Aidful Apps

It's officially freshers' week - not that we get to experience much of it as student nurses, cue the violin! - signalling the start of a new academic year for both new and continuing student nurses. We all know that freshers’ week means freebies, so in keeping with tradition, I thought I'd mention a few handy, free apps that may be of use regardless of juncture.

1. Dropbox

This is a fab service and app that frankly I would be lost without. It’s essentially a cloud storage system that allows you to easily copy, store, share, and access a variety of file formats from either a computer (any computer I may add) or from your smartphone. You’re provided with 2GB worth of storage absolutely free, which can be increased by instigating successful referrals and other minor bits of admin. There are price plans available for those who require mega storage, but even with all of my uni work and other random files on there, their free storage quota has thus far been more than sufficient for me.

For more info and to sign up head here: https://www.dropbox.com/

App available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Kindle Fire users. In addition to the app and desktop internet access, there’s also a Window’s desktop application that’s well worth installing enabling you to easily copy files over to your dropbox account.

2. NICE Guidance

A must have for any student nurse, allowing access to all published NICE guidelines via an easy-to-use and effective interface and filter system. Regular content updates are available, ensuring that you have relevant and up-to-date information at all times.

For more info or direct link downloads for smart phones head here:
http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/nicewebsitedevelopment/NICEApps.jsp

App currently only available for iPhone and Android users.

3. Guidelines

Another clinical guidelines app, but this app collates and provides guidelines from a number of bodies including the aforementioned NICE, as well as the Department of Health, and independent bodies. Updates are released bi-monthly each year. As with NICE guidance, this app features a pleasant and easy-to-use interface.

For more info or direct link downloads for smart phones heads here: http://www.eguidelines.co.uk/app/#.UjW7VD-TW8A

App currently only available for iPhone and Android users.

4. Evernote

Billed as an app that ‘makes it easy to remember things big and small from your everyday life using your computer, phone, tablet and the web’, Evernote is that and so much more. You can pretty much pull all sorts of information from a variety of sources (photos, webpages, text, links, voice recordings, etc), or create your own notelets from scratch, and store them in an organised fashion in the form of ‘notebooks’. There is a free and paid version of this app, but with all the functionality the free version has to offer along with bundles of bells and whistles, I’ve never felt the need to upgrade. I’ll be honest, the interface and usability could be a bit easier to get your head around, but don’t let that put you off.

For more info or direct link downloads head here: https://evernote.com/

App available for iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, and WebOS users - there’s also a desktop version available for Windows and Mac OS users.

5. Survive Sepsis

Sepsis has been in the news again recently, specifically in relation to the number of needless deaths associated with it, so it seems only right to include this wonderful and brilliant app amongst the mix. Devised by the UK Sepsis Trust, this is effectively an interactive screening tool for health professionals; featuring selectable SIRS criteria as well as a sepsis-six checklist. It’s well-designed, easy to use, and potentially life saving, what more could you want.

App currently only available for iPhone and Android users.

6. ADC - Adult Drug Calculations

If like me you’re rubbish at remembering the formulas for adult drugs calculations, and perhaps not too good at the old maths part either, then this app may prove invaluable. Designed by NHS South Central, this app will walk you through the lot; with guides, step-by-step tutorials, and a quiz for good measure. Not the prettiest interface, but easy enough to use.

App currently only available for iPhone and Android users.

And there you have it. Enjoy Freshers’ week everyone, and I hope you all have a fab academic year.