Palmpilots useful?

Rosa2Little · Jun 3, 2007

Depends on you and how you like to access information. In my program, we are required to have one. Some students did not use it much. I liked the calendar function, and loved having the Davis Drug Guide at my fingertips. For me, I liked having it during clinical.

However, they are expensive, and if you find that you are the type of person who prefers to look up information in a reference book as opposed to having the information electronically, I'd forgo the expense.

Good Luck in Nursing School!

Thedreamer · Jun 3, 2007

In my program it is not required. However we have to look up everything before we give it, and for that reason alone I have one. My classmates have to lug thier bookbags to clinical for dx, patho, tx, and meds. I just simply use my PDA and books that I have bought to use on it, and thats all I need.

Its worth it if you need or enjoy looking up things up.

happybunny1970 · Jun 3, 2007

I love mine for work... I have ePocrates (excellent program with drug guide, tables, diagnoses, etc -- there are several good programs like this out there) It's a lot easier to look up meds and lab norms on the fly, plus it's always handy when a patient wants info on their prescription and to run a check on whether there are any contraindications between two or more medications.

I didn't have one for Nursing School, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it -- I'm very techie.

The units themselves are really not all that expensive -- you can get a good one in the $100-$200 range (there are those that are more expensive, but they have gadgets that I don't need, like digital cameras or MP3 players -- I have a digital camera to be my digital camera, and I have an iPod, so to me these additions are just an unnecessary addition).

One benefit of the Palm programs is that if you subscribe to one, such as ePocrates or Davis, you can then 'sync' to your computer and get instant, up-to-date downloads. There are programs out there, too, that allow you to enter specific information to keep track of patients... I don't use those, due to privacy issues.

Do some research -- I like the Palm platform the best (palm.com), and you can search for programs by doing a yahoo search for "palm downloads" or PDA downloads." Some folks prefer the Microsoft platform. Best bet -- go out to office stores or Best Buy, Circuit City, that sort of thing, and look around. Look up user reviews on the internet, then search for your favorite product on the internet -- you will most likely get the best price this way. Almost all of the programs are downloaded via internet to your home PC, then uploaded from the PC to the Palm.

The one I have is the Palm T/X, and I've seen lots of positive reviews from RNs using them.

Boston-RN, RN · Jun 3, 2007

Mine was indispensable during clinicals. I had drug guide, tabers, a disease reference and care plan reference......my prep sheets were A LOT less time consuming and I never had to carry a book. It was great!! Funny now that I'm in the "real world" I only use it for the drug reference.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2007

the only one you need is between your ears

Scrubz · Jun 3, 2007

I'd reccomend one. I have a Palm TX with the nursing constellation package, plus Taber's medical dictionary on it. On a clinical site I can access info 10x faster than anyone else since they'd have to go find a book. Plus it has other programs already installed, like a calendar, memos, ect..

It's something that fits in your pocket, and when you need to know something about a drug or a term you can look it up in less than 10 seconds. I say that's pretty useful.

time2fly · Jun 3, 2007

They are required for students where I'll be going... I've been wondering why, guess I know now! They sound like a great investment.

Megsd, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2007

They were required for my program because it's accelerated and they felt that by the time we graduated, the drugs we learned about would be replaced with new and better drugs, so it's better to just have up-to-date information. We have ePocrates which is very very handy. It even has a drug interaction calculator that allows you to put in several drugs to check for interactions between any or all of them.

While I still find that I remember most drug info the more I pass them, it's still nice to have something to refer to. I've been able to bring it out for patient education (one pt had an old prescription in her purse and wanted to know if she should fill it -- I pulled up the drug and explained to her why it was prescribed for her), and I even got to use the calculator function in the trauma room to help a Dr. calculate the Parkland formula for burn fluid resuscitation! I felt downright useful which sometimes as a student is a rare feeling! :)

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 4, 2007

I think if you can afford one it is very useful. I have the Palm TX and have had it for some time now and love it. I use it a lot more than I thought I would actually, it is great and has everything I need (drug guide, Tabers, calender, games, etc).

I think it is a great investment.

Amiejayrn · Jun 4, 2007

I would definately recommend one. I had one with "nurses central" downloaded and it contained 5 books. The best thing was going to clinicals were we had to pick our patients out and write up all this paperwork. Other students dragged a backpack load of books, while I just carried my palm. They have other uses as well, such as calendars, email, calculators, etc.