Pda Q

Nursing Students General Students

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I already bought all of my NS books, Tabers, Drug guide etc...

NOW I have people saying to me.. Why did you do that? You should of bought a PDA system and you would have all of the books at your fingers tips instead of flipping through books all day long. Here's my Q...If I were to buy a PDA (looking at Palm TX) How do I get the books onto it? Do I have to rebuy them on CD to be able to download them? ***Very tech challenged in case you haven't noticed***:mad:

Also for those of you who do have one can you tell me "how" you use it. Here is how I am thinking it will help me...instead of having 50 million papers in my pockets to write down vitals, etc I can just write them on a word/note document on the PDA. If I don't know the definition of a word the RN uses I can click on Tabers type in the word and there it is. For Meds and Labs I can click on those books type in the med or lab (BUN) and it will give me all the info I need right there. Am I right? Anyone have the Palm TX? If I charge it will it last 8hrs for my clinical?

I would love your :twocents:.

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I already bought all of my NS books, Tabers, Drug guide etc...

NOW I have people saying to me.. Why did you do that? You should of bought a PDA system and you would have all of the books at your fingers tips instead of flipping through books all day long. Here's my Q...If I were to buy a PDA (looking at Palm TX) How do I get the books onto it? Do I have to rebuy them on CD to be able to download them? ***Very tech challenged in case you haven't noticed***:mad:

Also for those of you who do have one can you tell me "how" you use it. Here is how I am thinking it will help me...instead of having 50 million papers in my pockets to write down vitals, etc I can just write them on a word/note document on the PDA. If I don't know the definition of a word the RN uses I can click on Tabers type in the word and there it is. For Meds and Labs I can click on those books type in the med or lab (BUN) and it will give me all the info I need right there. Am I right? Anyone have the Palm TX? If I charge it will it last 8hrs for my clinical?

I would love your :twocents:.

You have to purchase them online and download them and then put them on your pda. It isn't as difficult as it sounds at all. Your pda will come with a cable that will "sync" it to your computer and it takes the "books"/programs from your computer and puts them on your pda. It is really easy, promise.

Try looking at skyscape.com and it will have a student section and show you the programs you can buy. They are pricey but you should look at Nursing Constellation Plus.... it is a number of programs at a discount.

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I will be the first to admit to being a gadget geek. I started out with a PDA (palm TX) and moved my nursing programs over to my new palm centro and Im loving it.

That being said, I don't think PDA versions replace actual books. (the kindle might be another story if they up their textbook library) I use my PDA software mostly during clinicals or when I want to do a quick look up of something. If I am studying or working on careplans, the PDA versions can be a bit annoying. I like being able to load my books on my table, spread them out and read more than a few sentances at a time.

I currently have a drug guide and a med dictionary, along with a flash card program on m ine. Im going to be getting a lab/diagnostic test program and the Merck Manual. I have found these 5 things give me the most bang for my buck and I will always use them.

Lynn/BW

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Do you have any problems with the hospitals where you do clinicals not allowing you to use a smartphone as your pda since most of them do not allow cell phones?

I'm starting nursing school next year and I am required to get a pda. I think it would be great to get a smartphone (like palm centro or blackberry curve) so i only have one gadget to carry but I've heard that some hospitals will not allow smartphones even if the phone capabilities are turned off. I would hate to spend all that money and not be able to use it? Anyone had experience with this??

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Do you have any problems with the hospitals where you do clinicals not allowing you to use a smartphone as your pda since most of them do not allow cell phones?

I'm starting nursing school next year and I am required to get a pda. I think it would be great to get a smartphone (like palm centro or blackberry curve) so i only have one gadget to carry but I've heard that some hospitals will not allow smartphones even if the phone capabilities are turned off. I would hate to spend all that money and not be able to use it? Anyone had experience with this??

I have a plam centro and it isn't a "smart phone" its a PDA phone. You can turn the "phone part" off and use it strictly as a pda. No calls will come or texts.

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When I purchased the various books through Skyscape, the desktop version came free with the PDA version. I use the PDA in clinicals, class and at work. I use the desktop version when studying and writing my care plans. Looking something up on the computer is much easier than a book any day. I can have Taber's, Nursing Dx Handbook and Davis' open at the same time.

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I just got the phone this semester. So far I have had no issues with the hospitals or the instructors. We use our phones to either call or text our instructors when we are on the floors. Last semester we weren't allowed to have cell phones. I guess it could vary depending on the instructor.

Lynn/BW

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I have a TX that I bought for school. I have Skyscape's Nursing Constellation Plus and I think it's well worth every penny. I use it constantly. I always have it in my pocket at clinical and use it often to look up dx, meds, terms I'm not familiar with, lab values, nursing implications. I have it on the desk at home when I study as a reference and use it just like any other reference tool. It's so small and easy to use I even use it during lectures to look things up.

The TX also has a web browser, so I can easily get online.

Besides Skyscape, I also have Supermemo (a really good flashcard system), and pTunes (So I can listen to recorded lectures - I usually do this with my iPod while I'm running, but I like the option of using the PDA as well), my calendar (which has all my school assignments, clinical times, etc., as well as work and home stuff - this comes in so handy! It syncs with the calendar on my computer so it all matches up. I use Mac's web service and it even posts my calendar on my own site so my husband, Mom and kids can all see my schedule - a very cool feature), and all my contacts (which matches up with my cell phone (through bluetooth) and my computer. I also have a keyboard that connects to the TX with bluetooth which makes it really easy to enter info when you have a large amount, for instance when I'm creating flashcards.

If I already owned the actual books, I probably wouldn't invest in a PDA - I use mine as an alternative to buying the books and it has worked out very well.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I use my PDA as a reference at clincals and I love it. It can also let me get online if the hospital has WiFi: most have free WiFi for visitors and patients to use (I try not to hop on a private wireless network unless it's an emergency). When it comes to making patient notes though, I stick with pen and paper because it's a lot faster.

Plus, we can get a PDA past our CI than trying to pass a phone/PDA combo (which most CI feel we'd be using to make phone calls and texting more than for reference).

But when I'm at home I always reach for the textbooks--I never have to worry about battery drain or signal strength with them :)

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