Do you bring your laptop to class/lecture?

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2009

Your husband was nice to get you such a great birthday present. I'm going to see how things turn out with my pen. My daughter is thinking about getting one for my granddaughter, but I don't think she can take good care of it. She is 13 and has lost more than one iPod, cell phone, and other things of value. We have a test tomorrow so I don't think I will get to use it until Tuesday.

If your granddaughter has lost valuable things... then I don't think it would be a good idea to get her such an expensive item... My personal opinion.

I would take the pen tomorrow anyway... Instructors always tend to lecture on the days test occur, anyway.

I get to use it today!

Di Deanna · Jul 10, 2009

Keep on mind that once clinicals start, you're not going to be able to lug around that laptop! This is ESPECIALLY where the Pulse comes in handy! The carrying case that you can purchase separately has a clip on it so you don't lose it. You can also get the little flip notepads (which I plan on using) for clinicals, so you're not carrying a huge notebook either. All able to slip into the pocket.

This is something that I am considering. However, I am not sure the format in which clinicals are taught.

Do you, or anyone else, feel that I might be able to take notes just as well a digital recorder, laptop and/or notebook? I'm just weighing out the price difference here. A digital recorder is $10-40 (eBay, walmart, etc.) and the pen, after tax and the needed notebooks, will total around $250. Not to say that I am not willing to pay that..but I am wondering if I am really going utilize everything on it.

It's no doubt that the pen is AMAZING, I just have very little money to spend these luxurious days lol .

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

This is something that I am considering. However, I am not sure the format in which clinicals are taught.
Do you, or anyone else, feel that I might be able to take notes just as well a digital recorder, laptop and/or notebook? I'm just weighing out the price difference here. A digital recorder is $10-40 (eBay, walmart, etc.) and the pen, after tax and the needed notebooks, will total around $250. Not to say that I am not willing to pay that..but I am wondering if I am really going utilize everything on it.
It's no doubt that the pen is AMAZING, I just have very little money to spend these luxurious days lol .

Once the foundations of nursing has been taught, you are going to spend way more time in clinicals then the classroom. So, personally, it all depends on your learning style. I have been through a whole week of classes at school and NOT one them has a student brought a laptop, NOR does the classes fit for a laptop. There is so much group work and discussion that the laptop would just seem more of a hassle than just a regular notebook and pen (hence the Pulse Pen)... but that's my own personal opinion!

Di Deanna · Jul 10, 2009

Oh I wasn't planning on bringing a laptop to clinical...and perhaps not even to class @ all...but definitely not clinicals.

I'm wondering if I cannot get just as much use from a cheap digital recorder, pen, and spiral notebook, as I can with the pen.

I know that the pen does wonderful things, but I am trying to think LONG and HARD before I make the $250 purchase :). I'm not sure how I would even use the uploading factor....I tend to just write thinks in my notebook.

But if a digital recorder/notebook do not come anywhere near cutting it...I would definitely opt for the pen. Can you, or anyone else, please give me your feedback on that?

I apologize if I do not seem too clear...just getting over a major migraine! :eek:

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2009

Oh I wasn't planning on bringing a laptop to clinical...and perhaps not even to class @ all...but definitely not clinicals.
I'm wondering if I cannot get just as much use from a cheap digital recorder, pen, and spiral notebook, as I can with the pen.
I know that the pen does wonderful things, but I am trying to think LONG and HARD before I make the $250 purchase :). I'm not sure how I would even use the uploading factor....I tend to just write thinks in my notebook.
But if a digital recorder/notebook do not come anywhere near cutting it...I would definitely opt for the pen. Can you, or anyone else, please give me your feedback on that?
I apologize if I do not seem too clear...just getting over a major migraine!

I suppose you could just get by with a recorder, pen, and notebook, but the only thing I don't like about that setup is...

