I love reading a good book. What I love even more, is reading a good book written by one of my nurse practitioner colleagues, and man oh man are there a bunch of great ones out there. Included below is a list of some of my favorite books authored by advanced practice nurses. Enjoy, and please let me know if you have any other favorites that I forgot.

By Lisa Astalos Chism, DNP, GNP-BC, NCMP, FAANP

Summary: Eloquently written by Dr. Lisa Chism, The Doctor of Nursing Practice is a comprehensive guidebook for role development of the DNP student. This text covers potential roles of the DNP graduate, including leader, clinician, educator, ethical consultant, and health policy advocate. The Third Edition also addresses professional issues, such as the title of doctor, educating others about the degree, making the decision to pursue the DNP degree and marketing oneself as a DNP. My favorite part of this book was the many interviews with DNP graduates. Dr. Chism, nice work! I love your book, and I am so happy you had the courage and dedication to compose such a meaningful text.

Business & Legal Books

By Carla Mills, ARNP

Summary: Authored by Carla Mills, A Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to Smart Health Choices is a high quality, easy to understand, medical reference book written specifically for non-medical readers. It shows patients how to direct their own health and health care more intelligently. The book is a how-to, self-help, motivational guide to help energize and inspire readers to want to get healthier. A great book to recommend to your patients! It concisely summarizes the national treatment guidelines that health professionals use to treat patients. It explains in detail the most common health risks and what to do about them. And it does so in a way that non-medical readers will find easy to understand.

By Kathleen Wheeler, PhD APRN-BC FAAN

Summary: This should be a staple in every psychiatric nurse practitioner graduate program. I love, love, love Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse by Kathleen Wheeler. This is a holistic, evidence-based approach to practicing psychotherapy for both the experienced and neophyte advanced practice nurse. Integrating neuroscience with psychotherapeutic theory, this award-winning text presents clear, step-by-step guidelines for techniques in treating psychiatric conditions. The book unites disparate psychotherapeutic approaches to provide a framework for practice that highlights the most useful models, principles, and techniques of psychotherapy.

By Anne Boston Parish, MSN, FNP

By Sheila Shea, MSN, ANP, CEN & b y Sue Hoyt, PhD, FNP, CEN, FAANP, FAAN

Summary: This easy-to-use pocket guide contains all you need clinical information and provides general documentation/dictation templates for both, adult and pediatric patients (medical and trauma) and a Review of Systems section. Each section includes history questions, physical exam parameters, potential differential diagnoses/medical decision making to consider, patient management (including common medications and their dosages), and documentation guidelines. There are also common diagnostic test interpretation dictation templates and other documentation templates for common procedures.

By Kathleen Aston, PhD, ACNS-BC

Summary: The Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to Nutrition is a comprehensive clinical resource for nurse practitioners working in a variety of clinical care settings. Emphasizing practical nutrition information, this accessible guide provides guidance on incorporating nutrition history questions and counselling techniques into routine care across all clinical settings. Dr. Ashton presents nutrition counselling across clinical care settings ranging from cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, and gastroenterology to caring for the obese patient. And, great news! This book has been approved for 35 nursing continuing education contact hours.

By Margaret Bobonich, DNP, FNP, DCNP, FAANP & by Mary Nolen, ANP, DCNP

Summary: Dermatology for Advanced Practice Clinicians offers a practical yet comprehensive approach for care of patients with skin disease. It was designed to be more than a reference manual that provides an alphabetical listing of skin conditions-because the diagnosis isn’t always straightforward and differential diagnoses must be consider. This text can help advance practice clinicians and physicians develop essential dermatology competency through the fundamental knowledge of lesion morphology which can direct them to an accurate diagnosis.

By Julie Stewart, DNP, MPH, MSN, FNP-BC, AAHIVS & by Susan DeNisco, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, CNL

Summary: The book is an integral text that guides students in their transition from the role of registered nurse to nurse practitioner.Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner provides a comprehensive framework for interactive discussions on the role of the nurse practitioner, giving students a full understanding of the skills and knowledge needed for this dynamic profession. The authors cover the history of the nurse practitioner role while weaving in the AACN Master’s Essentials and Doctor of Nursing Practice Essentials. I have not had the opportunity to read this book yet, but I will definitely be adding it to my birthday wishlist!

By Barb Dehn, RN, MS, NP

Menopause can impact a woman’s life in a variety of ways- the experiences of which are as varied and unique as the women who are experiencing them. Nurse Barb wants every woman to know that this is no longer their grandmothers’ generation- there’s no need to just accept whatever comes thier way. Vitality, zest, and, yes, a sexy outlook on life are within every woman’s reach. The Hot Guide to a Cool, Sexy Menopause is an extension of what Nurse Barb offers her own patients- which is relatable information, easy-to-understand explanations, and a varied menu of options.

By Eileen Sullivan-Marx PhD, CRNP, FAAN & b y Sherry Greenberg MSN, GNP-BC

Summary: This book discusses the evolution and future of advance practice nursing. The book comprehensively describes the historical, social, economic, and global contexts of advanced practice nursing. The team of expert contributors provides a wealth of insight into key issues of the day, such as the mechanics of financial recognition of NPs, the effects of managed care, and the globalization of advanced practice models. I have also not had the opportunity to read Nurse Practitioners: The Evolution and Future of Advanced Practice. Adding to my wishlist now!