ºÚÁÏÍø

SALISBURY, MD--Salisbury State University’s Department of Nursing Professor Dr. Elizabeth Rankin’s book Quick Reference for Psychopharmacology--used by nurses to provide comprehensive care to psychiatric patients--recently received a 2001 Book of the Year Award from the Journal of American Nursing. Nursing faculty Jane Burns, Dr. Ruth Carroll and Dr. Lisa Seldomridge also made contributions.

“Students love the book because it’s easy to read and has numerous tables and charts for quick reference,” Rankin said. “I’ve had colleagues comment on how easy it is to find whatever you need.” 

The book is required for many students in the SSU Nursing Department to supplement the standard text. Many colleges across the nation also have adopted the book, including the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore. It is also used nurses in many psychiatric clinical areas.

The book provides updated references on medications used to treat and manage psychiatric disorders and is linked with a Website that provides updates in medications. It includes information on brain function, psychiatric disorders, psychiatric medications and treatment procedures.

The understanding of the way the brain functions has dramatically increased over the past several decades, Rankin said. This information, combined with ongoing drug research, has led to an increased understanding about the usefulness and the actions of medications in the treatment and management of psychiatric disorders.

For information visit the University’s Web site at www.salisbury.edu, the publisher at or call 410-543-6030.