Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) 34th Annual Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, from March 31 to April 3, 2016, highlighted DNA's new official educational publication. The DNA Board of Directors and I were pleased to introduce Dermatologic Nursing Essentials: A Core Curriculum, 3rd Edition (Nicol, 2016). This brand new essential resource for every dermatology nurse and healthcare provider is filled with cutting-edge advice and clinical instruction, which provides the reader with core knowledge about the specialty of dermatology nursing. This editorial shares some highlights direct from the book acknowledgment and preface. Dermatology nursing concentrates on the study of the skin including its anatomic, physiologic, pathologic, psychologic, and social characteristics as well as on the care of the patient and family with skin concerns and disorders.
As Editor in Chief, I found that taking on the publication of this long overdue third edition to be an exciting challenge. The first edition was published in 1998, and the second was published in 2003; since then, there has been considerable growth in the knowledge, skill, and abilities required by dermatology nurses and dermatology healthcare providers. As an author and reviewer in all three editions of this book as well as a past president of the DNA, I recognized the growing scope of the audience and practice across time. This textbook is not meant to be a comprehensive review of skin or skin diseases and their treatment, as there are many premier medically focused books for this expertise. This book offers the core skin care essentials, from anatomy and physiology to effective treatment of a full range of skin disorders to guide and assist the nurse and other healthcare providers in understanding key principles for care of the patient with skin care needs. For the essential science, knowledge, skills, and nursing principles of dermatology and allergy/immunology skin care, this definitive state-of-the-art guide serves as a reference. The scope is intended to provide novice-to-expert nurses and other healthcare providers with essential knowledge of healthy skin and disorders of the skin to support patient-centered care and educational activities. The book will be a companion piece for workshops supplying the foundation information for certification and other professional needs. Many of the authors of this edition have been expert faculty from DNA's workshops and educational sessions and offerings over the years. The content is applicable to nurses and healthcare providers caring for patients and families with skin disorders working in all practice settings including acute/tertiary care, outpatient, private office, schools, or community care.
In this 404-page third edition, the 23 chapters reflect new trends in dermatology practice, and some chapters are renamed to reflect current terminology in their respective areas of skin care. Almost 400 color photos have been added to enhance the learning and reading experience. Drawings, illustrations, tables, and graphs have been updated and added. The expansion of the objectives and key points and the addition of a patient education section in each chapter reflect the commitment to patient-centered care. The chapters were written or updated with the most current and evidenced-based information available to each author. This work should be used as a guide and supplemented with other references and educational formats.
Countless colleagues, friends, mentors, family, and loved ones are to be acknowledged as they created and supported this book. My sincere gratitude is extended to each of them for the many tireless hours to bring this book to the dermatology nursing community. Dermatologic Nursing Essentials: A Core Curriculum, 3rd Edition, could never have occurred without the original collaborative efforts of its first and second edition editor, Marcia J. Hill, the publishing staff of Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., and the many previous authors and reviewers of the first and second editions. This edition maintained the easy-to-read outline format for vital practice principles and care instructions, which was used in the first two editions. Marcia Hill's commitment of over 30 years to editing, authoring, mentoring, and serving as one of the organization's early presidents and journal editor paved the way for the growth and development of dermatology nursing.
Many presidents, board members, and volunteers of the DNA have done much to educate and influence the multitudes of dermatology healthcare providers; several of them are authors or reviewers in this or past editions. Integral to this third edition becoming a reality were the authors who spent many hours writing and rewriting and the reviewers who gave such meaningful and excellent feedback. Expert nurses, physicians, and healthcare providers from across the world authored and reviewed this book. Evaluating new learning concepts and environments provided the authors opportunity to explore many unique and transformational dimensions of professional dermatology nursing. Our physician reviewers, many of whom are recognized international experts, showed ongoing professional collaboration by volunteering their time and often donating valuable clinical photos. The continued commitment to excellence by the staff at Wolters Kluwer was invaluable for this third edition. Many of these individuals are formally recognized in the opening pages of this new third edition. The collective generosity of all made this book possible.
My hope is that this book will continue to be recognized as a one-of-a-kind resource providing a comprehensive foundation in dermatologic nursing to all. The book is intended to serve as a reference to all nurses and healthcare providers to promote skin health. With great pride, I present the third edition of this work.
Noreen Heer Nicol, PhD, RN, FNP, NEA-BC
Editor in Chief
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