Hello all, I start nursing school in January! yaay! I'm getting in some of my money for school this week and plan on going to do some early school supply shopping. What are somethings you can't live without that have really helped you throughout the semester? Or even some things you wish you had? School supply wise and even nursing equipment type stuff. Also if you could recommend some good shoes. Thanks!

I would wait to make some of the purchases. For example, your school might mandate a specific type of shoe that you have to buy, and only they can tell you what kind of shoe that is. Your school might even issue you the stethoscope, penlight, scissors, and other supplies, because many nursing programs do this.

The items that have helped me out in my studies have been highlighters, black pens, index flash cards, a miniature stapler, hole puncher, lined college-rule paper, a binder, a laptop computer, and #2 pencils.

I would wait to make some of the purchases. For example, your school might mandate a specific type of shoe that you have to buy, and only they can tell you what kind of shoe that is. Your school might even issue you the stethoscope, penlight, scissors, and other supplies, because many nursing programs do this.

The items that have helped me out in my studies have been highlighters, black pens, index flash cards, a miniature stapler, hole puncher, lined college-rule paper, a binder, a laptop computer, and #2 pencils.

I noticed on here many students mention their schools provided that type stuff for them, the penlight, stethoscope, etc. but our school unfortunately does not. We had orientation a few weeks ago and were given our supply list. The only requirement of the stethoscope is dual head, and the only requirement for the shoes are white leather. I guess I should of mentioned that in my OP. Thanks though :]

I noticed on here many students mention their schools provided that type stuff for them, the penlight, stethoscope, etc. but our school unfortunately does not. We had orientation a few weeks ago and were given our supply list. The only requirement of the stethoscope is dual head, and the only requirement for the shoes are white leather. I guess I should of mentioned that in my OP. Thanks though :]

Littman Classic Stethescope, Penlight with replaceable batteries and the pupil gauge on the side. I recommend fine tip pens to write in the small boxes on the flow sheets because as students a lot of our charting is done on paper prior to being done in the hospital computer systems. Many of my classmates love Dansko shoes, though I hear they can be pricey.

Hmm...things I couldn't have lived without this semester...

• Yellow highlighters...lots of them.
  
• Those little Sharpie markers that you can clip to your name badge...indispensable for clinical. You wouldn't believe how many times I wished I had one.
  
• A 3-hole punch.
  
• Colored binders with colored notebooks. (ex: Black math binder to hold papers in, black math notebook to take notes in) - this way I can tell at a glance which stuff to throw in my backpack in the morning!
  
• Notecards...the bigger the better. I study this way - should probably buy stock in a notecard company.
  
• A ring to put flashcards on.
  
• A small, pocket-sized notebook for clinical - great for jotting down vitals, info given during report, etc.
  
• A USB drive.
  
• Comfy white shoes! (I have Brooks brand...then again, I have crazy flat feet and these are the only ones that felt good).
  
• I still need to get one of those CD organizers to hold all the CDs that came with my nursing books!
  

Have fun shopping!