[GilbertDaddy]

Was just curious.. I had planned on getting a T-Mobile smartphone but now I hear that teachers/classes/hospitals are saying "NO" to phones.

Are there allowable smartphones? Or PDAs with a phone (like the Palm one), etc?

Trying to figure out if I need a PDA, or if I can still combine the two.

I don't mind combining the two but wanted to avoid any regrets by hearing it from the horse's mouth.

So what exactly are you NOT allowed to bring into the hospital/clinical site?

Thanks

[GinnyBSN2010]

I just purchased a new VZW smartphone to use as a PDA on the floor. My instructor said that the only requirement was that I be able to turn off the "phone" aspect of it, which it can via an "airplane" setting. I would think that all smartphones would have that option as well, but just double check before you drop the $$.


edit to add: Oh, and I literally just purchasd this after several months of research. The reason why I decided to go the smartphone route was because it seems that stand alone PDAs are starting to become extinct and they have a very limited selection out there nowadays. The main difference I found was that, on average, the stand alone PDAs tended to have a slightly larger screen....I assure you, the extra inch doesn't make any difference . Also, I chose to go with one that had the "touch screen" (believe it or not, many don't) and wifi. Both of those really made it stand out for me since with wifi you can not only connect to the net, but also upgrade any software you are using, such as Mosby's or RNnotes.

[GilbertDaddy]

Yeah, at first I was a little excited because PDAs have more memory, speed, are more like mini-computers than smartphones.

But upon looking at reviews and such, I kept coming across reviews from 05 and 06 with ones in 07 focusing more on smartphones.

Hopefully someone else can chime in. If all that is needed is turning off the phone part, I'll probably bite on a smartphone. Otherwise, I may have to still bite on a PDA

Originally Posted by GinnyBSN2010

I just purchased a new VZW smartphone to use as a PDA on the floor. My instructor said that the only requirement was that I be able to turn off the "phone" aspect of it, which it can via an "airplane" setting. I would think that all smartphones would have that option as well, but just double check before you drop the $$.


edit to add: Oh, and I literally just purchasd this after several months of research. The reason why I decided to go the smartphone route was because it seems that stand alone PDAs are starting to become extinct and they have a very limited selection out there nowadays. The main difference I found was that, on average, the stand alone PDAs tended to have a slightly larger screen....I assure you, the extra inch doesn't make any difference . Also, I chose to go with one that had the "touch screen" (believe it or not, many don't) and wifi. Both of those really made it stand out for me since with wifi you can not only connect to the net, but also upgrade any software you are using, such as Mosby's or RNnotes.

[traumaRUs]

I'm an advanced practice nurse and I go to several hospitals. I use a Verizon Pal 700p and love it - have had it for over a year now and never go anywhere w/o it. They are still pretty expensive, so I did purchase insurance but worth its weight in gold.

[GilbertDaddy]

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

I'm an advanced practice nurse and I go to several hospitals. I use a Verizon Pal 700p and love it - have had it for over a year now and never go anywhere w/o it. They are still pretty expensive, so I did purchase insurance but worth its weight in gold.

Do you mind telling what you pay for service each month and what the phone cost?

I'm on a great plan with Tmobile at the moment for ~60/mo and am looking for a smartphone under or at 300

So hard to make the initial dive.. I don't want to pay for the wrong phone

[traumaRUs]

The Treo 700p runs $399 at the moment here at the Verizon store: I use mine extensively at work and so get reimbursed for my calls. I have the 700 minute plan at the moment and use just about every minute every month. I also have the $40/month unlimited data plan because I often need to get on Up To Date online to look at something. I also have unlimited text messaging for $5/month because several of the docs like to text me instead of calling. And...its a lot easier to text me in some of the hospitals because the phones are blocked. I also have a pager.

[slynn61]

Try going to wireless store. Mine , Alltel has specials now for phone upgrades and with rebates will be about 200. unlimited text, windows based, my circle, etc.

[Overland1]

Some hospitals are allowing cell phone usage as they are finding that equipment is not really affected by the newer (past few years) phones. I will recommend a couple of things:

1.) Turn off the ringer while working
2.) Do not use the phone during work unless absolutely necessary or while on a break
3.) Turn it off ("airplane" mode, at the very least) while in class; a cell phone or pager is a huge distraction in the classroom and shows gross disrespect for others in the class

That said, I use a Palm T|X PDA and a Motorola RAZR Maxx Ve because there are times when I have to use both (simultaneously), and it is too much of a hassle to converse while poking around an included PDA for something.

Also check where you work for monthly and accessory discounts. My hospital hooked up with Verizon and employees get a 19% monthly discount and 25% off on accessories.

Incidentally, every time I hear of "Airplane" mode, I am reminded of Leslie Nielsen saying, "no, I'm serious..... and don't call me Shirley!"

[nurz2be]

We are allowed at school and at clinical sites to use ONLY a PDA. No dual use phone/PDA's are allowed because TOO many times people start talking or texting instead of doing what they should be doing. It is really important to check with your school or employer first before spending large amounts of money on hybrid phones just to not be able to use them.

[GilbertDaddy]

Originally Posted by nurz2be

We are allowed at school and at clinical sites to use ONLY a PDA. No dual use phone/PDA's are allowed because TOO many times people start talking or texting instead of doing what they should be doing. It is really important to check with your school or employer first before spending large amounts of money on hybrid phones just to not be able to use them.

Yikes, and to think I almost dropped 350 on a Blackberry curve last night


I need to get confirmation, first, I suppose. No use risking that cash if I can't use it for what I bought it for