Out of necessity nursing, as a profession, reflects the qualities of the culture in which it exists. In our culture for the past quarter of a century nursing has been assailed with rapid economic, technological, shortage- abundance, changing scenes' vicissitudes. In the individual nurse these arouse turmoil and uncertainty. These cultural stirrings inflame that part of the nurse's spirit capable of chaotic conflict and doubt. Often she questions her professional identity. ''Just what is a nurse?" Her nurse colleagues, other professionals, and nonprofessionals freely, directly and indirectly-on television, in the theater, through the news media and the literature-pummel her with their multitudinous varied views.

"Qualitative Research in Nursing is a user-friendly text that systematically provides a sound foundation for understanding a wide range of qualitative research methodologies, including triangulation. It approaches nursing education, administration, and practice and gives step-by-step details to instruct students on how to implement each approach. Features include emphasis on ethical considerations and methodological triangulation, instrument development and software usage; critiquing guidelines and questions to ask when evaluating aspects of published research; and tables of published research that offer resources for further reading"--Provided by publisher.

Nursing is placed within a humanistic framework in Paterson and Zderad's theory, which defines nursing as a nurturing response aimed at well-being. Three constructs of nursing, which describe the why and how of nursing practice, are identified: `comfort', `clinical' and `all-at-once'. In this volume, O'Connor explores the origin of the theory and its underlying assumptions. She also examines the major concepts of the metaparadigm of nursing, including the nursing process.

This textbook for nursing assistants will prepare students not only to function in the traditional nursing assistant role in nursing homes, hospitals, and home health, but also will prepare students to advance their careers. A nursing assistant student who uses this text will have a firm foundation by which to transition to an LPN and ultimately an RN role. The text offers a compelling art program, a direct, conversational writing style, and an emphasis on professionalism and humanism. A back-of-book CD-ROM includes an audio glossary.

Pioneering Theories in Nursing traces the origins of nursing theories through their founders. Unlike other nursing theory texts, this book provides the personal story on some of the greatest nursing leaders, clinicians and theorists to date so the reader can understand the context within which the nursing pioneer developed their theory. It will attempt to explain the theories and practice of nursing and provide food for thought for students and practitioners, encouraging reflective thinking. Each section begins with an overview of the chapters and identifies common themes. Designed to be highly user-friendly, each chapter follows a standard structure with a short biography, a summary on their special interests and an outline of their writings before each theory is examined in detail. The chapter then looks at instances of how this theory has been put into practice and what influence this process has had on the wider nursing community. Further links to other theorists are provided as well as key dates in the life of the theorists and a brief profile.