Which medical dictionary??

lilhev333, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2008

I have experience with Taber's and have had no issues with it. My suggestion is to get your hands on them and flip through them to see which one you think will work for you. Best of luck.

LAM2010, BSN · Aug 19, 2008

Hello all!!
I am starting an ADN program next week and have been trying to buy all 14 of the required books. We have three medical dictionaries to choose from and since I know NOTHING about them I would love some advice!
The choices are:
Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (Indexed) - Taber/Davis
Mosby's Medical Dictionary, Nursing, & Health Professional Dictionary- Mosby
Stedman's Medical Dictionary for Health Professionals- Stedman/Lipp
I have read other posts and see that many people recommend Mosby for other books... but like I said, I have no clue what to even look for. I would like something that is clearly divided (info easily found) and full of info, if that even exists.
Thanks for any and all advice!!!!!!

We had to get Mosby and I like it. I have nothing to compare it to, though. It's what we had to get and I'm sure our school has some kind of deal with that company. It has been helpful when I've had to find things that I couldn't find in any of my texts - which was maybe 5 times since I've been in school. It has the indents on the edge of the pages for alphabetical ordering and easy access. Also some pictures of things (some yucky).

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2008

See https://allnurses.com/forums/2986698-post8.html

wannabeRN2010 · Aug 19, 2008

Daytonite, You are nothing short of awesome! You always post the most helpful information. I know that with people like you and my determination I will become a good nurse.

Thank you!!!

Montessori Mommy · Aug 19, 2008

When I started school, I bought all of the required and suggested books. I never opened the suggested books at all - including the dictionary. Since I did all of my work on the computer, it was faster to look up terms online. There is an awesome website about lab tests, too. http://www.labtestsonline.org/index.html

Best of luck!

Bayley · Aug 19, 2008

I have both Taber's and Stedman's and I prefer Taber's alot more, but I needed to get Stedman's for class. Taber's seems to have more information and explains things better in my opinion. I don't have any experience with Mosby's dictionary, but their products are usually pretty good.

Alternator81 · Aug 20, 2008

I agree with a poster above. I have a Tabers but I never use it. I always use my computer to look it up. It's more convenient.

RDH-NrsgStudent · Aug 20, 2008

I love my Stedman's!! It has been a huge help with studying. Whenever I couldn't quite grasp a concept or term in my powerpoint notes or textbooks, I'd look it up in there. It also has tons of photos. :nurse:

Kasia3 · Aug 20, 2008

I like Tabers medical dictionary and Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (Hardcover)

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Aug 20, 2008

I have Mosby's. I bought it when I took A&P II. I found it totally worth it for my Patho class. It's been invalualbe to me.

missmatched · Aug 21, 2008

I've had my taber's since I got accepted to NS at the end of spring semester but I had very little use of it then. Today, my first day of NS we were assigned some definitions to look up. so I get my handy dandy 20th ed taber's and found out that I'm missing about 60 pages for the letter T and that some entries for V & W were right smack were the missing T words should have been. Now I have duplicate pages for V and W and missing some T's, the page numbering are out of sequence as well. So annoying. Before you buy make sure that you have all the pages you need. I'd probably end up buying Mosby's or something.