9 Best Nursing Tools Available in 2023

No matter what your profession is in healthcare, it’s guaranteed that you have a set of tools and supplies you must carry around with you to efficiently and effectively do your job. 

Nurses, in particular, have a set of tools they must carry so they can assess patients and administer stellar treatment. These include a stethoscope, thermometer, tongue depressor, scissors, penlight, first aid kit, and clipboard. 

Now, you may have stumbled upon this article, expecting we will provide you with a list similar to the one above. But that is not the case. 

Instead, in this article, we’ll provide you with nurse tools you can find right on your mobile devices that can help you out with certain tasks such as scheduling, billing, note-taking, and more. 

Sound like something you want to know more about? Keep reading to discover the 9 Best Nursing Tools Available in 2023 and the corresponding apps or software that offer these features and services.

What Should You Look for in Tools for Nurses

Before we provide you with a list of the tools for nurses, it’s essential that you know what to look for in those tools. Most, if not all, must be found in any software or app you will download, no matter what purpose, so that you may make the most out of your chosen software or app. 

Intuitive

The software or app must be intuitive. That means the tool's user-interface design must be so good that you can figure out how to navigate it and utilize its features even without a manual. 

By having an intuitive tool, you won’t only save time and effort, but your fellow nurses and staff won’t have to deal with a steep learning curve which will then reduce the efficiency of accomplishing tasks. 

Accessible

Like other portable tools, the nursing tools must be accessible anytime, anywhere. In other words, you must be able to access them on your mobile devices, which you have on you all the time. Additionally, it’d be a huge plus if the software or app is still functional offline in case you must go to places with weak/no Wi-Fi signal or an emergency. 

Secure

There are certain tools where security is necessary, such as note-taking, scheduling, billing, and payment. Only relevant parties must be able to view, access, and change the information provided. 

To know if your tool is secure, check if the software or app has an encryption system and is GDPR or HIPAA-compliant. 

Personalization

Compared to others, having this feature is mostly a perk. If a tool allows users to customize or personalize how the app looks or their workflow, it helps them stay organized and streamline processes that may take time. 

Pricing

No doubt, there are free, mainstream applications that can do the job. However, they may not always be designed for nurses or to be used in a medical setting. So, before you resort to tools where you can do the minimum, it’s best that you look at resources - like this article  - that can introduce you to tools with a free or budget-friendly plan designed specifically for nurses, medical practitioners, or the like. 

Reviews and Ratings

Where else can you find valuable information about the app or software “in action” than on websites or the app store section that houses the reviews and ratings? Aside from knowing more about how to take advantage of the app and the problems you may encounter, there are reviews comparing and contrasting similar apps that you may be interested in switching to. 

Seeing that you are now equipped with the information on what to look for, without further ado, here’s a list of the 9 Best Nursing Tools Available in 2023 and their corresponding software/apps. 

The 9 Best Nursing Tools Available in 2023

Practice Management Software: Carepatron

An all-in-one practice management software for healthcare professionals such as nurses, Carepatron offers multiple features and services that can automate tasks and streamline business and clinical processes. Among the features most helpful to nurses include billing, coding, clinical note-taking, patient management, and scheduling. 

Carepatron’s Best Features

• Patients can book appointments, share results, and communicate with nurses
• Can download, edit, and create notes and templates
• Can automate scheduling and payment
• HIPAA-compliant and comes with an encryption system
• Apps available on desktop, Android, and iOs

Carepatron’s Limitations

• Doesn’t come with other tools mentioned
• Resources, templates aside, are located on the website
• Limited data storage for the starter plan 

Carepatron’s Pricing

• $0/month/user
• $12/month/user (when billed annually)
• $19/month/user (when billed annually)

Carepatron’s Reviews

• Capterra: 4.5 stars (69 reviews)
• G2: No reviews available

Other Practice Management Apps and Software:

• SimplePractice
• Jane
• Pabau
• Vcita
• TheraNest

Scheduling: NurseGrid

Easily swap shifts with fellow nurses with the help of NurseGrid, a scheduling app with features such as team scheduling and shift transparency. On NurseGrid, you and fellow nurses can compare schedules and come to an agreement on who will take which shift whenever. 

