Your 1st Year As a Nurse - Book Review

AORN Journal,  Nov, 2002  by Christine Snowden

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

By Donna Wilk Cardillo 2001, 267pp $19.95 paperback

One of the four books in the "Your First Year" series, this is an excellent reference book targeted toward nursing students and recent nurse graduates. The author has two decades of nursing experience and is considered a leading expert on nursing career management. The book contains an abundance of useful information on how to make the transition from newly graduated nurse to seasoned professional, covering topics such as applying and interviewing for a job, nontraditional nursing paths, stereotypes, personal appearance, and effective networking, with basic nursing concepts woven in between. In this book, the author explains what it takes to become a successful professional nurse.

The foreward tells of a nurse executive's personal nursing school experience, which is meant to captivate readers and set the tone. The introduction is written with positive encouragement that highlights the mood for the rest of the book.

The book is written in very basic terms and includes easy-to-follow concepts. It is a fast and easy read, which allows for absorption of and reflection on the concepts introduced. Especially helpful are the sidebars that contain vignettes, guidance, lessons learned, and quotes from various professional and newly graduated nurses. Ideas are reiterated throughout the book, and concepts build on each other. In each chapter, the author emphasizes the positive, but she also offers a straightforward approach to the negative, including stress, adversity, conflict, and burnout. The book also discusses how to stay focused on current goals.

The appendix is a great resource in and of itself. It is filled with telephone numbers, addresses, and web sites of various organizations, specialty associations, state associations, and special interest groups. It also contains Canadian resources, recommended readings, and a list of journals.

I especially enjoyed chapter three--"Becoming a team member." This chapter offers nurses a basic refresher on positive communication and teamwork, as well as readjusting one's attitude. Although the intended audience is newly graduated nurses, I think this book would be beneficial for all nurses to use as a resource and as a guide for reflection and inspiration.

This book is available from Prima Publishing, 3000 Lava Ridge Ct, Roseville, CA 95661; http://www.primalifestyles.com.

CHRISTINE SNOWDEN
RN, BSN, CNOR,
LT, NURSE CORPS, US NAVY
STAFF NURSE
NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER
SAN DIEGO

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