Tell me about your PDA

CCU NRS · Apr 19, 2004

I just luuuuuuuuuuuuuuv my Palm Tungsten T3 (hubbie got it for me... $400)!
I have never been an organized person but this keeps all my appointments and medical software (drug book, ACLS, even the physician software). It even has a recorder and MP3 player that came free with it. I don't really use the "stretch window too much but I would recommend this PDA to anyone.

I got my wife a Palm 125 about three years ago and she used it all the time she does office nursing, in a GI practice it finally quit on her so for Christmas I got her the Tungston T3 and she loves it! She did have a problem it quit working but was still warranty'e so we sent it back and they sent us a replacement. She tells me she was lost without it while it was sent back. She has all of the current Insurance companies listed with their formularies or whatever they call them soo she can just look up what insurance and which meds they cover before she calls scripts and that way she is sure she is ordering script that are on the client's formulary, She has PDR on it she has all of the doctors they consult and all that consult them with phone fax address etc all at easy touch access. I have never used one but it is tool that has greatly influenced her career and she loves it!!!

I got my wifes back at xmas and only paid about $289 this is in OK

LauraLou · Apr 19, 2004

I have an iPAQ 1945 pocket pc. I absolutely love it! I think I paid about $200 at Sams Club.

My instructor uses PowerPoint slides which she posts on the web. I download them onto my iPAQ and then use my wireless keyboard to take notes directly onto the slides during class. Saves me so much time.

I like the way it syncs with my PC, so I can transfer files back and forth easily. It also syncs Outlook, so my calendar is acurate on the PC and iPAQ. I have loaded several nursing programs and they are very helpful.

Pocket PC programs require more memory than Palm programs, which is a negative, but it integrates seamlessly with your home computer, which is a big plus for me. It really depends on personal preference and needs.

fssmith · Apr 19, 2004

I have a Palm 130. Really simple and easy to use and is affordable. Has the color screnn but not a lot of mempry. If anybody else has one of these let me know of some of the things that you have on it. Im starting Nursing School in the fall and want to get a few things before we start!!

waves · Apr 20, 2004

i know veeerry little about PDA's so if someone could enlighten me - where do you get all these drug/pharm/nursing programs from? do you download them from somewhere? how do you know what's good? is a palm OS or windows OS better to have?

there are several websites to browse. almost any site that sells them has formats that compare features of actual pda (hardware). the bid sites that sell hardware sell software or have links to find it. i have purchased software from both handheldmed.com and skyscape.com. if you put RN PDA into a search engine you will come up with many sites.

good luck

fssmith · Apr 20, 2004

What programs do you all recommend for an ADN student. I havn't started school ywt but everyone says that anything that can help with clinicals is great!!!

manna, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

I have a Tungsten E that I would love, if I could remember to keep the batteries charged up!

Only problem is - no keyboard (unless you wanna use wireless)

waves · Apr 21, 2004

What programs do you all recommend for an ADN student. I havn't started school ywt but everyone says that anything that can help with clinicals is great!!!

i can tell you that i use the NDH drug program ALL the time as a nursing student...i like it better than the other drug programs i looked at because it has nursing considerations, IV info where appropriate, and patient teaching. it keeps my brain on that nursing track even if i don't use all the features all the time. i have just started using an RN Diagnoses and Interventions program. it has shed some light for me on an area that was total darkness! one of the toughest parts of nursing for this student is being able to document in nursing process! imagine writing down what you see, what it means, what you'd like to see happen, how you are going to go about it, how it worked out. makes sense? okay. now apply that to some simple reflex-like action such as buying a quart of milk or doing your laundry! disecting every thought... oh my.

anyway...i also have liked the RN tests & procedures trial i downloaded last weekend. i may have to purchase it soon.

#1rnstudent · Apr 22, 2004

i know veeerry little about PDA's so if someone could enlighten me - where do you get all these drug/pharm/nursing programs from? do you download them from somewhere? how do you know what's good? is a palm OS or windows OS better to have?

Probably would be best to go to the local Office-Style store or Walmart and cehck out what kinds of PDA's they have and press all the buttons on the demos. See which ones have screen resolution you like, the memory you may need, and is in the price range ya can afford. Try to get a deal, maybe. Skyscape is a great place to get demos and you can buy the program if you like it. CD or download. You can also look at the publishers' sites (for the books) and see if they have software.