Both Sides of !Selection Martin Edis Macmillan 1990 242pp illus ISBN: O-333-54239-8 28.99 PB

Most of us are familiar with the interview process and whether as interviewees or selectors we have memories of good and bad experiences. Even worse are the problems of appointing totally unsuitable candidates or accepting jobs which are unsuitable for us. It is therefore refreshing to find a book which explores, in a lively and interesting manner, both sides of the selection procedure.

This text offers sound advice for would be candi- dates on topics such as targetting opportunities, the informal visit, preparing a curriculum vitae and pre- paring for interview. For selectors, topics include advertising strategies, candidate screening, gathering evidence and the process of decision making.

‘Ihis book is highly topical at a time of major upheaval in the NHS when many nurses are having to apply for posts, often in mid-career, without the benefit of recent job interviews. For management it is equally topical when it is becoming even more imperative to apply sound decision making in person- nel selection. The book adopts a highly practical approach and is essential reading for everyone involved in the selection process either as interviewee or interviewer.

BA BSc(Hons) RGN OHNC PGCE RNT

Nurse Education: The Way Forward P. Burnard & C. Chapman Scutari 1990 152pp illus ISBN: l-871364-345-6 f10.95 PB

For a book of a mere 152 pages, the authors manage to cover an amazing amount of material. This is achieved in a concise and clear way and the approach is discursive. Issues are raised and opinions put forward in a climate that welcomes further debate.

Part 1 looks at the background and development of nurse education moving from the original influence of Florence Nightingale and notable others to consider the part played by governmental acts, reports and the setting up of various statutory bodies. Part I closes by raising the issue as to who actually are the decision makers in nurse education in the 1990s.

Part 11, which 1 particularly enjoyed, looks at curriculum issues. The emphasis is very much on the

progressive approach both in terms of learning meth- ods and evaluative techniques. One should not look to this text to see the ‘tried and tested’ discussed in any great detail. One might question, however, whether the classical model of teaching need necessarily pre- clude critical awareness, the relativity of truth or self determination.

Part III, as one would expect, moves on to discuss the future - a constant, and perhaps healthy, nursing preoccupation. Project 2000 is succinctly and soundly addressed and nursing within higher education given due but not partisan attention.

Throughout the text, there are excellent references from a wide range of sources which will be found most useful. I would highly recommend this book, particu- larly to nurse educators. It should, indeed, serve to ‘spark thought’.

‘rONKS N FAWCEI‘T

BSc(Hons) SRzV BSc RNT

Davis’s NOLEX-RN Review Cards ‘The Passing Game’ Patricia Beare F. A. Davis 1990 Card Pack f IO.68 Cards

The Pas&g Game The ‘passing game’ is an interesting learning aid for individuals or groups of students preparing for assess- ments or revising for exams. The game consists of 240 small 3” x 5” colour coded cards giving questions and answers on medical and surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, paediatric nursing and mental health nursing. The cards are well designed and allow for several ‘game options’ to be adopted with varying levels of difficulty and can be used to supplement and enliven the learning process but are specifically aimed at exam preparation. Some of the questions tend to be overly technical in nature and incorporate a categor- isation of client needs which some students may not be familiar with. I also found the cards a bit flimsy for constant use.

‘fhe students who used the cards enjoyed the ‘gaming aspect’ that the cards offered but felt put off by the American terminology as the cards are aimed specifically at North American student nurses prepar- ing for state licensure examination and as such have, I feel, limited value in this country. The discerning nurse teacher would, I feel, be able to make use of such

74 NURSE EDUCATION TODAY

a learning aid but may find greater value in designing their own game in order to maximise the obvious potential of using this type of approach to learning.

JOHN COSIXLI.~

RGN RMN DipN DipPNS RNT Cerl Ed

Ageing in Society J. Bond & P. Coleman Sage 1990 332pp illus ISBN: O-8039-8283-6 210.95 PB

‘rhis textbook makes a valuable contribution to the study and understanding of ageing in our society. It is immensely readable and, in contrast to many academic books dealing with this extensive subject, highlights the differing interpretations of ageing without putting forward a predominately negative view. ‘Ageing in Society’ takes a wide and positive approach to the subject using a multi-disciplinary approach. The theo- retical perspectives are presented by experts from the lield of sociology, psychology and biology, but as important are the chapters dealing with the sociology of retirement, intimate relationships, dependency and interdependency, poverty and inequality, and images of ageing. The chapters are divided by the headings and include appropriate figures and diagrams. A comprehensive index of references are also included.

All students of nursing - both pre- and post- registration - will lind this book relevant to their students as well as Health Visitors, District Nurses or anyone studying the social sciences and the complexity of the problems confronting us in dealing with an ageing population. ‘The cost enables it to be an essential part of every student’s personal library collection.

<:HIWI‘IN~ J M HOWH

BA(Hon.s) RGN RHV RNT

Nurses Guide for IV Medications

April Hazard Vallerand F. A. Davis 1990 527pp ISBN: O-8036-8840-7 213.50 PB

‘rhe publication of this book is timely, considering the current debate on nurse prescribing and the extended role of the nurse as regards to intravenous medication. The ring-bound book lies flat for ease of reading when checking a drug, but frequent use could displace pages as they are rather flimsy.

The information provided on each drug is succinct and comprehensive, covering body systems as well as patient education. A useful addition is that each drug is allocated a pregnancy category. Abbreviations used in this American text are not always synonymous with those used in the UK and this problem is also apparent with some drug names.

Whilst there are some drawbacks with this text, as with many American textbooks, it would be a most useful reference book in any acute unit where intra- venous medications are administered. I would there- fore urge the publishers to consider a version specifically for the UK market. The style, presentation and information of this book make it highly recom- mended as a reference book for most clinical areas.

CAROLYN GIBBON

BA RGN RCNT DPSN RNT

Systems of Continuing Education (Tech Report

Series 803) WHO Committee WHO 1990 5Opp ISBN: 9%4-120803-l SW Fr 8

This is a report of a WHO expert committee which met in 1989 to suggest ways of integrating continuing education with district health management. This is a well timed report, arriving in the context of UKCC PKEPP proposals and other statutory bodies initiatives to increase the relevance and impact of continuing education for health personnel. The report recom- mends ‘action research’ as a means to an end. It describes ‘district team problem-solving’ to enable districts to maintain control over the diagnosis and management of problems perceived as such at the local level.

This is a useful little book and should be essential reading for all those tutors and managers involved in the development and monitoring of continuing edu- cation systems. ‘There is a useful section on evaluation; however the report does not help with the clear identification of what skills and information are essen- tial to successfui decentralisation.

Continuing education is dependent upon effective and efficient financial, technical and administrative support. Who provides what and at what level-central or local - remains a major problem. A comprehensive database, as suggested in the report would help. However, some of the objectives of continuing edu- cation, e.g. increased work satisfaction, sense of commitment, higher competence, may be difficult to ‘measure’.

AMALIA P GALLEGO

MA MSc RGN RNT RCNT DipN DipEd

Sickle Cell Disease Ian Franklin Faber and Faber 1990 1Olpp illus ISBN: O-571-14232-X f3.99 PB

This short book is addressed to those with an interest in sickle cell disease and the health and social problems associated with it. ‘The preface suggests that even those affected by the disease would find the contents helpful