Internet access for clinicals...will I need I-phone?

[FLhusker]

I'm about ready to start nursing school next week and my orientation packet states that phones are only allowed in clinical to contact the instructor and to look up information pertinent to patient care. So, I'm wondering, how many of you have an iPhone or iPod to look up things like nursing diagnosis and drug guide information? I don't have a data plan or an iPod and I don't want to be the only one left in the dark so to speak! Would it behoove me to invest in such a device and if so which one? Would an iPod do the trick (assuming clinical site have wireless access)?

[juliaann]

Nursing students got along fine without iphones for clinicals for a looong, long time. I don't think you "need" one. Paper pocket reference books exist.

And I wouldn't count on having wireless access available. My (large) hospital only has wifi in the lobbies and waiting rooms.

Get an ipod/iphone/PDA if you think YOU want it and will use it...don't get one if you think you have to have one because "everyone else will."

[sandyfeet]

I'm surprised that your school allows you to look up information on phones. We are not allowed to because it doesn't look any different from texting/emailing, so other nurses/patients/visitors could get a bad impression of you. FWIW I have an iPhone but I only use it in a break room or other area where no one can question if I am doing something not related to nursing. And most of the people in my program do not have iPhones and are doing fine without them.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

Yes I think it would be a wise investment. I love my Droid 2, and I always look things up while I'm at clinical( the computers @ the hospital do not have internet, only intra-net). I never have an issue with finding service. But if you are concerned, maybe you should check the hospital website? They might list whether wi-fi is available there or not. Also I keep my pocket drug guide handy too. Good luck!

[bhanson]

I have an iPod Touch and always have Internet, but I never use it for anything.

There's really nothing I need it for that I cannot do on the unit. Every hospital is going to have some form of drug guide, and for other stuff most facilities will have Internet.

[mangopeach]

I'm too cheap to spend that kind of money on a phone. I do just fine without one.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I thought it would be a wise investment. Never used it. You SHOULD be coming to clinicals with your care plan/diagnosis done and there are always books to look up. All of our computers have Epocrates on them too

[tkm2005]

You will mainly be working on your care plan at home, not during clinical. I wouldn't spend the money just so you won't be the only one "left in the dark". You'll have your paper books, they are much easier to use anyway instead of looking at that little tiny screen. I have an iPhone and I used my books 9 times out of 10. :)

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

My school has recently made it madatory for students to carry PDA's with nursing software (drug guide, medical dictionary, nursing diagnoses) but I never got one. I much prefer looking things up in a book than online and ultimately, I think you learn more that way. The electronic charting at my clinical site also had internet access and a built in drug reference manual, so there was no need to use an iPhone/Touch/Pad/etc.

IN FACT: Our major clinical site did not allow students (or nurses) to carry cell phones or PDA's. They had problems in the past with healthcare workers being on social networking sites, taking pictures, sharing info, etc. and they banned phone on the floor, period. So I feel bad for the students that spent hundreds on the PDA and software.

A long explaination for a simple answer: You don't need one.