.

I just finished "Tending Lives" by Echo Heron. I think it has priceless viewpoint on the day in the life of a nurse. It was great!

I also highly recommend "The Baby Catcher" by Peggy Vincent if you're interested at all in midwifery. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just picked myself up a used copy of "How to Survive Nursing School" for only ~$4 shipped on amazon. :)

Looking forward to reading it this summer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion