Nursing Drug Guide/Handbook recommendations

Nursing Students Student Assist

Published

I will soon be starting my 20 week long nursing pharmacology class for my RN program. They have asked us to get a nursing drug guide/handbook but do not require any specific ones and the professor didn't have any suggestions; she actually stated "there really are not any "bad" drug guides..I would suggest the most "cost efficient" one that gives understandable nursing considerations." That being said, I haven't a clue which ones are commonly considered better than others. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do have some basic knowledge from working at a mail-order pharamcy for over a year but would really like to learn as much as possible and have as much knowledge at my finger tips. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really want to get as much out of my program as possible! Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have two, Mosby's and Pearson's. I REALLY like the Pearson's and that's the one used most at the hospital where I have my clinicals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Cost efficient? If you have a smartphone (Android, Apple, Palm, or Blackberry) you can download ePocrates for FREE. It's great, and it's got everything I (maybe you too) want to know. There is a version you can purchase that includes diagnostic criteria, but that's the only difference between the two. I had a 90 trial for that once and never really had much time to use it. I also have a Davis drug book which was recommended for my program, but I never carry it anywhere much less use it. Frankly, I think it's too jumbled to do anything with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My family doctor actually recommended epocrates to me yesterday and I just downloaded it. It is AMAZING! Some of our clinical instructors think the new Smartphones are amazing and are all for us using them. Some are a little behind in the times and still state no cell phones. Unfortunate as I am loving epocrates! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My family doctor actually recommended epocrates to me yesterday and I just downloaded it. It is AMAZING! Some of our clinical instructors think the new Smartphones are amazing and are all for us using them. Some are a little behind in the times and still state no cell phones. Unfortunate as I am loving epocrates! :)

Medscape in conjunction with WebMD makes a good app that's free in the app store...for Android at least. I got it and use it some. It's got a neat procedures guide in it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Epocrates is great - I use it in clinical.

If you need a bunch of "nursing implications" for writing up careplans/medcards/etc, the Davis drug guide for nurses is also a great resource.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg, psych, SA.

Davis's Drug guide is pretty good. I've been using it for school for the last 2 years and it is "easy to navigate" and useful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We are required to have the Davis's Drug Guide too. I wish I could try the app you guys are talking about but I can't afford one of those phones :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes we definitely need a book with lots of nursing implications -- is Davis best for that??

The smartphones are definitely an asset. I am getting my phone pretty cheap between the 20% off discount my work offers + I got a 20% off my data plan promotion they were running. My parents let me stay on their family plan because it is only $10/month for the line and $30/month for data and with all the discoutns it ends up being only $27/month for my phone and I just pay my dad each month so it costs him nothing to have me on his plan :).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Rehab, Progressive Care.

Can you use epocrates on the iPad as well?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Isn't anything available for the iPhone available on the iPad??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg, psych, SA.

yes. it's available on skyscape. I have Lexi comp and I love it but it's pretty expensive. mcgaw is ok but I don't like the layout.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment