PDA's and programs

I just ordered the Dell x50 684 off of ebay, should get it in a couple of days. Did you get any of the software off of skyscapes? It sounds pretty good, but I"d like to know how it works. This is a great thread, I actually came on here looking for info on PDA's. Keep the info coming....

Soon to be nursing student, Jan '06

I have an HP IPAQ 3315 (I think). It's actually geared more towards multimedia (I can watch movies, listen to music, actually replaces all the remotes in my house for tv, stereo, dvd, vcr, etc.). I bought it because I couldn't find the one I really wanted in any stores or online (sold out). I think it cost just over $300.00 (it was my 2004 X-mas present from my hubby).

I LOVE it! I do everything with it! MS Outlook, Contacts, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Adobe Acrobat, Windows Media Player (I have tons of music on it, but also downloaded heart and lung sounds).

I downloaded checkers for fun, but would like to have more games; need something to relieve stress!

For school, I have RN Notes, Tabers Dictionary, Lippincott's Manual of Nursig Procedures, Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses (all of which were required or suggested reading for NUR 101; sure beats carrying 4 books around!!!!), Netter's Anatomy Flashcards, Flashcards 101 (allows me to build and download 1,000's of free flashcards from StudyShack.com). Most of these programs came from Skyscape.

Also downloaded/have: MS Pocketstreets (maps galore); HP Image Zone (photo manager); Agenda Fusion (great time management/calendar tool, w/cute icons to differentiate btwn types of appointments (hair, school, mine vs. my son's or husband's, etc.)

I can't imagine living without this wonderful tool! I had a Palm 505 several years ago and used it religiously until I lost it during my move into my new husband's house 2 years ago. Of course, I found it about a month after I bought my new IPAQ, but I LOVE my IPAQ more because it's MS Windows based and works great with all my PC programs from my laptop.

If you can afford to buy a PDA, do your research and figure out what you need and how much it'll cost. Epinions.com is a great resourse. So is CNET.com and other computer geek websites (yes, I'm a geek too).

I had to add two 512mb SD cards to accommodate all the programs/files I have and they're not cheap (around $30-$50 each), so keep that in mind as well. You'll need a good carrying case/pouch/cover for it too. I got a nice leather one from Krussel (it has slots for my SD cards too).

I'm sure I don't use my PDA to it's fullest capability, but I love what it does for me right now. It's great being able to use Taber's or RN Notes while I'm in clinical skills lab (I should start clinicals in 3 weeks and can't wait to use it).

Good luck, I hope this was helpful.

Can you guys put up links where you download all these programs? It is so helpful! This is awesome thank you!
~Jackie

HI
I am currently taking my pre-reqs and have been accepted into a RN program starting next Sept. I do love computer things but have not invested in a PDA yet. I am a mom of 2 and work 2 part time jobs so every cent counts.
But if a PDA really helps then I will invest in one. Also what are the most important things it must have. I will use it mostly for school.
THanks

I also have the Dell x50v I purchased on Ebay ($330 or so) with extra battery, cradle, 2 yr next day warranty, free windows media 5.0 upgrade. If you keep an eye on:
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=20
you could occasionally find Dell sales between $265 to $275.

But Dell now released the x51 so we'll have to wait and see how aggressively they try to sell them.

Programs I have downloaded and used.

Epocrates Essential Rx - Free and I love it! The interface is wonderful, but doesn't have nursing considerations. You can also download many hospital or health insurance formularies.

Diagnosaurus - free and works well for differential diagnosis. Nice user interface.

Mosby's Nursing Drug Reference 2006. Upon purchase you get a few weeks use of the eBook reader (should be standard, but weeks later you learn they want $20 to keep it active!) but even then has a very clunky and nonstandard user interface. About the only good news is that it covers nursing considerations.

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (20th Ed) is great, has a nice user interface as well.

The lung & heart sounds are at:

Lung:

http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11259/normal_...ounds_back.htm

http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/int...ungSounds.html

Heart:

http://www.medstudents.com.br/cardio...s/heartsou.htm

http://www.bioscience.org/atlases/heart/

A great vitals/physical assessment site (UC San Diego site):

http://medicine.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/heart.htm

This site tells you where to find all the best lung sounds:

http://www.emory.edu/WHSCL/grady/inetgrp/hplung.html


As for the StudyShack.com website. I never had to register. You don't have to have any specific program to access their cards and they have lots of memory games you can play too. http://www.studystack.com/menu-5514

You can open any set of flashcards and you'll see an option at the bottom of the page that says "export". When you click on that, there will be many formats you can choose from.

I use Flashcards 101 which I purchased and use on my PDA or laptop. You can also create your own flashcards w/Flashcards 101.

The following is from the StudyShack.com website:

"FlashCards 101
FlashCards 101 is an inexpensive flashcard viewer for your Pocket PC. A free demo version can be downloaded from the myPocket technologies web site: http://www.mypocket-technologies.com/frameFlash.htm

FlashCards 101 displays your data in a question/answer format. Since the "Nursing Acronyms" data contains 3 columns, you will not be able to export all the columns to HandyCards. Please select the column of data that should be used for the question and for the answer. "

As for RN Notes and Tabers, they were "required" for my nursing program so I either had to buy the books or the PDA versions (much easier to carry). I also use my PDA during class to discreetly look up a term that the instructor references or to organize notes and reminders about classwork, reading, etc.

I have a Tungsten E palm. I have found alot of free down loads I find usefull for work and at school. I am an LPN , new grad. Epocrates is free and you get alot of cool information with it. I update it every week and I have all the newest drug information that isn't in the drug books yet. I use it alot at work. I also have Nursing diagnosis that I used alot when I was in school writing all those care plans. On the Palm One site there is alot of free programs for your PDA. I downloaded a speller, since I cant spell worth a darn. And I downloaded a lab value program for quick reference. I also got the medical abbreviations dictionary. There is a dosage calculator program as well. Its great for peds , and adult dosaging. I have a quick contact list that I have all the phone no.s I use alot. I really like the reminder feature on mine. It will alarm and remind me of appointments . I have documents to go, which can be translated to Word documents. I also have excell where I can make spread sheets, although I dont use it that much. I use my pda everyday at work and for personal stuff. It keeps me organized and helps me at work as well. I like having the information at my finger tips.