What do instructors think of PDA's in clinical?

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There has been numerous threads in the student forums about PDA's in clinical. I was curious to find out what instructors thought about them. Do you suggest them or not? And why? Thanks!

Could you post your list of programs and websites?

Thanks!

Clinical instructor here .... I encourage them, and carry my own (both to clinicals and to my ER job). I haven't seen them used for personal information, but for resources/reference they are priceless. My first day with new students, part of our orientation is giving them my recommended list of PDA programs and internet websites - nothing required, but resources that will help in the long run. A lot of them are still not very tech savvy, but they at least know the information is available when they want it.
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Specializes in ER, CCU.

:nurse: Taber's, RNLabs4, RNDiseases, Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses)

these are the programs my nursing program wants us to buy for ours!!

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No amount of technology replaces common sense, but a PDA can be a great tool to SUPPORT organization and referencing. I see students spending way too much time getting info in/out of PDA's when they could have looked up the med in a PDR or jotted a note in a notebook. The trick is to think of it as a tool, not the do all know all peripheral brain.

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We aren't even allowed to have them in the *classroom*, let alone clinicals!

I have no idea why this rule is in existence. I see no point in banning something that would actually help us with our education and organization. Maybe the instructors are intimidated by them? :uhoh3:

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Could you post your recommended list of programs, Please! Any sites would be appreciated too. I have a new PDA on its way now and I cannot wait!!

Clinical instructor here .... I encourage them, and carry my own (both to clinicals and to my ER job). I haven't seen them used for personal information, but for resources/reference they are priceless. My first day with new students, part of our orientation is giving them my recommended list of PDA programs and internet websites - nothing required, but resources that will help in the long run. A lot of them are still not very tech savvy, but they at least know the information is available when they want it.
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Could you post your recommended list of programs, Please! Any sites would be appreciated too. I have a new PDA on its way now and I cannot wait!!

Skyscape has a lot of good software. http://www.skyscape.com

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Clinical instructor here .... I encourage them, and carry my own (both to clinicals and to my ER job). I haven't seen them used for personal information, but for resources/reference they are priceless. My first day with new students, part of our orientation is giving them my recommended list of PDA programs and internet websites - nothing required, but resources that will help in the long run. A lot of them are still not very tech savvy, but they at least know the information is available when they want it.

Would you mind sharing that list with me? I have ePocrates loaded on mine but not much else and would like to get more use out of it. I work in the OR and think it would be very helpful.

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