Hey guys! Laptop, tablet, or plain old paper, pen, and clipboard?

[dsingson5]

Hi guys,

What would suggest for your first few weeks of hospital RN orientation or first year in a hospital? Laptop, tablet, or the trusty paper, pen, and clip board?

Thank you very much!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Paper and pen, and no clipboard. You're going to need your hands, and having a small notebook in your pocket (the paper spiral-bound kind) will be what you want. You do NOT want a tablet or laptop to drag around, wonder where you left it, spill things on, worry that someone steals it gadget. This isn't classroom anymore.

[Nurse_Jessie]

Pen and notebook is the way to go. We actually weren't allowed to have computers or tablets during our residency classes, they seemed to think we might do something other than take notes with them (a valid fear considering what I saw in my nursing school classes.)

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Agree with above -- would not plan on using electronic devices. However, you may very well be given a binder, booklet or packet with check off sheets, articles to read, tests, etc. ... and there will be some room for notes in there. Strongly agree with the above suggestion of a pocket sized notebook -- I carried one for about the first 9 months of my career -- was kind of a point of pride when I didn't need it anymore.

If you have some actual classroom sessions, you could probably use a tablet there, though you will probably be given reams of Power Point handouts.

[Biffbradford]

AGreed. You'll have hard enough time keeping tabs on your stethoscope so it doesn't grow legs, don't add more things to look after.