Handheld computers in nursing education: PDA pilot project.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Informatics
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Handheld technology, specifically Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), is increasingly relevant in nursing education.
• PDAs are recognized for their potential to save time, reduce errors, and facilitate information retrieval at the point of care.
• Existing research suggests PDAs can enhance clinical education and serve as effective student learning resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a pilot project involving the initial implementation of PDAs.
• To assess the use of PDAs by novice faculty and students in an undergraduate and graduate nursing program.
• To identify challenges and benefits associated with integrating handheld technology into nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A 9-month pilot project was conducted at Simmons College.
• Novice faculty and students were introduced to and utilized PDAs.
• The study focused on the initial phase of technology adoption in a nursing program.

Main Results:

• The project provided insights into the practical application of PDAs in nursing education.
• Faculty and students engaged with PDAs as a tool for learning and clinical support.
• The study highlighted the need for technological resources and support in nursing programs.

Conclusions:

• The pilot project demonstrated the potential of PDAs to support nursing education.
• Successful implementation requires adequate technological resources and ongoing support for faculty and students.
• Further exploration of handheld technology integration in nursing programs is warranted.