• Covers the NMC's Essential Skills Clusters for first year students
• Both theory and practice are provided: step-by-step guidance, background theory and relevant evidence are provided for each skill, clearly showing what to do and why; the author team combines academic and clinical expertise
• Relevant for all nursing branches: appropriate for both primary care and hospital settings in adult, mental health, children's and learning disability nursing
• Designed for beginners: assumes no prior knowledge, provides straightforward explanations, includes tips to avoid common mistakes, as well as a glossary of key terms
• Online support for students: a free accompanying Online Resource Centre provides a wealth of interactive learning features including video clips, scenarios, checklists and helps keep the book up-to-date.
• Regular evidence updates: evidence, guidelines and protocols reviewed and updated every three months on the free Online Resource Centre
• Active learning: each chapter includes scenarios for readers to apply their knowledge in different practice settings. Additional online resources enable students to assess and apply their learning in a safe environment
• Holistic approach: skills are presented in the context of an established nursing model of patient care, organised into chapters reflecting ten principal activities of living
• Clear visual guidance: full-colour photos and diagrams throughout, and selected video clips on the Online Resource Centre
• Online support for lecturers and mentors: tips for teaching clinical skills, checklists for assessment, and access to the full-colour diagrams and photos from the book

Readership: Suitable for first year nursing students, and those undertaking a foundation nursing and health qualification who require a core textbook for clinical skills.

Edited by Charles Docherty, Director of Clinical Simulation, Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland's Medical University of Bahrain, and Jacqueline McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Simulation Glasgow Caledonian University

"By far the best clinical skills book I have seen in a long time. " - Rachel Williams, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Skills Demonstrator, University of West England

"Made especially for student nurses and includes each branch in the book instead of generalizing to adults. " - Emma Bloomfield, Student, Children's Nursing, University of Leeds

"The links between physiology, theory and practice are done well. Very comprehensive...a good aid throughout the student's training and beyond..." - Sarah Jackson, Advanced Paediatric Nurse, Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

"The book would help students feel more confident prior to starting a placement. I like the explanations of skills and the way they are broken down into small steps, which make them seem less daunting. The book goes into a lot of detail and answers questions the students may be thinking, but wouldn't ask." - Kerry Harkin, Modern Matron, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust

"It offers a wide range of pedagogic approaches... Being able to access a range of teaching & learning aids, on-line resources and scenarios should enable the students to develop the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes in applying clinical skills." - Eric Broussine, Senior Lecturer, Learning Disabilities Nursing, University of the West of England

1. IntroductionCharles Docherty and Jacqueline McCallum:
2. Mandatory skills
2.1: William McDonald: Communication
2.2: Valerie Ness: Moving and Handling
2.3: Ken Taylor: Therapeutic Management of Aggression and Violence
2.4: Claire McGuinness: Infection Prevention and Control
2.5: Elizabeth Simpson: Resuscitation
2.6: Claire McGuiness and Valerie Ness: Administration of medicines
3. Maintaining a safe environmentJayne Donaldson and Valerie Ness:
3.1: Falls prevention and risk assessment
3.2: Skin assessment
3.3: Pain assessment
3.4: Neurological assessment
3.5: Early warning signs for critical illness
4. CommunicatingWilliam McDonald:
4.1: Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
4.2: Listening and observation skills
4.3: Engaging skills
4.4: Interviews and questioning
4.5: Written communication
4.6: Telephone communication
4.7: The context in which communication occurs
5. BreathingJacqueline McCallum and Ellen Malcolm:
5.1: Assessment of breathing
5.2: Positioning the patient to facilitate breathing
5.3: Using oxygen therapy to facilitate the patient's breathing
5.4: Observation of cough and sputum
6. Eating and drinkingJacqueline McCallum and Bridget Reade:
6.1: Nutritional assessment
6.2: Assistance with eating
6.3: Providing special diets
6.4: Caring for a patient suffering from vomiting or nausea
6.5: Fluid balance
7. EliminatingMary Ballentyne and Valerie Ness:
7.1: Assessment
7.2: Urinalysis
7.3: Catheter care
7.4: Assisting patients to use bedpans, commodes and urinals
7.5: Collecting stool specimens and testing for faecal occult blood
8. Personal cleansing and dressingCharles Docherty, Kirsteen Lang and John Timmons:
8.1: Skin care
8.2: Showering and bathing
8.3: Washing a patient in bed
8.4: Shaving
8.5: Hair care
8.6: Eye care
8.7: Mouth care
8.8: Dressing
8.9: Wound assessment
8.10: Aseptic technique
8.11: Removal of sutures, staples and clips
8.12: Total patient care
9. Controlling body temperatureElizabeth Simpson, Valerie Ness, Claire McGuiness and William McDonald:
9.1: Assessing body temperature
9.2: Facilitating the control of body temperature
10. MobilizingValerie Ness and John Murray:
10.1: Patient assessment
10.2: Recognizing and preventing the major complications of immobility
10.3: Recognizing and selecting common handling aids
10.4: Practical handling of bedbound patients
10.5: Positioning the patient in a chair
10.6: Performing a range of motion exercises
10.7: Managing more complex mobilizing needs
11. Working and playingPeter Johnstone:
11.1: Assessing developmental stage for play
11.2: Selecting suitable play and recreational activities for patients
12. DyingLinda Loftus:
12.1: Communication with the patient and relatives
12.2: Communication skills in assessing the patient with advanced disease
12.3: Oral care
12.4: Assessment and management of pain
12.5: Last offices