Nursing Textbooks

Curated textbook recommendations organized by semester

Building Your Nursing Library: Below are the essential and recommended textbooks for each semester of your nursing program. These resources form the foundation of nursing practice and are referenced throughout your clinical education.

Semester 1: Foundations

Fundamentals of Nursing

9th Edition

Potter & Perry

Required

The comprehensive foundation text covering core nursing concepts, patient care fundamentals, and essential nursing skills you'll use daily.

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Pathophysiology

6th Edition

McCance & Huether

Required

Essential understanding of disease processes and mechanisms. Critical for clinical decision-making and understanding patient conditions.

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Pharmacology for Nursing Care

10th Edition

Lehne

Required

Comprehensive drug guide covering medication classes, mechanisms, and nursing considerations. Essential reference for medication administration.

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Bates' Guide to Physical Examination

13th Edition

Bickley

Required

Detailed physical assessment techniques with illustrations. Your reference for conducting thorough patient assessments and documenting findings.

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Semester 2: Adult Health & Mental Health

Medical-Surgical Nursing

11th Edition

Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper & Bucher

Required

Comprehensive guide to caring for adults with medical and surgical conditions. Covers pathophysiology, assessment, and nursing interventions.

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Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

8th Edition

Townsend & Morgan

Required

Comprehensive coverage of psychiatric conditions, therapeutic communication, and evidence-based interventions for mental health nursing.

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Nursing Drug Handbook

2026 Edition

Hodgson & Kizior

Recommended

Portable quick-reference guide for medications. Ideal for clinical rotations when you need immediate access to drug information.

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Semester 3: Women, Children & Community Health

Maternity and Women's Health Nursing

7th Edition

Lowdermilk, Perry & Cashion

Required

Comprehensive text covering reproduction, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Essential for obstetric nursing practice.

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Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing

11th Edition

Hockenberry & Rodgers

Required

Primary pediatric nursing reference covering child growth and development, pediatric assessment, and age-specific nursing interventions.

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Community and Public Health Nursing

9th Edition

Stanhope & Lancaster

Required

Explores population health, community assessment, and public health nursing practice in diverse settings beyond traditional hospitals.

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Semester 4: Critical Care & Leadership

Critical Care Nursing

7th Edition

Urden, Stacy & Lough

Required

Comprehensive guide to caring for critically ill patients. Covers hemodynamic monitoring, ventilation support, and acute care management.

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Nursing Leadership & Management

7th Edition

Yoder-Wise

Required

Foundational concepts in nurse leadership, team management, quality improvement, and professional development for your nursing career.

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Saunders NCLEX-RN Review

Current Edition

Linda Anne Silvestri

Recommended

Comprehensive NCLEX preparation resource with practice questions and rationales. Essential for board exam preparation in your final semester.

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