Searching for information for presentations and publications

Numerous information sources are available to the clinical nurse specialist preparing a presentation or writing a manuscript for publication. However, searching through this information to identify reputable sources and reliable data can be time consuming. Using a search plan that incorporates a timeline increases efficiency and helps visualize progress. A targeted search of biomedical databases, such as MEDLINE and PubMed, retrieves pertinent journal articles and avoids the "hit-and-miss" approach often used by novice speakers and authors. Information should be reviewed and organized soon after it is obtained so that more time can be spent writing and less time spent locating a specific reference or piece of information. The information can then be arranged in the order of the presentation or manuscript to facilitate the preparation process.