What is everyone's opinion on using a PDA? I've heard that they are quite useful and that there are a variety of programs out there, such as drug references, drug interactions, and pathophysiology.
Which PDA do u recommend? What programs do u recommend be downloaded onto the PDA?
Is it worth the money?
Thanks!
Shelby
 |
|
|||||||||||
 |
||
search realityrn
sign up for weekly cartoons, tips, and blog posts
Register to win a pair of RX Medical Silver Fox Crocs
|
|
|
 |
July 31st, 2008 at 6:28 pm
i have a pda phone and i do find it very useful for our line of work. the materials that it allows us to access while on the job is wonderful and it also helps to keep life sane outside of work as well. im with verizon and i have the palm centro…its new but its a great phone also blackberry has wonderful pda’s.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
i have a palm T/X and got softwares like davis drugs and a tabers medical dictionary. i added a med-surg nursing software not too long ago. very handy and definitely better than carrying around multiple reference books. i even saw RN-notes software but have had the book for awhile so passed on that one (each software ranges from about $10-$159, average nursing stuff is about $44 for each software). it gives u the option to try out the free demo before u purchase anything. my cell phone is a samsung PDA with at&t, it has windows media. i stuck with my palm pda becos it has touch screen which makes it much easier and quicker to find stuff, plus the screen is bigger and i wanted my cell phone seperate from my main reference pda becos i store word documents and articles on it too. i think verizon or sprint may be the only ones that have PDA phones with touch screen. I guess its really personal preference, if u can browse with just the keyboard or if u prefer to have a touch screen option. also if u have to carry ur cell with u at all times, then u might want to consider stickin with a PDA phone versus just a simple PDA (Mac-Palm is the best). this way u have your PDA and ur cell in one device. also check compatibility of the softwares u might be interested in to see if it will work with the PDA phone (most softwares are compatible with multiple devices). i suggest u go to bestbuy or circuit city and get a feel of the two different types (PDA phone and just PDA). Hope this helps.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
Shelby:
It really depends on what you want to do. I use a Palm T|X loaded with Nursing Central, which has Davis’s Drug Guide along with Taber’s Cyclopedia, Labs and Diagnostics and Medline journal information on it. This is a subscription service which you buy yearly.
I have also used ePocrates and I like their software, but it’s geared toward MDs vs RNs, especially in dealing with the drug info. They are subscription as well, but they also have a free drug reference you can load on your Palm.
I do not use a combo device because I subscribe to the “I want some things separate theory.” This is also due to the fact that I could not find a phone/device combo I liked. This has changed significantly in the last year, particularly with iPhone applications.
It’s really a choice between what you like to use and what resources you need at the ready.
Any other info, stop by my blog at http://itrn.blogspot.com where I review and track information on technology for nurses.
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Shelby,
I agree with what everyone else has said so far. I actually found a great smartphone that works well for me. I have AT&T cell service and I have a HiTech Tilt that I absolutely LOVE. I looked at the palm centro and the blackjack 2 also but liked this one waaay better. It works on windows mobile so it’s very easy to use and has microsoft office built in. It has a touch screen that hides a full qwerty keyboard underneath that slides out. I have a 2gb memory card in it and have plenty of space. I have my email, internet, phone, 3 mega pixel camera/video, and nursing references all in one handy device on my hip 🙂 I have a medical spanish to english dictionary/translator on mine and a drug reference that are sooo helpful. I use skyscape.com to find new programs. My only thing with it is that, like someone mentioned before, they are expensive. This is why I found it more efficient to buy the smartphone. The programs can be pricey, but are well worth it, and you can sometimes run across some free programs also.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Thanks for all the advice! I checked into some of the PDA’s/PDA+phone that u all mentioned and they all look awesome! It’s hard to decide whether to have just a PDA or a PDA-phone combo. I like the idea of having the keyboard as opposed to a touch-screen or a stylis (sp?). I think the latter two are more difficult to manipulate.
Are u able to write off the cost of the phone, programs, and any subscription fees/plans on your tax returns? I know u can do so with uniforms and other work-related necessities, so would it be valid to do so with the PDA?
August 7th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Are there any PDA/combos with large print?
I used to have a PDA, but the font was so small and with my already poor eyesight, I gave up using it.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Check with your tax advisor. Some software may be tax deductible.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I bought the new iPhone and added the free epocrates software which I love. It’s really helpful, you can also pull up google and find out whatever you want pretty much when you need it. Just a thought. You can zoom in as much as you need to in order to see the small print.