This is a comprehensive text for nurse practitioners that integrates the required clinical skills with professional and theoretical issues in one book. It uses a systems approach to cover the most frequently presenting problems that the nurse practitioner will encounter. The scope of the book then widens to include psychological and emotional problems as well as the special needs of children and those patients with chronic health problems. Using a practical approach the content is based on current best evidence. The book has been derived from the editors' experience as a course team running the RCN Institute BSc Nurse Practitioner course in Lancaster and Carlisle. Nurse practitioners is an essential purchase for all nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner students. It is relevant to both primary and secondary care, and fulfils the needs of those nurses working towards a higher level of autonomous practice. Comprehensive coverage of the new clinical skills that NPs will need in their expanding roles will give them confidence and enable them to pass their courses Highly illustrated with clear line drawings to aid understanding and learning Subject experts have contributed to various chapters to ensure that best practice is given throughout End of chapter summaries aid revision Reference lists facilitate further study Fully updated in line with clinical and policy developments and includes new material in the form of research studies and literature The pharmacology content of each chapter has been increased to reflect the development of nurse prescribing and the growth of patient group directives New chapters on: Blood Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Common Paediatric Problems, Common Mental Problems New user friendly page design and layout