Textbooks and Dictionaries - Best of the Best

[Blackbird]

As I sit here pouring through my list of prescribed textbooks, (followed by a big $$$$$ sigh) I note that there are a few choices re dictionaries and drug references.

As a newcomer to this nursing game, which of you have found a particular type of dictionary/reference to be the best buy?

And now that I think of it, have any of you used a PDA while studying? If so, what programs did you install on it and why?

Lastly, just as an aside, what book have you found deserves the "Can't Get By Without This Book" award?

Any insights would be very much appreciated.

Thanks :)

[jen.sn]

I bought the Tabers Medical Dictionary because it was smaller than the Mosbys :) I have found it to be pretty handy.

I don't have a PDA.

My book that I couldn't get by without is Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing. We used it every semester almost exclusively (except, of course, when we were doing OB, or peds, etc.) I really like Lewis, and the study guide and clinical companion are good too (although the study guide has some wrong answers in the back of the book so you have to read it carefully).

I hear you about the big $$$$ though. I found that I never or rarely used about half of my required books. I actually sold a lot of them on Amazon once we were finished with them in class...

One last thing: RNotes is a handy little pocket guide for clinicals, that you can write on and wipe off...

Hope that helps :)

[LeashRN]

I agree with the last poster - Tabers and Lewis (both of which are required by my college).

I just got a PDA and it would be an uderstatment to say I love it. I have Tabers on it and Davis' Drug Guide on a memory card (called an SD card). One other person that I know of has a PDA - in fact she is the reason I decided to get one. I saw how much use she got out of hers and thought wow, I really need all that info right at my finger tips ALL of the time. She has a Palm Tungsten E which can be purchased for about $170 online or $199 at Best Buy. I have a Palm Tungsten T5 which has more on board memory and which I paid $270 for online (Overstock.com). A great thing if you can afford it.

Good Luck, Leash

[Blackbird]

Awesome. Thank you!

I've also put this post in the Australian section along with my first semester prescribed book list (as I'm an Australian student) should you want to take a look. In the meantime, I'll note down those books and PDA info and check them out this week.

[nikonos]

I like Taber's Medical Dictionary and it is what I tote along for class. Epocrates is a handy little drug reference that is free on the web for download for Palm operating systems. It is not the most robust but you can't argue with free.

[shyne]

I think we have the Mosby one. I've never used my dictionary before, it's just covered with dust :chuckle

[akcarmean, LPN]

When I went through school I had to buy a dictionary and I got a dictionary/encylopedia I just loved it. I have used it many times in nursing and still now.

Miller-Keane

Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

Angie

[akcarmean, LPN]

When I went through school I had to buy a dictionary and I got a dictionary/encylopedia I just loved it. I have used it many times in nursing and still now.

Miller-Keane

Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

Angie

[LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I use Miller-Keane encyclopedia, Davis Drug handbook, RNnotes by Davis is awesome. All of the Incredibly Easy series are great too.

[LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I use Miller-Keane encyclopedia, Davis Drug handbook, RNnotes by Davis is awesome. All of the Incredibly Easy series are great too.

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

I bought the Tabers Medical Dictionary because it was smaller than the Mosbys :) I have found it to be pretty handy.

I don't have a PDA.

My book that I couldn't get by without is Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing. We used it every semester almost exclusively (except, of course, when we were doing OB, or peds, etc.) I really like Lewis, and the study guide and clinical companion are good too (although the study guide has some wrong answers in the back of the book so you have to read it carefully).

I hear you about the big $$$$ though. I found that I never or rarely used about half of my required books. I actually sold a lot of them on Amazon once we were finished with them in class...

One last thing: RNotes is a handy little pocket guide for clinicals, that you can write on and wipe off...

Hope that helps :)

Everything jen mentioned is what I used. They are the best! The best careplan book that you can get is by Sparks & Taylor.... I forget the name, but I got nothing les than 100% on all my careplans using just that book by Sparks & Taylor.

GOODLUCK!!!!

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

I bought the Tabers Medical Dictionary because it was smaller than the Mosbys :) I have found it to be pretty handy.

I don't have a PDA.

My book that I couldn't get by without is Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing. We used it every semester almost exclusively (except, of course, when we were doing OB, or peds, etc.) I really like Lewis, and the study guide and clinical companion are good too (although the study guide has some wrong answers in the back of the book so you have to read it carefully).

I hear you about the big $$$$ though. I found that I never or rarely used about half of my required books. I actually sold a lot of them on Amazon once we were finished with them in class...

One last thing: RNotes is a handy little pocket guide for clinicals, that you can write on and wipe off...

Hope that helps :)

Everything jen mentioned is what I used. They are the best! The best careplan book that you can get is by Sparks & Taylor.... I forget the name, but I got nothing les than 100% on all my careplans using just that book by Sparks & Taylor.

GOODLUCK!!!!