[adamsmom]

I have been reading the PDA thread but I am still not sure if buying a PDA for 200.-300 is worth it. I bought a digital recorder used it 1 week then just started taking notes instead. So I am afraid the I will spend a couple hundred dollars and not use it.

[r_janice]

Originally Posted by adamsmom

I have been reading the PDA thread but I am still not sure if buying a PDA for 200.-300 is worth it. I bought a digital recorder used it 1 week then just started taking notes instead. So I am afraid the I will spend a couple hundred dollars and not use it.

Im with you on this one. Im still in the do I get one or not phase. I too bought a voice recorder and taped all my lectures. The only problem I never played the lectures back! Lets see what types of responses we (or shoud I say you) get

[RedSox33RN]

I use my PDA for lectures, but the majority of the time in clinical. It is SO handy there, all of my clinical classmates AND instructor use it also. I have Taber's and Davis Drug's, along with a Nursing Dx program. Several times during my first clinical rotation I'd get to the hospital, having done all my drug sheets and careplan, only to find out my pt had been d/c'd. I'd get a new pt, but having all those "books" on my PDA, I was able to quickly look up everything and have new drug sheets and careplans done w/o having to lug all the books around.

In terms of the recorder, I d/l my lectures onto my laptop when I get home, then can save the lectures to CD (and if I was a really good student, actually LISTEN to them on the way to school during my long commute!).

I find mine invaluable! The one thing I would sorely miss if I had to go without something.

[speedykicks]

I debated and debated on this. What finally convinced me to get one, sadly enough, was the need for wireless internet access at school without having to drag my laptop everywhere. I am first semester, so I can't say how much I'll use it at clinicals. I enjoy having my Davis on it, though, and I am waiting to see what other software to get.

[rehab nurse]

i have a palm zire 72 and i love it....i use it all the time at work, and my coworkers (even some of the docs!) will ask me if i have my "little computer" with me so they can look something up. it sure beats carrying around the equivalent in books. this is what i have on mine-skyscape davis drug guide, iv drug handbook, archimedics calender, rn notes, lab manual, tabers and stedmans, lipincott's drug guide, pepid rn with all their programs (labs, drug interactions, others), nclex study exam, 5 minute clinical consult (meant for docs but very useful for me too...can find out anything on a condition in an instant, usual treatment, meds, etiology, labs, etc...very cool).

i also have all my photos on it (of my friends and family to keep me thinking of past times), and mine's also an mp3 player so i can listen to music as well when i am on break. i keep track of all my bills on a program on it (expense manager), keep track of my kids activities and mine. i also have a program that keeps track of my medical appointments and meds and such....it's very cool. i couldn't live without mine!

[stressgal]

On the flip side, I have one that I never use at clinicals. Actually I don't use it at school either. I do good to keep ahold of my steth, hemostats and such, let alone worry about my PDA. I used it alot in my last "profession" but just haven't had the need to drag it around. All floors I have been on have the resources I need if I do need to look something up. Not to mention the fact that I don't know how I would clean it if it became contaminated with body fluids. Just my 2 cents.

[mom2michael]

I love mine. I have a medical dictionary, drug guide, quick reference sheets, etc... Its so handy and I don't have to drag all these books to clinical each day. Everyone always wants to borrow mine, look up stuff, etc..

It's also great in class, we do a lot of case studies. Again, I don't have to stop, drag out a book, look up the answer, put the book away, etc...

[Nemhain]

Originally Posted by adamsmom

I have been reading the PDA thread but I am still not sure if buying a PDA for 200.-300 is worth it. I bought a digital recorder used it 1 week then just started taking notes instead. So I am afraid the I will spend a couple hundred dollars and not use it.

I love my PDA. I use it every day. The most helpful programs would probably be a Medical Dictionary and a Drug Book. My favorites are Taber's and Davis' Drug Guide. You don't have to spend a lot of money. There are some PDA that are around 100 dollars that the two mentioned programs will fit on.

[traumaRUs]

We didn't have PDA's when I was in school for my RN. However, I use it all the time at work (ER) and in my master's program. I have a Palm Tungsten and would like to get the wireless upgrade.

[jennany01]

am planning to buy one. just started on my first RN job.
but i want one that's also a phone.
any suggestions?