Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing

Mary L. Fisher

This second edition highlights the interdependent nature of leadership and management across a full spectrum of management processes. Such a philosophical foundation assists the reader to develop a framework critical for success in a management career. While presenting a theoretically sound and comprehensive elementary management text, the authors provide value-added bonuses: teaching tips and learning exercises aimed at whole brain thinking. Faculty are encouraged to engage students' imaginations and enhance their problem-solving skills by connecting real-life experiences to the content of the text. This stimulus may assist faculty who are motivated to try new teaching techniques, but may not directly motivate students of management to explore these venues alone. BSN nursing students and new nurse managers are the main audience for the book. The content is comprehensive for beginning management students but would be too fundamental for more sophisticated audiences, The authors are well established in the management field. The book is visually appealing, using color to separate sections and to highlight key material. Appropriate use of tables, displays, and key concept lists keep the reader centered on the main points of the content, The references are updated, although many older references appear that are not seminal works. The book is clean and organized in appearance. This second edition has added learning exercises and case studies with an emphasis on community-based situations. Content in key areas, such as transformational leadership, delegation, and time management are strengthened. A sound book, this offering is one of several quality texts in the field. Selection ofthis one would depend on the organization of its materials in relationship to a specific course's content and design. The addition of the updated content and quality learning exercises give this text the potential to stand out from the crowd for faculty who wish to experiment with different pedagogies. This book is also a good value for the price.

Reviewer: Mary L. Fisher, PhD, RN, CNAA (Indiana University School of Nursing)
Description: This second edition highlights the interdependent nature of leadership and management across a full spectrum of management processes. Such a philosophical foundation assists the reader to develop a framework critical for success in a management career.
Purpose: While presenting a theoretically sound and comprehensive elementary management text, the authors provide value-added bonuses: teaching tips and learning exercises aimed at whole brain thinking. Faculty are encouraged to engage students' imaginations and enhance their problem-solving skills by connecting real-life experiences to the content of the text. This stimulus may assist faculty who are motivated to try new teaching techniques, but may not directly motivate students of management to explore these venues alone.
Audience: BSN nursing students and new nurse managers are the main audience for the book. The content is comprehensive for beginning management students but would be too fundamental for more sophisticated audiences, The authors are well established in the management field.
Features: The book is visually appealing, using color to separate sections and to highlight key material. Appropriate use of tables, displays, and key concept lists keep the reader centered on the main points of the content, The references are updated, although many older references appear that are not seminal works. The book is clean and organized in appearance. This second edition has added learning exercises and case studies with an emphasis on community-based situations. Content in key areas, such as transformational leadership, delegation, and time management are strengthened.
Assessment: A sound book, this offering is one of several quality texts in the field. Selection of this one would depend on the organization of its materials in relationship to a specific course's content and design. The addition of the updated content and quality learning exercises give this text the potential to stand out from the crowd for faculty who wish to experiment with different pedagogies. This book is also a good value for the price.

4 Stars! from Doody