[WannaBTraveling]

Hi everyone, I am writing a research paper for my Computer Science class, and the topic is PDA's vs. Smartphones. I thought of all my friends here at allnurses.com, and was wondering if you might help me.

First please vote for the one you prefer - PDA or Smartphone.

For those of you who use your PDA/Smartphone...

How helpful is it for you to have the technology available to you immediately in the clinical setting?

What are the pros & cons (if any)?

Thanks for helping me with this! I really appreciate your time!

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Hi, I use a Lifedrive PDA. I love it because I have drug, labs, diseases, a calculator, my calendar, a place to scribble a note, and my checkbook all rolled into one.

Oh, and I almost forgot--I have a really good version of Bejeweled on it too.

I can access the Internet, but it uses a lot of juice, so I don't do it often. I use WiFi, but can use Bluetooth.

I am curious to see what the Smartphones offer. I also carry my cell phone, which has WeatherChannel access, pictures and a few games.

I didn't want to put all my eggs into one basket, so to speak. I already had the cell when I got the PDA as a Christmas gift.

[traumaRUs]

I use a PDA daily for labs, meds, patient care, etc.

[dmp135]

I have a Palm TX and love having drug info and disease info in my pocket at all times. I kept forgetting my drug Handbook and/or did not feel like going to the station to grab a copy. This way I can just pop it out when checking meds and it's all there. Great for looking up lab test definitions or info about a procedure. I also, when Wi-Fi is available, love grabbing my email vs. going to my desktop. But that is not in hospital.
I like the large screen vs some of the smaller smart phones as well as how expensive the phones ran vs the PDA.

Dorothy

[chester427]

I have a Lifedrive and a Treo 700w. I used the Lifedrive while in clinicals and it was very helpful. I got the Treo my last semester and did not use it as much then but lately it has been getting a workout. A lot of the people I went to school with are using it because I can access the web and they just got done taking boards.

[WannaBTraveling]

Thanks for the info!! I thought for sure that everyone would want a smart phone.....but I guess I was wrong..... I am glad I asked!!!


Have a great day everyone!!!!!

[RNgonewild]

I love my pda smartphone. I can go on the net just like I have a tiny computer in front of me. It can do almost everything a computer can do. Except it has a phone attached! Mine is the Sprint PPC 6700 and I have a 1gig card in it, but it can take a 2 gig card which should be enough for loading most books and programs. There is even a program that you can put in it so it accepts Palm OS programs. The reason I got this one is it can be hooked to a laptop with no charges other than your basic Vision fees. I go everywhere with it and can IM people with it too.

[WannaBTraveling]

Thanks to everyone who has voted!!!

[nightingale]

Please DO NOT bump posts.

Staff Member

[kalayaan]

i would rather use a smartphone, as it takes out the hassle of bringing a pda and a phone to school/work. but i am still using a pda bec i still havent found a smartphone for my needs, as i am very particular with the specs. i wanted to nokia n80, but skyscape told me that i cant load my programs there.

so until i find that perfect smartphone, im sticking with my pda