PDA's

Nurses General Nursing

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I know that this had been asked many times but what kind of PDA do you have? What do you think makes your a good one. I really want one that is easy to use and affordable. What are some good programs to put on it.

I am looking for one to use for school, it will be going with me to the hospital. I was reading on a websites earlier that some PDA's don't work with Vista, have any idea which one. The computer froze before I could read it all. I am also posting this in the students forum.

Thanks

Ashley

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

I just got a Palm TX, and I loves it! I used a Palm Tungsten E all through nursing school and, like, killed it. The difference between the TX and the E2 (which is the updated version of my old palm) is about $100 and the fact that the TX has wifi, which was essential for me.

The Palm TX (retails for ~$300) and the Tungsten E (retails for about ~200) both run the same operating system and the same programs, but I wanted the wifi and bluetooth capabilties that come along with the TX.

There is lots of shareware out there you can get for while you're in school like EKG programs, ABGs, Calculators, etc. There's lots of great programs you can buy like Epocrates, which has a free version with a drugbook or one you can buy that has everything.

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Palm TX:yeah:

I got it 1/2 way through my first year of nursing school. I use the calendar and task list feature for my many deadlines and clinical schedule. I chose the Palm TX after seeing how easy it is to use from another student. My goal was to be able to carry the Drug Guide and a medical dictionary with me to look up a unknown word within seconds. It has well paid for itself. It comes with a user manual, but seriously, you don't need it--it's touch screen is super duper easy to use.

The negative, you have to buy the PDA versions of the books you want to put on it. But again, well worth every penny (average is about $40).

I immediately loaded Mosby's Dictionary, Davis Drug Guide, Med Surg, and IV Drugs. It's small and fits in a scrub pocket.

I remember considering a blackberry, so I would have a phone, too, but I didn't like the "keyboard". The touchscreen on Palm TX is better.

skyscape.com is where I purchased the downloads. I've been really happy with it.

That's my 2 cents.....:twocents:

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I just got the Palm TX and purchased the Unbound Nursing Central program http://www.unboundmedicine.com/store. Its pricey but actually has the exact books my program uses. I love it! :yeah:I have Vista and have not yet had any problems. My biggest complaint is just that it took while to actually figure out how to get the download from my computer to the card in my Palm. :banghead: I finally figured out to use the Palm desktop and click on the Quick Install button on the left hand side. Then copy and paste your extracted files to the bottom pane. When you do your next sync it all magically appears on your palm. Confusing at first but once I figured it out it is very simple. I also have found that the screen protector really inhibits the stylus so I'm going to try another brand and see if that helps.

May be more info than you were looking for, but I hope it helps.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC, Rehab, Hospice, Endocrine.

I'm getting a blackberry curve next week and will be using that as a PDA. I have several programs on my list to buy from skyscape.com...labs 360, Davis' Drug Guide, Tabers Dictonary, and maybe 5 minute clinical. I can't wait!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I have a Palm TX, and have on it....

Nursing Constellation, containing:

Davis's Drug Guide

Diseases and Disorders

RN Notes

Davis's Lab and Diagnostic Tests

Tabers

Archimedes

Med Alert

Medlines

Life Support 360

Nursing IV Handbook

Other:

Archimedes standalone

Lippencott's Manual of Nursing Practice:Procedures

Palm EKG

Porter Pocket Guide to Emergency and Critical Care

Pepid

Epocrates

At 3 in the morning, you don't know what you might need.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Palm TX with:

Nursing Central (Davis' Drug Guide, Labs and Diagnostics, Diseases and Disorders, Taber's)

IV Meds

ECGNotes

Archimedes

American College of Cardiology Treatment Guidelines

I let my Epocrates subscription lapse because I didn't like the drug guide.

I also have P Tunes so I can listen to music while I work out. I'd like a Blackberry, but my understanding is that many of the books I currently have on my Palm are not out for Blackberry yet.

My PC platform is Mac.

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Aren't there free Palm programs? I just got a Cento Palm and I want to ad some freebies.

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I did a few weeks ago that someone had found so free downloads but I can't remember where. When you buy the program do you also have that version or it is like a subscription that you have pay for.

Ashley

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