This textbook draws on international contributors with a range of backgrounds to explore, engage with and challenge readers in understanding the many aspects and elements that inform and influence contemporary nursing practice. With a focus to the future, this book explores the challenges facing health services and presents the arguments for a nursing contribution and influence in ensuring safe and quality care.

Readers are supported to explore how, as individuals, they can shape their personal nursing identity and practice. The structure of the text is based on the belief that an individual nurse's professional identity is developed through an interaction between their personal attributes and the influences of the profession itself. Reflecting this approach, the authors engage in a conversation with the reader rather than simply presenting a series of facts and information.

Organised around a series of topical and pertinent questions and drawing on perspectives from policy, education and practice, the book explores a diverse range of topics such as:

• how historical and popular media representations of nursing hold back nursing practice today;
• the opportunities presented through education and nursing role development to increase the nursing contribution to health services;
• the economic and political influences on nursing and health care;
• how the professional regulation of nurses and core values informs your practice;
• ways to define and develop your own strong nursing identity.

Central chapter questions provide ideal triggers for group discussions in class or online and equally as discussion topics between colleagues to support ongoing professional development.

There is an emphasis throughout Nurses and Nursing on challenging thinking to recast nursing practice for the future by encouraging the reader to explore and create their emerging nursing identity or re-examine previously long held views. This text supports the reader to better understand health care, nursing and most importantly themselves as nurses.

About the Author
Padraig O Luanaigh is Deputy Director of Nursing, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust, Norwich, UK. With over 28 years' experience of working within health and higher education, Padraig has a broad and integrated range of experiences gained from working in organisations across the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Reviews

Although offered as a textbook, it is much more: it is a delightful dialogue between the author and reader. This book offers something for everyone, whether a nursing student or a more experienced nurse, at whatever stage of their career.

-Eleanor Sherwen, patient experience and quality manager, NHS England Midlands and East nursing and quality directorate

The strengths of the book include international contributors, well referenced text, additional resources for the reader to access and poignant points to reflect on the issues discussed. The writing style and choice of subjects addressed make this book an enjoyable journey of contemplation, which offers insight to the personal and professional capacity of nursing. Who should read it? Anyone who is interested in gaining insight into nursing's professional identity and considering the future of nursing as a specialised entity amongst the political and economic complexities that face health care.

- Ibadete Fetahu, Nursing Times

Book Information
ISBN 9781138189201
Author Padraig O Luanaigh
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 340g