PDA use for nurses?

Published

Hello. I'm a new grad hoping to start in a ED or ICU. I have been looking at PDA's before nursing school and plan to get one. The programs availible are unlimited for an ED/ICU setting and any area of nursing for that fact. I was woundering if anyone is using a PDA and these programs for nursing. How helpful are they and how much do you really use them? If you do use them do you have time to use them (in a ED setting especially)? Is it worth the money? :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a first year student and doing my med surg rotation. I have a Palm Tungsten E and I use it constantly and would be lost without it.

Besides the calender, calculator, and addressbook in it, I also have Davis Drug guide, a medical dictionary, and nursing diagnoses software that includes outcomes and interventions. I would normally have to carry at least 6 books around clinicals without this thing, but it fits right in my pocket.

I also have a digital bible downloaded with a daily reader so I can do devotions between classes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HEMS 6 years.

PDA's are absolutely worth the investment. Invest in more memory and a fast processor. You'll pay a little more upfront but it will pay big dividends later on. Good luck with your new career and here is some unsolicited advice: If you're a new grad in a specialty area know up front what your orientation will be and make sure it is structured.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a Sony Clie with several programs. The ones I us the most are the Davis Drug Guide and Tabers Medical Dictionary. It a excellent way to quickly look up information while in the clinical setting without having to carry around bulky books.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I use mine all the time. Try doing a search as there are loads on PDA's and software to use or where to get the software from.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PDA's are absolutely worth the investment. Invest in more memory and a fast processor. You'll pay a little more upfront but it will pay big dividends later on. Good luck with your new career and here is some unsolicited advice: If you're a new grad in a specialty area know up front what your orientation will be and make sure it is structured.

Which PDA would you recommend? Some RN's tell me they like HP's better than Palms, but the HP's tend to cost more and have less memory.

Any thoughts on this?

:confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Which PDA would you recommend? Some RN's tell me they like HP's better than Palms, but the HP's tend to cost more and have less memory.

Any thoughts on this?

:confused:

I have a Palm Tungsten E which was about $199 and came iwth a free aluminum carrying case. It had about 32MB of memory on it, but I got a 512MB expansion card for about $35 from Staples. I think it works great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im looking into buying the HP Ipaq Mobile Media Companion PDA

For Sale at Circuit City. Its a bit expensive, but I get a mp3 player and its wifi compatable, which means I can surf the internet. Its got 56k mem built in, but can expand to 1 gig, and I dont see myself needing more than that (lol - thats what my laptop has!)

I'd appreciate if anyone has this one already to comment on it. Also, whats the #1 program you cant live without? Obviously drug guides.... are there any freebies out there?

Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Trauma.

OKay guys, I finally pulled the trigger, hubby and I went shopping today and found a great deal on a Tungsten T5. I realize this is probably more bells and whistles than I need right now, but hubby thinks I will grow into, rather than out of it.

Now that I have the thing.....what accessories and programs are a MUST? (I bought some screen covers, extra stylus and a soft case, althought I think now once I get into clinicals a hard case would be better?)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello, I have Tungsten T3, I bought it from Skyscape.com

It came with several free nursing programs. I still need a drug guide though. It came with one, but my school (start in August, 05) requires Davis.

i love it and it was the hottest things till the T5 came out. The difference is my screen slides up and down to expand it instead of it being long all the time. Check out the skyscape web site. You can buy a bundle pack of programs really reasonably priced. After you purchase them, all you do is download them and then sync your Palm. It's so easy. I'm glad you started this thread because I was wondering the same thing. "Just how much and realistic is the use of a Palm, in nursing school and as a RN?" I wasn't sure if the info given, say in the drug guide, would include everything you needed.

Well I look forward to hearing others responses. Good Luck with your T5

Melanie

OKay guys, I finally pulled the trigger, hubby and I went shopping today and found a great deal on a Tungsten T5. I realize this is probably more bells and whistles than I need right now, but hubby thinks I will grow into, rather than out of it.

Now that I have the thing.....what accessories and programs are a MUST? (I bought some screen covers, extra stylus and a soft case, althought I think now once I get into clinicals a hard case would be better?)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been using Epocrates on my PDA for 2 years and am quite pleased with it. I have not seen the Davis Drug Guide for PDA's. Is there anyone out there who has used both and what is your opinion? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Trauma.
Hello, I have Tungsten T3, I bought it from Skyscape.com

Excellent! I originally had decided on the T3, I thought the slide screen was SO cool, but decided on this one because of the sale.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will check out the bundles!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion