Required Reading

I suggest "The Making of a Nurse" by Tilda Shalof

Medical/Surgical Nursing...it is a textbook and there are many

with this title. Get a used one and start learning about diseases...

I think anything with some good pathophysiology in it is good. If you can really understand what is going on in a disease process it helps immensely, at least on exams. I don't know about real-life nursing because I just passed boards and haven't started working as a nurse yet, one more week of freedom!

A great one to read is "Bed Number 10" by Sue Baier. this is a novel about a pt with a horrible disease. a great pt perspective about different nurses. and the pts veiw of the hospital experience. i had to read for a class in high school and it was very eye-opening for me.

Where is the Mango Princess by Cathy Crimmins....

Medical/Surgical Nursing...it is a textbook and there are many

with this title. Get a used one and start learning about diseases...

Any specific one?

"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" - a true story about ethical dilemmas nurses face

Grey's Anatomy coloring book - that will help you locate and identify parts of the body. I thought it was very helpful. You actually color in the various parts. Amazing how tactile exercizes reinforce learning!

I read all of Echo Heron's books, starting with her experience in nursing school. Granted it was in the 70's and way different than now. But her experiences at work are very relevant.

steph

I agree Steph, the best real life nursing books. 1970s? Intensive Care, her first book, was on the New York Times best seller list for two months during the late 80s. Anyway, Somewhat dated in scope of current high tech and comfort code practices, but you'll still have trouble putting a book of hers down. I recommend it to all nurse wannabes, you will not regret reading her works!

Additionally, she has her own website:http://www.echoheron.com

Anyone else recommend technical books? Like ones similar to those that will outline what a typical RN program would cover.

Someone suggested one.. but no specific one.

I suggest "The Making of a Nurse" by Tilda Shalof

Absolutely!! I love her books- they are so good- a must read for any nurse as far as I'm concerned.

As far as technical books, you can read through any gen. medical/ surgical book. At this stage you still have so much to learn in anatomy and physiology and pharmacology before you can get a real good understanding of specific diseases and nursing care.

Your enthusiasm (sp?) is awesome!! Go for it- being a nurse is totally worth all the hard work!!

Any specific one?

Get one as new as possible but still try not to spend too much since you will be buying your school's version when you start (they usually cost $100).

Like kriseh said you need to learn the anatomy and physiology first, so on second thought, buy an A&P book first and then a Medical/Surgical Nursing book. The further ahead you can get the better.