WHen you are reviewing over your notes and want to recall something, the pen has this cool "tap and play" feature which all you have to do it tap the paper right where you may be confused at and want to hear the lecture (or nurse describing the procedure). The pen will play it exactly what was being said right when you wrote that sentence (or you can set it up to play 5 seconds before where you wrote that). WIth a recorder, you would have to play, fast forward, play, fast forward, or remember the time in which that part of the lecture or clinicals was that you are looking for. Long story short, the pen jumps to different parts of the audio while the recorder is only manual fast forward and play. So, if that's important to you, then I'd go with the Pen. Otherwise, just take the time to listen to the whole lecture.... (which is a waste of time for me when most of it I've already got).

I have a backup digital recorder for my classes, but only for backup purposes. The school suppled me with one. But, so far I haven't had to re-listen to anything because the pen does exactly what it's supposed to do as far as "jumping" to that part of the lecture that I wanted to listen to. I suppose if you were confused about something while taking notes and wanted to listen to that part again, you can ALWAYS take a peek at the time on the digital recorder and take a note of it for later... Then this way you can fast forward right to that part... But who's going to remember to take a look at the recorder when you are wrapped up in trying to understand something the instructor is describing? (I know I wouldn't even think about taking a note of the time on the recorder when I'm too deep in thought trying to wrap my brain around something.)

So, it's all a personal choice. Keep in mind that at places like Target, if you purchase the Pen and realize it's not for you.... You can always return the product within 90 days (WITH a receipt) for your money back. Just make sure you erase everything off of the pen before doing that. So, this way you can "try" it and see if it'll work in your situation. Then you'll have the comfort of knowing that you can return it if you don't "need" it. That was my plan if this pen wouldn't fit my needs, but it did and I absolutely LOVE it!

Let us know what you plan on doing! I'd love to hear what you think about it!

CuriousMe · Jul 10, 2009

Oh I wasn't planning on bringing a laptop to clinical...and perhaps not even to class @ all...but definitely not clinicals.

I'm wondering if I cannot get just as much use from a cheap digital recorder, pen, and spiral notebook, as I can with the pen.

I know that the pen does wonderful things, but I am trying to think LONG and HARD before I make the $250 purchase :). I'm not sure how I would even use the uploading factor....I tend to just write thinks in my notebook.

But if a digital recorder/notebook do not come anywhere near cutting it...I would definitely opt for the pen. Can you, or anyone else, please give me your feedback on that?

I apologize if I do not seem too clear...just getting over a major migraine!

There are whiz bang features to the pen....but folks have been learning with pen & paper for centuries.....you'll do just fine with a pen, notebook and a recorder.

Peace,

CuriousMe

Di Deanna · Jul 11, 2009

the trial thing never occurred to me. i shall go with that and try the pen out for the 90 days. if it's not worth it, i'll get my $250 back and stick with good old-fashioned pen & paper .

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2009

the trial thing never occurred to me. i shall go with that and try the pen out for the 90 days. if it's not worth it, i'll get my $250 back and stick with good old-fashioned pen & paper .

see... there you go! actually, the 2gb pen is $200 and it comes with the starter notebook. so, that's all you need at first to "try it out". you can always pick up the extra notebooks later. let us know what you think!

msdeannah · Jul 15, 2009

I just found out about a third party app that will convert your livescribe notes to text so you can make changes or make your outline neater or add to it while you listen. I'm really considering buy this pen now.

RNCEN · Jul 15, 2009

I just found out about a third party app that will convert your livescribe notes to text so you can make changes or make your outline neater or add to it while you listen. I'm really considering buy this pen now.

Care to share what the app is/where you found it?

Thanks!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2009

Care to share what the app is/where you found it?
Thanks!

I just did a search and here it is:

MyScript for Livescribe

http://www.visionobjects.com/handwriting_recognition/pulse/pulse.htm

I can't speak on it as I've never used it, but I just may try it out!

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2009

Well, I downloaded it and played briefly with it. It seems to work great, but not without any flaws! Of course, any diagrams or pictures you may have drawn (to explain something) doesn't convert properly. Also, just the little things it does... It converts my 2's into Z's and my N's into A's. Just little things. Hey! It saves on typing, just make sure you proof read and compare against your original notes!

For $30, it just may be worth the purchase! I'm going to try the trial version, first, then see if I am using it as much as I think I will!

Thank You!