Learning Resources

Jessica E Schoenrock

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Using Databases and the Walden Library

            I have extensive experience in using online databases and school libraries. My first degree is in cell and molecular biology. It was a very research-heavy degree that required proficiency in online databases. I learned then that keywords are better than phrases when searching for scholarly articles. It is also helpful to use multiple keywords. Walden also has nursing-specific databases to help narrow down research even further (Databases A-Z, n.d.). For instance, when using EBSCO Host, three search windows can narrow down search results, omit certain keywords, and/or add a specific area of interest (. For example, I work in orthopedics. An area of interest for my specific specialty is pain management. I spend most of my shift giving pain medications, repositioning, and icing to help with a patient’s pre- and post-operative pain. We are constantly researching ways to help a patient’s pain, not just with narcotics but with other interventions as well. In the first search bar, I typed ‘pain management,’ followed by ‘surgical’ in the next search bar. This helped me narrow down exactly what I was looking for instead of having to scroll through hundreds of results on just pain management.

            The article I chose is about an evidence-based implementation project that occurred in Spain. The researchers identified seven obstacles to managing post-operative pain and established a series of evidence-based strategies to help with pain (García-Monasterio et al., 2019). The results showed improvement in all seven areas (García-Monasterio et al., 2019). Anyone working with surgical or trauma patients should be actively finding ways to improve their pain.

The Usefulness of EBSCO Host

            I did not have difficulty using this database, but it is one that I have used countless times before. When I started using it, I did not know how to search for articles effectively, but I learned through peers and practicing how to find pertinent articles for my assignments successfully. I recommend this database because once you understand how it works, it is very easy to find scholarly articles. It is one of the most complete databases I have used, and through Walden, most of the journals are free to access. Students must know how to find scholarly articles and journals for research and learning purposes (Scholarly vs. popular sources, 2021). This helps learning, forming ideas and thoughts, and better their nursing practice (Scholarly vs. popular sources, 2021).

References

Databases A-Z. Walden University. (n.d.). https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/az.php?s=19981

García-Monasterio, E. , Alvárez-Vázquez, J. , Morado-Quiñoá, P. , Pena-Pena, A. , Mazón, M. , Bouso, A. , López, A. & Cendán-Celeiro, E. (2019). Post-operative pain management among surgical trauma patients in an acute ward: a best practice implementation project.  JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 17 (9), 1941-1953. doi: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003916.

Scholarly vs. popular sources. Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. (2021, June 30). https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/using-sources/principles-citing-sources/scholarly-vs-popular-sources