Nursing students receive iPods for clinical practice
Omkar Baxi
Issue date: 9/25/09 Section: News
The College of Nursing and Health Professions presented iPod Touches equipped with medical software to more than 300 students in the nursing and physical therapy programs Sept. 21, according to Gloria Donnelly, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
Donnelly said the 16GB iPod Touch was selected to provide a fun device that students would use outside their studies. Students in the clinical phase of their education will use the device to communicate with faculty and use textbook iPod applications provided by Skyscape, Inc. While some other nursing schools use PDAs in their nursing education, Drexel is unique in using iPods in clinical education.
"For the last seven years, all [nursing and health professions] students were required to have a PDA while they were on the clinical rounds. The PDA allowed communication with faculty and electronic resources for clinical students, but was not really used outside that or after graduation. With the iPod, we hope that students will continue to use this in their profession," Donnelly said.
According to Stephanie Glatts, a sophomore nursing major, received an iPod, nursing students knew that they would be getting an electronic device like the PDA but also got an e-mail in the summer saying that the school was considering the iPod Touch.
"I was very excited to get the iPod because it is so useful and fun. Having all of the nursing info on a small device is very convenient," Glatts said. She said she expects to use the iPod frequently for nursing purposes in addition to personal use.
According to Donnelly, NHP alumni surveys showed that only about 25 percent of students continued to use the PDA in professional life. Surveys will be conducted again next year to see whether using the iPod Touch increases use in professional settings.
"We expect the iPod to be largely accepted and appreciated because [it can do so much]. Students are using it to listen to music, play games, as well as continue their nursing education," Donnelly said.
Donnelly said the 16GB iPod Touch was selected to provide a fun device that students would use outside their studies. Students in the clinical phase of their education will use the device to communicate with faculty and use textbook iPod applications provided by Skyscape, Inc. While some other nursing schools use PDAs in their nursing education, Drexel is unique in using iPods in clinical education.
"For the last seven years, all [nursing and health professions] students were required to have a PDA while they were on the clinical rounds. The PDA allowed communication with faculty and electronic resources for clinical students, but was not really used outside that or after graduation. With the iPod, we hope that students will continue to use this in their profession," Donnelly said.
According to Stephanie Glatts, a sophomore nursing major, received an iPod, nursing students knew that they would be getting an electronic device like the PDA but also got an e-mail in the summer saying that the school was considering the iPod Touch.
"I was very excited to get the iPod because it is so useful and fun. Having all of the nursing info on a small device is very convenient," Glatts said. She said she expects to use the iPod frequently for nursing purposes in addition to personal use.
According to Donnelly, NHP alumni surveys showed that only about 25 percent of students continued to use the PDA in professional life. Surveys will be conducted again next year to see whether using the iPod Touch increases use in professional settings.
"We expect the iPod to be largely accepted and appreciated because [it can do so much]. Students are using it to listen to music, play games, as well as continue their nursing education," Donnelly said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Felix Barba
posted 10/07/09 @ 7:13 PM EST
Yeah, we in the Higher ed program here in Sacramento also get iPod touches.
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