Clinical Challenges

Nurses work across the health-care system in a variety of roles. This text explores contemporary issues central to their work, including clinical concerns such as pain and wound management, and the effects of extending life. It also examines the effects of funding cutbacks and of social illnesses.

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Nurses work across the health care system in a great variety of roles. From patient care to administration, nurses see where the pressures are, and how well we are managing to look after some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Clinical Challenges explores contemporary issues central to nurses' work. Part I explores clinical concerns such as pain and wound management, the role of the nurse practitioner, and the effects of extending life. For many years the health sector has been coping with cutbacks in government funding, and Part II examines how this impacts on the way we handle social illnesses such as suicide and drug dependence, as well as the needs of our growing ageing population. Part III looks at management issues affecting nurses including the growing use of business strategies and rhetoric in the health care system, and the introduction of information systems and of more flexible ways of working.

Written by nurses working in a variety of professional roles in the system and critiqued by experts in the field, Clinical Challenges offers valuable insights for nurses at every level, including students.