[SweetGrL397]

I am interested in getting a PDA sometime this summer for Nursing school. I know you can get the PDA version of many books (Davis, Mosby's, etc.)
I was wondering - should I get both the version for the PDA (use for quick reference, clinicals) as well as the book (more in-depth, studying purposes)?? Also, My school is recommending Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions, but I hear Taber's is better when it comes to the PDA version? Is it like that with many others?
Any advice would be great! Thank u!

[RNedit]

I have both in print. SInce nursing class starts in the fall, I'm not sure which is better. I guess it's up to the individual.

[danh3190]

I got both the book and PDA version of Tabers Medical dictionary and the Davis Drug guide. To tell you the truth I never use the books.

I usually prefer reading stuff from books, but it's just so much easier to look things up in the PDA.

[Ekklesia]

I have both, but don't start nursing until this Fall so I don't know for sure. Many of my friends who finished their first-year say they prefer the PDA's.

[AmandaRN2be]

I'm wondering the same thing. I just took back my Davis's drug guide because I purchased Nursing Central. The information seemed to be identical and I really don't want to lug around those books if at all possible. I'm sure you have to purchase updates when there is a new drug guide out, but it sure beats spending $40-$50 on a whole new book. I have one more orientation before I start school, so I'm going to ask then. If they recommend it of course, I'll go back and buy it, but I seriously doubt the book will get used unless your Palm battery dies or something.

Anyone else use a Palm instead of books during school for the drug guides and such?

[SweetGrL397]

Yea, I'm sure it's alot easier with the PDA and everything, especially away from home...but I feel like the book would come in handy just as much when at home and studying or if you're battery happens to run low or some other problem with the PDA occurs...I may just end up getting both...Looking to order my books over the next couple weeks...the PDA and everything would have to happen later in the Summer.

[Mustang Sally]

My question is which drug guide is better? Lippencott, Mosby's, Davis? This is my delimma! I guess I'll find out in orientation next week but I would like some opinions! Thanks

[RNedit]

Go to a book store and look at both and see which you like better. In my program, we can use either one. Your program may tell you which one to get.
I have Davis in print and Mosby's on PDA.
I like them both - and don't have a preference.

Lori

[SweetGrL397]

Originally Posted by Lori62

I have Davis in print and Mosby's on PDA.
I like them both - and don't have a preference.

Yea, since our program recommends either Mosby's or Davis...I was thinking of getting one in print and the other for PDA.

[Indy]

Ok think about it. Tabers doesn't publish a new book every year. Yet if you buy it online you can buy an "update" subscription... but why?

The book works even if you forget to charge the battery on your pda. But the PDA is portable and not heavy. I would only get one version. I didn't get tabers, I got a stedman's, in book form, long before I had a PDA.

As for the drug books, updates are necessary. But pricing is odd. For example, Davis Drug guide is $36-$40 in the store, in book form. And you have to buy one every year to be really up to date. That's a lot of paper. Online, the PDA version is $50 and includes updates for one year. Umm. Why is it cheaper to buy a paper version every year? I really prefer the PDA version because of the necessity of knowing info right now... as Marie put it, "my patients think RN stands for right now."

So I caved on the drug book. I have a two year subscription to epocrates and I'm paying to save on paper.