What kind of electronics are you packin?

[biltz]

I'm going to be starting an accelerated BSN program in June and I'm trying to figure out what type of electronics I need to not only organize my life but also help out with studying and with clinicals. I'm a little overwhelmed with what I want and what I need. I don't want to overbuy but still want to have some adaptability so that when I get out of school in a year I have something I can use in the workplace.

I currently have a 3 year old HP laptop thats running well. I will probably be buying a new laptop withing the next couple of years and I have a feeling it will be a MAC next time.

I want to get an iPod, MP3 or or something like that for music at the gym, biking, etc and listening to lectures as I don't have one. I've thought using an iPhone or Smartphone to do double duty for this but keep thinking against this because I'm a clutz.

I'm also thinking I want a PDA to get my drug book on a card that I can read in clinicals. I'd also like something that I can synch Outlook on so that I can organize my contacts, calendar, etc. I'd also like to get email, internet, etc...

I've currently got a basic cell phone with AT&T coverage. I'm on a month to month contract so I can switch carriers. I'll be moving to Sacramento and going to Sac State so I think coverage will be good with any carrier there but will probably be moving back to the Bay Area right after graduation.

Therefore, what combo do you think would work well? Originally I was thinking of getting an iPod and a Treo. Then I was thinking of just getting an iPhone because that would work well with my eventually getting a MAC later on (and I was told that internet access is incredible on it) but then a friend told me it might not work well in the hospital with internet access and you can't use Outlook on it (but now I've heard that the new ones will have Microsoft integration).

Now I'm seeing that the new Blackberrys Pearls have GPS on them too but then one student told me that you can't take a PDA into clinicals with a camera. Do they really check? Then someone else told me they really don't use a PDA in clinicals.

What are all of you using in the hospitals? Any of you have an iPhone - can you use it in the hospital or does it get a lot of interference? What do you use around town? What do you like? What do you not like? What have you found to be overkill?

I just feel like the accelerated program is going to be so hectic that I am going to need something that I have in my pocket to manage everything all at once.

[woknblues]

whether they are required or not, I don't go anywhere without my T|X. it is light, cheap and really does the trick. You can find them refurbished on eBay for $150 or less. I got mine used from a private owner for $100. It has paid for itself 100X over. there is a good PDA forum here, check it out. There is a lively debate on pocketpc vs. palm, and I still vote for palm. cheaper devices can be had, and more real world functionality IMHO. YMMV!!

[BradleyRN]

Palms are great! I have had one for years. Now i have a Treo and it sucks as a phone and is slow to get going sometimes for getting info. But i have a Tabers medical dictionary, Epocrates free drug database, 5 minute clinical consult to tell you everything about diseases and their treatments, and a program called BugMe which allows me to write on the screen, then set an alarm for when i want the reminder. I have a lot of other medical stuff as well but these are the ones i use the most. I couldnt do without it!:wink2:

[karenG]

boys and their toys...

sorry couldnt resist that!

I dont think nurses over here carry any of the stuff you are talking about.. we have these things called books, that have pages.. I have shelf full of them. some of the stuff you have sounds a little easier to lug around!

mind you- I am a dinosaur so I am going to find out if students or 'younger' nurses pack the gear referred to.. maybe i should just retire now!

[hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN]

I have an HTC Mogul on Sprint running windows mobile 6.

GPS, wifi, EV-DO broadband, able to use as modem for my laptop.

Medical software: thompson's handheld, PEPID critical care.

[WinterWolf90]

I really only needed a computer. The only thing I could think of that a PDA would have helped me with is looking up drugs, but you can do that on the pixis anyway.