Your favorite "tech" solution to help you in nursing school?

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2009

My micro prof recorded podcasts for all of her lectures and I loved it. Now I record them myself, which isn't so great, but what I found to be a huge help was a little app called iTalk. It costs just a couple of dollars, and there is even a free "light" version available on iTunes. I have a little mic that I plug into my iTouch headphone port (it looks cute--like a push pin), but I'm not actually sure if that is necessary with the app. Anyway, it means I can record directly onto my iPod! No more messing with transferring recordings from a digital recorder onto the computer and then getting them onto my iPod. The only disadvantage with listening to recordings from the iTalk program (as opposed to one that is in iTunes) is that there it doesn't seem to "save" where you were when you stopped listening. It's okay if you just turn off and then go straight back to the program when you turn your iPod on, but if you go to any other program, when you go back to iTalk there is no hint about what you were last listening to or how far along you had got.
Still, I love it. It has saved me a ton of time, and I have been able to relisten to all my lectures, mostly when driving, so-o-o-o easily. If you have an iPhone or iTouch and love to learn this way, check it out.
Yes, that's how it works. Once I discovered gmail/Google calendars I was a happy camper. Now I can update my calendar anywhere--on my laptop, (work computer) netbook (school computer), Blackberry, or iPod, and they are all updated automatically. I :redbeathe technology!

Thank you so much for all the info!!!!! That is awesome especially about the Ipod touch, I will look into it, how is the clarity for the sound? Is it also like a FF and RR.

I have been putting next semesters schedule into Gmail calendar online and it is automatically syncing to my fun so that is awesome as well. Much easier to input it on the computer then the actual device.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2009

I bought a Livescribe Pulse pen and found it useful to record lectures. It records the audio at the same time it photographs your notes so you can playback your audio while you review your notes.

Hmmmm I might have to look into this as well!!!

caliotter3 · Dec 20, 2009

Hmmmm I might have to look into this as well!!!

They are available at Target, and, I believe, Best Buy. A 4 GB memory pen is now available along with 1 GB and 2 GB. Well worth the price. I got the 2 GB model and only used a fraction of the memory for three classes this last semester. http://www.livescribe.com

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2009

Awesome, thank you!

AOx1 · Dec 21, 2009

PS- if you are a triple A (AAA) automobile club member, you get a discount at Target- that's how I save $ on my livescribe pen. I was really excited! I agree, caliotter, those pens are THE BEST! I take them to every conference and meeting. No more tedious minute taking.

caliotter3 · Dec 21, 2009

The first time I used the pulse pen, the instructor was speaking in a very soft tone and my seat was on the furthest row to one side. I was concerned that the pen would not pick up the sound very well. Boy was I surprised! I would only be happier if they, somehow, were able to cut out all the background noise. But you can't have everything I guess! I highly suggest this notetaking system for any student. You can transfer the info to your laptop and access your notes on the livescribe desktop website. And there are lots of other little features that are also nice. Just an all around good practical toy for adults.

BanoraWhite · Dec 21, 2009

I find itunes have some good nursing stuff for students...If you just type in what you are looking for (ie "Anatomy") a list will come up with podcasts and "itunes U" which is basically videos and podcast different universities have created.

Most of them are free and I found some great videos on proper wound care aseptic technique, types of injections etc as well as heart and lung sounds. Its great to be able to watch and listen to these things, it can be a lot clearer than trying to visualize them when you are reading a textbook.

For the less 'Tech Savvy' - you don't need an iPod to access these. You can simply download them and keep them on your computer.

Also - I have found many a great video on youtube explaining in simple terms different body systems etc. There are some really straightforward ones out there which make learning a bit easier :)

thelittlemissus · Dec 21, 2009

.The second bit of technology I love is my PDA and Skyscape Constellation. The program is a bunch of books (Davis drug guide, Tabers, Dx guide, Lab Values book, etc) but what makes it even more useful is that they're linked together. So, from a Dx, I can pull up lab values associated with that Dx from the lab values book, drugs associated from the drug book, etc An incredibly handy thing in clinicals!

I Love onenote as well. I know this is a little off topic but how do you link the programs, I have the skyscape constellation package as well but mine does not pull up drugs and labs associated with Dx that I am aware. So how can I link the programs together?

peytonsmom · Dec 21, 2009

We're not allowed to have our cell phones, computers, or recording devices present/on during lecture. So basically a notebook and a pen are about as high tech as we get.

A friend of mine though will set up flashcards on www.flashcardmachine.com and then share the flashcards w/ us for practice.

Now that I think about it, I think it might be this site she uses:

http://www.flashcardexchange.com/

CuriousMe · Dec 21, 2009

I Love onenote as well. I know this is a little off topic but how do you link the programs, I have the skyscape constellation package as well but mine does not pull up drugs and labs associated with Dx that I am aware. So how can I link the programs together?

I didn't link it....it just came that way. Once you're in one of the books (ie the drug guide) then inn the upper right hand corner of the screen, there's a couple icons, one is a house to bring you back Constellation's Home Screen, and two over to the right from that is one called link. So, whatever entry you're currently on, if you tap on Link, you get a pop-up menu for the other books. If you choose one, it will show you any entries that are linked with your current location.

So, if I'm in the RN Disease book and am looking at Diabetes Mellitus, then go to link and choose the Drug guide from the drop down list....it will bring me to the drug guide and give me a choice of drug categories associated with DM.

Hope that helps!