Best Nursing Reference Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Nursing reference books are essential tools for both aspiring and seasoned nurses. These books provide comprehensive information on various nursing topics, from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology and patient care. They serve as a reliable source of information for nurses who need to refresh their knowledge or seek guidance on specific procedures, medications, and diagnoses. Nursing reference books come in various formats, including print and digital versions, making them easily accessible to nurses on-the-go. They are a must-have for any nurse looking to expand their knowledge and improve patient care.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

HESI A2 Secrets Study Guide Cover #TOP 1
HESI A2 Secrets Study Guide
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Medical Terminology:The Basics Cover #TOP 2
Medical Terminology:The Basics
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference Cover #TOP 3
Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Nursing Reference Books

Mometrix HESI A2 Exam Secrets Test Prep Team
Mometrix Nursing School Admissions Test Team
Mometrix Media LLC
Mar 15, 2016
HESI A2 Secrets Study Guide Cover
HESI A2 Secrets Study Guide: HESI A2 Test Review for the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment Exam

The HESI A2 Secrets Study Guide by Mometrix Test Preparation is a comprehensive review book designed to help students pass the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment Exam. The book covers all sections of the exam, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Professional Practice, and Testing. It includes practice test questions, step-by-step video tutorials, and tips and strategies to improve test performance. The guide is well-organized and easy to follow, making it an excellent resource for anyone preparing for the HESI A2 exam.

BarCharts, Inc.
QuickStudy
Feb 2, 2001
Medical Terminology:The Basics Cover
Medical Terminology:The Basics (Quick Study Academic)

This concise 6-page chart by Barcharts Inc covers all the essential aspects of medical terminology and its application in the medical field. It provides a comprehensive guide on the foundation of medical words, the human body, terminology sets, synonyms, and a glossary. Medical Terminology: The Basics (Quick Study Academic) is a must-have for medical students, professionals, and anyone interested in the medical field. The chart is well-organized, easy to read, and provides a wealth of information in a compact format. It is an excellent reference tool for anyone who wants to improve their understanding of medical terminology.

Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference

Skidmore-Roth RN MSN NP, Linda
Jul 5, 2022
Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference Cover
Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference (Skidmore Nursing Drug Reference)

Mosby's 2023 Nursing Drug Reference is a reliable drug handbook for nurses with over 5,000 drugs that are profiled, including 35 new entries for recently FDA-approved drugs. The book's emphasis on patient safety sets it apart from other drug guides, featuring Black Box Warnings for dangerous adverse reactions and Safety Alerts for situations requiring special attention. The book is organized alphabetically by generic name and includes pharmacokinetic information, drug categories, and IV drug administration instructions. Overall, this book is an essential reference for nurses who want to ensure patient safety when administering drugs.

#TOP 4

CCM Certification Made Easy: Your Guide to Passing the Certified Case Manager Exam

Gillingham, Deanna Cooper
Kuritz, Barbara
Ostrowsky, Laura
King, Carol
Morley, Colleen
Llewellyn, Anne
Fink-Samnick, Ellen
Aug 8, 2020
CCM Certification Made Easy: Your Guide to Passing the Certified Case Manager Exam Cover
CCM Certification Made Easy: Your Guide to Passing the Certified Case Manager Exam

CCM Certification Made Easy is a comprehensive and concise review book designed to help case managers pass the Certified Case Manager Exam. The 3rd edition includes recent updates to the exam blueprint and has added practice questions to aid in exam preparation. The book also provides clear summaries of every subdomain covered in the exam. The inclusion of a complete practice test with detailed explanations makes this book an indispensable tool for passing the CCM Exam. Overall, CCM Certification Made Easy is an excellent resource for anyone looking to become a certified case manager.

#TOP 5

Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician

Rosenthal DNP ACNP, Laura D.
Burchum DNSc FNP-BC CNE, Jacqueline Rosenjack
Saunders
Mar 12, 2020
Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Cover
Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician

Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive guide for safe and effective prescribing. The book provides foundational content for new prescribers, with a sharp focus on pharmacotherapeutic decision-making. The second edition features new chapters on Genetic and Genomic Considerations, Muscarinic Antagonists and Immunomodulators, and updated content throughout. The book is tailored to the specific needs of prescribers and addresses primary care drugs first in each chapter. Integrated coverage of Canadian trade names and interprofessional collaboration makes this book unique. Overall, it's an essential guide for advanced practice nursing and Physician Assistant students to become safe and effective prescribers.

