Book Reviews
The Clinical Placement: An essential guide for nursing students
By Levett-Jones T and Bourgeois S
ISBN: 978-0-729537-98-8; 2007; 253 pages; Elsevier, Australia;
Reviewed by Karen Wotton
PhD Candidate; Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide SA
An interesting text by two experienced nurse academics and clinical supervisors namely, Tracey Levett-Jones and Sharon Burgeois, The Clinical Placement: An essential guide for nursing students responds to the ongoing need for students to prepare for clinical placements with an awareness of how to respond to learning opportunities throughout the placement.
Perhaps the most salient information was contained in Chapters 2 - 4. Chapter 2 Great Expectations excels in its coverage of patients' and clinicians' expectations. Of particular relevance in Chapter 3 How do you act is the section on the student's role in eliciting evidence for practice with the inclusion of clinically relevant coaching tips. The discussion on dealing with conflict, horizontal violence and sexual harassment although brief, incorporates some well thought out coaching tips. In addition, this chapter includes succinct advice on documentation and some pertinent tips related to accepting gifts and personal visits to students on placements. Chapter 4 How do you think and feel provides an excellent exemplar of how to identify current and future learning needs through the use of a reflective journal and an excellent overview of where students can find support whilst they are on placement.
This simple and to the point first edition provides a valuable adjunct to the clinical briefing students receive at the university and the relevant health unit. It will be interesting to see further refinement of some of the concepts including a reorganisation of the discussion on privacy so the reader can clearly identify the issues related to either students or patients. In addition, the inclusion of coaching tips for developing a 'knowledge of the patient' in respect to clinical decision making and the provision of quality and individualised care is essential in the next edition.
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