Drug Cards

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Hi everyone -

In trying to prepare for my last year (!!!!) of nursing school, starting August 29th, I've decided to make up some drug cards for clinical. My plan was to make them on index cards, and possible laminate them to keep in my pocket/clinical folder for reference.

Have you made drug cards before? Did you find it easier to put lots of detailed info on them, or short blurbs? Were they helpful?

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We have to do drug cards for every patient we see! We have to have the brand name, generic name, side effects, patient teachings..Umm..There's more, I just can't think of them right now!

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My program requires an Iphone or Ipod Touch so we can look up drugs and labs during clinicals. It is much easier than carrying around a stack of cards. Some clinical instructors require drug sheets to be filled out for each patient, but it depends on who you have.

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LuckyinKY - Wow ... that's kind of nuts that your school requires such an expensive piece of technology for its students.

I do have an iphone, but I don't have any medical or nursing related apps -- any recommendations for drug look-ups?

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We were not only required to buy the Iphone/Ipod Touch but Skyscape Nursing Software as well (~$180).

There are some great drug apps that are free or low cost though.

Epocrates

Micromedex Drug Information

NCLEX RN Quiz Cards ($2.99 but great NCLEX review App)

MedCalc Medical Calculator

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PEPID is a wonderful tool, our program required it. It can be spendy though.

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just starting where can find type word print to study thanks

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I wish we were allowed to use electronic devices such as iPods or iPhones during clinicals. Since they have cameras on them, the clinical sites do not allow students to use them. It could be a HIPAA violation if a student decides to take pictures of patients. So we have to use our huge drug handbooks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
I wish we were allowed to use electronic devices such as iPods or iPhones during clinicals. Since they have cameras on them the clinical sites do not allow students to use them. It could be a HIPAA violation if a student decides to take pictures of patients. So we have to use our huge drug handbooks.[/quote']

Yes, it would be a huge violation. IMO, one of the drawbacks to using them. The other drawback is that the world at-large is not ready to accept that iPhones (and the like) are not just toys. Seasoned nurses (and other staff) as well as patients often assume students are texting or tweeting when they should be taking care of patients.

As far as index cards, I went to school in a time when it was required. I believe the process of writing them out reinforces the information. Not only that, but now the student has a concise version of the drug reference, without such redundant information, such as "hypersensitivity to (fill in the blank med) and nausea and vomiting (as side effects). To me, the students just reading it off the PDA is very robotic, and it does not sink in.

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We are also required to carry an Ipod touch, but we got it for free!!!! They get a grant, and we are the last class to get them for free :)

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