Best Cell Phone for Practitioners

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I am an FNP student and will be starting my clinicals in June (yikes). I currently have an Iphone 4 and it is terribly glitchy...I have epocrates, medscape, etc and pulling up information takes way too long. As a result I am looking to upgrade phones so I am prepared for clinicals and then the first little while of practitcing as an NP. That means I really need a phone that will last (technology wise) for the 1.5 years I have remaining in the program and then maybe an additional 6 months or so.

I am not partial to apple products, but I do have an ipad. I also have a PC. I am open to anything (android, apple, windows, etc)

What do you all use in practice? I am looking to purchase a subscription to 5minuteclinicalconsult, and possibly uptodate as well.

thank you!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I have yet to find an app that only works on one (android vs iOS) eco-system. I'm an android bigot, I like the freedom vs the apple app store lockin, on the apps, and being able to pick from a variety of hardware platforms based on my personal needs (screen size, etc.). Apple folks have their biases as well, so I'm sure they can tell you why you should pick an apple. In reality, whatever device works best for you will probably be fine. As for lasting 2 years, unless you are one of those who has to have the latest, greatest, the major innovations have settled down, and you should be fine with either device line for two or more years of use. My phone is three years old, and I think of it as new, but then I don't really care about having the latest and greatest.

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I have yet to find an app that only works on one (android vs iOS) eco-system. I'm an android bigot, I like the freedom vs the apple app store lockin, on the apps, and being able to pick from a variety of hardware platforms based on my personal needs (screen size, etc.). Apple folks have their biases as well, so I'm sure they can tell you why you should pick an apple. In reality, whatever device works best for you will probably be fine. As for lasting 2 years, unless you are one of those who has to have the latest, greatest, the major innovations have settled down, and you should be fine with either device line for two or more years of use. My phone is three years old, and I think of it as new, but then I don't really care about having the latest and greatest.

I am leaning towards android for those same reasons. Any advice on a particular phone? I just need it work well...definately don't want to spend the money to upgrade to the latest and greatest every year :/

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Specializes in Emergency.
I am leaning towards android for those same reasons. Any advice on a particular phone? I just need it work well...definately don't want to spend the money to upgrade to the latest and greatest every year :/

I don't keep up with individual models very often, because then I would want some silly gizmo they just put on the latest model, sorry. I think you can google best android phone and whichever carrier you have and find several reviews that will tell you the top few models. If you live in a city, you could go to a store and play with the various handsets. I would suggest doing that, but not buying at the store, you can almost always get a better deal online.

Good Luck!

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I would suggest the note 3. Nice large screen. Fast and reliable.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Ok, I'm the techno geek. I have an iPhone 5 and love it. Another thing to consider is connectivity between you and your practice. Most of all of us in my practice have iPhones. I use an iPad mini for all my on the run needs. I work fora private practice and although I have apps on my phone like uptodate I almost always use my iPad mini as I can then be discussing stuff while looking up additional information on my iPad mini. I have a full size apple keyboard that I sometimes use with my iPad mini but I only carry my phone and my iPad mini, never my keyboard in my purse. Some practices in my area use pagers but our practice has pretty much done away with them as its just one more device to carry. Good luck....

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

How old is your actual phone? An original 4 will be slow. If you upgrade to a new iPhone you will see a huge difference. I'm partial to apple. I love my iPad mini, air, mini, iPhone. I love how everything works together.

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Specializes in Pediatics, Family Practice.

I'm an android girl. I got an iiphone 5 once and hated that I could only use Apple products with it. I prefer a large screen as well so I went to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. You should consider your cellular provider. I was with T-moble for the longest, but switched to Verizon last year and it has been working so much faster. Also, think about the amount of space on your phone. My note has tons of space so even though I have a lot of apps it runs pretty fast. Even faster now that I've switched providers. Check with your school to see if they offer discounts with medical apps, my school had one for Lexicomp.

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Note or S4. I have a Iphone 5s and used to have a 4s. Iphones and apple tablets are so overrated that I kick myself every day for wasting money on one....

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Specializes in Mental Health.

lemur what's your mobile service provider? I'd recommend Nexus 5. It's the best value on the market right now. Very powerful phone for a great price, and since it's directly from Google you get the latest updates quickly without all the bloatware and stupid customizations that each phone manufacturer makes to the OS. I particularly don't buy Samsung phones b/c I hate what Samsung does with Android. Go play with a Nexus and then a Samsung and you'll see what I mean. Pure Android is the way to go. Anyway, Nexus 5 works with anything except Verizon. Since the phone comes unlocked from Google, you can use it with any provider. T-mobile gives you a discount for having your own phone so that's where I'm at.

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I'm still in school, however, I do adore my Android products...unlike mzaur, I love my Samsung products too LOL. We recently upgraded to the Galaxy Note 3, and it's great. (at least for me for my school) as my school has an App as well. I do have an Ipad Air, but pretty much do EVERYTHING on my phone these days. I have Tmobile as well and get great service whereever i'm at so far.

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Android love love love

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