Do any of you use PDA'S??

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I was just wondering if any of you ER nurses use PDA'S in your practice and if so, what programs are the best. Are there any free ones out there? I am about to start in a Pedi/gyn ER. I have worked ER before, but it was before PDA'S came in to play. Thanks in advance! :)

I have the Tungsten E and I'm very happy with it. I purchased a 256mb expansion card and have all the space I need. Believe it or not, I got the expansion card for a mear $50!!!! ordered them both from Dell.

Most of the programs I have are all ready listed. I love the infusion calculator and epocrates is wonderful. I work in a busy ED and don't have to hunt for a reference book or calculator! Everything is in my pocket! I also bough Fast Facts by Kathy White. Since I sometimes also work ICU. I'm very pleased with my Tungston and it didn't cost as much as the Zire.Good Luck on your decision!

I also have a Tungsten E which is my second PDA (first was also a Palm brand) and I don't leave home without it. I am just a grad nurse so I cannot give you work use with the above software but I used my PDA for clinical so much so that my preceptor wanted to invest in one. She said it was so much faster than paging through the drug books etc. I do have ePocrates, RNotes, RNfast facts, Davis drug guide, Tabers and a program called MedCalc. Most of my programs were purchased through Skyscape but some were free "share ware" but not sure of the site.

I also have a 256K card and one thing I will share with you about the card is downloading. When you download and you want to put the program on the card, it will go to the card but the icon will show on the hard rive menu. The software folks explained to me the reason is the program is stored on the card but the icon needs to be on the desktop and so it "appears" to be totally on the desktop or hard drive. I was getting so frustrated because I would download programs over and over and I would be selecting the card but the program was never visible on the card.

I would also recommend a cover. I know for the price of these things you'd think a cover would be included. Mine came with a front jacket which is very flimsy and can open while in the black hole (AKA, my purse) running the risk of scratching the screen. It also does not protect the stylus from falling out. I received the titanium looking hard case as a gift and it not only protects the PDA from "junk in my purse" but also has storage inside the cover for two expansion cards. It is not cheap but it is a small price to pay to protect my investment.

Hope this helps,

Opal

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Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Care, Family NP.
I also have a Tungsten E which is my second PDA (first was also a Palm brand) and I don't leave home without it. I am just a grad nurse so I cannot give you work use with the above software but I used my PDA for clinical so much so that my preceptor wanted to invest in one. She said it was so much faster than paging through the drug books etc. I do have ePocrates, RNotes, RNfast facts, Davis drug guide, Tabers and a program called MedCalc. Most of my programs were purchased through Skyscape but some were free "share ware" but not sure of the site.

I also have a 256K card and one thing I will share with you about the card is downloading. When you download and you want to put the program on the card, it will go to the card but the icon will show on the hard rive menu. The software folks explained to me the reason is the program is stored on the card but the icon needs to be on the desktop and so it "appears" to be totally on the desktop or hard drive. I was getting so frustrated because I would download programs over and over and I would be selecting the card but the program was never visible on the card.

I would also recommend a cover. I know for the price of these things you'd think a cover would be included. Mine came with a front jacket which is very flimsy and can open while in the black hole (AKA, my purse) running the risk of scratching the screen. It also does not protect the stylus from falling out. I received the titanium looking hard case as a gift and it not only protects the PDA from "junk in my purse" but also has storage inside the cover for two expansion cards. It is not cheap but it is a small price to pay to protect my investment.

Hope this helps,

Opal

I also got a hard case for my PDA! It does protect it from all the stuff in my purse and the stylus as well. My case even has two slots for storing other memory sticks, but I don't see a need for them right now.

I have seriously been thinking of purchasing a map program as well because I do a great deal of driving and thought it would be quicker than using a map.

There are so many things you can use a PDA for. I store all my phone numbers on it filed under "personal" and all the extensions for each department in the hospital stored under "business"

I'm so happy with my Tungten. Best money I have spent in a long time!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing Advanced Practice.
I store all my phone numbers on it filed under "personal" and all the extensions for each department in the hospital stored under "business"

!

You can create new categories (up to 15) to make your phone/address book work better for you. You do not have to stick with just personal and business.

ON mine I have:

Co-workers

Hospitals/Nursing Homes

Police/EMS/CPS/Judges

Professional

Family/Friends

Instructors

and more.

Just tap on the upper right part of the screen while in address book and select edit categories. You can then add new ones to your list.

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Thanks for the advice everyone ... ordered the Tungsten E today - will be excited to get things loaded and see how useful it is.

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