[chris_at_lucas_RN]

I love computers and am curious about PDA's.

I'd like to hear from others who have found them helpful (and why) and also from those who maybe tried them and found them lacking (and why).

I am about to start FNP school, there does seem to be a lot to learn, and I like the idea of having info at my fingertips. I am interested in possibly getting a PDA--not just for school but for afterwards.

But no matter how much I research and how much I read, I still value the actual first person accounts more than the blurbs put out by marketers--and of all the "persons" I know, I value allnurses members' opinions most.

Do you have a PDA story? Please, do tell....

And Merry Christmas!

christine

[Silverdragon102]

I love my TX and take it everywhere with me. Use it for contacts, diary, lots of Ebooks on expansion cards plus some nursing programs

[HM2Viking]

I have a lifedrive. I gave my palm tx to my daughter who is in nursing school. I think they are a great tool. Tabers, procedure manuals, drug guides and lab values in one easy to carry unit. I firmly believe that my TX was a real asset for working my way through school.

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

They still make Lifedrive, HM2?

I have a TX and I love it. It's the envy of my unit when I can pull up drug and lab reference books, or a cardiology algorithm, even Allnurses.com. Plus I keep my schedule in there. It's a little like having an instant nursing libraray in a minicomputer.

*Plus I can keep all my family photos on extra little expansion cards and bore perfect strangers to tears with them.*

[92mxmom]

Just got my T/X today for a Christmas present (thanks hubby!) and I'm already looking for downloads!
I've never had one before but it sure seems like it will be useful!

[jnette]

Originally Posted by Angie O'Plasty, RN

I have a TX and I love it. It's the envy of my unit when I can pull up drug and lab reference books, or a cardiology algorithm. Plus I keep my schedule in there. It's a little like having an instant nursing libraray in a minicomputer.

*Plus I can keep all my family photos on extra little expansion cards and bore perfect strangers to tears with them.*

Ditto ! Can't imagine being without one anymore. And yes, I have lots of photos loaded, too.

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

I have a lifedrive. I gave my palm tx to my daughter who is in nursing school. I think they are a great tool. Tabers, procedure manuals, drug guides and lab values in one easy to carry unit. I firmly believe that my TX was a real asset for working my way through school.

I have Tabers, Nursing Procedures, Davis Drug Giude (with auomatic updates) RN Notes... just about everything you could want or need.

One which I find especially useful out in the HH field is "ident-a-drug"..when I set up my patients' weekly meds, often some of these elderly folks will have spilled or dropped some on their table. Without knowing just what they are, I can't use them.

This is when I pull out my PDA and look it up with this program. It lists every pill, tablet, capsule by the imprint. Then it goes even further to give you all the variations.. the dosages and appropriate descriptions for each dosage, coated or non coated... anything you might possibly need to know about each drug.

I have used this program NUMEROUS times and it has been a real help.

Even nursing procedures are great to have in the HH field. If there's a procedure I haven't done in awhile, I just look it up. Pictures and all. You don't have anyone else to ask, unlike in a hospital setting, so it's a useful tool to have when you need it.

Tabers, of course is another I wouldn't do without.

I get my programs from Skyscape...and everything comes with automatic updates. Very nice.

[jnette]

And P.S.

If you like computers, you're going to LOVE tinkering with a PDA !!!

I, too, am a real geek.

[traumaRUs]

I have a Smartphone (which is sometimes smarter than its owner - lol). I'm an advanced practice nurse and use it for:

1. Epocrates Pro - use if daily multiple times for dosages, contraindications, etc.
2. Renal Doser because I work in nephrology. (As an aside, I NEVER EVER depend on only one source - you should be consulting with at least TWO sources in order to ensure thorough patient care).
3. Phone numbers, pager numbers of all the physicians in my practice.
4. Hospital phone numbers, dictation numbers, how to access them and listen to the dictated product.
5. All my computer access codes for all the hospitals' system as I'm on staff at five hospitals.
6. NPI and DEA numbers as well as frequently used pharmacies. These also make good references for meds and they can also help with getting a med covered that might not be on forumulary.
7. Calendar - listing all my meetings, activities, patients I still have to see not to mention what little private life I still have.

So...this is in a nutshell what I use my PDA/phone for - I use it far more as an APN than as an RN but I have a lot more responsibility now too.

Good luck in school.

[fragino]

1. Tabers and Davis Drug Guide for clinicals
2. Lippincott and Saunders for NCLEX study anywhere, anytime.
3. Pocket Outlook to keep my contacts and calendars straight.
4. Pocket Word to look at my class notes anywhere, anytime.
5. HandyMed Quiz program to drill myself on normal lab values and any other topics I need to memorize.
6. A password protected wallet program that carries all my passwords and logins if I forget them.
7. MP3/Video player to de-stress.
8. Emergency access to internet if I'm near a free wi-fi.
9. ESword with NKJV, which is my favorite version to read and listen to.
10. All this and much more in a handheld package. It's a no-brainer.
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