Holistic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice. . - book review

AORN Journal,  Jan, 2002  by Victoria Tiase

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HOLISTIC NURSING: A HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICE By Barbara Montgomery Dossey, Lynn Keegan, Cathie E. Guzzetta 2000, 848 pp $45 paperback

With the lack of new and innovative ideas in the field of nursing and patient care, this book serves as a welcome breath of fresh air. This book is a thorough resource for all individuals working in healing and holistic care. It serves as a guide for nurses who want to explore their own spiritual concept of healing. The book challenges readers by questioning their beliefs rather than just presenting new material.

Although this book is called a handbook, it is clear that it is much more than that. Most handbooks on holistic nursing only describe treatment modalities and give examples of alternative therapies. This handbook does that and more. The table of contents serves as a comprehensive road map. The content is organized according to the five core values that are part of the American Holistic Nurses Association's standards of nursing practice.

Each chapter is developed in an easy-to-navigate manner. Objectives are provided at the beginning of each chapter and are divided into theoretical, clinical, and personal objectives. The personal objectives are interesting, as they challenge readers and give the chapters deeper meaning. The next component of each chapter is a list of definitions. This can be of great use for beginners, as it allows them to grasp the basic concepts. Throughout each chapter, main concepts are highlighted to allow readers to jump easily to specific areas of interest. Each chapter then is pulled together by a conclusion, statements for further research, and questions for personal reflection.

My favorite aspect of this handbook is the vision of healing sections. Before each chapter, there is a small excerpt that allows readers to connect the chapter concepts with their own meaning of healing. It forces readers to put themselves in the proper mindset for the material. Not only does the book assist the practitioner in the field of holistic care, it also aids individual readers on the journey to self-discovery and personal healing.

At one point, the authors discuss the need for nurses to understand their own healing before they can assist others on the road to recovery. This concept is evident throughout the book and makes it stand above the rest. I feel this book could be used by any holistic care practitioner. My only wish is that this book was more compact so it could be carded in a pocket for reference. Until that is accomplished, this book will remain the one item on my bookshelf that will be dust free.

This book is available from Aspen Publishers, Inc, 200 Orchard Ridge Dr, Suite 200, Gaithersburg, MD 20878; http://www.aspenpublishers.com.

VICTORIA TIASE
RN, BSN, CNOR
PERIOPERATIVE INSTRUCTOR
NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL

COPYRIGHT 2002 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group