Nursing Assisting: Essentials for Long Term Care

Acello (MS, RN) presents a text designed to prepare the nursing assistant to work in a long-term care facility, hospital skilled unit, or subacute care center. The text emphasizes real-world clinical practice and provides solutions to common problems that nursing assistants encounter. Theory is included only when necessary to explain the reason for a procedure. This second edition features new material on home care, pain management, infection control, and basic rescue procedures. Learning features include chapter objectives, key points, and review quizes, plus step-by-step procedures illustrated with color photos and illustrations. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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Reviewer:Amy Ann Vogelsmeier, MSN RN BC GCNS(University of Missouri-Columbia)
Description:This illustrated manual is a comprehensive resource to be used by nursing assistants in long term care. This second edition has been written to provide up-to-date changes in the long-term care industry.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide a comprehensive reference to be used by nursing assistants in long-term care. The manual is intended to better prepare nursing assistants to meet the needs of an evolving resident base as is seen in long-term care today. The author met her objectives of putting together a comprehensive, yet easy to read resource for nursing assistants.
Audience:This book is written specifically for the nursing assistant. The content is understandable and easy to access. Barbara Acello is a noted author for long-term care resources and has experience as an RN in LTC.
Features:Broad topics from care planning and ethics to clinical topics of nutrition/hydration, restraint use, etc., are well written. There are many unique features, including multiple pictures, diagrams, and step-by-step procedures to guide nursing assistants in the day to day tasks necessary in long term care. The key points and chapter review at the end of each chapter are particularly helpful to identify those important issues to target. Clinical applications are highlighted through case scenarios, which will provide a helpful base for educators.
Assessment:This manual is well written, detailed, and particularly comprehensive in nature. Many other books specific to nursing assistants do not provide such variety in one manual. This much needed second edition is keeping pace with changes that are regulatory in nature. The author cites such as agencies as the CDC, OSHA, and CMS.

As an independent nurse consultant and educator, Barbara Acello, MS, RN, has worked in long-term care for more than thirty-three years. In addition to owning and operating a school for nursing assistants, she helped to write and develop mandatory state curricula for nurse aides and EMTs. She has also written and/or contributed to approximately 60 textbooks, instructor guides, quick reference guides, and supplemental instructional material for healthcare personnel.
During her nursing career, Ms. Acello has worked in eight states as a director of nursing, long-term care facility consultant, and educator.
With a particular interest and expertise in the clinical geriatrics, Ms. Acello's subspecialties include resident safety, pain assessment and management, restraints, pressure ulcers, and infection control. She is committed to improving working conditions, education, and professionalism for personnel in the long-term care industry.