Laptop in nursing classes?

nursing04 · May 6, 2004

Yes, our school is wireless and pretty high-tech. Our lecture notes are on power-point presentations. So, I download them and add to it in class. It has made my life more simpler & organized. We also use an IPAQ handheld for clinicals which has programs on it for meds, labs etc...

iy0ga · May 6, 2004

Yes, our school is wireless and pretty high-tech. Our lecture notes are on power-point presentations. So, I download them and add to it in class. It has made my life more simpler & organized. We also use an IPAQ handheld for clinicals which has programs on it for meds, labs etc...

o ok. i go to a cc but there is wireless internet. But i dont want to look out of place lugging my laptop around. i also have a ipaq 2215 what programs do you guys use for your ipaqs?

NurseWeasel · May 6, 2004

Yep, we can check them out from the front desk if we don't have one of our own. Not everyone does, but in some of the 'distance' (TV & mic) classes it gets soooo boring and slow that [stands up & admits it] every person in the class checks out a laptop so we can work on our homework, check email, surf allnurses, etc. :chuckle

The laptops are not by any means required, but they aren't frowned upon, either

EMTtoRN · May 6, 2004

I go to a CC and there is no wireless service. We have many computers linked in the library etc. I do bring my laptop to school but never use it in class.

Ruylupez · May 6, 2004

Nope, no laptops..but each desk in our lecture hall has a full size computer in it complete with high speed internet service and we have a large computer lab too. A couple of the students take notes on the computer then save the notes to disk to take home with them or just print them out on the printer in the lecture hall after class is done.

FutureNurse2005 · May 6, 2004

i've been told that laptops and the other toys are not necessary, and not allowed in some classes and clinicals! I'll be taking notes the old fashioned way and typing them up at home or in computer lab!

mitchsmom · May 6, 2004

I've never seen anyone with their laptop in class, but I would probably like to work that way.

One question, isn't it noisy with everyone pecking away? That seems like it would be loud / annoying if a whole group of people were doing it?

nursing04 · May 6, 2004

Very few of us actually have lap tops in class but I think it's quieter then shuffling pages. It saves paper which is good!

Also, the programs I bought for my IPAQ I ordered from skyscape (www.skyscape.com). There I got the medical dictionary, drug guide, and labs. There's also free programs out there like: www.diagnosaurus.com which has diagnosis. I think you need to start a trend by bringing your laptop. If it makes your life easier and helps you learn then you should do it. Don't worry about how you look.

iy0ga · May 6, 2004

Very few of us actually have lap tops in class but I think it's quieter then shuffling pages. It saves paper which is good!
Also, the programs I bought for my IPAQ I ordered from skyscape (www.skyscape.com). There I got the medical dictionary, drug guide, and labs. There's also free programs out there like: www.diagnosaurus.com which has diagnosis. I think you need to start a trend by bringing your laptop. If it makes your life easier and helps you learn then you should do it. Don't worry about how you look.

yah thanks for the links. alot of these people cannot afford a laptop so i dont want to rub it in by bringing it, ill just use my pda to recod and take notes the old fashion way. come to think of it, i dont think a laptop is necessary for nursing classes.

mitchsmom · May 6, 2004

Another question I thought of... does anyone use voice recognition software to transcribe notes to the computer? It would be a good way to review and get your notes typed more neatly.

If anyone uses it, do you have a program that you recommend that works well?

alk3rainbow · May 7, 2004

I think I might have to bring my laptop next year...I mean I have one, so I might as well put it to use. I am horrible at writing down notes because I'm such a slow sloppy writer, and I spend so much time taking notes I stop listening and then I get lost. I'm a super fast typer, and my hand doesn't hurt afterwards so it would benefit me tremendously. I wouldn't even care about 'rubbing it in' peoples face who don't have the money for a laptop. If something benefits me and I'm allowed to use it...I will.