Computer for Nursing School?

rac1, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

Hello! I was wondering if any of you currently in or recently out of the Maricopa nursing program would recommend getting a laptop or tablet? I imagine it would help when it comes to using e-books instead of regular textbooks, but with anything else? I'm debating getting a cheaper one exclusively for school. If it's useful, tablet or laptop?
Thanks!

Good question. I am torn. If I use a laptop, then I'll have to purchase a new one because my laptop is a tad old, and tired. I don't love laptops, and what I love least of all is etextbooks! No way, no how can I use an etextbook - that is not an option for me. I need the real deal there.

But I am wondering if I'll want a laptop for school.

What I am also wondering is if we're allowed to audio record lectures!

Mrs.Bookworm · Mar 9, 2016

I would suggest a light weight laptop or you could spend a little more money and get a 2in1 like the surface pro.

Mrs.Bookworm · Mar 9, 2016

Good question. I am torn. If I use a laptop, then I'll have to purchase a new one because my laptop is a tad old, and tired. I don't love laptops, and what I love least of all is etextbooks! No way, no how can I use an etextbook - that is not an option for me. I need the real deal there.
But I am wondering if I'll want a laptop for school.
What I am also wondering is if we're allowed to audio record lectures!

You need to ask your teacher if they will let you record lectures. Every teacher is different.

hedyis · Mar 9, 2016

Good question. I am torn. If I use a laptop, then I'll have to purchase a new one because my laptop is a tad old, and tired. I don't love laptops, and what I love least of all is etextbooks! No way, no how can I use an etextbook - that is not an option for me. I need the real deal there.
But I am wondering if I'll want a laptop for school.
What I am also wondering is if we're allowed to audio record lectures!

I'd love to use the e-textbooks during class or as a reference. I'd definitely still need the hardcovers at home to take notes from. :)

I remember someone mentioning in another post - and can't find it now, if course - that there were downloadable reference apps that were useful during class. I was also wondering if we would need to access Elsevier online for tests or reference while we're in class, too.

rac1, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

I'd love to use the e-textbooks during class or as a reference. I'd definitely still need the hardcovers at home to take notes from. :)
I remember someone mentioning in another post - and can't find it now, if course - that there were downloadable reference apps that were useful during class. I was also wondering if we would need to access Elsevier online for tests or reference while we're in class, too.

I would think that if this were a requirement then it would also be required that we have a computer - but to my knowledge that isn't a required item, so I doubt we'd need that for class.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

My school utilizes power point for all lectures. My studying is based upon printing and reading the power points. Our school offers the option of purchasing the power points at the beginning of the semester. I also write notes based on the info the teacher adds during lecture.

All of my friends print the power points and none of us bring a lap top daily.

But I've observed that many students do not bring a laptop and just look at the slides while the teacher talks. Most of them don't even take notes on paper, they just open the laptop.

That being said, I kind of wish I'd bought the electronic versions of our text books as a reference because this allows you to quickly reference info in the book with a few clicks, our books also have search functions that you can use to find info within the texts.

That all being said, we're all in 4th semester and scheduled to graduate in 2 months, so obviously, there are multiple ways to be successful!

Many students record lecture. I don't. But I do listen to lectures online about the topics taught in lecture.

rachaelofcourse · Mar 10, 2016

I'd love to use the e-textbooks during class or as a reference. I'd definitely still need the hardcovers at home to take notes from. :)
I remember someone mentioning in another post - and can't find it now, if course - that there were downloadable reference apps that were useful during class. I was also wondering if we would need to access Elsevier online for tests or reference while we're in class, too.

At Gateway, we have mandatory case studies we have to do on Evolve/Elsevier. We also frequently need to have our textbooks, so there's that. I have a MacBook Air and an iPad that I use to take notes (GoodNote is the app I use). You could always do the Surface Pro like Mrs.Bookworm suggested, or the new iPad Pro.

wutwereutinkin · Mar 10, 2016

I didn't go to any of the maricopa schools, but I loved taking notes on my tablet with a stylus. I was able to hand write notes, including drawings, then easily convert them to searchable docs(forced me to review my notes). an added bonus was that my notes were never "lost" in my paper clutter. Personally, I was never able to type fast enough, plus the material didn't always "stick" for me if I just typed them.

The other thing to consider is what will you use for papers...typing a full paper on a tablet would bug the crap out of me, so I'd get a laptop or something with a definitive keyboard.

If I was going to do it all over again, I'd get a tablet/laptop hybrid. There are several out there for reasonable prices. But something with the ease of a touch screen and the functionality of a keyboard.

AZMama86 · Mar 10, 2016

I'm in block 3. Sometimes in block 1, people looked at the power points on their laptops in class but not many in block 2 did that. So far in block 3, I haven't seen anyone do it. The teachers lecture pretty fast so taking notes on a laptop isn't feasible unless you type very quickly. If you are set on getting one, I would definitely recommend a laptop, not a tablet.

rac1, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2016

I'm in block 3. Sometimes in block 1, people looked at the power points on their laptops in class but not many in block 2 did that. So far in block 3, I haven't seen anyone do it. The teachers lecture pretty fast so taking notes on a laptop isn't feasible unless you type very quickly. If you are set on getting one, I would definitely recommend a laptop, not a tablet.

I am shocked that people can't type as fast as the teacher speaks. I can type much faster than I can write. That said, personally, I still am not likely to want to type my notes.