My nursing classes start in 2 weeks. I have a PDA and it has the free epocrates download on it. Should I download the more expensive version to get all the info I need or should I go with a different company???
eljamstudent 55 Posts Aug 10, 2008 Why not ask your school if they use programs, and if they do from where. My school uses Nursing Central and I was able to find it at Skyscape for about the same and it came with a free desktop version. Also, we were required to have several reference resources that I was able to get off of Skyscape as well, so now I only have to take my PDA with me and not about 6 books. Good luck.
hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN 1,381 Posts Specializes in Critical Care. Aug 10, 2008 The free epocrates has no nursing considerations attached to any of the drugs, so you will likely be carrying a drug book with you as these considerations are incredibly important for students.
NoviceRN10 901 Posts Has 5 years experience. Aug 11, 2008 The free epocrates has no nursing considerations attached to any of the drugs, so you will likely be carrying a drug book with you as these considerations are incredibly important for students.That's good to know. I was trying to save myself $90 by not buying the skyscape package but I can't get the epocrates program to work on my PDA anyway (just purchased the PDA used off ebay and am trying to figure out how to work it).
SeattleKid09 17 Posts Specializes in Med-Surg. Has 1 years experience. Aug 14, 2008 Our program also suggested a PDA with a $120 program on it. I have finished my first med-surg clinical and have yet to use the PDA. We went to the hospital the night before to collect our information and write our care plans. In writing the plan, I used my drug book. When I arrived the next day, I already knew what each of the medications was and why they were taking it and interventions related to the medications. It's possible as I get further along I'll find I need a PDA program but so far I haven't used it at all.
hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN 1,381 Posts Specializes in Critical Care. Aug 14, 2008 To be honest, I've used my PDA more at work than I have in clinicals. Often a nurse will ask me to look up a drip rate for a drug really quick, and it comes in handy to do the calc.
