As a nursing student, you’re faced with the challenge of absorbing vast amounts of information while juggling clinical rotations, exams, and a personal life. Fortunately, technology can be your ally in this journey. We’ve curated a list of the 10 most essential apps that can help streamline your studies, boost your clinical knowledge, and prepare you for your future career in nursing.
1. Medscape
Price: Free
Medscape is a comprehensive medical resource that should be in every nursing student’s digital toolkit. It offers:
- Up-to-date medical news and expert commentary
- Extensive drug and disease databases
- Continuing education activities
- Quick reference guides for procedures and conditions
This app is invaluable for staying current with medical advancements and accessing reliable information quickly during clinical rotations
2. Nursing Central
Price: Free with in-app purchases ($39-$179 for full access)
Nursing Central is like having a mini medical library in your pocket. It combines five essential nursing resources:
- Drug guide with over 5,000 medications
- Medical dictionary with 65,000+ entries
- Lab and diagnostic test interpretations
- Disease and condition reviews
- Access to nursing journals and MEDLINE/PubMed database
The ability to quickly look up drug information, medical terms, and disease profiles makes this app indispensable for nursing students.
3. NCLEX RN Mastery
Price: Free with in-app purchases (full version $49)
As you prepare for the NCLEX, this app can be your constant study companion. It offers:
- Over 1,800 NCLEX-style practice questions
- Detailed rationales for correct and incorrect answers
- Custom quiz creation
- Performance tracking to identify weak areas
The challenging questions and comprehensive explanations make this app superior to many other NCLEX prep tools.
4. Epocrates
Price: Free with premium upgrades available
Epocrates is a trusted name in medical reference apps, offering:
- Comprehensive drug information and interaction checker
- Pill identifier tool
- Disease information and treatment guidelines
- Medical calculators and formulae
This app is particularly useful during clinical rotations when you need quick access to medication information or want to double-check drug interactions.
5. Human Anatomy Atlas
Price: $24.99
While it may seem pricey, this app is worth the investment for its detailed 3D models of human anatomy. Features include:
- Over 10,000 anatomical structures
- Ability to rotate and zoom in on models
- Quizzes to test your knowledge
- Cross-sections and micro-anatomy views
This visual learning tool can significantly enhance your understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
6. Med Mnemonics
Price: $1.9
Memorizing vast amounts of medical information can be daunting. Med Mnemonics makes it easier with:
- Over 1,900 mnemonics for various medical topics
- Ability to create and save your own mnemonics
- Searchable database by discipline or keyword
- Favorites list for quick access to frequently used mnemonics
This app can be a game-changer for retaining complex medical concepts.
7. Nurse’s Pocket Guide
Price: Free with in-app purchases
This app is a digital version of the popular nursing diagnosis handbook. It provides:
- Over 440 medical conditions with associated nursing diagnoses
- Prioritized actions and interventions for each diagnosis
- NIC/NOC classifications
- Documentation guidelines
t’s an excellent resource for developing care plans and understanding the nursing process in various clinical scenarios.
8. Picmonic
Price: Free trial, then subscription-based
Picmonic takes a unique approach to learning with its visual mnemonic system. The app offers:
- Thousands of picture mnemonics covering nursing topics
- Spaced repetition quizzes to reinforce learning
- Audio narration of content
- Progress tracking
If you’re a visual learner, this app can make memorizing complex medical information much more engaging and effective.
9. Davis Mobile NCLEX-RN
Price: $19.99
Another excellent NCLEX prep app, Davis Mobile NCLEX-RN provides:
- Over 1,500 NCLEX-style questions
- Customizable quizzes
- Detailed performance analysis
- Ability to flag questions for later review
The app’s strengths lie in its user-friendly interface and the quality of its practice questions.
10. Headspace
Price: Free trial, then subscription-based
While not specifically a nursing app, Headspace is crucial for maintaining your mental health during the rigors of nursing school. It offers:
- Guided meditations and mindfulness exercises
- Sleep stories and relaxation techniques
- Short “SOS” sessions for quick stress relief
- Focus-enhancing exercises
Taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as your studies, and Headspace can help you maintain balance and reduce stress.
These apps can significantly enhance your learning experience and clinical performance as a nursing student. Remember, while technology is a powerful tool, it should complement, not replace, traditional learning methods and hands-on clinical experience. Use these apps wisely, and they’ll serve as valuable companions throughout your nursing education and beyond.
BONUS!
Florida Nursing Tutors
While not exactly an app, Florida Nursing Tutors is a professional tutoring and writing service where nursing students can consult expert nurses for personalized, confidential assistance with their writing and online classes. This website provides specialized help that can boost your academic success, making it a must-have resource during your nursing education!