Where do you keep your stuff?

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 31, 2010

Most places have lockers, but they are usually full. Whenever we have CNA students, their possessions are either put under the desk at the nurses station or locked in the med room.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 31, 2010

What stuff do you need? Just don't bring anything other than a snack.

Poi Dog · Mar 31, 2010

My class was told to leave stuff in our car trunk.

juliaann · Apr 1, 2010

I was dropped off for my CNA clinicals (my husband and I share a car), and I knew I wouldn't have a safe place to store my stuff, so I just didn't bring anything. I had my badge clipped to my scrubs and a pen in my pocket. For clinicals you shouldn't need anything more. We only did half-day clinicals so mealtime wasn't an issue - although I'm sure I could have stuck some lunch in the staff breakroom fridge.

I would not under any circumstances have wanted my purse/wallet/keys/cellphone there. There was no where to put them. Car trunk or do without, at least the first day. Your first day you can ask an employee if there's anywhere you can store a bag, and the next day then you'll know to bring it if you can.

You should probably refrain from bringing a huge bag, though...the employees will be doing you a favor by storing your stuff so it doesn't disappear, and you don't want to impose too much. This is their working environment, and you're just a guest.

Ev1987 · Apr 1, 2010

The cna's with seniority tend to have the lockers at my facility. But for most others, we have a closet space where we can hang our belongings. My best advice is bring only what is neccessary to work.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2010

We were allowed to store food in the fridge. But really I just recommend that you leave your purse in your car trunk or a classmate's trunk if you do not have a car..I stored some of my classmates belongings in my trunk during clinicals for them since they took the bus or got dropped off.

mizally · Apr 1, 2010

You can keep stuff on you that you might have in a purse, but the key is to minimize as much as possible.

If it's not too late, get a uniform top and bottom each with lots of pockets. On our clinicals, I kept my license, debit card and $10 in a button-up pocket at my knee. In another pocket, I kept raisins/nuts in a ziplock bag for snacking on the go. (The baggie is important even if raisins are in a little box because of possible poop "splatterage" -- the patient's, not yours. Hehehe.)

In my back pocket, I had a small notepad to remember room numbers, other important things like codes to doors, etc., also to calculate by hand I&O. I had two pens clipped to me (in case ink ran out or somebody walked away with one). Also, we had our own stethoscopes, which I put in a lower pocket or my side pocket or just around my neck. (The latter is annoying, though, when you have to move people.) And I wore my gait belt under my uniform top around my waist. To absorb sweat, FYI, I wore a T-shirt under my top and fastened the gait belt on top of that.

Other things to have: a couple tissues in case you get a tickle in your nose and have to sneeze suddenly, a couple of starlight mints for dry mouth (or nausea) and to avoid offending patients with your breath, a small tube of Chapstick, Vaseline or Carmex for dry lips -- something with some lasting power. That also comes in handy for dry cuticles from multiple washings. (You typically can't use your own lotion anyway. Some facilities have a special kind instead.)

That's really all you should need. I wouldn't take up extra space either as a student. People tend to bristle if they think you're getting too comfortable.

Hope that helps!

leaharagon · Apr 1, 2010

Wow!!! That was my first allnurses post and you guys are awesome! I will definitely be coming on here more often with more questions. It looks like I will keep my personal stuff in my car. I'm sure my instructor can tell me more, but keep the tips coming! :yeah:

Soyala23 · Apr 1, 2010

Pockets and clips are you best friend. When I was doing clinicals we also had to stash our belongings in the back of car but we to wear something similar to a jacket to let everyone know we were students from a school. The jacket contain huge two front pockets that let us carry essentials like gloves pens a notepad etc. Now that I'm working, I just have my pant pockets, but I love clipping things to myself. I have one for my pen, special keys, beeper, and my walkie talkie radio just clips on the side of my pants. I use my pockets for mostly gloves and a small notebook that I carry. You just have to be creative. I still drop things, but at least I don't lose anything.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Apr 1, 2010

I have gotten to where I just bring my wallet and keep it in my glove compartment. I can do without the "stuff" during the day. At the end of my day I take my wallet out and put my pens/notepad/nametag in. Then I don't have to worry about grabbing anything in the morning except my lunch, wallet, and phone. Waaaay easier and less worry about what I forgot.

You will probably be able to keep your lunch in the break room fridge. I doubt anyone will care. Don't take anything in unless it will fit in your pockets pants pockets or a shirt pocket. Leave one shirt pocket free for gloves or anything else they might give you. You'll just have to make do with what you can. You can take lotion, but you probably won't use it. I do recommend something for your lips, a pen, and a notepad. That's all I use at work daily.

Good luck! Take every opportunity you can to learn from your aide. I've taught the girls I work with a thing or two that I learned during my clinicals. On your second day, try to do something by yourself. It's an amazing feeling when you succeed!

annacnatorn · Apr 2, 2010

if its not vital to your job..leave it in your car. sometimes things go missing. your trunk is a wonderful location to ensure that nothing is missing or "BORROWED" by another person who needs your stuff. dont depend on a locker or leave it in a closet in a patients room, you cant watch everything all the time and need to be focused in on what you are doing rather than worrying about your stuff. I say leave it in your trunk, You need ID, pen, paper b/p apparatus, your brain and thats it. Keep it simple and youlll do fine. good luck...( I have 16 years of experience and have had stuff borrowed and never returned.)..words of experience....