In a textbook review process designed for ABSN students on March 23, 2006, at the Duke School of Nursing, students reviewed, rated and chose this new text as their textbook for their summer 2006 course: The Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family.
As the course coordinator, I have become increasingly frustrated with the ongoing complaints of students about the size and "massive" amounts of material presented in the classic, maternity nursing text books. In frustration and in an attempt to be more sensitive to the adult learners (the ABSN students) I organized a team of 8 students who reviewed 12 contemporary maternity texts published or reissued in the last 12 months.
Hands down this was the #1 student choice. Students cited: the concise format, synthesis of core information, easy to understand nursing actions, readable charts, illustrations accompanied by real pictures, small size, and attractive cover as reasons for their choice. One students summed it up when she said, "When I look at this text book, I just know I can read it. It does not feel so overwhelming to me as a student."
While the author says it was designed for students in an ADN program, I would say it would be suitable for any beginning student. It has a very usuable on-line review section for students and a CD that accompanies the book.
While the vote is not in if the students will read the assigned readings in this text, I am confident that I am starting out the course with a text that is at least "user friendly" to students. I am very pleased with the choice of this textbook and would recommend it be given a review by maternity faculty and students.
Helen Gordon CNM, MS
Course Coordinator Duke School of Nursing
