While a good memory is essential to excelling as a nurse, there are mobile apps that can help with health care knowledge recall and expediting communications.

For students in online nursing programs, nursing apps can help make you more effective and confident in your coursework and on the job.

Following are 10 great apps for nurses and nursing students.

1. NCSBN Flashcard App – Medication Flashcards
   What it offers: This simple app downloads a medication library to your phone. Great for students preparing for exams or nurses who need a quick reference point.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; Free


2. Nursing Essentials – Nursing Reference Guide
   What it offers: This app turns the RN Pocket Guide by Informed Publishing into a digital information resource. Includes sections on CPR, Assessing, Cardiac, Respiratory, Neurological, Pediatrics, and more. A helpful resource for students studying for general or specialty coursework.
   
   Availability: iOS, Android, Nook; price varies by $6-$10, depending upon device


3. PEPID – Drug and Clinical Resource
   What it offers: With different versions for different professions, including nurses, EMTs, physicians, students and more, this app provides detailed information for all elements of patient care. Students gain a credible and complete resource guide for coursework, lab exercises, and clinical practice.
   
   Availability: iOS, Android, Blackberry, and mobile browser compatible; subscription starts at $215 for 1 year


4. Epocrates – Clinical Care Assistant
   What it offers: This app streamlines searches for information on prescription drugs, drug interactions, and a directory of providers. Nursing students can prevent mistakes on exams, and most importantly, provide proper treatment when they begin practicing.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; free, with a $175 upgrade for disease and diagnostic access, or enterprise subscription


5. Medscape – Informational Resource
   What it offers: Published by WebMD, this top free app provides access to a medical directory, continuing education, medical news, and clinical reference library. The news aspect of this app helps students stay up-to-date in the industry.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; free


6. WebMD – Access full WebMD Resources
   What it offers: App version of WebMD website. Because Web MD is created primarily for the general public, nursing students can use the available resources on the app to practice describing care to patients with non-medical terminology.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; free


7. Med Mnemonics – Nursing/Nursing Student Support
   What it offers: Over 1,500 acronyms, rhymes, and memory tricks to help nurses quickly learn numerous medical conditions, symptoms, and other medical terminology.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; $1.99


8. Taber's Medical Dictionary – Comprehensive Medical Dictionary
   What it offers: A mobile version of one of the best medical dictionaries on the market. Includes photos, videos, audio pronunciations, and functionality to save favorite entries. This dictionary has 65,000 definitions to help nursing students study for tests.
   
   Availability: iOS, Android, Blackberry, and mobile browser compatible; $50 for 1-year subscription


9. Nursing Central – Comprehensive Reference Resource
   What it offers: Information and reference for diseases, drugs, and tests for nurses, as well as a literature search function. Includes access to Davis’s Drug Guide, Taber’s Medical Dictionary, Diseases and Disorders, and MEDLINE Search and Journals, among other databases.
   
   Availability: iOS and Android; annual subscription of $169.95 


10. NurseGrid – Scheduling and Communication
    What it offers:   NurseGrid was developed by nurses to help manage the scheduling process. The app lets you schedule across all worksites, view who you’re working shifts with, message other nurses, and much more. [Entire units should use for optimal performance.] A manager version arrives soon.
    
    Availability: iOS and web portal; free