Good physical assessment book

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Good evening everyone! I am going into my final semester of nursing school. I have opted out of taking Physical Assessment as the professor I've heard is not very good (most people have dropped the class) and personally her and I do not get on very well. Physical assessment is very important, however, and I was wondering if you as professional nurses could recommend a good physical assessment book with perhaps CD that I could buy and use on my own. Any suggestions?? Much thanks! Epona :D

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

How can you opt out of Phyical assessment? Isn't that a required course in order for you to graduate? On that note, a gold standard in physical assessment is Bate's Textbook of Physical Assessment. They also have a pocket version of the textbook. Both of which are awesome. I used it in my undergrad and also in my grad level physical assessment courses. Even if you and the teacher dont get alone I truly reccomend that you take the class.

Good Luck.

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Hello xos4eva. This year the school made a requirement change and incoming RN students are now required to take physical assessment. When I began the RN program two years ago, it was not a requirement. Neither was Pharmacology. They were both electives. I took Pharm. cause I knew drugs were important... figured I'd get Physical Assess. in clincials and would be Ok. Our clincials were not that intensive, so I decided to take the P.A. class this semester. Several people told me the teacher was terrible in teaching the material and they dropped the course (I too had her for another class this semester) and she was quite confusing. Also, she and I had a dispute about an assignment and she would not give me the benefit of the doubt and it cost me a grade. I was an honor student who always had things in and on time, and she did not work with me on this particular issue and so we ended on bad terms... so long story short... I want to drop the course. Yes. It would be wise to take, but with anyone BUT her. THANKS very much for the tip on the book... I will look into buying it now. Thanks again and have a good night! Epona

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wow what kind of nursing school do you even go to? I can't imagine a reputable nursing school that accreditated that doesnt have a mandatory required physical assessment AND pharmacology class! That is the wierdest thing I have ever heard, even if "now"they require it for incoming students

Seriously, I would be switching schools if I found that out.

Are you sure they just didnt incorporate this information into other nursing classes? Like how to do assessments in your fundamental nursing class for example? Some nursing schools do that and dont have a specific seperate class

Its just so odd not to have them? What nursing school do you attend If you dont mind sharing?

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Specializes in Critical Care-Neuro/Trauma ICU.

Just a curious question...but exactly which RN program are you guys in that doesn't require Pharmacology?? Not sure I'd want a nurse that didn't have to take that class....isn't that a major liability??

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Specializes in Peri-op/Sub-Acute ANP.

If you took pharm because you knew it was important, then you really should suck it up and do physical assessment. I am a huge proponent of physical assessment skills, no matter what kind of nursing you wish to practice. If you can't do an efficient and thorough assessment, you may as well hang up your scrubs now - you will not make a competent nurse in my opinion. Gosh, assessment is the 'bones' of what we do. How can you possibly consider winging it with a book and CD?!

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Hi all. To answer your questions... the school has one of the worst NCLEX pass rates in the state. The dean is overhauling the program due to the poor NCLEX scores. I thought many times of leaving, but it is the closest school to me that offers a degree program. No.. it's not the best school and does have issues, but overall, I feel pretty confident in my knowledge as an RN, BUT do not feel real comfortable in the 'doing' aspect of nursing. Like I know the 'knowledge' part, the physiology, but if you told me to go insert a Foley, I'd need assistance.... saw it done in lab and on one patient in clinicals, but have not done it myself. It's the actual 'practicing' aspect where I feel I am lacking having been a student in this school. The clincials were not that challenging. Anyway, not going to bash the school, but you are right, those classes should have been requirements.

I also surfed around the Internet and found two really good websites that go over physical assessment in detail and it didn't look too bad. Fairly easy actually... like start with head, vitals, go down to lungs, heart, etc. I am going to study those too. I think I'll be alright actually. Thanks all!!

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