This book is an indispensable guide on how to get into and survive a pre-registration nursing course. With an immensely readable style this book uses humour, case studies, hints, tips, and insights to inspire and encourage you to complete your course and become a nurse. Covering a wide range of topics it will help you to: write assignments, avoid plagiarism, make the most of clinical placements, cope with stress, understand medical terminology, and nursing jargon, deal with legal and ethical issues, make drug dosage calculations and administer medication, create a portfolio, reflect on your practice, and understand nursing models, theories and philosophies.It also contains copies of essential Nursing and Midwifery Council publications such as the "Code of Professional Conduct", "Guidelines for the Administration of Medication" and "Guidelines for Records and Record Keeping", and explains their relevance to you as a nursing student. This unique book will be useful to those of any age considering nursing as a career, with or without previous practical experience in health care. It will help you understand exactly what your tutors and mentors expect from you and help you plan for and cope with the inevitable stress and frustration. "The Student Nurse Handbook" will be an essential companion throughout your course.