Have you bought your Uniforms,Books, Stethoscopes...

Sunset87, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN, CNM · May 19, 2008

You can load all of the books(drug books, reference books, etc.) you need onto the pda.

Natingale, EdD, RN · May 20, 2008

Oooo yeah I got a PDA too ..I invested in a Palm E2 (130 bucks ebay baby) for that same reason

Keep tabers (medical dictionary) as well as other programs to help with charting and lab values

carebear1976 · May 20, 2008

Oooo yeah I got a PDA too ..I invested in a Palm E2 (130 bucks ebay baby) for that same reason
Keep tabers (medical dictionary) as well as other programs to help with charting and lab values

Oh, so you got a PDA off eBay just to use for the medical stuff, and you don't have to hook it up to any phone service? If so, that's cool.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · May 20, 2008

My advice is DO NOT GET A PDA... a PDA will run you about 150 BUCKS some people find it for a little less, but I am not really sure if you guys are aware of the new SUB notebooks?

Asus makes one called Eee PC, and there is a new company making the WINDpc... wich will be out in june 3rd! you can buy it for 399!!!

the good thing about is that is a 7" computer light weight, has internet access, wifi, you cand anything on it, load all you software and e-books, plus you can add your own notes, and lecture....

let me tell you why i opted for an EeePc other than a PDA

- a compact notebook or "subnote" is light weight,

- the battery life is not bad,

- it loads fast enough

- you can write your own notes and e-mail, print, copy... whatever!

- you can read power point presentations and such just like a laptop

- you can do most anything a full size lap top can

- you can plug a microphone in it and record your lectures once in class!!!

- you can atatch a webcam in it and make video of labs so you remember it

- you can add al the software you could in a PDA

- you can access the internet over wifi- (any school or hospital has open signal)

- you can do so many things with it!!! and still it is not huge!

i :redbeathe my Eee Pc, light weight and fully functional... kicks PDAs on the BUTT!!!

of course if you buy a used PDA like for 50 bucks, something simple for basic softare just to make sure... it is also ok...

:typing typing from my Eee now!

Mexarican · May 20, 2008

I use a PDA and it has worked perfect for me so far!! I'm going into my senior year of nursing school in a BSN program and the Palm T/X is perfect size since it fits in my scrubs cargo pocket, i have tabers, davis drug guide and mosbys careplan book as well as a lab values textbook on it. It also has wifi access on it so can get on any wireless network whether it be the schools or the hospitals where i do my clinicals. Since its portable i carry it everywhere during clinicals and had it readily available when i had to look up a medication on the fly. I'm also finding it extremely useful in my summer externship in the NICU, especially Tabers, when i need to look up a condition i've never heard about on the spot. For me the PDA rocks because of the size and portability in the clinical setting, for anything else, classroom...etc...i would just go with a laptop. just my two cents :twocents:

Mexarican:wink2:

Natingale, EdD, RN · May 20, 2008

Yeah I heard great things about the Palm -- Ive actually got the idea from the PDA forum section

The other thing carlos was talking about sounds cool too, but 300 dollars Yikes! lol

Im going to load tabers and davis for now

Mexarican · May 21, 2008

I think that was $399...hmmm for what it does...good price, but i don't need it to do all that during nursing school. Plus 7" is a lil to big to carry around all day at clinicals.

Mex

Sarah Bellum · May 21, 2008

My school hasn't sent out anything yet, we start 8/25. I've seen the uniform order forms but haven't ordered anything yet cause I've been losing weight (20 pounds so far this year, 76 pounds total since last Feb.) and I want to wait til I get close to starting to see what size I'll be.

I *have* started getting my school supplies together. I found a rolling backpack on freecycle as well as a really nice zippered 3 ring binder. I bought some dividers, pens, highlighters, paper, printer ink, etc. and still need to find cheap index cards in bulk for flashcards. Oh and a student planner. I bought one but I don't think I like it so I'm on the hunt for a different one.

KCnTexas, ADN · May 21, 2008

So far, I have only purchased shoes & some underclothes for that dreaded white top, but I have shopped around for my scrubs and found the ones I want. Thank goodness we get to wear teal bottoms.

I plan on getting a Littman Cardiology III stethoscope from probably Steels because they will engrave the bell as I have heard the laser engraving on the tubes wears off.

I am Just waiting for orientation June 2nd to find out exactly what I will need.

I have a Palm smartphone and plan on purchasing software to load on it, like the Davis drug guide, etc. I also have a regular Palm but it is so much easier just to have the treo and not have to worry about carrying a phone and PDA. I figure I will have to load up my pockets with enough stuff already.

My physical was done in November of last year with all the lab work, I started my shots then. I only have one shot left, it is not required, but I wanted it anyway. I didn't want to worry about trying to find my shot records even though I have already had most of these shots twice, so I just got them again. I should be well protected by now....lol. I have already paid for my background check in April and it was completed in one day. I was surprised and impressed. My drug test has been paid for but not taken yet, waiting for orientation where they will tell us when and where.

Good luck to all on their NS journey!

KC

engima2174 · May 21, 2008

KCTEXAS: impressive, sounds like you are very organized and ready to go! I like to have the same flow, but My orientation is not until July ugh! so I am only doing the basics e.g. Immunizations, not sure what to do about physical... bought a couple books for personal review... I have always had a PDA & Laptop... I would also like to know about Stethoscope requirements for my school and uniform.

I enjoy reading what people have got

justme1972 · May 21, 2008

Go easy on the "stuff".

We only had clinicals one day per week...so having anything more than one extra uniform was a waste of money, especially shoes.

The PDA that I thought I would need...at least in our program, never needed to touch it except for once when I used the calculator on it.

The stethescope, you do need...but get a GOOD one. I have discovered Allheart has by far, the cheapest prices on them for the Classic II's. The cheap ones are not good...many students that bought the $20 version at the bookstore complained that they couldn't hear anything.

Penlight and bandage scissors.

Get a cheap $20 BP cuff...we were not permitted to take ours into the facility. We used it for practice during our first semester and it has sat in my closet ever since...so don't go overboard. A cheap one does the job.

Don't get shoes with shoestring or any type of raw edges. Yeah, they look "cooler" but unfinished edges draw in water, which can mean urine or blood..shoe strings are just flat out-NASTY.

Get something you can polish the entire shoe...as smooth as possible.

Anything else you can figure out once school starts. I wasted alot of money being in hurry to get things I didn't need.

justme1972 · May 21, 2008

I have a Palm smartphone and plan on purchasing software to load on it, like the Davis drug guide, etc. I also have a regular Palm but it is so much easier just to have the treo and not have to worry about carrying a phone and PDA. I figure I will have to load up my pockets with enough stuff already.KC

Check with the NS on this one...students were told at our orientation that if you have a smartphone that you couldn't bring it into the facility. That you had to have a PDA-type device or nothing.

I can't speak for all schools but it's because you have too many students checking personal e-mail, texting, etc.

It's also cheaper to get a PDA b/c you don't have to pay for that $40 data package per month on top of your regular usage and you aren't tied to a particular carrier.