iPads/ tablet utilization

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 25, 2017

I've seen some Medical Students using iPad devices and I've seen EMS crews using them however I have yet to see Nurses use them. While in Nursing school, I used the very same laptop computer that I'm typing this post on (it's been 6 years!) to take notes in class. A couple classmates of mine also used an iPad for note-taking as well. What worked the best for us is actually being able to type relatively fast (I go about 35 WPM) and being able to draw on the screen as that can be handy at times. What makes this work well is when the program provides you files that, when printed, would basically be the day's notes and lesson plan for you to learn from.

Perspective · Apr 25, 2017

Thank you so much I'm trying to get ideas of what I may need to help me through my future journey.

C0SM0 · Apr 26, 2017

As far as nursing students go, I highly recommend investing in a laptop. It doesn't have to be super fancy, but it'll be much better than a tablet for coursework. Most nursing programs these days utilize electronic means for educating the students. For example, all of our books are online (E-books) and lectures are also online and we're required to listen to them before class. While it certainly could be done on a tablet, a laptop is just more practical and you'll get more done as well. Good luck to you!

katyq82 · Apr 26, 2017

A laptop will be much more useful for classwork. In my ASN program they required us to purchase iPads which we use for testing, our e-books and for simulated charting. But that is more program specific, I still use my laptop for most of my school work when I am at home, its just easier.

Wiggly Litchi · Apr 26, 2017

If you have a pc at home, a tablet can be super helpful - I have a mini ipad and bluetooth keyboard that I carry around for school and it's nice and compact. However, I do my coursework on the PC at home. The ipad is nice for note taking; I use dropbox to send notes from my ipad to PC, it's pretty effortless! I couldn't survive on a tablet alone though, it really does have its downsides.

If you don't have a pc, I'd definitely get a laptop for school over the tablet.

EDNURSE20, BSN · May 3, 2017

I love my iPad for school. I take it everyday, so helpful to have everything with me, with out having to take a big bag and get a sore back/shoulders from carrying a laptop around all day. Best investiment I've made! That being said I still use a laptop when writing essays, but I never take my laptop to school.