What's the best electronic device for Nursing School?

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I am getting a lot of pros and cons on tablets and Ipads. I want to know what will work best for Nursing students? Also, which devices are the most multi faceted for a students needs?

Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.
The electronic device I got the most use out of during NS was a coffeemaker with a timer so I could wake up and have a pot already brewed... ;)

foot or back massager.

Guess I wasn't the only one thinking this way. I was personally going to say a watch with a second hand! :roflmao:

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I am applying this coming cycle for nursing schools so I can't comment on what would help there, but in my prerequisites (chemistry, a&p 1&2, math, microbiology, etc) the iPad mini was SUPER helpful.

I am an Accelerated BSN hopeful (entering nursing school already having earned a BA), so I thought my study skills were already on point. Then I used the iPad and got straight A's. I can't say 100% that you would get all A's in your classes if you used an iPad to study, but it worked well for my learned style. I used an app called Notability that syncs with Dropbox. I could put the class powerpoints on my iPad and write directly onto them using a stylus. Having all the highlighting, writing, drawing, different colors available at the stroke of my stylus was so helpful to me learning the material. Then, when I made an outline to study from, I could upload that and highlight on there. It saves everything to your Dropbox and you can access it from any computer, even print them out. So, I would definitely recommend the iPad for those reasons. It worked great for me because it was an interactive learning experience rather than just a regurgitation experience.

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I am applying this coming cycle for nursing schools so I can't comment on what would help there, but in my prerequisites (chemistry, a&p 1&2, math, microbiology, etc) the iPad mini was SUPER helpful.

I am an accelerated BSN hopeful (entering nursing school already having earned a BA), so I thought my study skills were already on point. Then I used the iPad and got straight A's. I can't say 100% that you would get all A's in your classes if you used an iPad to study, but it worked well for my learned style. I used an app called Notability that syncs with Dropbox. I could put the class powerpoints on my iPad and write directly onto them using a stylus. Having all the highlighting, writing, drawing, different colors available at the stroke of my stylus was so helpful to me learning the material. Then, when I made an outline to study from, I could upload that and highlight on there. It saves everything to your Dropbox and you can access it from any computer, even print them out. So, I would definitely recommend the iPad for those reasons. It worked great for me because it was an interactive learning experience rather than just a regurgitation experience.

High five on iPad mini ! :cat:

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I really loved using a recorder while taking my prereq classes. hearing lecture again is so helpful for taking notes. I wonder if we could use them in nursing school?

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
I really loved using a recorder while taking my prereq classes. hearing lecture again is so helpful for taking notes. I wonder if we could use them in nursing school?

The program I was in allowed us to record lectures, but we had to be able to pause the recording while we were discussing real patients. We were also not allowed to post the recordings anywhere. They were purely for personal use. We had to sign paperwork to that effect, including acknowledging that if we broke the rules, we could (and probably would) be dropped immediately from the program.

You'll have to check with your program about recording. Chances are they'd allow it with restrictions similar to what I have above.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

A group of us used electronics to help us study and take notes during class. A few of us used PC laptops, typically between 13" and 15" and a few of us used iPads. One of my classmates used a 13" MacBook. We all did just fine. I would suspect that if you do get a tablet, get an iPad. There are tons of apps and it seems that developers like to create apps for that platform first.

Look for apps that will allow you to use DropBox or some other similar storage system and make sure you have a "traditional" type of computer (desktop or laptop) available to be able to print out your work or do processing that requires greater power or a program that an iPad doesn't have.

You should also check the schools to see if they have student-accessible wireless internet access. That will make life much easier for you as you then won't have to get an iPad that does 3G/4G LTE cellular data. I use my phone for that and I can use my phone as a mobile hotspot if I need to, but your cell carrier may charge for that capability. Mine does.

With one very minor exception, I've never wished I had a laptop that was smaller. That very one single exception was when we had to use a "traditional" lecture hall with very cramped seats and extremely small fold-out desks. I would have wanted to use an iPad for those days.

I will definitely say this about the iPads, they all usually lasted the entire lecture day (and then some) on a single charge. If the lecture went past about 2.5 hours, I'd have to either put my laptop on a very power-saving mode from the get-go or find a place to plug it in, but I never had to go too long without being able to plug it in to the charger.

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Love the notability app on my iPad. I also recorded my lectures with it.

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Thank you for that information it is very helpful!

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Thank you for your information. It seems as though many of us are just using our laptops. With that in mind three quarters of the class is using Ipad or ipad mini's when the laptop is not necessary. Thank you again for input!

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I'd say ask the staff about the programs, I have classes with people that have Ipads that can't run certain programs as well as load some internet site because of the plugins.

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Wow! This is helpful. I am starting to go to school this september and was wondering thesame thing. Thanks for the infos!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Long Term Care.

I brought my iPad to class most of the time to quickly look things up on our school blackboard system or to even look at the powerpoint along with my instructor. I have a 13" MacBook and was too much for everyday class. I just needed something bigger than my iPhone to look up things I may have needed while class was going on. Some classmates didn't use anything, it's really about your own study/note-taking preference. You will find your recipe for success once you get in the swing of things! Good luck!

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