Best Practical Nursing Books?

Updated:   Published

Years ago I loaned all my nursing books to an MA who was getting ready to go to nursing school. She never returned them and I forgot to ask her about them when I moved out of the area. I'd like to get a good fundamentals book, and med-surg, too. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'd really like to take a theory only self-study refresher course, but can't find anything online. Everything's really expensive and has clinicals attached to it. I could just buy the course and not do the clinicals since it's just for my own needs. That seems rather wasteful, though. I think a couple good books are all I really need.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in orthopedics and telemetry.

In My Nursing Class We Use The Medical Surgical Nursing Seventh Edition Book By Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirksen, Obrien, And Bucher Hope This Book Is Helpful To You

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
In My Nursing Class We Use The Medical Surgical Nursing Seventh Edition Book By Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirksen, Obrien, And Bucher Hope This Book Is Helpful To You

This Lewis book is a good one and Amazon.com has the 6th ed used for really, really cheap.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Foundations of Nursing and Adult Health Nursing Package by Barbara Lauritsen Christensen and Elaine Oden Kockrow is an EXCELLENT all inclusive practical nursing book that I purchased after graduation from my program. It is part of what is called LPN Threads; which included fundamentals, med-surg, pediatrics, psych and maternity nursing. It can be purchased from Amazon.com for about $86. There may be older versions that can be purchased as well, but I continue to use this as a very reliable reference.

I was highly annoyed that we were forced to purchase several textbooks rather than an all inclusive one that could have been used for that entire one year program, because it could have saved us a great deal of money. A great CD ROM is included as well, which goes over lung sounds and other pertinent material. Has great care plans, NCLEX and job preparation as well. In fact, one of the reviews written about this book mentions that it was used for RN refresher courses. Reader-friendly and concise, plenty of pictures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

pagandeva is right. We use this book in my program and I honestly don't want to part with it! Excellent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
pagandeva is right. We use this book in my program and I honestly don't want to part with it! Excellent.

I see that you live in New York. If you don't mind me asking, what school are you attending? Stating that you graduate in August makes me guess VEEB. Good luck!:yeah::up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes. Veeb!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Yes. Veeb!

Some of your students come to my hospital. I never get to work with them because I work in a clinic (they seem to go to the med-surg floors), but I see the white uniform dresses with blue stripes very often. And, one of my professors who now works at LaGuardia Community College used to work at VEEB. Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Corrections & Developmental Disabilities.

The Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice is an awesome resource. It is a fundamentals and clinical skill building book with good illustrations and covers everything nursing from basic to advanced subject matter. I bought the 7th Edition on Amazon for $40. I've used the book to prepare for(& pass) Excelsior College Examinations and to enhance my work as a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion