pda use in nursing

Specialties Emergency

Published

I have a pda and use it frequently at work. I get ALOT of comment about being a gadget queen or techie nurse. It's funny because whenever anyone has a drug question they always come to me and ask for help. wanted to know if anyone else has been using their handheld for drug calculations and such. I highly recommend it.

thanks

kim

Do you have programs on your PDA AND own the book? I am trying to decide whether I need to both the book and program or if the program alone is sufficient. This is in reference to drug reference guides and medical dictionaries. Appreciate your help!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In our ER - the residents were provided FREE PDAs and most of the nursing staff use theirs often. I just got a tungsten E and whew - the color is phenomenal! I use the ER Suite, epocrates, medi-calc and RSI wizard.

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Hello. I recently bought a Treo phone/pda. Epocrates is great, and I also like the RN Crashcart that gives you a little bit of everything---EKG rythms, basic spanish words, drip calculations, etc.

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Found another freebie for those of you that are already "RNs" - sorry, not available to students.

http://www.merckmedicus.com/pp/us/hcp/hcp_home.jsp. Gives access to the whole Merck Manual, a guide to diagnostic tests (Lab, imaging, micro), and several current journals (which you specify your area of specialty). Use of Cards is supported - total download is about 8MB. Between that and the micromedex that our hospital provides - and the free sites I've found from all of you, I think I got everything covered without paying for any of them.

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i love the skyscape programs. i have drug hndbk 2005, manual of nursing practice, taber's, rndiseases, rnlabs. it cost me quite a bit but its all worth it. i also use epocrates to check interactions. great stuff.

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Epocrates Drug program is good. I also have Archimedes (calculations program-free download), BONES 1.0, CDC data (free download), Diagnosaurus (free download), Eponyms (free doenload), Pocket EKG, NBC Agents (free download). :)

hi there, just like to know what's the website of these free downloads (i'm also new with pda) would you mind if you could share it with us?

thank you so much. :)

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found another freebie for those of you that are already "rns" - sorry, not available to students.

http://www.merckmedicus.com/pp/us/hcp/hcp_home.jsp. gives access to the whole merck manual, a guide to diagnostic tests (lab, imaging, micro), and several current journals (which you specify your area of specialty). use of cards is supported - total download is about 8mb. between that and the micromedex that our hospital provides - and the free sites i've found from all of you, i think i got everything covered without paying for any of them.

thanks for sharing susi_q, i'll visit/try it. :)

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Here's some of them to start looking at:

http://www.rnpalm.com/software_palm.htm (free and sale of many others)

http://www2.epocrates.com/index.html (Rx free, others for sale)

http://www.freewarepalm.com/games/games.shtml (not specific medical)

http://www.medicalwizards.com/client/newhome.aspx (purchase, but free trial)

http://www.merckmedicus.com/pp/us/hcp/hcp_home.jsp (if already licensed)

http://palmtops.about.com/cs/alternativepdas/tp/Palm%20Freeware.htm

(not specific medical ... but some good free utilities)

http://www.pepid.com/products/rn/default.asp?product=RN&source=overture

(purchase ... or free trial - I like epocrates better)

http://www.skyscape.com/estore/store.aspx (free products drop down list - good for purchase list as well)

http://www.tarascon.com/index.php (excellent drug guide - free trial)

http://www.medicalwizards.com/client/newhome.aspx (purchase)

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susi_q, THANK YOU! :)

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not a problem ... hope you find some that work well for you

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i already copied/pasted it.. as a referrence ;)

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I just got the Tungsten E too! I was wondering what programs you use to play your MP3 music, view pictures, etc. Do you have to purchase the programs? If so, do you have any good recommendations for programs?

I appreciate your help! I am feeling a bit computer illiterate these days!

JenniferC

CANRN: so far I love it. Haven't had opportunity to use it much on the job yet... but have been throwing "remembered" questions at it, and think it will be well used. Thanks for the ABG ... it is just what I needed. I added several others from that site, too. Some of these look like they'll be great to use with my students

I bought the Tungsten E ... so I'm loving that I can carry vacation pictures on it, all my MP3 music for my workouts, my calendar, my contacts list, etc.

KIM: thanks for the suggestions. I've been looking at both of those sites, at this point for my "purchased" program I think I'm leaning towards epocrates, but haven't fully decided yet. Might just wait with the freeware and see what more I really need.

sue

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