PDAs

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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I'm in the clinical portion of the FNP program and am shopping for a PDA. I want to get something that isn't a piece of junk that does nothing, but at the same time I don't think I need all the bells and whistles. Any recommendations?

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I love my Palm Tungsten T5 'cause it's got plenty of storage space. It cost about $350. I really like the shape of it too; it fits nicely in my hand and it's slim so it can easliy fit in my pocket.

I would have gone for the Palm Lifedrive 'cause it's quite a steal at about $500 (with 4GB of memory!!!), but it was too bulky (in comparison to the T5) for me 'cause i've got small hands.

You may even find the Palm Tungsten T3 on ebay for cheap...not as much storage, but it'll do if you don't plan to put a whole bunch of stuff on it.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

I like my dell axim with lexi and griffiths.

If you don't know a lot about these devices, go somewhere that carries them and has knowledgeable staff and spend some time playing with the various types. Some folks like the pocket pc better - like me - and others like the palm types. They can be very different and everybody has a personal preference one way or the other. Don't let anyone tell you one is better than the other - they all do the same thing, they just FEEL somewhat different from each other.

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I have the lifedrive, it freezes once in awhile, but nothing serious. Its a great little gadget. The T5 is also nice. The only reason I didn't buy it instead is because it doesn't have a voice recorder on it. I use my lifedrive to record lecture.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I like my dell axim with lexi and griffiths.

If you don't know a lot about these devices, go somewhere that carries them and has knowledgeable staff and spend some time playing with the various types. Some folks like the pocket pc better - like me - and others like the palm types. They can be very different and everybody has a personal preference one way or the other. Don't let anyone tell you one is better than the other - they all do the same thing, they just FEEL somewhat different from each other.

I read that this has a built-in microphone. Does it come with a recording software? If so, how long will it record at a time?

Also, what are lexi and griffiths?

For those in clinicals/RN jobs already, what software is the best? (I know there are a million threads like this, but everyone has different opinions.) lol

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR PDA? :chuckle

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

lexi.com

many different refs - their prescribing ref is tops and everything is referenced with primary sources IN the PDA! They have Lexi-nursing drugs too.

Griffiths is Griffiths 5 minute clinical consult - it's geared more towards NP/PA and MD types.

You can load anything you want on it.

I don't know how long it records - I guess that would depend on the size of your SD card. I have used it to dictate but the files it creates are too large for lectures and the like.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Thanks. ;) I guess I'll keep a digital recorder on my wishlist I'm giving to my hubby! :rotfl:

(He told me I can't by anything b/c I need to save something to get for my b-day & Christmas. In his words, "You need presents too." :crying2: So sweet. :p lol)

By the way my list is looking....I'm "gonna" need a present for Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, & New Year's Day. ...Any other holidays in between October 15th & mid January????? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Well, most of them will depend if I get accepted or not. If not, then I have more time to get the items on my list. lol

lexi.com

many different refs - their prescribing ref is tops and everything is referenced with primary sources IN the PDA! They have Lexi-nursing drugs too.

Griffiths is Griffiths 5 minute clinical concult - it's geared more towards NP/PA and MD types.

You can load anything you want on it.

I don't know how long it records - I guess that would depend on the size of your SD card. I have used it to dictate but the files it creates are too large for lectures and the like.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

You know - the big thing I love about the PDA is that I can put all kinds of references on it and not have to stuff my pockets with little books. I can ref and cross-ref and check drug compatibilities and make sure I'm not giving a patient something that wouldn't be good!

I have also used it in clinical situation where there was no place for me to set up my laptop and typed my clinical logs on it as I go - that way I dont have to hand write them and type when I get home. I prefer typing them on the notebook cuz its one step. Typing them on the PDA means I have to cut and paste the stuff I typed into form fields on the clincial log but it still beats writing them by hand.

If you plan on getting a pda get it before you need it - the learning curve can be a bit different with them. I still use a digital voice recorder for lectures, I find that I have to put it up on the lecturn in order to get anything I can hear - even if the prof is using a microphone.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
If you plan on getting a pda get it before you need it - the learning curve can be a bit different with them. I still use a digital voice recorder for lectures, I find that I have to put it up on the lecturn in order to get anything I can hear - even if the prof is using a microphone.

True. I'll tell him I need the PDA for Halloween....it comes first! LOL (I took Micro @ BHC & was in a lecture hall. My cheapo microcassette couldn't hardly pick up the instructor's voice over the air conditioning units.)

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Specializes in NICU.

I have a Tungsten E w/ Epocrates that I like a lot. If you're going to get a voice recorder, spring for a good one. I spent $80 on an Olympus and it's CR@P!!! Even putting it on the teacher's podium didn't help - couldn't hear anything.

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I read that this has a built-in microphone. Does it come with a recording software? If so, how long will it record at a time?

I have the dell axim 50 and i guess you could call it a recording software. there isn't a specific program for it, but if you go into notepad you can make a recording that saves on it there. mine stoped recording when my memory ran out - which wasn't much. i'll definatly invest in the memory card. but for lectures i just baught a little mini recorder

other than that the dell has treated me prety well (i also got the bigger batery, even though it sticks out, it's worth it - the regular batery (i've been told) will probably run out after about 3 hours of games or program use. mine has run out once, but i don't know how long i used it for). my cradle for it broke after only a week (probably my fault for having it in my bookbag), but they replaced it asap

i'm still debating on wheather or not i'll get the keyboard for it...

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The lifedrive will record for a little over 3 hours, which really is not very long but the quality of sound is great. Now if I could just figure out how to transfer my lecture to a file on my computer I would be set.

I also agree that it is a good idea to go ahead and get a PDA before you really need it because it does take a little time to figure everything out. I have had mine for about 3 weeks now and still have no clue how to use a lot of the features, and I'm pretty computer savy. Or so I thought LOL.

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