NurseGrid’s Best Features

• Can sync with several calendars
• User-friendly interface
• Customizable
• Has a free version
• Available on Android and iOs

NurseGrid’s Limitations

• Available only in certain regions
• Users report steep subscription price
• Users report concerns with the lack of information on the website and difficulty contacting customer service

NurseGrid’s Pricing

• Premium version: $349/month

Reviews:

• Capterra: No reviews available
• G2: 4.9 stars (6 reviews)

Other Scheduling Apps and Software:

• UKG Ready
• 10to8
• Deputy
• Noterro
• Humanity

Drug Information: Epocrates

Have access to various dosing calculators, information on potential drug interactions, medical content, and medical equations on Epocrates, a medical reference app designed specifically for nurses and other medical practitioners. 

Epocrates’ Best Features

• Medical calculators
• Pill identification system
• Can provide information on bacteria isolates in a neighborhood or area and the specific drugs it is resistant to
• Available on Android, and iOs
• Has a free version

Epocrates’ Limitations

• Desktop is web-based
• Can only unlock certain content in the paid version
• Users express concerns about steep price of the Plus version

Epocrates’ Pricing

• Plus: $16.99/month

Epocrates’ Reviews

• Capterra: 4.6 stars (81 reviews)
• G2: 4.5 stars (18 reviews)

Other Software or Apps for Drug Information:

• Gahart’s IV Medications Handbook
• UptoDate
• PEPID
• Medscape
• Pill Identifier by Drugs.com

Information on Diseases, Disorders, etc.: Nursing Central

Nursing Central is a five-in-one application for anything and everything related to tests, diseases, disorders, procedures, and even laboratory tests. On Nursing Central, you can access information found in the following: Davis’ Drug Guide, Taber’s Medical Dictionary, Davis’ Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, Diseases and Disorders, and Prime Pubmed. 

Nursing Central’s Best Features

• Centralized information
• Can subscribe to specific medical journals
• Has medical calculators
• Available on the web, Android, and iOs

Nursing Central’s Limitation

• Subscription needed to access content
• Some Pubmed journal articles remain behind a paywall despite paying for a subscription
• Add-ons require additional payment

Nursing Central’s Pricing

• $179.95 for 1-year subscription 
• $99.95 to renew

Nursing Central’s Reviews

• Capterra: No review available
• G2: No review available

Other Software or App for Information on Diseases, Disorders, etc.

• Epocrates
• UptoDate
• Medscape
• Skyscape Medical Resources
• IDdx: Infectious Disease Queries
• Lexicomp

Notes: Evernote Teams

A note-taking app that needs no introduction, Evernote Teams is similar to Evernote but designed specifically for teams and groups. With Evernote Teams, professionals such as nurses, can collaborate with fellow nurses, create documents, edit notes, and access files anytime, anywhere. 

Evernote Teams’ Best Features

• Can sync across devices
• Save webpages to your account
• Available on the web, Android, and iOs 

Evernote Teams’ Limitations

• Not HIPAA-compliant
• Users express concerns about pricing
• Users express concerns about the steep learning curve

Evernote Teams’ Pricing

• Basic: Free
• Personal: $7.99/month
• Professional: $10.99/month
• Teams: $14.99/month

Evernote Teams’ Reviews

• Capterra: 4.4 stars (8081 reviews)
• G2: 4.5 stars (73 reviews)

Other Notes App or Software:

• OneNote
• Pocket Lab Values
• Penultimate
• Notion
• Google Keep

Medical Calculator: MDCalc

Get access to clinical decision tools such as equations, dosing calculators, risk scores, and more at MDCalc, an app designed for medical practitioners such as nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and even medical students. 

