Drug Guide

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This thread is open to all nurses, not just for nursing students!

My college currently uses Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses, however all of the instructors HATE it. As this is the only one I have been exposed to during the LPN program; it seems ok to me. They are looking into changing drug guides for the upcoming semester (I will be starting my RN rotations in January) so I would like to switch off any get a new one before those clinicals start. I am quite active on several committees within the Nursing Department, so it would be very easy to recommend some for closer evaluation based on your responses.

So what I want to know is, what drug guide is your personal favorite? Or what guide do you use most at your facility? I would love to hear any and all opinions (pros and cons!) Thanks!

:monkeydance: Almost there....6 more days until graduation! :monkeydance:

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I use micromedex and ePocrates. I have them on my PDA.

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I love the one put out by Nursing Magazine, others swear by Mosby's. Both are very good.

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This is interesting. What specifically have they complained about using the Davis Drug guides?

We used Davis through all my clinicals and I've used it on the floor the past few years having it on my PDA. Has everything I need and I refer the the "compatibility" lists quite often.

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Specializes in DD, Geriatrics, Neuro.

I actually prefer Davis' Drug guide to Mosby's. I've used a couple of others, and I keep coming back to the Davis'.

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Specializes in icu, neuro icu, nursing ed.

i compared the information on a few drugs commonly used (such as lasix) drugs in the med-surg setting in 2 popular drug guides.

am somehwhat of a pharm nut -- love it -- so i could honestly say -- at least on these drugs -- that i know more about them than is in the drug guide.

i found that there were some differences in the information given. of course, also differences in the organization and pressntation of that info.

from there, i chose a drug guide for guick reference -- but always prefer researching them in a couple of good pharm texts.

btw, i did find that one was better than the other -- i landed on the davis drug guide!

so, i guess it just goes to show you -- it depends upon inidividual preference and what you're looking for.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I like Davis. The only other one I would try is Mosbys. But both I would assume are going to be very similiar.

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Prentice Hall. It's alphabetical, by brand and generic names.

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I too would be interested in hearing what the instructors didn't like about Davis Drug Guide. I have compared many myself, and found Davis to be my preference. I like the way Davis' is organized as well as the quick reference.

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I too must say I am a fan of the Davis. We use a different one at work (can't think of the name right now), and I hate using it. I like the organization of the Davis.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have used ePocrates and love it because it is electronically updated, includes herbal and over the counter meds and because it is so easily portable.

As an APN, I use the ePocrates Pro cause it has prescribing info in it.

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Specializes in MED/SURG-PCU.

I myself like Davis drug guide, but now in the BSN prgram they use the Prentice Hall-- It's good aswell, in alphabetical order but it is a big book to carry around.

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