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Getting started using the Library

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Getting started using the Library

We offer online information resources, four libraries, and library staff who can provide you with help. Use this guide for an introduction to our resources and services. Discover how you can find information and get the most from RCN library and archive services.

Last updated: 16/08/2017

Video tutorials

RCN Library and archive website overview
Library search overview
Using library search to link to full text journal articles
Library video tutorials: YouTube
  • View all our Library video guides.
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Library search tools

Library search
  • An easy to use search for books and articles. We recommend this as your starting point for finding information from the library.
    Open Library search
Search collections
  • Databases including CINAHL, Medline and many others. Use them for in more depth searches especially for journal articles.
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Books

These books include chapters about literature searching and using libraries.
Aveyard, Helen (2015) A beginners guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care, Maidenhead: Open University Press. Aveyard H (2015) A beginners guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care, Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Boyd C (2014) Study skills for nurses Boyd C (2014) Study skills for nurses, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Gribben, M (2012) The study skills toolkit for students with dyslexia Gribben M (2012) The study skills toolkit for students with dyslexia, London: Sage.
Northrop M (2015) Studying for a foundation degree in health. Northrop M (2015) Studying for a foundation degree in health, London: Routledge.
Pears (2016) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide. Pears R (2016) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide (10th edition), Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Sivitar B (2013) The student nurse handbook: a survival guide. Siviter B (2013) The student nurse handbook: a survival guide, Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall.

Book subject searches

Use this link to see details of books the RCN libraries hold on the topic.

Assistive software

MyStudyBar
  • MyStudyBar is free assistive software to help learners with literacy-related difficulties including dyslexia. It can offer potential benefits to all learners. It includes mind mapping software, a text to audio reader and screen colour overlays. My StudyBar only works on Windows PCs. It is free to download and can be used from a USB stick.
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Critical appraisal

CASP checklists
  • A series of toolkits which you can use to critically appraise a range of research types including systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
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Referencing

Use the referencing guidelines from the organisation that you are writing for. If you are studying, use your university’s referencing guidelines. Each university and organisation uses a unique referencing style, even if it is based on Harvard.
Anglia Ruskin University: Harvard referencing system
Imperial College London: Vancouver referencing system
RCN Library staff

Alan Chalkley

Author of this guide

RCN Library and Archive Services


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