I'm seriously considering buying a ipod I touch for my career

Nurses General Nursing

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I work in a home health setting and I'm fairly new grad and often find myself in need of backup drug book or other references. My favorite reference book is Manual of Nursing by Lippicott, a huge awsome book. I heard you can download it on your I pod. Also I dont understand why is it unprofessional to use it at front of the patient. I personally would be happy if my nurse would double check some info before presenting to me (even if she did it at front of me). Really that would show me that she actually is accountable and doesnt want to make mistake.Do patient really expect nurses to know all the drugs in the world?? This is crazy at best..especially considering all of those drug combo they have now like diuretics combined with angiotensins (hyzaar) etc... How the heck I suppose to rember the difference between Coozar and Hyzaar? Or distinguish plain lipitor from Caduet.

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Most hospitals offer some type of med look up system, and they usually have a place where you can print up info that is patient friendly as well. That being said, I find having the Lexicomp software to be super helpful I can look stuff up wherever I am without waiting to get into the pyxis (which is where the hsopital look up system is and sometimes it is busy there). My hospital will fire you for using a cell phone, and I had to beg to get permission to use my itouch but I love it. I was able to use it at the nurses station or in medroom only. My first few months I looked up meds all the time. So my advice - check hospital policy first, and see how accessible the free system is first

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I have an iphone and I use it all the time at work with all the apps you can put on it. Many are very helpful. I don't think it is unprofessional to use it in front of a patient as long as you explain what you are doing. Since you are working in home health I can see why this would be very beneficial for you as you probably don't have the resources offered in hospitals.

On a side note I ate at a restaurant that uses the iphone to send your order to the kitchen. The waiter told me they have to explain to customers that is what they are using it for because when they first started customers were upset because they thought the staff were playing on their phones.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.

I use my iPhone at work all the time! I've got some really good apps that are ridiculously helpful for me...

Enjoy your purchase!

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I use mine daily for medical reference, drugs, calculations etc. But look around and research before you spend a lot of money on applications to download. Make sure they are giving you the information that you really need. Some of the ones that I use have been more expensive but worth it in the long run.

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Good luck and if there is an Apple retail store near you,maybe you can give it a test drive.

I think it is a great idea for you, as in home health you are mostly on your own.

You could carry the apps you need, and not have to carry a library of reference books.

My Dr. uses both his laptop and phone for looking up meds/doses/and emailing the orders in to the pharmacy.

I have never been upset with this. We both laugh as he presses a button and sends my information out to the front desk.

I worked for him many years ago, when we lived without computers.

We both love the technology, when its working right its a time saver...

Let us know an update, would love to hear how you like it if you get one.

Have fun shopping!!!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

For what you spend on an iPod Touch, you could upgrade and spend a little more and get an iPhone. Way more versatility and easier to access; there were areas in the hosp where I couldn't access my Touch, but when I got my iPhone, no problem. Then you don't have to have a phone and the touch. You could sell your phone on your hospital's bulletin board easily. When I had some tech gear I sold all of it within days.

I don't regret selling the Touch and moving up to the iPhone for a minute.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Plus you could play "Angry Birds" when no one was looking!

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I used our skyskape app with Davis' Drug guide a TON as a nursing student...as a nurse, not so much. Our charting is all computerized and we have resources on the computer (lexicomp and micromedix) and a ton of hospital approved books lying around. Mostly now I just use it to look up alternate names if I can't find it in the drug book right away, but for the most part, I've been leaving it home and not missing it.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.
For what you spend on an iPod Touch, you could upgrade and spend a little more and get an iPhone. Way more versatility and easier to access; there were areas in the hosp where I couldn't access my Touch, but when I got my iPhone, no problem. Then you don't have to have a phone and the touch. You could sell your phone on your hospital's bulletin board easily. When I had some tech gear I sold all of it within days.

I don't regret selling the Touch and moving up to the iPhone for a minute.

I love my iPhone!! :heartbeat

But if that's the case, hold out until iphone5!! June!

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To the OP, I agree, however we know you and I will use it for work purposes however someone always spoils it for others by going on to facebook.

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Speaking of apps, can someone please let me know if there are any free apps for Blackberry Curve. Also, any post about free apps that you prefer to use. Thanks

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