In the book the important transition from ‘student’ to ‘qualified’ is given consideration and advice on how to keep this in perspective and cope well. Orientation programmes, offered to new employees, instrumental in making this process exciting and enjoyable are examined. It is proposed that these offer a lifeline to those who feel they are thrown into the deep. In the medium to long term having a Career Mentor will be very useful and Continuing Professional Development students may find this section of the book particularly relevant. New roles and opportunities, increasing in both nursing and midwifery, are also covered.

Here, on the web site, you will find material to support you in devising your Personal Development Plan and much detail on how to secure the nursing or midwifery post you want including;

Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Job Description
Person Specification
Application Form
Job Interview

Exercises and tips are offered to enable you to apply what is presented to your own situation. Constructing and maintaining a CV, selecting posts, securing and preparing for interviews; all of which involve skills that are required equally whether applying for a first staff midwife post or consultant nurse in forensic psychiatric nursing

This book is an essential course companion for nursing and midwifery students at degree and diploma level, as well as those returning to study. It covers key skills and knowledge needed such as learning from patients, reflective practice, using evidence and how to use research proficiently. Exercises and bullet points enhance reader learning.

1. Engaging with university learning
2. Taking control of yourself; nurses and midwives as learners
3. Making information work for nursing and midwifery students
4. Strategies for successful learning in nursing and midwifery
5. Reflective learning in clinical practice
6. Literature searching skills for midwives and nurses
7. Proficient use of evidence and research to support nursing and midwifery
8. Critical analysis and higher level skills for health professionals
9. Coping with examinations and assessments
10. Career pathways in nursing and midwifery
11. Lifelong learning organisations and CPD to sustain your professional practice

Philip Scullion
Philip Scullion has over 20 years of experience teaching in a range of undergraduate and post graduate settings. He leads study skills elements of undergraduate and CPD courses which embrace nursing, midwifery, paramedic sciences and operating department practitioners. He has developed a number of paper and IT based resources to support students in developing effective study skills. He teaches various degree level research modules, an important asset fully utilised in this book. He has over 70 publications and has qualifications in nursing and teaching, has worked at a national level with the Royal College of Nursing, is a member of the Higher Education Academy and has considerable experience as an external examiner.

David Guest
David Guest has an Honours Degree in Library & Information Science; Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP). David changed career in mid-life moving from engineering to health librarianship. David has developed numerous teaching and learning programmes to support students in information retrieval skills, efficient use of library facilities and advanced literature searching and evaluation skills. He has been teaching Nursing & Midwifery students Information Skills for 18 years and is currently the Nursing & Midwifery Subject Librarian at Coventry University.