Websites and the benefits for nurses

Legitimate medical websites have become useful in my nursing practice, simply because you have information at your fingertips. Medications for example are constantly changing and the facility I work in does not always have the latest edition of medication manuals. So with a proper search you can find out what the drug is and side effects and possible interactions with other medications the patient might be taking. I have shown some of the more "experienced" nurses how to utilize these websites with good results. Also if someone comes in with an unusual diagnosis websites are helpful. Understanding the diagnosis, weather it is a new one or a long standing disorder is essential to the care of that patient as they may have specific needs that I would not have been able to anticipate if it where not for the Internet. Although a good nursing assessment is essential; knowing what you might be seeing when you walk into the room is very helpful.