• Fast access to concise, targeted information on all essential aspects of clinical skills in nursing
• Written by experienced nurses and packed full of up-to-the minute guidance and information
• An indispensable companion for practising and student nurses in a variety of care settings
• Patient centred, evidence-based and in line with the latest guidelines
• Includes practice tips and pitfalls to aid patient care

Increasingly nurses are developing and extending their clinical skills into areas that were once considered only for doctors. With the rise of post-registration clinical skills courses, advanced practitioners, and the new medical assistant roles, it is anticipated that future professional practice will involve more emphasis on clinical skills for nurses.

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Skills in Adult Nursing provides a practical, easily accessible, concise and evidence-based guide to all the essential elements of clinical skills for nursing practice in one portable format. The first section deals with the principles underlying patient assessment, and professional issues relating to clinical skills in order to help practitioners perform procedures safely and competently. This is followed by chapters on generic skills such as communication, hygiene and comfort, infection control, intravenous access, and care of the theatre patient. There are separate sections on drug administration and emergency and high dependency care. The book then takes a systems-based approach to the care of patients covering the key concepts which underpin all good nursing practice, including the social and psychological aspects of nursing. Information is included on how to relate the principles of clinical skills to different groups such as the elderly and the mentally ill, which will have relevance to practitioners whether in a hospital or community setting.

A unique and comprehensive guide to clinical skills in nursing, the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Skills in Adult Nursing will help nurses and other health care workers to perform clinical skills safely and competently.

Readership: Nursing students in pre-registration diploma, degree and masters level degree programmes; registered nurses at staff nurse, advanced and specialist level and charge nurse/sister level; registered nurses undertaking post-registration education programmes.

Edited by Jacqueline Randle, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham, UK, Frank Coffey, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Associate Professor / Clinical Director MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice, University of Nottingham, UK, and Martyn Bradbury, Clinical Skills Network Lead, School of Nursing and Community Studies Faculty of Health and Social Work, University of Plymouth, UK

Contributors:
Janet Barker, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, UK Martyn Bradbury, Clinical Skills Network Lead, School of Nursing and Community Studies, Faculty of Health and Social Work, University of Plymouth, UK Fiona Branch, Nurse Consultant Critical Care /Clinical Lead Specialist Support, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK Brenda Clarke, Associate Lecturer, Open University, UK Mitch Clarke, Infection and Prevention Control Matron, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK Frank Coffey, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Associate Professor and Consultant in Advanced Clinical Skills, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, UK Paul Crawford, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, UK Pat Frakes, Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Emergency Department, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals N