Mobile Apps at work/clinicals

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When I took my son to the doctor last, I noticed the NP using her cell phone to look up how much medicine to give my son. The doctor came in right before she gave the meds. and told her not to give it, he was too young. I've noticed a few nurses also using apps on the job. Is this seen as ok in the workplace or in clincials? I wouldn't mind having it to help supplement what I learn in school, but I would be afraid to use it in clinicals...is that considered cheating? I would also be afraid that doing this in front of the pt. would make you look like you are unsure with yourself. While I wanted to ask what app she was using (I was interested), I also couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable, especially when the doctor said no and pulled her aside. Do many workplaces or schools allow this?

I just passed my NCLEX-PN today and haven't started working yet, but I have an iPod Touch and already have WebMD, Micromedex Drugs, Medscape, and an RN Guide app I bought for $5.99 that seems to be pretty good. I fully intend on using mine when I start working unless wherever I'm working prohibits their use. I wouldn't use it in front of a patient.

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I have (and LOVE) Nursing Central. Comes with Davis's Drug Guide, Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests w/ Nursing Implications, Diseases and Disorders, MEDLINE journals, and Taber's. Required in my program, and I use it all the time!

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Specializes in Electrophysiology, Medical-Surgical ICU.

There is a NS in my city that charge the students for ipod touches in there tuition and then gives them to every student and downloads reference apps and requires them to carry them to clinical for reference

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Specializes in critical care.
Also: I wish they would sell books at a discounted price at college bookstores by selling them in download format for the ipad. It would save paper shipping, and alot of headaches trying to scrape up the money. I guess they would lose money that way.[/quote']

Many books are available in e-format! My college's bookstore does promotes them when available. You could also try searching online; often they offer a PDF download that is cheaper than the print version (but still not as cheap as you would hope.)

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I'll look into that. My school is the biggest ripoff on nursing books. You will pay 400 for a used book and they will try to buy it back for $10. They also change books all the time.

Also, another poster told me about abesbooks.com- I've ordered two nursing books fromm there and paid about $5 each, and alot of the books get free shipping. Just look at the condition and when it was published before you buy. I got some good supplemental books. Haven't looked for any textbooks yet though.

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Specializes in L&D.
As an APN I do use my cell phone for multiple apps. I do use it in front of pts and I explain that I just want to be aurora of the dose, calculation, exact test name, etc.

What are the apps that you have and use please and thank you.

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Specializes in L&D.
Good heavens! I have a ton of apps I use for work and use them all the time. I have various drug references, nursing apps, clinical calculators and other various references. I like the online aspect as they are updated more frequently than hard editions, which many times are out of date as soon as they are published.

Would you be so kind as to list the apps?

I have:

medscape

epocrates

iTriage

Prognosis

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I use Lexi comp, skyscape for renal dosing, up to date.

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