Which book?!

Published

Hello!

I'm a new grad NICU RN and am trying to decide between 2 textbooks. Does anyone have the "Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care" by Merenstein and Gardner, or "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing" by Verklan and Walding? If so, which one do you have and what are the pros/cons? They both have great reviews on Amazon and I'm struggling to make a decision.

Thanks in advance! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have Core Curriculum. My supervisor and every nurse on my unit recommends this over the other one. I just have the one book so I can't tell you the pros & cons but it reads very well and is well written.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I thought the merestein was easier for me to read personally. They are both great, but I preferred merestein over core curriculum

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have both. I prefer the book by Merenstein and Gardner. I feel like it goes into way more explanation then the other. Plus one is ALL in outline format (Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing) and the other isn't. So it depends on what you are wanting the book for. When we took our test as new grads I would have loved the outline format because we were looking up a lot of questions, it was a take home test and it was very hard. But if you want to sit down and read something, and you want it broken down better, then I prefer Merenstein and Garder.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

FWIW, I prefer Merenstein--more explanatory. If I were going to a class where someone was lecturing, Core Curriculum might be better, but, studying all by myself, I'm in the M-G camp.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone! I'm going to buy Merenstein's book. My orientation doesn't include lectures so it's up to me to ask questions at work and then go home and read.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello!

I'm a new grad NICU RN and am trying to decide between 2 textbooks. Does anyone have the "Handbook of Neonatal Intensive Care" by Merenstein and Gardner, or "Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing" by Verklan and Walding? If so, which one do you have and what are the pros/cons? They both have great reviews on Amazon and I'm struggling to make a decision.

Thanks in advance! :)

I'm glad you asked, I was also trying to decide! Now I know what I'll ask Santa to bring me :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm trying to make the same decision now as I'm a new grad RN in the NICU too. Guess I'll be buying Merenstein. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

I have both of them. They each have their strengths and weaknesses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I have them both, as well. Prefer M&G, as it's more in-depth. Loaned someone my Core Curriculum so they could study for RNC, but they never returned it and I can't remember who it was loaned to. Speaking of studying for RNC...I think having both books is beneficial, as you can use the outline format of Core Curriculum to find subjects, and M&G for in-depth info on the subject.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion