Contemporary nursing in Australia and internationally is challenging, complex, dynamic and very rewarding. Many of our clients are older and sicker that they were a decade ago, often with complex health and psychosocial needs. This means that nurses today must be clinically competent, flexible and knowledgeable. They must have a broad and deep knowledge of Physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, epidemiology, therapeutics, culture, ethics and law, as well as an understanding of evidence-based practice. Today's nurses have many roles and functions - clinician, educator, manager, researcher, to name just a few. They must be highly skilled with the ability to problem solve and they must possess sophisticated critical thinking skills. They must be life-long learners and confident in the use of information and communication technology. Nurses must be able to communicate effectively, with their clients, with each other and with other members of the health care team. Above all, they must care for their patients in ways that signify respect, acceptance, empathy, connectedness, cultural sensitivity and genuine concern. Against this background, the first Australian edition of 'Kozier and Erb's fundamentals of nursing' will be of immense benefit to both beginning students and those who are more advanced. This comprehensive textbook, with its unique Australian perspective, introduces the reader to vitally important nursing issues, concepts, practices and theories. The book will prepare students for practice in a range of diverse clinical settings and help them understand what it means to be a competent professional nurse in the twenty-first century.