Backpack, watch for nursing program?

barcode120x, RN, NP · Aug 8, 2013

I'm a youngin and I can't stand going around with a roller backpack so I picked up a fairly small Swiss backpack for about $45 off amazon. I ended up getting a laptop bag for my 15 inch laptop and tossing in my 1-2 books that I needed to bring in my backpack. I eventually realized that I really only needed the backpack since we only had one textbook (big phat Fundamentals one) to bring. Tbh, you'd be fine with an Jansport bag, unless your school is doing a crapton of books the first semester.

As for the watch, I guess it depends on how strict your school is? Mine only required a watch that had a second hand. I ended up picking up a Casio G300 G Shock digital watch for about $65. It DOES have a 2nd hand, but it's SO tiny. I mainly bought it cuz it's sporty, small, and looks nice haha, but it does the job!

toya932 · Aug 8, 2013

Hi! If your school requires you to brings your textbook you need a regular book bag. Rolling kind? Eh not a fan lol.

In terms of a watch, I am not sure if you are a woman or guy(sorry no offense). But I got the nursemates basic dial watch on amazon. It was only 25 bucks!! I absolutely love it! It is white, waterproof, EXCELLENT second hand( they made it red and longer than the other 2 hands), and military time. It's cute too, so that can't hurt!!!

Also, congrats on beginning nursing school! I begin in 3 weeks as well.

mangosoccer11 · Aug 8, 2013

I agree with both of you haha. I don't like the rolling backpacks. They're a pain in the butt. I wish I had enough money to buy a good watch!!

So toya932, does your nursemates watch have a sweeping second hand that doesn't tick? I might just go with that watch. Or maybe I'll check out Casio too. Maybe I can find a cheapie!!

I'm so scared to start nursing school!!

Okie36 · Aug 8, 2013

For my program a large roller bag is essential for class days.. Clinical days not so much... I have 6 books that are used regularly and they are large enough that they won't fit into a regular backpack...some of my classmates have tried to get away with leaving other books at home, and guess who they end up coming to to borrow when they unexpectantly need a resource... Yep, me. My roller bag is actually a scrapbook tote and although it's unfashionably large, it holds everything including stethoscopes, scissors, hemostats etc....not a very good fashion statement, but when you watch classmates get 0's and 1' s because "lack of preparation" for those surprise skills lab days or when the instructor decides to throw in a sim lab day or pop quiz, it makes it so worth it... Good luck with your journey! It's a long strange trip! I will finish mine in March :)

toya932 · Aug 8, 2013

I'm not sure what a sweeping secondhand watch is, but I believe the nursemates watch has a ticking second hand. But I highly recommend it, when I received it though, it did not work, so I payed about 5 dollars and got a new battery, and that did the job. So that is the only complaint I have.

toya932 · Aug 8, 2013

Also IMO, getting a really expensive watch during nursing school is not wise. You want a watch that if it got damaged from some bodily fluid or was scratched you'll be able to shrug it off and get a new one. But that's just what I think! :)

erilindsey · Aug 8, 2013

I'm using a Swiss backpack. It's slightly on the larger side. I'm not sure if I'll need a roller backpack I don't have orientation until the 19th.

As for the watch my school requires one with a sweeping second hand. It was SO SO SO hard to find. Almost all of the watches on Amazon say they are but they tick. It's almost impossible to find one for cheap. My school is pretty strict on their dress code so if they say they want a specific watch, I would get it. I finally found one in downtown Los Angeles by a brand called Citizen. Best of luck finding the watch. I had anxiety over trying to find one. :/

mangosoccer11 · Aug 8, 2013

I don't think it's so much that the roller bags are unfashionable. I'm just so uncoordinated that roller back packs are hard to deal with. Like up and down stairs. Thats awesome that your almost done with your program Okie36! You can see the finish line!!

A second hand sweeping watch is a watch that doesn't tick. I really wanted to find a cheap one because I have problems with calculating a pulse. I've looked online FOREVER and it seems like the watches that sweep are $1,000. Maybe I'll have to get up and find a cheap watch.

Erilindsey- I'll have to try to find the brand, Citizen! Hopefully, I can find a watch by them.

LRoth · Aug 8, 2013

Do you mean a watch like this? Since your screen name starts with man I am going to guess you wouldn't want this other adorable Minnie Mouse one.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2013

Do you mean a watch like this? Since your screen name starts with man I am going to guess you wouldn't want this other adorable Minnie Mouse one.

Aw the minnie mouse one is cute! But it has a crappy review. :sniff:

SmilingRN · Aug 8, 2013

Some of the students had Swiss Army rolling cases. I've even seen a few doctors using them in the hospital and I see that they carry a lot of equipment. Costco usually has a deal on them and it comes with a lifetime warranty, from what I've heard. I used a rolling bag after using a carrying back because the books started to hurt my back after a few weeks. I'm no teenager, but I'm not 30 and it was scary to think my back was taking a beating because of a few textbooks. Sometimes, I'd have Peds and OB on the same day so between books, binders, and a laptop I'd have at least 10-15 pounds worth of materials at once. Yeah, it was corny to have a contraption that could also double as a luggage, but I only have one back and I want to keep it in good shape. Just some food for thought.