title: Handheld computers in nursing education: PDA pilot project.
abstract: Interest in the use and application of handheld technology at undergraduate and graduate nursing programs across the country is growing rapidly. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are often referred to as a "peripheral brain" because they can save time, decrease errors, and simplify information retrieval at the point of care. In addition, research results support the notion that PDAs enhance nursing clinical education and are an effective student learning resource. However, most nursing programs lack the full range of technological resources to implement and provide ongoing support for handheld technology use by faculty and students. This article describes a 9-month pilot project for the initial use of PDAs by novice faculty and students at Simmons College.
authors.affiliation: Simmons College, School for Health Studies, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Rebecca.koeniger-donohue@simmons.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koeniger-Donohue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001900:Boston; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003200:Computer User Training / Q000379:methods*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical / Q000458:organization & administration; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017751:Safety Management; D020377:Self Efficacy; D017748:Time Management