The Oxford Handbook of Prescribing for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, second edition gives concise, practical and expert advice on all aspects of prescribing for nurses, as well as other non-medical prescribers. Using information from the authors' years of experience as nurse practitioners and teachers, this practical handbook is packed with a wealth of recommendations, guidance and support.

Previously published as the Oxford Handbook of Nurse Prescribing, this essential title has been completely revised and updated for the second edition. Containing the practical principles nurses and other non-medical prescribers need to practice safely, effectively and cost-consciously whatever the situation, it provides evidence-based advice on a wide selection of subjects to give a complete picture of the role of the prescriber. The topics covered range from basic pharmacology, to the legal aspects and processes of prescribing practice, as well as prescribing for specific conditions and special groups, such as the older person and the very young. This new edition features the most recent legislation and changes to prescribing standards, giving nurses and non-medical prescribers access to the most up-to-date information to inform their practice. There is also additional content on complementary and alternative medicine, and guidelines on prescribing for cosmetic effect.

Written by practising nurses and checked by subject experts and pharmacologists, the Oxford Handbook of Prescribing for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, second edition continues to be an essential companion for all nurse prescribers. It is ideal for students taking prescribing courses as a detailed and practical guide to practice as it covers all the competency areas through to established practitioners who would like a handy reference to dip into when needed, as well as for other non-medical prescribers.

1. What is a non-medical prescriber
2. Principles of supplementary prescribing
3. Clinical management plans
4. Basic principles of pharmacology
5. Potential and unwanted effects
6. Safe prescribing
7. Consideration of product choice
8. Review
9. Working as a non-medical prescriber
10. Practical prescribing
11. Prescribing for special groups
12. Medical conditions
13. Complementary and alternative medicines and over-the-counter drugs
14. Audit
15. Evidence-based prescribing
16. Managing the role
17. Responsibilities
18. Working outside the UK

Sue Beckwith, Consortium for Healthcare Research, Doctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care (CRIPACC), Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, UK

Penny Franklin, Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer, Non-medical Prescribing and Medicines Management, University of Plymouth, and Non-medical Prescribing Development Lead, East Devon Primary Care Trust, UK

Sue Beckwith PhD, BA (hons), RGN has worked within the NHS, latterly as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Diabetes (1983-1999) and in academia as Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care at Oxford Brookes University, and as a Doctoral Research Fellow in the Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care (CRIPACC) at the University of Hertfordshire. Sue is on the Editorial Board for the Practice Nursing Journal.

Penny Franklin MA, Dip N, Cert Higher Education and Health Studies, RGN, RHV, RCN is a Fellow of the Institute of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. She has worked as a Community Specialist Public Health Nurse 1986-2001 and as a Public Health Lead.  Penny is a Nurse Independent and Supplementary Prescriber.  She is now employed as Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at the University of Plymouth with a remit for Health Studies and Prescribing. Penny is also an Advisor on behalf of the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association for the Community Practitioners Formulary for Nurse Prescribers and a member of the Association for Nurse Prescribing.

Review from previous edition: "Overall this handbook is essential as a 'nutshell' guide for those nurses and other health professionals undertaking formal learning to become non-medical prescribers...this little handbook [is] a goldmine" - justfornurses.co.uk

"This pocket-sized book is up-to-date and will be useful to anyone concerned with nurse prescribing from managers, who may need information about the legalities of the role and audit of practice, to practitioners both qualified and in training." - Accident and Emergency Nursing, 2007

"This text is a 'must-read' for nurse prescribers and nurse prescriber students and educators throughout the UK, and should be considered for the reading list on all prescribing courses." - Primary Health Care, May 2007

"An excellent resource for nurses, including those considering accessing a prescribing course, student nurse-prescribers and qualified practitioners. Its contents would also be valuable to non-prescribing nurses." - Journal of Advanced Nursing, Apr 2007

"A very useful resource to all nurses and pharmacists undergoing their non-medical prescribing courses...The book would have been beneficial during my nurse prescribing course and would be useful for individual practitioners." - Cancer Nursing Practice, April 2007

"This compact book contains almost everything you need to know about prescribing issues to enhance and maintain safe and effective practice... the only regret is that it wasn't available sooner to those who have studied to become nurse prescribers. This invaluable book is a must for every prescribing course list and something every nurse prescriber should have close to hand. The authors should be congratulated - it is excellent value for money - a little gem." - Nursing Older People, Apr 2007