Garzon PhD CPNP-PC PMHS FAANP FAAN, Dawn Lee
Starr MS APRN BC (PNP) CPNP-PC, Nancy Barber
Brady PhD RN CPNP-PC, Margaret A.
Gaylord PhD RN CPNP-PC PMHS FAANP FAAN, Nan M.
Driessnack PhD PNP-BC, Martha
Duderstadt PhD RN CPNP FAAN, Karen
Elsevier
Dec 2, 2019
Burns' Pediatric Primary Care Cover
Burns' Pediatric Primary Care

Burns' Pediatric Primary Care is a comprehensive textbook that covers all aspects of primary care pediatrics, from infancy to adolescence. Written from the unique perspective of a Nurse Practitioner, the book emphasizes both prevention and management of health conditions. The 7th edition includes updated content reflecting the latest research, protocols, and guidelines, as well as nine new chapters and revised units. The book is organized into four parts, covering global pediatric health, child development, health promotion and management, and disease management. Overall, Burns' Pediatric Primary Care is an invaluable resource for nurses and healthcare providers seeking a strong foundation in children's primary care.

#TOP 7

Saunders 2022-2023 Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies

Silvestri, Linda Anne, Ph.D., R.N.; Silvestri, Angela E., Ph.D.; Gray, Eileen H., R.N.
Saunders
Aug 5, 2021
Saunders 2022-2023 Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies Cover
Saunders 2022-2023 Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies

Saunders 2022-2023 Clinical Judgment and Test-Taking Strategies is an essential resource for nursing students preparing for exams. Written by leading NCLEX experts, Linda Anne and Angela Silvestri, the book provides practical tips and realistic practice to help students overcome test anxiety, develop study skills, and improve test scores. The book includes 1,200 practice questions, categorized by level of cognitive ability, content area, and priority concepts, among others. It also features unique tips for nursing students and real-life strategies that have helped other students successfully complete nursing school and pass the NCLEX exam. The book's fun, full-color design and engaging visuals make it an excellent tool for visual learners. Overall, this book is a must-have for nursing students seeking to ace their exams.

Bates' Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking

Bickley MD FACP, Lynn S.
Szilagyi MD MPH, Peter G.
Hoffman MD MPH FACP, Richard M.
Soriano MD, Rainier P.
LWW
Nov 25, 2020
Bates' Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking Cover
Bates' Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking (Lippincott Connect)

The Bates' Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking (Lippincott Connect) is a trusted pocket-sized reference for medical students, PAs, pharmacy, and nursing students. The updated ninth edition provides concise, authoritative guidance on how to perform the patient interview, physical examination, and other core assessments. With an enhanced design, new content, and new student-friendly learning aids, the guide includes fully illustrated, step-by-step techniques and algorithms that provide helpful starting approaches for patients with common presenting symptoms. This book is an ideal quick-reference resource for effective information-gathering and decision-making approaches.

Primary Care: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

Buttaro PhD AGPCNP-BC FAANP FNAP, Terry Mahan
Polgar-Bailey PsyD MPH FNP-BC CDE BC-ADM, Patricia
Sandberg-Cook MS APRN ANP/GNP-BC, Joanne
Trybulski PhD ARNP FNAP, JoAnn
Elsevier
Mar 13, 2020
Primary Care: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Cover
Primary Care: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

Primary Care: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, 6th Edition is a comprehensive, evidence-based primary care text that provides concise yet thorough information needed in today's fast-paced, interprofessional, collaborative environment. The book covers every major adult disorder seen in the outpatient office setting and features a unique interprofessional collaborative approach with referral/consultation highlights and more. The increased emphasis on rationales for treatment recommendations, pharmacotherapeutics and drug decision-making, and diagnostic direction makes it a valuable resource for adult primary care providers. The book is highly recommended for those looking to deliver effective, truly interdisciplinary health care.

Sass Elisha; Jeremy S Heiner; John J. Nagelhout
Saunders
May 17, 2022

This book, Nurse Anesthesia, provides nurse anesthetists with a comprehensive guide to scientific principles and evidence-based practice. It covers a variety of topics, including pharmacology, anesthesia equipment, preoperative preparation, and the use of anesthesia for various surgical procedures. The book also includes updated information on pharmacology, drug delivery systems, and patient safety. With more than 800 full-color photos and illustrations, this book is an excellent resource for daily practice and certification preparation. The logical organization of the text and the summary tables and boxes make it easy to reference essential information. Overall, this book is an excellent reference for CRNAs and a valuable addition to any anesthesia practice.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the name of a reference work book for nursing?

Whether you're in the classroom or in clinicals, Mosby's 2021 Nursing Drug Reference, 34th Edition is the all-in-one drug reference you need. Content on more than 5,000 generic and brand-name drugs covers almost every drug you will encounter in clinicals.

2. What are nursing references?

A nursing reference letter is a form of written correspondence that confirms a nurse's skills, qualifications, attitude and experience. This letter is usually written by a former employer, colleague or teacher. It validates that the nursing candidate did their job well and is great to work with.

Editor's Notes

During our nursing reference book research, we found 1,200+ nursing reference book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 59,953 customer reviews through our big data system to write the nursing reference books list. We found that most customers choose nursing reference books with an average price of $74.84.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.