Davis Drug Guide-Book or PDA version?

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I was all set to buy the PDA version of the Davis Drug Guide when one of my friends said, "Are you sure you want to do that?" So, now I am questioning my decision. I thought it would be one less book to carry... do you think I should go the PDA route or just get the hardback book?

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Specializes in Nursing Instructor.

I just got a PDA for Christmas and got Davis' Drug guide for it. I would have KILLED for it when I was still in school. It has all the same features as the book (nursing diagnoses and pt family teaching included) all in the palm of your hand :) Now when we have students rotating through my facility, the first thing I do is show off my new toy!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I have them both, the hardback copy sits on my shelf and collects dust. I have NEVER opened it in my 1 year of nursing school.

The PDA version has the same info the hardback one does. The only thing about the hardback version, it won't go to sleep on you when you are typing out drug cards like your PDA does :)

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I have them both, the hardback copy sits on my shelf and collects dust. I have NEVER opened it in my 1 year of nursing school.

The PDA version has the same info the hardback one does. The only thing about the hardback version, it won't go to sleep on you when you are typing out drug cards like your PDA does :)

Oh I agree about that frustration of the PDA falling asleep when you are typing up cards, but I think it is still worth having it in PDA format. You can always borrow a friend's hard copy (everyone else has those cumbersome things) if you need to use it for making cards. I recommend the PDA version. I wish I had gotten the PDA version of Mosby's Dictonary.

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So, I think I will go ahead and buy the PDA version. I see on Skyscae.com that they sell a version on an SD card. Would that be they way to go?

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I bought mine off Amazon for cheaper then it is on skyscape. I bought it direct from them & it is great on my PDA. I know the nurses' stations have all the books you need but it is great to have if you are in a patient room and they ask about their drugs, I use WebMD to write out my drugs on my care plans, that is what everyone uses in my program, it is less technical then the drug book explains it so it is easier to understand and easier for you to explain to the patient. But the PDA is a good resource if you are stuck in a jam without a drug book you have your PDA right there. i also bought my Taber's Medical Dictionary on PDA from Amazon and I bought my Mosby's Laboratory Diagnostic Tests on PDA from the publisher Elesvier which gives you a 10% discount for buying direct from them.

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I just bought the Davis Drug Guide for my pocket pc today and it is great...I can't imagine having to thumb thru pages...this is sooo much faster.

~J

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PJL - is your PDA low on memory, such that you would need to keep the drug guide on a memory card? If so - then buy your card from a different retailer - skyscape doesn't offer the best hardware prices - and then load it to that yourself. If you don't have a memory issue, don't worry about the card. I downloaded a book from Skyscape, then my PDA died and I lost the book. It was no hassel at all to load it again from my Skyscape download.

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PJL - is your PDA low on memory, such that you would need to keep the drug guide on a memory card? If so - then buy your card from a different retailer - skyscape doesn't offer the best hardware prices - and then load it to that yourself. If you don't have a memory issue, don't worry about the card. I downloaded a book from Skyscape, then my PDA died and I lost the book. It was no hassel at all to load it again from my Skyscape download.

I got my pda from my husband and don't have the instructions for it. I've tried to download Epocrates free drug guide and Davis drug guide's free trial, both directly off the websites. For some reason, they will install, but then won't work. So, I figured it was a memory problem on my pda. I'm hoping having it on a card will alleviate the problem...

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you can probably download the instructions for the PDA on the manufactures website. Also, under settings, you can see how much memory is on the PDA, how much is left, etc. You want to make sure it is a memory problem and not some larger issue before you start investing in the memory cards and software.

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I got my pda from my husband and don't have the instructions for it. I've tried to download Epocrates free drug guide and Davis drug guide's free trial, both directly off the websites. For some reason, they will install, but then won't work. So, I figured it was a memory problem on my pda. I'm hoping having it on a card will alleviate the problem...

Usually you will see an "insufficient memory" popup window during the install if that is the case, and it gives you the option to save to your PDA memory or memory card...if that didn't come up, then hmmmm...

~J

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you can probably download the instructions for the PDA on the manufactures website. Also, under settings, you can see how much memory is on the PDA, how much is left, etc. You want to make sure it is a memory problem and not some larger issue before you start investing in the memory cards and software.

I'm so excited! I went to the Syscape Support on their website and sent them a message for help. They sent me the directions and I got the trial version to install! I think it will be awesome:yelclap:

Thank you everyone for your help and your input!

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