ABSTRACT
Nursing care should be delivered compassionately and competently in a way that promotes the dignity of the people being cared for. All student nurses need to learn to perform a range of practical skills safely, with a caring approach (Nursing and Midwifery Council [NMC] 2010). Healthcare support workers and assistant practitioners also need to develop practical skills, as they work within nursing teams. This book aims to assist readers in developing a caring approach to a range of practical nursing skills, for application with people across different healthcare settings. Practical nursing skills comprise not only the hands-on (psychomotor) element but also an underpinning evidence-based knowledge, effective communication skills, an ethical approach, creative and reflective thinking and an appropriate professional, caring attitude. These elements are considered throughout the chapters in this book.
