Computers and PDAs in Nursing Programs

Your school requires you to buy textbooks. Textbooks are tools you use as resources to learn about nursing. So why not require the use of a handheld computer if it also works as a better resource for learning than a textbook?


Here's one example. In cases such as drug guides they are better. A computerized drug guide has the same information as a text but is faster, can aid in dosage calculation, check drug interactions, and even show you a picture of the pill.

I could go on...

As an instructor I have a responsibilty to help you become the best prepared nurse you can be. If I am not using all avaiable resources, aren't I letting students down?

Please explain why you think they should not be required? There are some good reasons but please don't answer because it is too expensive. The cost of a handheld computer and a complete collection of software is under $700. That is not much different than the cost of texts and gives students a tool that can change the way they practice.

Do you have other objections?

Your school requires you to buy textbooks. Textbooks are tools you use as resources to learn about nursing. So why not require the use of a handheld computer if it also works as a better resource for learning than a textbook?

Here's one example. In cases such as drug guides they are better. A computerized drug guide has the same information as a text but is faster, can aid in dosage calculation, check drug interactions, and even show you a picture of the pill.

I could go on...

As an instructor I have a responsibilty to help you become the best prepared nurse you can be. If I am not using all avaiable resources, aren't I letting students down?

Please explain why you think they should not be required? There are some good reasons but please don't answer because it is too expensive. The cost of a handheld computer and a complete collection of software is under $700. That is not much different than the cost of texts and gives students a tool that can change the way they practice.

Do you have other objections?

Hi Brent, could you please give me examples of what this handheld computer and complete collection of software would be? Or at least a link (aside from SkyScape)? Is there a package that I could buy with all of this? For example, I see that SkyScape has the Nursing Constellation Plus, but I don't know if that is worth it and also it requires a smartphone. What do nurses and other nursing students use that they find is most helpful?

I wrote that note before the iPhone even had software available. I now recommend a $200 Apple iPod Touch (no monthly fee), or the iPhone if you already have an AT&T contract (extra $30/mo data fee). There are dozens of free medical apps on the App Store. Just search for medical calculator, med abbreviations, medical math, etc.

My favorite collection of resources is Unbound Medicine's Nursing Central. They have a drug guide, dictionary, nursing care guide, lab guide, and nursing dx guide for $159. That includes free updates for a year but, unlike many of the Skyscape titles, they will continue to work after the subscription ends.