[Kilim]

I am in the 3rd semester of my Associates Degree in Nursing and just got a Treo 700w.
Man, I wish I got this when I started RN School!

So I am thinking of getting some software programs for it but I am confused on what to get.

I have seen the Nursing Central by Unbound, Nursing Constellation™: All-in-One Nursing Solution Special Mobile/Desktop Bundle by Skyscape, and Epocrates Essentials by Epocrates.

I have downloaded all three but kinda can't decide still.

Epocrates have a full version trial of the essential package but is one of the more expensive packages (but I LOVE the Drug Interaction cross referencing that it has!)

I also downloaded the free Diagnasaurus by McGraw-Hill.
I find the diagnasaurus a great free reference!

I also noticed that the Davis Drug Guide that Skyscape and Unbound has are configured slightly different as well.

So I am here looking for others that are more veteran in Nursing and the programs I listed above to help me decide which to get.

• Should I get a Package?
• Should I get individual programs?
• Which packages/programs should I get?

[West_Coast_Ken]

Originally Posted by Kilim

I am in the 3rd semester of my Associates Degree in Nursing and just got a Treo 700w.
Man, I wish I got this when I started RN School!

So I am thinking of getting some software programs for it but I am confused on what to get.

I have seen the Nursing Central by Unbound, Nursing Constellation™: All-in-One Nursing Solution Special Mobile/Desktop Bundle by Skyscape, and Epocrates Essentials by Epocrates.

I have downloaded all three but kinda can't decide still.

Epocrates have a full version trial of the essential package but is one of the more expensive packages (but I LOVE the Drug Interaction cross referencing that it has!)

I also downloaded the free Diagnasaurus by McGraw-Hill.
I find the diagnasaurus a great free reference!

I also noticed that the Davis Drug Guide that Skyscape and Unbound has are configured slightly different as well.

So I am here looking for others that are more veteran in Nursing and the programs I listed above to help me decide which to get.

• Should I get a Package?
• Should I get individual programs?
• Which packages/programs should I get?

Hi Kilim

Welcome to the world of PDAs and nursing! I got one just before I started my program and I love it. I'm just now finishing my 3rd semester of an ADN program and 4 other students have all purchased a PDA in the last few weeks and more are hitting up Santa. I've been getting blasted with lots of questions, too! LOL

I've tried out a lot of options and these are my observations:

There are two types of bundled "packages" those from Pepid & Epocrates and those from Skyscape & Unbound Medicine. The latter are essentially a collection of individual titles with what I feel are poor integration (because they are really seperate titles). I would not go this route again. I'd buy individual titles only and get exactly what you want.

Regarding the packages from Pepid & Epocrates these are true integrated packages and much better if one is looking for a suite of tools, IMO.

You mentioned you like the drug integration aspect of Epocrates. You might want to check out Pepid's drug interaction feature. It is the most detailed drug interaction calculator I have seen yet. I sure wish they would let you save the list, but you have to enter the drugs each time but it is a very nice tool.

Regards,

Ken