PDA/Cell Combos OK??

[jadedgreeneyes]

I'm already looking into buyinig a PDA before I start my nursing program. i'm hoping it will keep me organized and besides it will always be good to have references right at your fingertips. I'm leaning towards getting a smartphone (a cell and PDA combined) my only concern is that because it is a cell I won't be allowed to use it in clinicals/class or when I get a job after!! Does anyone have a smartphone?? Did you have any issues with your professors or anything??

[GilaRRT]

Why are people worried and constantly using the "eggs in a basket" mantra?" If your phone goes down, you are out a phone regardless of it being a PDA or smart phone. Smart providers should always carry a back up book or guide in the event their PDA goes down. So, a smart phone simply saves a little space. I do not really care if people buy two devices; however, I do not see the sense in doing so.

[RNDude]

... I too am worried that with the smartphone I would be "putting all my eggs in one basket". I think I'm just gonna keep my cell and get a standard PDA. ...

Besides a PDA being much less useful if it doesn't have Internet access all the time, as it would if it were your cell phone as well (think of your home computer without Internet access), having two devices is actually riskier. You have two things to carry, and two things to drop or otherwise damage.

Because of the nontrivial investment price of one of these PDA/phones, I did elect for the $5/month insurance with my cellular company--the same price they would charge for any non-PDA phone. And I have needed it. Call me butterfingers. :smackingf I have yet to see insurance available for a PDA-only device. They're not cheap either, and just as easy to break.