PDA a must or a bust?

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I am a new nurse. Thinking about a PDA, not sure though, how does it benefit?

Or is it a waste of money? (My hubby thinks it would be a waste and he's a computer programmer) Thanks! :rolleyes: Nurscee

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I got a Dell Axim pocket PC for about $300. I think its well worth it. I use the Davis Drug Guide for Nurses ($50) and its great b/c it is SO much easier than having to flip through a book. I also have a program that is called Nursing Procedures, and it has almost any procedure you can think of with step by step instructions how to do it, all the equipment you need, etc.

It's also great b/c it is a mini-planner that you can type in (instead of scratching out/erasing appointments like in a regular planner)

In my opinion, they are worth it :p

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I use mine many times every day, from the drug guides, to the calculator, to the list of phone numbers (docs,nursing homes,hospitals,other hosp.depts, etc.), drug calculations guides, ...and tons of other things. My schedule is there. With my PDA in my pocket, I don't have to run back to the station everytime I need something. I couldn't work without it now!

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bust UNLESS you have a cell/pda like mine :)

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Specializes in NICU.

I have a Dell Axim, too. I'm a little bad though because I downloaded trial versions of a buncha stuff. Then I got a keygenerator to fully unlock them. So basically it was free. Hehe! :rolleyes: I'm rather naughty, eh? It's a bit annyoing that these programs are more expensive than the books, which I also have. I'm not made of money!

I take my PDA with me to clinical so I don't have to take all the books. Plus MP3s, movies, planner, calander, you name it has it. It's great. I looooooove mine. :)

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i have a dell axim, too. i'm a little bad though because i downloaded trial versions of a buncha stuff. then i got a keygenerator to fully unlock them. so basically it was free. hehe! :rolleyes: i'm rather naughty, eh? it's a bit annyoing that these programs are more expensive than the books, which i also have. i'm not made of money!

i take my pda with me to clinical so i don't have to take all the books. plus mp3s, movies, planner, calander, you name it has it. it's great. i looooooove mine. :)

yes, it is naughty. however, unlike you, i don't think it's "cute". it is actually highly illegal, and quite possible that allnurses could be subpoena'd to find out who you are. if you think you are safe because you log in with a fake identity, let me assure you that you are not; in order to talk to a website your computer has to have an ip address; your ip address is sent to every website you visit (and so it everyone else's); your ip address can be tracked to your isp (because they are the ones who provide it) and your isp has records which can track it back to you.

it is not a joke. programmers and companies worked to create products that they can sell. if everyone steals them, then the incentive to create new products stops. look at what the downloading of "free" mp3's have done to the music industry; they have basically been decimated. think of it as a patient advocacy issue. patients are benefited by health professionals who have easy access to reliable information. don't make it unprofitable for the providers to not do so.

i hope you will re-think what you have done. be careful, too, because some of the "warez" sites where you can get key generators are run by very clever people, people who can use your visit to their website to install software on to your computer that compromises your privacy.

unfortunately, internet abuse of all types threatens the internet. internet commerce has actually dropped because people are fearful of spyware, viruses, hackers (the correct term is actually "crackers") and loss of privacy, including identity theft.

as they used to say in the 60s: are you a part of the problem or a part of the solution?

nursefirst

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I started using itunes, now i get the songs I want instead of just 2 or 3 good ones on a CD. I don't mind paying when I get more options. Its a good deal. :)

Yes, it is naughty. However, unlike you, I don't think it's "cute". It is actually highly illegal, and quite possible that allnurses could be subpoena'd to find out who you are. If you think you are safe because you log in with a fake identity, let me assure you that you are not; in order to talk to a website your computer has to have an IP address; your IP address is sent to every website you visit (and so it everyone else's); your IP address can be tracked to your ISP (because they are the ones who provide it) and your ISP has records which can track it back to you.

It is not a joke. Programmers and companies worked to create products that they can sell. If everyone steals them, then the incentive to create new products stops. Look at what the downloading of "free" mp3's have done to the music industry; they have basically been decimated. Think of it as a patient advocacy issue. Patients are benefited by health professionals who have easy access to reliable information. Don't make it unprofitable for the providers to not do so.

I hope you will re-think what you have done. Be careful, too, because some of the "warez" sites where you can get key generators are run by very clever people, people who can use your visit to their website to install software on to your computer that compromises your privacy.

Unfortunately, internet abuse of all types threatens the internet. Internet commerce has actually dropped because people are fearful of spyware, viruses, hackers (the correct term is actually "crackers") and loss of privacy, including identity theft.

As they used to say in the 60s: are you a part of the problem or a part of the solution?

NurseFirst

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I bought a PDA when I started clinicals and hated it. Only because I did not have the money for the programs so I did not have them. This week was my first week with the programs and I can say I love the little guy. He is going to the hospital evertime from now on.

However, I mostly use the drug guide and I think if you were a well seasoned nurse (10+ years) then it may not be as useful.

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PDA's make you look and sound more professional as a student and as nurse.

It saved my butt more times than I can count in the clinical setting.

Davis Drug guide is the best and worth every penny.

and where can i get that procedures program I would love to have it.

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Specializes in IMCU/Telemetry.

I love mine and use it most days for the Drug Guide. I have used them since nursing school, and found them a great time saver. If cost is an issue, you can get Palm Pilots for under $100, and download the drug guide http://www.epocrates.com for free.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU (PCCN); Heme/Onc/BMT.

I would not advertise on such a public bulletin board about using "cracked" or "warez" software. This is a very busy and a very public bulletin board. There are a lot of eyes reading these threads.

One more word. Using "cracked" or "warez" software is simply stealing. Nothing more, nothing less. Some of us have spent lots of $$$$ for our legally purchased software and don't look to kindly to people who don't. As a musician who indeed sells original music, I would be royally pissed if I ever found someone using my music without purchasing it or without my permission first. It costs $$$$ to produce that music. By the way, I do appropriately pay royalties on music which are not mine. It's only fair. ;)

Just a few concerned words of caution.

Ted

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Did he say pissed??

I think he did.

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