10 Popular Nursing Books for Healthcare Professionals
Whether you’re a nurse looking to deepen your practice or researching the profession to make sure it’s the right path for you, quality nursing books will have plenty of in-depth information on specific subjects that you may have a hard time finding during a web search. Nursing is a vast industry with many niches, so there’s a wide variety of books to choose from. Don’t know where to begin? Below are 10 nursing books to get you started on your learning journey.
1. For New Nursing Students
Introduction to Nursing for First Year Students
Is your first day of nursing school fast approaching? Students looking for a resource that covers a little bit of everything will get their feet wet with this book. It touches on a wide mix of nursing topics — core clinical skills, tips for effective communication, and medication management are just a few examples of what’s introduced in this book. Reading nursing books for students could help you begin your classes with confidence.
2. For New Graduates
First Admission: A Handbook to New Grad Nursing
This is one of many useful nursing books for beginners who are fresh out of nursing school but are unsure of the industry’s realities and where they’ll fit. This book explores anecdotes about nursing school and the highs and lows of the industry. From gratitude about being free from boring professors to navigating workplace politics, it’s only a matter of time before you find a relatable story.
3. Future of Nursing
The Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity
By the National Academy of Medicine
Do you ever think about the future of nursing and how nurses can help improve the profession? This book explores current roadblocks to health equity and how nurses can help improve access to quality healthcare for everyone. This read can give you ideas for how you and like-minded people can band together to make some of the positive changes you want to see in nursing.
4. Nursing History
A History of Nursing
By Louise Wyatt
Nursing is an old profession. From village healers during ancient times to the variety of specialties today, this book explores the evolution of nursing. It’s a great source for those who want a deep dive into nursing history. Learning more context could help you gain valuable insights about the industry.
5. Nursing Specialties
The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Specialties: Find Your Roadmap
The only downside of nursing’s large variety is the potential for confusion about where to start. This book is here to help with that. It explores the well- and lesser-known types of nursing specialties, offers tips on which one might be right for you, and outlines the necessary steps towards working in those specialties. This book could be a game changer for nurses standing at a crossroads in their careers.
6. Nursing Fiction
The Orange Tree
This story explores the friendship that blossoms between a Somali nurse and Jewish patient in the aftermath of 9/11. They learn to appreciate each other’s humanity despite the intense turmoil surrounding them. This is a tender novel displaying how nurses navigate cultural differences during tense times. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re unsure of how to handle uncomfortable situations with patients regarding misunderstandings and current events.
7. Leaving Nursing
The Quiet Quitting Nurse: 8 Steps to Help You Decide Whether or Not to Leave Your Job
The pressures of nursing can drive nurses to leave the profession altogether. This book aims to help you make sure you’re making the right decision. It provides practical ways to identify which aspect of your work is the root of your desire to leave, and how to try improving it before making the final decision. Maintaining your well-being is more important than your career, and knowing you gave it every chance possible before quitting can help bring you much needed peace of mind.
8. Retired Nurses
Redefining Retirement for Nurses
By Joanne Evans
You’ve dedicated your life to one of the most hardworking and honorable professions. Now what? This book illuminates the lives of retired nurses and how the skills they’ve learned during their professional careers help them navigate this change. Retirement is a new beginning, and nursing provides a strong foundation to aid your transition into this new era of your life.
9. Equity in Nursing
Fast Facts about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nursing: Building Competencies for an Antiracism Practice
By Sandra Davis and Anne Marie O’Brien
This book seeks to educate nurses on the impact of racism on health outcomes and access to care. Nurses will learn how to identify how these systemic issues manifest in their own workplace and multicultural ways to address them. This is a perceptive read for nurses interested in the intersection between healthcare and social justice.
10. Self-Care for Nurses
Health and Wellbeing at Work for Nurses and Midwives
By Holly Blake and Gemma Stacey
Nurses and midwives must prioritize their wellbeing for the sake of themselves and their patients. This book offers strategies to maintain both physical and mental health. Preventing dehydration and coping with moral injury are some examples of the issues tackled in this book. You deserve care and compassion as much as anyone else.
Which Nursing Books Piqued Your Interest?
With so many options to choose from, our list is only the beginning. Use what you’ve learned to benefit your practice. Find out how IntelyCare can keep you informed on the latest nursing jobs that match your needs and interests.