Perioperative nurses' guide to the library

Nurses have a professional responsibility, both morally and ethically, to provide the most current and informed patient care possible. Nurses should maintain competence in nursing, exercise informed judgment, participate in activities that contribute to the ongoing development of their profession's body of knowledge, and participate in their profession's efforts to implement and improve standards of nursing care. Nurses should stay current with new information and share this information with coworkers to help disseminate new knowledge. Such practices help advance both the body of knowledge for perioperative nursing and the profession of nursing. Nurses are encouraged to make at least two visits each year to the library. During this time, they can take the opportunity to review current periodicals, recent publications, do a CINAHL search, and browse the Internet. Nurses need to be familiar with library resources, so go to the library. Share your findings with colleagues and students. Acquire the information-seeking skills that will best serve you and your patients in the twenty-first century.