[briggswiss]

wow
Someone pls tell me where to get FA Davis for FREE ! Skyscape and Epocrates are free too ! Where are you finding these programs at no cost?I know some offer free trials but none of them are free.

[asoldierswife05]

Originally Posted by CrabbyPatty

I've had both. First a Palm 505 (a couple of years ago). It was great, til I misplaced it during my move into my new hubbie's home 2 years ago. When I starting school last fall, I realized I really needed another PDA so I got a new Windows Mobile based HP IPAQ. I chose to get a Windows based system because I use windows on my laptop and I chose an HP because I love their products (my laptop, printers, digital camera).

Honestly, I don't know that it matters much what you get, but I'd do a comparison if I were you. (See my earlier post here.) Find out what software you'd most like to have and see if it's available in both Palm and Windows formats (I think many are).

PALM vs. Pocket PC

I am a Macintosh user (we are few and far between). For the most part computer software integrates well between Mac and Win (nowdays) but as far as a handheld PDA, I found that PALM OS is the MOST COMPATIBLE with my computer.

Don't know if this will help anyone out there. I hope so.

I bought the Davis Drug Guide, Taber's Med Dictionary, Labs & Diagnostic Test, and Dx and D/O in a bundle from www.fadavis.com

I got my PDA on sale with a rebate- PalmOS tungsten T5 for $349 plus a $25 rebate from www.skyscape.com

I got tons and tons of free software by just doing a google search for free PDA software

www.lww.com also has PDA software for nursing you can buy

The NCLEX Review 8th ed is awesome!!! you can study anywhere, forget having to lug around books, plus I have word so I downloaded all my notes, and I have tunes and games to give my brain a break! I love my PDA

[MickyB-RN]

Originally Posted by DeeSki

Mine is an HP IPAQ hx2415 with a memory card (not sure the size but totally necessary). I have a case, cradle and charger.

All of my software was either preloaded (the regular stuff like excel, windows ce, etc) or purchased from skyscape.com. I bought the Nursing Constellation package that includes RNnotes, Davis' drug guide. nurse's manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests, archimedes and the ICD-9. I added the Taber's. Something called CheckRx (prob free), medalert (free) this one updates with nursing news when you sync it, then you can read the stuff later and save or delete. It can be interesting if you have the space for it. I also bought Lippincott NCLEX RN8 review which I work on when I am bored (and sick of playing jawbreaker). The questions seem unreasonably easy for NCLEX questions since I am only in my first semester of nursing school (second if I count the summer session).

I wish I had more games (and I'm not even a game person). I love the calender/datebook. I wish the battery lasted longer and/or I had the car charger.

Is the nursing constellation good for nursing assessments on a surgical floor? I start my surgical rotation and am looking for a good bundle to use as I will run into many different medical/surgical problems. tia for any help!

Kelly

Pepid vs. Skyscape for a surgical rotation? Any info is greatly appreciated.


Kelly

[lccougar02]

Anyone know of any free or not
~Janine

[DeeSki]

Originally Posted by KellyMarie37

Is the nursing constellation good for nursing assessments on a surgical floor? I start my surgical rotation and am looking for a good bundle to use as I will run into many different medical/surgical problems. tia for any help!

Kelly

Pepid vs. Skyscape for a surgical rotation? Any info is greatly appreciated.


Kelly

I don't think the nursing constellation is going to give you what you are looking for. I just purchased a health assessment program from skyscape to supplement what I have in the constellation. Downloading it crashed my PDA for a short time and somehow I lost my Tabler's but the lucky thing is that its easy enough to go back and download it again until all the bugs are worked out. You really should surf around all the programs in skyscape and see what would work for you. A graduate of our program highly recommends the Griffith's 5 minute clinical consult. It may be more in the lines of what you are looking for. It is NOT a nursing program but serves the same purpose. I haven't purchased it yet. I have only brought my PDA to clinical twice. I'm afraid of losing it like somebody in my class did on her FIRST clinical day!

Dee

[notebook1985]

I KNOW THIS IS A STUPID QUESTION BUT I'M GOING TO ASK IT ANYWAY.

How big is a PDA? And how much money should I investfor a good quality one? How much will it help in my Nursing Program and later when I become an R.N.:hatparty: I If someone could give me just basic info, I would appreciate it.
Thank you

[DeeSki]

Originally Posted by notebook1985

I KNOW THIS IS A STUPID QUESTION BUT I'M GOING TO ASK IT ANYWAY.

