What should I get?

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..

hi all!

to make a long story short, my step-mom (an rn) offered to buy me something nice to help me while in nursing school. (btw i wont be starting ns until january '09)

well, i have read some threads on here and was thinking maybe pda...

are any of you guys using pdas in nursing school? (ie: to put davis drug guide, etc on it)??

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I think PDAs are a waste buy a drug book for $10. I would ask for a stethoscope or comfy shoes.

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I use my pda constantly; why guess at the meaning of a word/condition/procedure, when you can look it up quickly and accurately. Also, carrying it in my scrub pocket is no where near as annoying as carrying a bulky drug book.

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A PDA would be very helpful. Download all your drug guides in it and it will be useful during clinicals compare to carrying all the books with you. It might be a little expensive but its worth every penny...

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I used my PDA all the time in NS, I loved it!! It is expensive, but you can find them for a reasonable price if you research. I downloaded the Nursing Constellation and got free versions for my computer so I was able to look things up on my computer while doing care plans.

If a PDA is too expensive, invest in a pair of good shoes. Don't get a stethoscope that's too expensive, you may need a specialty one when you graduate (peds, NICU, etc) so just get a basic Littman and you'll be set. The best place I've found them are at Allhearts.com, and they'll engrave your name on it too!

Good luck with school

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Specializes in Woundcare.

I love my PDA and it's much easier to carry around and use than a big drug guide book. So that would be nice, but I think that my fancy steth is more useful to me in ways. I just could not hear well out of my cheapy steth and it was really uncomfortable in my ears. Then my husband bought me a fancy Littman and it's really made an amazing difference. So while a PDA is handy and I use it often, it is possible to just carry around the drug guide book. In my opinion, there really isn't a substitute for a good steth though so I would go for that.

That's my vote!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I've never used a PDA and don't really see a need for it. I have my reference books in my nursing bag and I never have to worry about them being stolen, misplaced or running out of juice.

Splurge on a littman steth...

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Your Mom is very nice. You might want to wait til you get started, or @ least get the book list. You'd be better able to figure out what you'll need.

JMO.

One idea: a really good backpack on wheels.

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From what I've read on this board in other sections, a PDA seems to be an invaluable tool. It looks like Palm Treo or TX(?) are good ones a as they're compatable with a lot nursing programs. Do a search of this board for people's opinions. If/when I get accepted I'm definitely getting one.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab.

Congrats on starting in January! i start in January as well.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I didn't have a PDA in school, but one of my classmates did and she loved it. Had her Davis Drug guide on there and was pulling it out all the time. But, I think a quality stethoscope would be a good purchase. I had a cheapo one that I hated and just recently replaced with a Littman, which I love!

I say get a middle of the line Littman, like a Classic or even the Lightweight one would be good. :twocents:

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Specializes in Critical Care. CVICU. Adult and Peds PACU..
Congrats on starting in January! i start in January as well.

That's awesome - where are you going to NS?

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