MDCalc’s Best Features

• Has over 500 medical calculators
• Customizable menu to access favorite tools easily
• Nurses can earn CMEs on tools
• Available on Android and iOs

MDCalc’s Limitations

• Must sign up for early access for the calculator's integration with EHR
• No add-ons available 
• Reviews mostly found on the app store

MDCalc’s Pricing

• Basic: $99
• Standard: $199
• Plus 30: $299
• Plus 40: $449

MDCalc’s Reviews

• Capterra: No reviews available
• G2: No reviews available

Other Medical Calculator Software or Apps:

• Pedi QuickCalc
• Gahart’s IV Medications Handbook
• Infuse
• OB Wheel
• Pepid
• Medscape

Translation: MediBabble Translator

A professional-grade medical translation tool, MediBabble Translator helps nurses communicate effectively with their patients. With this translator, they can conduct physical tests and even gather information about the patient’s medical history.

Medibabble Translator’s Best Features

• Can be used offline
• Contains physician-reviewed translated questions and instructions
• Can display questions for hearing-impaired patients

Medibabble’s Translator’s Limitations

• Currently available in the following languages: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Haitian Creole
• Available on iOs
• Can contact customer service via e-mail

Medibabble Translator’s Pricing

• Free

Medibabble Translator’s Reviews

• Capterra: No reviews available
• G2: No reviews available

Other Translation Software or Apps:

• Systran
• Pairaphrase
• VerbalCare
• CaretoTranslate
• iTranslate

Self-Care: Keener

Keener is an application designed to help nurses beat burnout by allowing them to practice mindfulness, self-care, reflection, and more. 

Keener’s Best Features

• Comes with a one-of-a-kind “shift reflection” where nurses can write their feelings after shifts
• Comes with videos filled with positive affirmations and mindful mantras
• Can track emotional trends
• Available on both iOs and Android

Keener’s Limitations

• No add-ons
• No dedicated customer service mentioned
• Reviews and ratings are mostly available on the app store

Keener’s Pricing

• Free

Keener’s Ratings

• Capterra: No reviews available
• G2: No reviews available 

Other Self-Care Software or Apps

• Calm
• Nursewell
• Headspace
• 7 Cups
• Reflectly

Review: Human Anatomy Atlas 2023

Have a reference of the human anatomy on hand at all times with the Human Anatomy Atlas 2023 where you have 3D interactive models of male and female models and their organs. Aside from those, as add-ons, you can access their video library with patient education animates and a 3D Dental Anatomy model. 

Human Anatomy Atlas 2023’s Best Features

• Comes with free lab activities
• Come with quizzes
• Can create 3D presentations
• Available on Android and iOs
• The app is free

 Human Anatomy Atlas 2023’s Limitations

• No web version is available
• Users express concerns about missing labels on certain areas 
• Users express concerns about difficulties rotating the model

Human Anatomy Atlas 2023’s Pricing

• Free with in-app purchase prices ranging from $7.99 to $19.99

Human Anatomy Atlas 2023’s Reviews

• Capterra: No reviews available
• G2: No reviews available

Other Review Software and Apps:

• Palliative Care Fast Facts
• Med Mnemonics
• Picmonic Nursing
• Medscape

Narrow Down Your Selection of Best Tools for Nurses

Narrowing down your selection of the best nurse tools can be challenging, especially if you feel you need to have them all. But when you have limited phone storage and not enough time to actually use them, you must choose wisely. 

So, we recommend that you download apps that serve multiple functions, such as Carepatron. 

In a single app, you can do many things on Carepatron, such as: 

• Create your own medical notes
• Access downloadable, editable, and printable templates
• Track your patient’s progress and more through the patient portal
• Manage billing and payment 
• Automate and schedule appointments
• Conduct telehealth conferencing
•  . . . and more

Even better, aside from being HIPAA-compliant, Carepatron’s features are accessible for free! So, give Carepatron a shot by adding them to your list of best tools for nurses and signing up today!