who really uses PDA software for nursing school?

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in PACU.

im such a geek and a complete sucker for gadgets. i actually find it so much easier and cooler to study schoool work on my laptop or pda. i am to the point now where i dont want to study if its not on a computer screen or some other kind of gadget. what i want to know is does anyone actually use programs like RNdisease, assement, or those other skyscape products for school??? i guess people probably use it because there is so many differnet companies avaiable now. but do any of you use these kinds of programs for school/clinical/work. i really want to encorporate my love for gadgets into two big parts of my life, and they are work and school of course! i am really interested to know if you all are like me and if you are what kind of software do you use????

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I use my PDA often. My most frequently used software - the drug guide & Archimedes (both are part of Skyscape's RN Constellation of products). :)

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I use my Epocrates quite frequently, although after I get a newer PDA, I will be putting an IV drugbook on it and probably use the Epocrates less (I will be working in the ICU where we do mostly IV and not a lot of PO, which Epocrates is good for). I bought the RNAssess and never used it...waste of money. I plan on putting a lab/diagnostic book on my PDA, in addition to Archimedes like I have now. Also, maybe something like Taber's. I use my PDA for much more than work, however, so it's just easier for me to drag my PDA with me instead of a bag full of books.

That being said, it SUCKS when you forget to charge your battery and you're at work!!! I learned the hard way and now I bring my charger with me, just in case. At least paper books never run out of batteries!!!

Melanie = )

I use my PDA all the time. the only thing I don't like is when I'm on a program, like my Davis Drug Guide, and I have to scroll down, just a tadbit, for some reason it likes to scroll a lot and then I play the "scroll up scroll down" game and it's not a very fun game, especially like tonight when my teacher wanted me to make sure the IVPB was going to be infusing at the correct rate for the weight of my man (in KG)...and she's hanging over me to see if I'm getting the right information. It was so crazy, cause I'd already given her a range that was safe and it was right in the middle of the range....however, I digress (can you tell I just got home from clinical lol).

I have two different drug guides on, and assessment program, a "disease" program (I forget the names of them all), and a lab program and tabers on mine....along with all the other things I use my PDA for. But, my husband is the computer guy at a local hospital, so it's easy for me to get programs :)

Cassi

Specializes in Rural Health.

I use mine all the time. I have a drug guide (free from the hospital I work at) and a lab guide (also free from the hospital I work at). I also have every free med calculator and program I could find. I would LOVE Taber's but for now I'll stick with my free online trial...when it runs out I'll probably get Taber's. I would also like RN notes (we have a small spiral version that we are supposed to use in clinicals...I want the PDA version).

I'm in school, use mine daily. Have epocrates and tabers.

SJ

Specializes in Home Health, Primary Care.

I use mine too. I have Stedman's Medical Dictionary, Davis' Drug Guide, Signs & Symtoms, Nurses Disease Check.....and a couple others, all courtesy of Skyscape. I find it to be very convenient when both in class and in clinical.

I use it all the time. I have the stuff everyone else seems to have. Also it's a tax write off!

Specializes in PACU.

thanks everyone for replying!!!! i download a lot of trail programs for my pda because im curious to see if it will be helpful when i start nursing school(august) i love the info on it. i bought a drug guide just because i like to know about certain drugs for conditions my patients have, plus of figured i'd need it for school and clinicals. i also bought a nclex revivew program because someone in the program at my school recommended that i get in the habit of learning how to answer the kind of nclex questiins i will do in school and for the actual boards. i find the nclex program useful because it provides rationales, and from the rationales i learn and reseacrh different diseases/disorders. i just cant wait until i really really get to use the programs though :)

I posted this on another thread but thought I would tag a question on this one ...

Which PDA do you use? Palm, HP, other? And how do you like it?

I'm looking to buy and some feedback would be great. Thanks.

:coollook:

Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I used my PDA all the time during clinical. My instructor came to love it also. No carry around heavy books or trying to find one when you need it.

I use a Tungsten T3 Palm. Expensive, but worth it to me.

I use my PDA in clinicals all the time. Mostly drug guide and taber's.

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