Question for those using PDA's

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2004

I have a Dell Axim and I love it. Basically it all boils down to whether you want the Palm operating system or the Windows-based system. Definitely get something with at least 64 mb of memory as all those nursing programs take up a lot of room.

kimtab · Feb 23, 2004

Lori-

There was quite a monster thread on this subject ( on the student nursing forum) a couple of months ago. Try doing a search for "PDA" on this forum. There is also a thread on Gen Nursing right now about "How do you spend a day with your PDA"

I have a Tungsten E and have been pleased with it. I just keep my calendar on it and have some nursing software loaded that I use for reference. It has replaced about 40 pounds of books I used to drag to clinical.

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2004

I am getting ready for clinicals this coming fall. I want to purchase a PDA to use during school, as I have been told it is an invaluable tool. I have a list of software I would like to get, but I am stumped on the actual PDA. What kind do you use, and what features do you find most valuable. Are there features you have that you do not use? Any recommendations?
Thanks!

Hi Lori,

I have a Tungsten C and I love it. There are some really good post with tons of information and links. Just search the topic.

So far I have Davis drug guide and RNdxint. I really like both of the programs so far. I haven't had the opportunity to use them in clinicals but hopefully the PDA will be helpful when the time comes.

mona

CarVsTree · Feb 23, 2004

Dell Axium is a Pocket PC which looks like Windows. Keep in mind that if you go with Palm OS the medical programs will take up a LOT LESS SPACE.

For example, Taber's Medical Dictionary is 13mb on Palm OS but 21mb for the Pocket PC.

Tungsten E gives you a lot of bang for your buck. 32mb internal memory plus Secure Digital Card Slot (up to 512mb card). Drawback, lower quality screen, no palm universal connector so if you want to use a keyboard in school, you'll have to get a wireless and I don't know how reliable they are (maybe someone has used one). The Tungsten C uses a thumb keyboard and has 32 or 64 internal and SD card slot. Tungsten 3 is Saweet, but is $400 :eek:

We just got 2 new Sony's (Palm OS) in our store today. Clie TJ27 & TJ37. Both have 32mb internal with Memory stick expansion card (256 or 512 max, have to re-check). Both have built in dig. camera (don't take pix of pts. unless have full permission from EVERYONE - HIPAA. They are $199 &$299. The $299 model has a wi-fi adapter for surfing the net wirelessly in hotspots or at school.

I have the SJ22 (was $99). They don't make it anymore.

By the way, all the palms I described are color.

If you decide to go Pocket PC, I would go with an HP. I don't have a lot of respect for Dell as a company.

nocturne716 · Feb 23, 2004

On a side note, where do you go to download nursing related programs for your PDA?

Tia.

PS. I just got a PDA too, a Palm OS. I've read on http://www.pcworld.com/howto/bguide/0,guid,11,page,1,00.asp

about them and it basically says that Palms are cheaper than Pocket PCs of the same quality. And it's true about the above post about more programs being available for Palms than Pocket PCs and that they take up less space.

Hope that helps.

jaimealmostRN · Feb 23, 2004

Whoohoo! I just successfuly downloaded Lippencott's drug guide and a "cheat sheet" with EKG's, spanish translations, conversions,etc! I recieved a HP pocketPC iPAQ for christmas, and being totally computer illiterate, had no idea how I'd get those programs. I went onto handango.com and paid (about 70$ for both) and then downloaded them. It took a few hours since I have a slow comp, but I managed to figure it out! iPAQ has color and a lot of programs that look important but I can't use like MP3, picture downloads etc. This will be useful in clinical b/c I'm ususally lugging around three or so big books! :balloons:

opalmRN · Feb 23, 2004

Tungsten E owner and so far so good.

As for my school programs I have Taber's, Epocrates, medcalc, and a few extra "freebies." I won't subscribe to Epocrates next year as it cost more for one year than a Davis drug guide or any of the other drug guides and those are yours for life.

The other program I would reccomend is RNnotes. I don't have this on my PDA as I purchased the little book before I knew it was available as a program. Either way this is a very handy tool. If you have a B&N or Borders bookstore near you, check out the paper copy but buy the PDA version.

Trial version software - I downloaded several "trial" versions. My advice, unless you want to see the color and layout of the program, they are otherwise useless. You don't get to "try" the entire program for x number of days, you get to try a few entries of the program. In most, you only see entries which begin with A and that is it.

I have lugged books to school and clinical before. What a load! This is by far easier on the back, easier in bad weather, and with most of the programs purchased from Skyscape, are linked to each other so if you are searching in one program and there is information in another that corresponds to the subject at hand you can link to it.

Good luck, whichever model you choose. There are some very knowedgeble folks on this board who actually sell PDAs who are a wealth of help and knowledge. (I don't happen to be one of those people )

opalmRN · Feb 23, 2004

Tia,

I have used http://www.skyscape.com for many programs. http://www.pdarounds.freeservers.com also has some programs.