Use medical dictionary, or Google?

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Med/surg.

Hello everyone,

So, I'm about 8 weeks into my RN program, and I have yet to touch the Taber's Medical Dictionary on my desk. Anytime that I didn't know what a term meant, I Googled it. I know this may seem trivial, but I'd like to sell my dictionary and get the money back if it's unnecessary. Have you ever found a medical dictionary more useful than an Internet search?

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Specializes in Critical/Acute Care, Burns, Wound Care.

Initial Google searches are for laypeople, while Tabers will have a more in-depth definition. You can always dive deeper into Google and find a more relevant definition or info, but it can take longer than actually having a quick reference BOOK like Tabers. Sell the book if you haven't used it when you reach the halfway mark through your nursing schooling.

Keep it real.

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Specializes in Med/surg.
Initial Google searches are for laypeople, while Tabers will have a more in-depth definition. You can always dive deeper into Google and find a more relevant definition or info, but it can take longer than actually having a quick reference BOOK like Tabers. Sell the book if you haven't used it when you reach the halfway mark through your nursing schooling.

Keep it real.

Thanks! I was cleaning my desk tonight and noticed it had managed to gather dust already. :bookworm:

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Citing Tabers is better than citing a random Google site on your papers. Also, many sites are not acceptable as professional references.

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Specializes in Med/surg.
Citing Tabers is better than citing a random Google site on your papers. Also, many sites are not acceptable as professional references.

Ah, I see. I didn't realize that I would need to use it for that. I thought the dictionary would only be for my personal benefit if I didn't know a particular medical term. Thank you!

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