The Essential Guide to Becoming a Staff Nurse

Written specifically for graduating students and newly registered nurses, this essential handbook will help you navigate the transition from student to registered practitioner. Providing you with the key knowledge to help consolidate your degree course, The Essential Guide to Becoming a Staff Nurse will enable you to become an autonomous and accountable practitioner.

Covering everything the newly registered nurse needs to know, this handy book explores:

• How to get the job you want
• The role and function of the staff nurse
• Accountability and delegation
• Working with patients and their families
• Becoming a manager
• Continuing professional and personal development

With activities, practical hints and tips throughout, this accessible aide-memoire will provide indispensable support for newly registered nurses in all fields. 

About the Author vii

Acknowledgements ix

Preface xi

1 Getting the job you want 1

2 Crossing the threshold: the role and function of the staff nurse 21

3 Support systems and preceptorship 42

4 Accountability and delegation 58

5 Using the evidence 74

6 Working with patients and their families 89

7 New ways of working: advancing nursing practice 107

8 Becoming a manager 125

9 Continuing professional and personal development 147

10 Teaching, learning and assessing 168

Index 185