How big is a PDA? And how much money should I investfor a good quality one? How much will it help in my Nursing Program and later when I become an R.N.:hatparty: I If someone could give me just basic info, I would appreciate it.
Thank you

A PDA will fit in your uniform shirt pocket. Palm Pilots (I think) are cheaper and have many programs. I like windows so I bougth a IPAQ. They run between 300-400. You will have to spend $$ on programs but its nice to have Taber's and the Drug guide in your pocket without carrying around the books. I'm a freshman in my first semester so I couldn't give you more specific info on how useful it will be later on.

Dee

[Josh L.Ac.]

Originally Posted by asoldierswife05

PALM vs. Pocket PC

I am a Macintosh user (we are few and far between). For the most part computer software integrates well between Mac and Win (nowdays) but as far as a handheld PDA, I found that PALM OS is the MOST COMPATIBLE with my computer.

I also am a Mac user. And PC user. I have committment issues.








Anyway. I have had a pocket PC and a sony clie (Palm OS), and I think my next purchase will be a Dell Axim (microsoft mobile OS). I had my old pocket PC before I had my Clie and I found the native word and excel files a huge plus. Now you can use native word and excel files on Palm OS, but it still loses formating options that might exist in the actual file. That wouldn't be an issue for most people but I have all of my 3+ years of acupuncture school notes in word format.

The big debate for me is between the previously mentioned dell axim ( http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs ) and the Palm Life drive ( http://www.palm.com/us/products/mobi...ers/lifedrive/ ). So far it seems like most medical software is available on both OS (please correct me if I am wrong) so that wasn't much of a factor. But what might swing to vote to the microsoft mobile OS is that it looks like the future of Palm OS might not be as clear as the microsoft mobile OS ( http://www.computerworld.com/softwar...105085,00.html ).



Any comments are appreciated.

[mtnmom]

Originally Posted by lccougar02

Anyone know of any free or not
~Janine

there are several pregnancy wheels out there. I use a freebie that I downloaded from www.freewarepalm.com as part of a program called OB suite. once you get used to it you wonder how in the world you ever dealt with those little teeny lines on the regular wheels.

[LPN1974]

Originally Posted by CrabbyPatty

I have an HP IPAQ 3315 (I think). It's actually geared more towards multimedia (I can watch movies, listen to music, actually replaces all the remotes in my house for tv, stereo, dvd, vcr, etc.). I bought it because I couldn't find the one I really wanted in any stores or online (sold out). I think it cost just over $300.00 (it was my 2004 X-mas present from my hubby).

I LOVE it! I do everything with it! MS Outlook, Contacts, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, Windows Media Player (I have tons of music on it, but also downloaded heart and lung sounds).

I downloaded checkers for fun, but would like to have more games; need something to relieve stress!

For school, I have RN Notes, Tabers Dictionary, Lippincott's Manual of Nursig Procedures, Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses (all of which were required or suggested reading for NUR 101; sure beats carrying 4 books around!!!!), Netter's Anatomy Flashcards, Flashcards 101 (allows me to build and download 1,000's of free flashcards from StudyShack.com). Most of these programs came from Skyscape.

Also downloaded/have: MS Pocketstreets (maps galore); HP Image Zone (photo manager); Agenda Fusion (great time management/calendar tool, w/cute icons to differentiate btwn types of appointments (hair, school, mine vs. my son's or husband's, etc.)

I can't imagine living without this wonderful tool! I had a Palm 505 several years ago and used it religiously until I lost it during my move into my new husband's house 2 years ago. Of course, I found it about a month after I bought my new IPAQ, but I LOVE my IPAQ more because it's MS Windows based and works great with all my PC programs from my laptop.

If you can afford to buy a PDA, do your research and figure out what you need and how much it'll cost. Epinions.com is a great resourse. So is CNET.com and other computer geek websites (yes, I'm a geek too).

I had to add two 512mb SD cards to accommodate all the programs/files I have and they're not cheap (around $30-$50 each), so keep that in mind as well. You'll need a good carrying case/pouch/cover for it too. I got a nice leather one from Krussel (it has slots for my SD cards too).

I'm sure I don't use my PDA to it's fullest capability, but I love what it does for me right now. It's great being able to use Taber's or RN Notes while I'm in clinical skills lab (I should start clinicals in 3 weeks and can't wait to use it).

Good luck, I hope this was helpful.

Could you check and be sure on the model number, because I'm very interested in yours.
Thank you in advance.