[hope2-B-RN]

I'm still researching PDAs I have gotten a lot of good advice on allnurses and thank you all. But I still have a few more questions and would appreciate any input--
1) I would love to be able to record my lectures, is there a PDA that can do this well? Or do I need to purchase a recording device as well? If so can someone advise on what they use?
2) What do use the internet for on your PDA? I'm not certain that this is a feature that I need. I'm torn between the Palm TX-w/ internet capabilities, and the Palm E2-which I believe does not have internet? Correct please if I am wrong.
3) I am thinking of buying one of the bundles offered on Skyscape, can anyone tell me if this is a good idea? If the programs that come with these are useful or should I just purchase my PDA and only buy the programs that I need?
Thanks, Hope2-B-RN

[gradRN2007]

i bought everything separate on skyscape...
archmides
clinical nurs pocket guide
drug guide davis
ecg notes
labs 360
life support 360
nursing procedures and tabers
i use them all the time, and other nurses ask me for it sometimes like when a doc wanted the BMR calculated and the BMI, no one could do it,
comes in handy
I never use the internet for anything, its available at work if i need it, micromedex
i have the tungsten t3, had the zire 71 and loved it more than life with a camera, and before that had the handspring..
love palm platforms, next i will probably incorporate and get the palm with the phone but not in the immediate future.
there is a voice recorder in the tungsten but never used for classes, i had a recorder digital that i could download to a cd and listen to in the car
good luck
robin

[RNParamedicJohn]

I've switched from Palm to Windows Mobile with the ATT 8525 (predecessor to the Tilt) and LOVE it. It's all in one, cell phone, PDA, music player (I have an 8gb micro card) and portable movie player (I have Caddieshack on it). I can also view PDF documents, word and excel spreadsheets and go on the web and check and download my email. It has a great little slide out keyboard and also has WiFi if you need to use that. One of the best features is that I can use it as a modem for my laptop to go on the internet when I'm away from home - called tethering.
You can pick one up on eBay for about $350 or so now.

[sandtiger]

Before purchasing a PDA, think of everything that you want to do with it. Being able to use PDA software is great, but a PDA can also function as a cellphone, MP3 player, camera, GPS navigation, voice recorder, etc. The PDA I have now is just a basic device (its an iPAQ rx3715), but for my next one I will definitely buy one with all the bells and whistles. Right now I'm looking at something like the HTC TyTNII (see it at their website http://www.htc.com/product/03-products.htm). Pretty sweet huh?

I also bought the skyscape nursing package and I think it's a good buy.

[nurz2be]

If you are in nursing school you should contact your instructor and see what is allowed. For instance, we are allowed to use PDAs onsite at clinicals and at school under most circumstances. HOWEVER< if that PDA is a hybrid, having a phone, camera, especially, those are NOT allowed. You will find that a lot of hospitals do NOT allow any type of camera use by staff or students. So, you should be very cautious when investing 300 + on a fancy PDA/phone/camera......

[hannah8]

Stand alone PDAs are a better choice technology wise. They tend to be twice as fast, have bigger screens, and more bells and whistles (Wifi, dual-slot, bluetooth, play videos better etc.). FYI, HP recently released the iPAQ 111 and 211.

[anna19]

i don't have a pda but i do use a digital voice recorder for my classes...it's a sony ICD-P520...when you buy it, it comes w/ software so that you can load your recordings onto your computer and edit them if needed (for example: if your professor talks too fast it has an option that will slow his voice down). and you can burn them to cds as well. i think i paid a/b $60 for mine...and it's worth every penny!

[Azriel1331]

I have an iPAQ 1710. Not too impressed w/it except for the color screen. Wish it had keypad + script writer.

PLEASE make sure its OK w/ your professor's to record lecture before doing so, ours were VERY against it.

In hindsight, and in the future will be going w/a palm platform if I get another one.

[Old_Duffer]

Originally Posted by gradRN2007

i bought everything separate on skyscape...
archmides
clinical nurs pocket guide
drug guide davis
ecg notes
labs 360
life support 360
nursing procedures and tabers
i use them all the time, and other nurses ask me for it sometimes like when a doc wanted the BMR calculated and the BMI, no one could do it,
comes in handy
I never use the internet for anything, its available at work if i need it, micromedex
i have the tungsten t3, had the zire 71 and loved it more than life with a camera, and before that had the handspring..
love palm platforms, next i will probably incorporate and get the palm with the phone but not in the immediate future.
there is a voice recorder in the tungsten but never used for classes, i had a recorder digital that i could download to a cd and listen to in the car
good luck
robin

My PDA stuff is exactly as yours, programs etc. I use it often in my LTC job and very often at my Hospital Job. Simple unit, T3 - if I had the other features I would most likely not use them. If people know you have a recorder and camera on you they most likely will be nervous about it.