"Nursing Kits" at school

Cardiolo · Sep 6, 2001

When I was in school, we used the "squeaky wheels" strategy. The squeakier (is that a word?) the wheels got, the more change came about. We too were "instructed" to get the kit from the bookstore. I bought the kit, and had the same problem with the instruments that you mention, so I took my own to lab class and clinicals. My reasons, although I was never approached (others were), was that there was nothing printed in our nursing handbook that mandated we use the school kits, so this is my choice, and I wanted to do my best. For me to do my best, I need better equipment...you get what you pay for. Fortunately we had many students in our class that had the same beliefs, so we had our way.

There is strength in numbers!

We also changed our attire for hospital clinicals. The director at the time wanted us to wear a certain style of scrub shirt. Of course several, rather most of our class, had their own opinions on the style they would like to wear. Again, there was no printed mandated rule, several students had already bought the required "color, " and were not about to head back to the store or return to the internet. Wala! Wear what you have already purchased. The excuse thing does work too :)

While I'm at it :eek: we had our grade scale changed too! This happened after our class graduated, but hooray for those behind us!!!! We agreed that the minimum standard should be higher, however, those that attained higher grades should not be penalized because they already met higher standards with higher grades.

Speak up, especially in greater numbers and have your rationale, whatever it may be, to make the change happen!!

Good luck and let us know what happens:D:) :) :)

essarge · Sep 6, 2001

In class today, the instructor said "we have gone through allot of different equipment and came to the conclusion that the sprague stethoscope is the best because you can interchange the heads between adult and peds. We also feel that the two tube approach allows you to better hear when you are a new student."

OK...when did they do away with the rotating heads on a scope, and since when do two tubes (that tend to make a noise of their own) work better than a single tube?

Guess I just have to suck up and deal with it this semester, but you watch what happens in the next semester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

BrandyBSN · Sep 6, 2001

Terrific! I am sure their scientific approach is appropriate :) You should be able to hear very clearly! Clear as mud!

:)

Im such a rebel, lol

BrandyBSN

essarge · Sep 6, 2001

Brandy,

Again thanks for making me laugh!!! Although I have experience in the medical field, CNA etc....they think we are all total idiots and don't know what we are talking about!! But I guess it's kind of like boot camp....do as we say, not as we do!! LOL! The funny thing is the instructor has a Litt III!!!!!!!!!!!! Geesh, if that isn't double standards!! LOL!

ADN 2002 · Sep 6, 2001

We also had kits we had to buy. It took the bookstore many many weeks to get them and when we finally were able to buy them ($80) we hardly used them at all. I wound up breaking mine down and making a good first aid kit to have at home. It was so aggravating to have something be "required" and then not use it in class.

Ours didn't come with a scope. We had to get that on our own, and there was just the "recommended" one - Littmann Classic II S.E. I had gotten a sprague before school started, but wound up getting one of these - it's so much better to hear out of.

RNforLongTime · Sep 7, 2001

I don't care what anybody says--there is no better scope than a Littmann! The Select and Lightweight models aren't that great but a Classic II S.E. and up give way better sound quality than a sprague anyday! The Cardio III has an adult AND a peds bell/diaphragm built in to it. I say buy the Cardio III now--they run 125 bucks and up. Provided nobody walks off with it--you should have it for a good long time--tubing can be replaced--most of the parts can be replaced.