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 2025
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!