Pocket handbooks, anyone?

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I am choosing between buying pocket handbooks (e.g. RNotes, Med Surg Notes) and making my own pocket handbook. What do these pocket handbooks have in common, anyway? Should I buy one or it is wise to just make a few notes on my own?

Thanks! =D

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

If you buy a PDA/Blackberry/iPod touch you can download just about anything you want (or access it from the internet) without having to buy a bunch of little handbooks that may or may not have the information you need. Drawbacks: you can't always access them from the hospital floor, and some downloads are expensive, on top of the cost of the device itself.

I have a pocket nursing drug handbook. Our med-surg textbook comes with an optional handbook which some of my classmates bought. Fortunately they were generous enough to share it. I recently bought a lab handbook, not so much for clinicals but for studying for NCLEX. Making your own handbook--how would you do that? You don't know what information you'll need from day to day.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm an old nurse (grey hair and everything - lol) and I used a handbook for years. However, once I went to a PDA (1998), whew - so much easier, everything up to date, much nicer

Now, my iPhone is my constant companion.

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I loved the med surg notes and med notes. I liked that you could write and erase in them, plus they were just more organized than my own. For my OB rotation I used my own med cards though just because there were specific meds we were told to know. I use the med surg notes all the time. Many of my friends loved mine and bought the bookstore out. The med notes one I'm not that thrilled with, as it's kinda too basic info for what I wanted it for. I haven't gotten the RN notes just yet, but I know I will soon! I just love the size, the erasability with an alcohol wipe and the organzied info.

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I am choosing between buying pocket handbooks (e.g. RNotes, Med Surg Notes) and making my own pocket handbook. What do these pocket handbooks have in common, anyway? Should I buy one or it is wise to just make a few notes on my own?

Thanks! =D

I have pocket handbooks and I love them. I recommend Barbara A. Vitale pocket handbooks.

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