How does a PDA help you during school and clinicals?

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(First of all please don't forward this to the PDA forum right away because it's way too slow. Thanks)

Hello. I was thinking about buying a PDA for school, and for anything thereafter and I was going to ask if any of you could tell me how's it has helped you during school. I hear people talking about putting programs such as medical dictionaries, drug guides, and other stuff on a PDA and how it makes it that much more convienient when they're on the floor and don't have a 5lbs book in their pocket.

Also, I've been looking at the Palm TX because they look decent and they aren't as expensive as some of the higher end models. All I really want is a PDA that has Wi-Fi and that can be used to run the programs I need. Anything else is extra. So if any of you have a Palm TX please share your thoughts about it. Thanks.

Thanks a lot for your help!

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[quote=Scrubz;1998630if any of you could tell me how's it has helped you during school.

So if any of you have a Palm TX please share your thoughts about it.

I have a Palm TX. I upgraded to the TX because now that I'm 47, I need bigger type on my Palm and a backlit screen! I use my Palm first and foremost to manage my schedule. With two school age children, a household, full time nursing school (BSN) and a business to run, I need to keep track of what is where when. The advantage is I can sync to my outlook calender. Also all my contacts are in my Palm. I'm never anywhere without someone's phone number.

Another thing I use the Palm for is to carry a few digital pictures of my hubby and kids :lol2:

Third I use Epocrates software as a drug book. Every time I sync, my Palm goes to the Epocrates site and updates the drug book. Any drug that's off the market or gets a new black box warning-- my Epocrates is instantly up to date. Plus Epocrates is free.

That's all I use my Palm for. I don't mess with the other stuff like a medical dictionary.

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I'm a second semester ADN student at a small CC in Texas. During first semester we had to carry a BP cuff, stethoscope, forms for Assess., penlight, pens, etc. If you add the Drug Guide from Davis it's quite a load. The Palm TX will fit in your pocket, and it can hold a drug guide, IV drug guide, med. dict., etc. Is this really a giant issue? Probably not, but it's pretty cool to have this info. at hand without the books. Most times you have a place where you can stash your stuff, pull downs in the hall, etc. Will I buy one? You bet, already have, Santa brought it for Christmas. The local university, brand X, is issuing Dell's to their students. I kind of looked around at what most people are using, and read some polls online, the Palm is by far the most common. Like I said don't go without food or electricity to get one, but I think it will be pretty handy.

Mike

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

You don't need one, most students do not have one and do just fine, but they are nice.

I just finished my first semester (BSN) and didn't have one and did fine, made A's and got excellent clinical grades. I also work as a nurse tech.

I plan on getting the Palm TX this month! I just think it would be much more convient to carry around the smaller TX than my drug guides, etc. Sometimes I wanted to bring certain books to clinical like Ackleys, Davis, med dictionary but I just didn't have the room to carry them all--who does? So for me, it's a matter of organization and less room and I like gadgets ;) Plus sometime at my job there is some downtime (depending on which floor I'm on) and it would be nice to watch videos, tv shows, study NCLEX questions, etc to be honest.

I also think it would be great for me personally to have my calander on me because I am forever forgetting something!

So if you have the money to spare I would say go for it, I know I am, but if you are broke it is not necessary.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

I pondered getting a PDA... but for some reason I just won't buy one. My advice. Save the money and buy a big book bag with wheels. I would be so mad if I bought a PDA and then lost it.... like everything else I buy. :) But hey...still have the book bag... I mean, really... how could I lose that thing!

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I think I'm going to get one just becuase I think it'll help me out. Plus they just seem cool. If I can manage my schedule, take notes on it, have medical dictionaries, drug guids, IV guides, ect.. on it, and connect to wireless internet from it, I guess it'll be worth it. I want one just because they seem so convienient. I know I could do fine without it, but it'll be nice to have a complete med. dictionary and drug guide in my pocket during clinicals rather than have to drag a book along or go searching for one.

I mean, when I'm studying I can use the books but when I'm out and about it would be nice to have a PDA when I'm out and about.

And the reason I chose TX is because it seems to be the best deal for what I want. I don't need a pocket PC that can play movies and music because that's what I have my laptop for. So I guess the Palm TX has everything I need...

I'm actually ordering one right now ;).. Thanks for your input everyone!

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I bought one and i found it reallllly helpful when I was in ER/Psych. BUt now that I'm in ob/peds i never use it. If i was in med surg though I would be using it a lot more. I reallllly wish i had it for my med surg rotation because i was all disorganized with that.

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Im definitely considering the PDA now! Schools wouldn't deny the use of one during the clinical would they?...Hmm...

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Some instructors are pretty picky. Others are in the now with new technology.

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Hi, just won a brand new TX for $187.50 off ebay, brand new in pack, can't wait to get, I compared eight different ones on CompUSA web site, and this had the most for the money, but, it was $299.00, on their website, I saved over a hundred dollars. Check ebay, I have had great luck with the things I win on there. I can't wait to have all that info in the palm of my hand:lol2: :monkeydance:

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i love my toshiba with the windows based program. i also have epocrates and have found thompson clinical xpert (micromedex). they are both free and the thompson also has alt med file. it is great.

do your research on what operating program you would like.

i've had the palm based and now have the windows based program. they are both great. just figure out what you are wanting or needing it for.

lpn student in oregon

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I think I'm going to get one just becuase I think it'll help me out. Plus they just seem cool. If I can manage my schedule, take notes on it, have medical dictionaries, drug guids, IV guides, ect.. on it, and connect to wireless internet from it, I guess it'll be worth it.

Scrubz

how do you plan to take notes on your Palm?

p.s. I bought mine off Ebay too...less than 200 bucks with a big gig card

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