Does a PDA really help?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I heard a PDA is a really good tool to have while becoming a nurse. What exactly can it help with? I wanna be as organized as possible and if a PDA helps with that I may look into purchasing one.

Thanks in advance

J

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Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

There's a whole sub-heading about PDAs and Nursing. Look through that and you'll know more than you ever wanted to on PDAs. I purchased one and have just started using it. I'm hoping to get a few moments to download and fiddle with new programs. I'm in the first block of NS and will start clinicals next month. I'm also the only one in my class that has one. I have heard, however, that at other community colleges here in town, lots of students have them, use them and love them. Good luck!

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just so u kno, i never use mine and im a 3rd yr student. i barely even carry it around or use it, i only use it for music and games sometimes and watching movies if i have it with me and get real bored.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I love mine, and am very glad I bought it. Instead of carrying around drug books, lab values and pathophys books to clinical, I have it all in my pocket and easily accessible. Highly recommend Epocrates (meds, diagnosis, calculators, labs all in one place).

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I use mine all the time and would definitely recommend it. It certainly beats carrying my books into the clinical setting.

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I agree. It is so much easier than carting all of the drug books to clinicals.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
I love mine, and am very glad I bought it. Instead of carrying around drug books, lab values and pathophys books to clinical, I have it all in my pocket and easily accessible. Highly recommend Epocrates (meds, diagnosis, calculators, labs all in one place).

I know this will sound dumb :eek: ....but I am lost as to which one to buy. I looked at the Epocrates & really liked it, but.....how do you know which to order??? I want what you have on yours. Thanks for your help

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I know this will sound dumb :eek: ....but I am lost as to which one to buy. I looked at the Epocrates & really liked it, but.....how do you know which to order??? I want what you have on yours. Thanks for your help

I have Epocrates Essentials, Pepid, and Tabers on mine.

http://www2.epocrates.com/products/essentials/

http://pepid.com/products/rnscc/default.asp?product=SCC

http://www.skyscape.com/estore/productdetail.aspx?ProductId=200&WT.mc_id=55555&WT.srch=1

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Specializes in ER.

I adore mine...worth every dang penny, only wish I could have afforded one sooner.

I have a bundle called Nursing Central 2.1. I LOVE it so much, I don't even stop to wonder if I could have gotten something better for the money. It's perfect for me. It has a lab book, Taber's, Davis's, a diagnostic and disease manual, and journal article access.

I am the most popular person in my clinical group when people need info on new or unusual drugs!

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

Are they user friendly? I hate buying gadgets that are suppose to be helpful, yet I spend 99% of my time just figuring them out. :eek:

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.

Thanks DecafMom! Sounds like this new technology is much more handy than filling you pockets will manuals, "cheat sheets", and calculators. I had never even thought of looking into these devices for nursing school, but now I may make the investment. I am assuming that I invest in a PDA and then have to pay for these downloads?

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Yes, the downloads do need to be purchased. Look around for deals though. If you attend any nursing conferences (especially national level ones) you will find vendors there usually offering specials on the software.

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