An introductory textbook for the first course in nursing, this text presents basic professional concepts, clinical concepts and clinical skills with step-by-step illustrated procedures. It emphasizes the nursing process, critical thinking, the care giver role of the nurse, focuses on four aims of nursing and features a wellness orientation. Features new to this edition inlcude: a unit on community-based settings for client care; five new chapters - community-based health care; home health care; core competencies and critical thinking; documenting, reporting and conferring; skin integrity and wound care; new recurring displays - home health care alert, home care - bridging the gap, developing critical thinking skills, through the eyes of a client, through the eyes of the family care giver, HelpScan; new content in computer applications in nursing displays; student interactive disk containing NCLEX style questions with answers and feedback; and the latest information on CDC Guidelines for Standard Precautions.