How many recommend purchasing a PDA?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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I was thinking about purchasing a PDA but I am not sure if I absolutely need one. Do they come in handy? Are there programs that I can purchase for my PDA regarding Nursing? The PDA that I was thinking about purchasing is one of these:

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=A0540807

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=A0720074

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/axim_x51_416?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04

Will I be able to upload any type of Nursing related software to any of these and do you recommend one over the other?

Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.
Do not worry about "thinking twice" as the above poster just suggested. Not only do the Registered Nurses in my area carry them because they cannot live without them, the nursing students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED (per our instructors) to purchase them too!

I am just telling you my side of the story...disagree or not...nice to hear from you!!!

Specializes in Nurses who are mentally sicked.
I was the only one in my class with a PDA when we started. I think at last count there 9 who have one now. Some use it more than others.

The usefulness of a PDA largly depends on you.

I agree!

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

JB,

When you purchase a drug book and other references for download to PDA usually it will allow you to choose your operating system (palm or pocket PC).

swtooth

I love my PDA! I think I am the only one who has one in my class. I can record lectures, I have taber's and davis DG plus lots of other freeware, rn notes, clin skills, etc. I use the tasks & app't features just about everyday. I have a Dell axim x51v and I love it!! I purchased it for $344 and a 2 GB memory card for $40. I consider it money well spent!

Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

I thought I really wanted one, but after looking at the money, I decided I'd see how I did without it. It seems like the less I have to carry around, the better!

So far I really liked my PDA. I bought a HP because when I went to get it they told me that I would have to buy another form of software to make a palm compatible with my Windows computer. I didn't want to buy all of that so I went with a windows operating system. Something I noticed, and my use is minimal so far, it that it is very user friendly when looking up drugs. All the information is right there without flipping pages and trying to scan them to find what you're looking for. I think they're great!

I can't survive without mine. If I were to forget it, i'd be lost all day long.

Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.
It seems like the less I have to carry around, the better!

I guess that depends on what you feel you need to carry. I have Taber's, Lippincott's Drug Guide, Davis's IV Therapy, EKG, RN Crashcart & some personal notes for electrolyte imbalances & conversions loaded on mine...so I have 7 things rolled into one.

My school is now considering giving it's new students a PDA upon enrollment, they were including a laptop with enrollment. Quite a number of students I know use and love their PDA. I'm giving serious consideration to getting one...my only concern is I'm still not very computer literate and I'm sure it'll take me a while to learn.

Specializes in Case Manager, Home Health.
I bought a HP because when I went to get it they told me that I would have to buy another form of software to make a palm compatible with my Windows computer.

It's hard to know what they (you) were discussing, but Palm PDAs are 100% compatible right out of the box with both Windows & Macintosh PCs and they have been for years. Nothing else needed--period.

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

I am second semester ADN and I bought the Life Drive. I love it and it goes with me to clinical assignments. I got a Davis Drug Guide, Tabors Medical Dictionary and Davis Lab Test (values) d/l to it. The 4 GB is a lot of memory. I use it to look up meds, terminology or tests results while I'm on the floor. I use books at home for prep forms because it's easier.

I just got the Dell Axim x51v and I LOVE IT! I'm still fiddling around with which programs I want to pay for. I've d/l Epocrates Essentials, it has a 3 month free trial period. It's pretty complete. I'm also looking at Nursing Central and Nursing Constellation. Any opinions on any of these programs?

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