This book explores the issues affecting nursing today and in the future. There are case studies, cartoon vignettes, and critical-thinking exercises to help you connect the content to nursing practice. The book provides general and NCLEX®-specific smart test-taking tips and covers the Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (LACE) model that outlines a future plan for advanced practice nursing education. It offers practical information on preparing a professional resume, fine-tuning interview skills, and preparing a portfolio, addresses conflict resolution, lateral violence, and bullying in the workplace and presents integrative healing practices that reflect current alternative therapies and complementary health practices.

The development of a profession -- Historical perspectives -- Theories and models of nursing -- The process of educating nurses -- The evolution of licensure, certification, and nursing organizations -- Ethics in nursing -- Bioethical issues -- Nursing law and liability -- Reality shock in the workplace -- Leadership, followership and management -- Communication, negotiation and conflict resolution -- Understanding and dealing successfully with difficult behavior -- Health-care delivery systems -- Ensuring quality care -- Delegation in nursing -- Incivility : the antithesis of caring -- Nursing informatics -- The politically active nurse -- The healthcare debate -- Spirituality and healthcare -- Diversity -- Impact of the aging population on health-care delivery -- Client education : a moral imperative -- Nursing research and evidence-based practice -- NCLEX : what you need to know.