Child-Centred Nursing: Promoting Critical Thinking - Tapa dura

As would be expected of a book by Bernie Carter and her team, this book is highlighted by insight, clarity and advocacy for children. The book’s pattern of providing a case scenario as a reference point for each discussion is a good one, as is the critical thinking exercise which accompanies each chapter. Carter is well known for her sensitivity and her insistence that children are their own agents, and this comes through strongly in the book. The book benefits from the range of authors who are able to bring perspectives from across a wide spectrum. I would recommend the book highly to children’s and young people’s nurses, students of paediatrics, and other health professionals who are interested in the wellbeing of children across all health care and research settings. It will also be good for children and parents who want an insight into what is needed when a child is using a health service of any kind.

(Linda Shields, Professor of Nursing 2013-12-11)

I love the passionate way in which this book inspires the reader to take an active critical thinking approach to explore and challenge the current key concepts in children's nursing.’

(Lisa Abbott, Child Nursing Field Lead, Birmingham City University)

Essential reading for any children’s nurse in practice or education, this book reviews the development of key principles underpinning the care of children and their families beyond family centred care, to re-focus attention on the child, within the context of their family. Its authoritative analysis, embedded case studies and critical thinking challenges make this very readable text a valuable contribution to professional development.

(Dr Sarah Neill, Associate Professor in Children’s Nursing, University of Northampton)

This is a thought provoking comprehensive publication that encourages the reader to explore and critically appraise key elements of child centred nursing.

(Alison Warren, Lecturer Practitioner, Clinical Skills and Simulation (Child Health), Birmingham City University)

At this time of transition and flux within health and social care, this timely book encourages children’s nurses to reflect on their practice, to challenge existing understanding, beliefs and roles and strive for the best services that enable the child to achieve their ‘potential’. 

(Nathalie Turville, Senior Lecturer, Birmingham City University)

Child Centred Nursing approaches the complex, multi-faceted task of nursing children, young people and their families from the perspective of children as their own agents. Discussions include children’s position in society and how that frames the way they are involved in health care and decision making,  children’s right to participate, be informed and make choices and how the places, spaces and technologies of care impact on their experience of illness. (Book Me)

This book focuses on the core principles that underpin practice and the broad theories and concepts that inform and shape the practice of nurses working with children. It provides clinical information and insights in a concise, structured and informative way that encourages critical thinking to assist and support the reader in obtaining the knowledge required and skills needed to nurse and advocate for children today. [...] This textbook would be beneficial to pre-registration and post-graduate students studying health care for children and young people. (Kim Shrieves, Band 6 Paediatric Research Nurse)

Child-Centred Nursing presents a unique approach by bringing children to the fore of the discussion about their health and health care. It encourages you to think critically about children, their families and contemporary practice issues. It promotes reflection on how you can develop innovative practice so as to improve children’s health outcomes and their experiences of health care.

Clinical case studies and critical thinking exercises are included in each chapter, creating and sustaining a clear link between professional practice, research and theory.

The book is essential reading for all pre-registration and post-graduate students studying children’s and young people’s health care.