Virtual enquiry service

Databases to search

Some files on this page are in PDF format. See how to access PDF files.

Members may experience occasional technical problems with the service. Please refer to the FAQs and troubleshooting page or contact e.resources@rcn.org.uk if problems persist.

For advice on using any of the resources below telephone 0345 337 3368 or email: rcn.library@rcn.org.uk, or use the virtual enquiry service (available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm Saturdays between September and July. This service is not available on Saturdays in August)

CINAHL

CINAHL Plus with full text provides access to a wide range of full text articles, many published in the United States, relating to nursing and allied health.

It is an excellent database for more detailed searching on topics and is recommended as an additional source of references after BNI.

For help using this database go to the EBSCO CINAHL Pocket Guide (PDF 889KB) [see how to access PDF files] or EBSCO online tutorials - CINAHL support center.

British Nursing Index (BNI)

Members should begin their search using the British Nursing Index (BNI) for full text articles and print journal references from all the major British nursing and midwifery titles.

British Nursing Index (BNI)

As this is a new platform, we suggest you use the Brief Guide to Searching British Nursing Index (PDF 95KB) for help.

For help accessing full text articles in British Nursing Index see the FAQs and troubleshooting page.

Medline

MEDLINE® indexes the latest articles from more than 3,900 biomedical journals published in over 70 countries. Use Medline if you are looking for articles on a medical rather than a nursing topic.

For help using this database go to the Ovid SP Quick Reference Card (PDF 1 MB) [see how to access PDF files] or Ovid online tutorial: Ovid SP Advanced Search Overview.

Maternity and infant care (formerly known as MIDIRS)

Use the Maternity and infant care database to find online journal articles and print journal references on midwifery, pregnancy, labour and early infant care.

For help using this database see the Medline links above.

ChildData

Search ChildData for references on the care of children and young people from the National Childrens' Bureau.

AgeInfo

AgeInfo contains references to social gerontology literature from the Centre for Policy on Ageing.

Cochrane Library

The Cochrane Library provides high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.

For help using this database go to the Wiley-Blackwell: The Cochrane Library Quick Reference Guide (PDF 5.40 MB) [see how to access PDF files] or Wiley-Blackwell online tutorial: The Cochrane Library part 1 (free registration with Wiley-Blackwell is required to view this tutorial)

Social Care Online

Social Care Online is the UK's most extensive database of social care information and includes references and abstracts to research briefings, reports, government documents, journal articles and websites.

TRIP Database

Turning Research into Practice (TRIP Database). A quick and easy source of evidence-based information, TRIP will search across a range of resources to find evidence-based synopses, answers to clinical questions, systematic reviews, guidelines, articles from MEDLINE and more.