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Nursing

This guide compiles Nursing resources and materials available through the Baylor Scott & White Health Libraries. Our goal is to serve both students and clinicians in their education, research, and patient care efforts.

Literature Searches

Let us do the research for you.  Fill out the above form and we'll get you information (usually within 24 hours).  Feedback is important, so let us know if we don't get what you're looking for.  

Nursing Reference Center Plus (discontinued on June 30, 2025)

Nursing Reference Center has been discontinued.  

You can find your NRC completed CEs in the link above.  

ClinicalKey Nursing

General Databases

Basic Search Tips

Brevity is your friend when doing a basic search. Databases are not like Google, in that you cannot put in a complete sentence for a search. You need to focus on using KEYWORDS. 

 

MeSH (Medical Subject Headings)

You can use Mesh on Demand find appropriate medical terminology. Click this link to access MeSH on Demand. MeSH on Demand identifies MeSH® terms in your submitted text (abstract or manuscript). MeSH on Demand also lists PubMed similar articles relevant to your submitted text.

Most library databases have search tools built in. Try some of these:

  • Subject: Think of subjects as official hashtags. Use them to find sources about that subject.
  • Date Range: Limit your search to sources published between specific years.
  • Peer Reviewed: Limit your search to scholarly journal articles.
  • Full Text: Make sure all of the results are available to read in full.

Look on the left and right of your search results, or for an "advanced search" page to find these tools - and more!

Evaluate any resource using the 5 Ws:

  • Who is the author? Are they an expert in the subject?
  • What is the purpose of this resource?
  • Where was the information published? Is the publisher reputable?
  • When was the resource published? Is there an updated version available?
  • Why would you use this resource? Is this the better than the other ones?

Advanced Search Tips

Boolean search operators are very useful tools to narrow or expand search results. 

Listed below are example of how the 'AND' & 'NOT' Boolean operators work.

Narrow your results by adding "AND" between your keywords.  

Narrow your results by adding "NOT" between your keywords.  

This is an example of a search in PubMed.

Boolean search operators are very useful tools to narrow or expand search results. 

Listed below are example of how the 'OR' Boolean operator work.

Use "OR" to expand results.