Nursing

Start here with your nursing research! Ask a librarian for assistance at any point.

Finding Nursing Articles

To save time, you may want to first review search logic (Boolean logic, truncation, and phrase searching). 


For nursing research, you'll need to find scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles. You can do that in two ways:


1. Use the nursing databases CINAHL and AJN (linked below).

  • Use Advanced Search to narrow your results with more subjects. Examples:
    • caring AND nurs*
    • "hand washing" AND infect* 
    • Limit to scholarly (peer-reviewed) articles. 
  • Tips for searching CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) and AJN (American Journal of Nursing) are in a box below. 


2. Use the Start Your Research Here box on the library's home page.

  • It does a broad, shallow search across 100 of our 120 library databases. 
  • You may have to add AND nursing to your search because it includes non-nursing databases. 

This handout outlines the basic ways to search.

CINAHL Database Search Tips

CINAHL Plus with Full Text (database linked above) is the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, listing over 1,700 sources in nursing and allied health. 

Use these limits to save time: 

  1. Type in a keyword and then chetck the Subjects line of your results to see if you're using the best search terms. 
  2. Add limiters on the main search screen as wanted:
    1. Peer-reviewed
    2. Evidence-Based Practice
    3. Journal Subset: choose Core Nursing. (This searches 86 highly-regarded nursing journals.)
  3. Enter a subject and search.
  4. Narrow the date range to the last five years using the sliding bar on the left column. 
  • CINAHL also offers Evidence-based Care Sheets, linked at the top of the CINAHL search screen.

AJN Database Search Tips

  • This database searches just one journal, American Journal of Nursing.
  • Our subscription allows three simultaneous users, so if you're locked out, just try again later.
  • Please click the "Logoff" button when exiting the database as a courtesy to the next user. 
  • Use CINAHL for a wider selection of nursing journals.

More Health Sciences Databases

APA Citations

Library databases such as CINAHL will help you create a draft APA citation.

  • To perfect the database's citations, check the APA guide from Purdue's Online Writing Lab.
  • You can also set up an online appointment with SUNY Adirondack English Division's CRW.  

Nursing Periodicals in Print

When the library is open, you can read these nursing journals in print form. They are on the shelves across from the reference desk, on the library's top floor. They may be read in the library.

  • American Journal of Nursing (AJN)
  • Journal of Clinical Ethics
  • MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nursing (2019, 2020, etc.)
  • Nursing Made Incredibly Easy (for student nurses)

ProQuest Health and Medicine Search Tips

ProQuest Health and Medicine database, listed in the top left box, includes leading nursing and related publications:

Association of Operating Room Nurses: AORN Journal
Journal of Nursing Scholarship
Oncology Nursing Forum
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
Physical Therapy
Journal of Athletic Training
Journal of Rehabilitation
The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal of Allied Health
Applied Radiology
Clinical Laboratory Science
Dental Assistant
Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy