Well meaning but is it helpful?

[julesradio]

An older friend of mine gave me a Textbook of Medical - Surgical nursing...from 1975.

It talks about priorities, ie. basic needs, the need to feel wanted and so on... charting, care plans, initial examinations and observations and a number of other things I've seen discussed on the forum. It's very interesting reading and has sections on how to care for patients with...fill in the blank.

My question is:

Is this helpful to me since it's from 1975? Like I said I now know what people mean when they talk about priority questions on the NCLEX. Or do I?

What say you, experienced nurses?

THANKS for any input.

[ukstudent]

It could be helpful to an extent. Basic nursing is still basic nursing, however a lot of the treatments have changed with new evidence over the years.

When people talk about priority questions on nclex, they are not talking about how to prioritize what to do first with one patient. They are talking about questions that ask which of four different patients should you either see first or call back first.

[julesradio]

It could be helpful to an extent. Basic nursing is still basic nursing, however a lot of the treatments have changed with new evidence over the years.

When people talk about priority questions on nclex, they are not talking about how to prioritize what to do first with one patient. They are talking about questions that ask which of four different patients should you either see first or call back first.

Thanks for the clarification on Priorities. I am just starting pre-recs but I just want to learn as much as possible before NS. I guess I can take the book with a grain of salt.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Research into nursing practice and outcomes was in it's infancy back then. Definately take it with a grain of salt because things are way different now. You'd hate to clutter your mind with outdated facts and confuse it when you learn something contradictory later.

[leslie :-D]

i still have my notes from nsg school.

and i appreciate books that are timeless in concept.

but even i wouldn't keep a 1975 nsg book.

i'd chuck it.

leslie

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

it would be intesting to see the changes in nursing care in 33 years. but i wouldn't use it.. whats the name of the book and who published it? i love to read old nursing books.

[loriangel14, RN]

I had an aquaintance that gave me about 6-7 books from the 80's when I started nursing school, Generous but not much help. I thanked her kindly and eventually chucked them because they took up too much room.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Read it for basic nursing information and entertainment. I have a collection of vintage nursing textbooks from the 1930's and yes some things have changed a lot over the years. Poultices, counterirritation, and enemas all around anyone?

[julesradio]

it would be intesting to see the changes in nursing care in 33 years. but i wouldn't use it.. whats the name of the book and who published it? i love to read old nursing books.

I'll get back to you on that info on publisher. But it is called Textbook of Medical - Surgical Nursing 3rd Edition I wonder what edition we're up to now.

Anyway, thanks for your input, all.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

I probably wouldn't keep it, either. Nursing instruction in textbooks now generally relates to NANDA diagnoses, and NANDA wasn't around when that textbook was published. Basic care concepts might be similar, but I don't see the relevance for your careplanning.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I have a Med/Surg nursing textbook that was published in 1986, and it is loaded with procedures that are no longer standard practice. For instance, glucometers were not widely available back then. Therefore, they used urine chem strips to receive an indication of the patient's blood glucose. If the chemstrip detected glucose in the urine, then the blood sugar was elevated. We're in 2007, where a quick glucometer check will yield instantaneous blood glucose readings. I am still amazed that so much has changed in 20 years. After all, the 1980s seem like yesterday.

[mauxtav8r]

If you really want to prepare for NS, get a book on Latin and Greek terms (prefixes, suffixes and bases). Memorize as much as you can. It will help I swear. A huge part of learning diseases is learning their names. If you can simply translate the disease name into regular English you will be miles ahead.

I have a well-meaning aunt (she's ther real deal, FNP w/VA hospital for 30++ years). She gave me a nice nursing HISTORY book. It was a good read between semesters. Don't rely on old care material for your own education. Science changes too fast. That's why your pre-reqs expire after just a few years.