Do nurses find these useful

Published

I am starting nursing school this year and thinking about purchasing a PDA. I was wondering if nurses find these convient and useful in actual practice. What PDA do you own? Would you advise a student to purchase one?

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

It might be useful to me to look up drugs, but it's not worth it to me to be paranoid of someone stealing it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It might be useful to me to look up drugs, but it's not worth it to me to be paranoid of someone stealing it.

Marie, some of them are so small (yet have a lot of memory) that they can fit easily within a scrub pocket, or even a pants pocket. That is, if you're like me, you don't have enough stuff in there already!

Actually, for a PDA I will make room. I'm saving up money for nursing school so I don't have to work and go to school at the same time. In that budget I've allotted money for a GOOD PDA. That one I'll have on me ALWAYS, or it will probably grow feet and walk off. :)

I don't think the PDA I have now will have enough memory needed for NS.

It's a real cheap one anyhow that came with the set of tires my dad bought for his car. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Here is the one I have (it's not top of the line or high-dollar, but it certainly does all I need it to do):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6501546&type=product&id=1077629064002

SBE, I was looking at a model very similar to yours. I am completely ignorant when it comes to PDAs, though. I was wondering if other software could be installed on this one, or if you can only use the programs that are included with it. Is 16 mb of internal memory enough? And finally, how does the wireless internet work? :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.
It might be useful to me to look up drugs, but it's not worth it to me to be paranoid of someone stealing it.

That and dropping it are my two fears about owning one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

no

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies. I now know it is a good idea to own a PDA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge.

Love my iPaq. It has come in so handy so far I can't even rave about it enough!! The only day that I have not used it in practice so far is the day that I forgot to put it in my pocket!!

I use it alot to look up drugs but have also begun using it for teaching disease process and for d/c teaching. The size is perfect to carry in your pocket so I never have to worry about loosing it. I got a hard shell case for it so it takes all the banging up against the beds, etc. Got a warranty for it where if it was to fall out and land in any kind of mess, they will replace it (as long as I wipe it off teeheehee).

I can see where the more experienced nurses might not find it as useful but for me, a brand new nurse, I have been blessed to have it. Many times I have pulled it out at the bedside and looked up meds, tests, trtmnts, etc for the pts/family.

They have programs for students that would come in handy. Especially for care plans or prep sheets. Got my programs at skyscape.com

Good luck and I think a forum on supplies is an excellent idea as well!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion