Reviewer: Rachel S Simmons, PhD, DNP, WHNP, ANP, PMHNP, IBCLC (WellMed at Dr. Phillips Outpatient Psychiatry Group)
Description: As healthcare becomes more outcomes-focused, nurses are tasked with delivering the highest possible quality of care in accordance with the values and needs of diverse populations. As such, nursing clinical decision making should occur based on established knowledge, research results, and informed judgments. This book presents a nuanced approach to the delivery of healthcare and is written to capture the creative, analytical, and innovative approaches in community and public health nursing. The advanced topics of epidemiology, biostatistics, and research are integrated throughout the book and are complemented by real-life scenarios for practice. Previous editions were published in 2016 and 2012.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide core concepts of community and public health nursing while adhering to the principles of evidence-based practice. New nurses need to be prepared to address the complex issue of health disparities and inequities while integrating the best research evidence and clinical experiences consistent with family and client values. Nurses will implement many of these changes in the local and community setting.
Audience: The author states this book is intended for nurses who will become generalists in community and public health nursing. Succinctly and logically written, the book is comprehensive enough to meet the needs of diverse nurse educators and learners often tasked with promoting health equity and reducing health disparities across communities and populations. With more than 10 years of experience as a community health nurse practitioner and more than five years as a nurse educator, I found this book helpful. Also, as a nurse educator and dual board-certified nurse practitioner actively working in adult health and women's health settings at the community level, I found it very resourceful. I could use this book in academia and/or in the clinical setting.
Features: The book is organized into five parts focused on evidence-based practice and is presented in multiple formats to promote critical and abstract thinking for general nurses to practice in the community or public health setting. The book covers a variety of community and public health nursing principles. Chapters begin with powerful and unique quotes from historical, cultural, and/or educational figures for nurses to consider from societal contexts and include a glossary of key terms. Each chapter is written by a different author and brings a diversity of perspective to community and public health for nurses to consider. Topics range from public health systems to palliative and end-of-life care. Each chapter includes highlights, objectives, key terms, case studies, evidence for the practice, practice points, student reflection, key concepts, critical thinking questions, and community resources. Clear illustrations, charts, and figures are included as visual guides to enhance reader understanding.
Assessment: The evidence-based content, chapter organization, and illustrations make this a good textbook for nurse educators and student nurses. Nurse educators tasked with providing nurses with the theoretical knowledge to practice will find a compilation of the best practices, national objectives, individual, community, and systems approaches towards improving community and population health. Student nurses will find a well-organized, easily navigable book with clear objectives, critical thinking questions, and examples of the nursing role. Healthcare knowledge is continuously being developed or applied and best practices are continuously developing. Therefore, updated editions of comprehensive nursing books with new knowledge will help to advance nursing and keep the focus on improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and improving health equity.