Here are some of the best apps for nurses. These apps will help keep you focused on caring for your patients by giving you access to healthcare reference tools.

NCSBN Learning Extension – Medication Flashcards

Why it’s great for nurses: This simple app downloads a medication library to your phone. Great for nurses who need a quick reference point.

Availability: iOS and Android; free

PEPID – Drug and Clinical Resource

Why it’s great for nurses: With versions for different professions, including nurses, EMTs, physicians, students, and more, this app provides detailed information for all elements of patient care.

Availability: iOS, Android and mobile browser compatible; subscription fee

Epocrates – Clinical Care Assistant

Why it’s great for nurses: This app streamlines searches for information on prescription drugs, drug interactions, and a directory of providers.

Availability: iOS and Android; free, with an upgrade for disease and diagnostic access, or enterprise subscription

Medscape – Informational Resource

Why it’s great for nurses: Published by WebMD, this free app provides access to a medical directory, continuing education, medical news, and a clinical reference library.

Availability: iOS and Android; free

WebMD – Access full WebMD Resources

Why it’s great for nurses: This is the app version of the WebMD website. Because Web MD’s primary audience is the general public, nurses can use the available resources on the app for describing care to patients with non-medical terminology.

Availability: iOS and Android; free

Med Mnemonics – Nursing Support

Why it’s great for nurses: This app provides over 1,500 acronyms, rhymes, and memory tricks to help familiarize nurses with numerous medical conditions, symptoms, and other medical terminology.

Availability: iOS and Android; nominal fee

Taber’s Medical Dictionary – Comprehensive Medical Dictionary

Why it’s great for nurses: This is a mobile version of one of the best medical dictionaries on the market. The app includes photos, videos, audio pronunciations, and functionality to save favorite entries and has 65,000 definitions,

Availability: iOS, Android and mobile browser compatible; annual subscription fee

Nursing Central – Comprehensive Reference Resource

Why it’s great for nurses: Nursing Central offers information and reference for diseases, drugs, and tests for nurses, as well as a literature search function. The app 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 fee

NurseGrid – Scheduling and Communication

Why it’s great for nurses: NurseGrid was developed by nurses to help manage the scheduling process. The app lets you schedule across all worksites, view who’s on your shift, message other nurses, and much more..