First Clinicals; what to bring?!

[adnstudent44]

Hi, I tried searching other threads to see if this question has been asked before because I feel like it probably was, but I couldn't find anything. So I decided to ask it myself:

What are the key things a nursing student shouldn't go to Clinical without? (aside from his/her stethoscope?) I will be going to a long-term care facility affiliated with the local hospital.

So far I am bringing my stethoscope, my check-off sheet, a pulse-ox I just bought off amazon (recommended to me by a second year student), a pocket drug guide, extra scrubs to leave in my car just in case, my watch, ID, and..something to write with? Is there anything I am forgetting that should be obvious, or something that you wished you had thought to bring your first clinical days?

Thanks for the feed back!!! I appreciate any helpful suggestions because our professors haven't really given us a clue.

Oh yea! I almost forgot! I found these really hand cards that can attach underneath my ID badge that have quick facts to know, like normal lab values and things like that to reference while I'm on my feet. (found it on amazon.)

[ahinson07]

Penlight for sure. Shears and a roll of tape if you have room in your pockets for extras.

[adnstudent44]

what kind of shears? like the ones i'd find in a first aid kit? and thanks!

[sunbaby0811]

We are required to bring stethoscope, pen light, bandage scissors, and eye protection. I also bring a big water bottle and quick snacks. Those come in handy! I also bring extra paper and black pens.

[Jenngirl34RN]

Tape and bandage scissors, and since you are working with the elderly and they have fragile skin, I would make it paper tape. I always carry a small flip notebook in my pocket so that I don't forget things. I also carry a highlighter in addition to my regular pens. A penlight for sure. In addition to whatever you plan to do for your lunch, you should bring a couple of small snacks you can eat quickly and water.

Will you be passing meds? If not, I would leave the drug guide in your bag instead of in your pocket. Your pockets get really heavy really fast with all of the stuff you carry around. My first quarter I tried to bring everything that I could possible ever need in my pockets, and since it was only fundamentals I didn't use a lot of it.

One more thing to keep in mind. If your clinical site is anything like mine have been you will not have any sort of locker or secure place to leave your stuff. My classmates and I do not leave any valuables in our bags since they are not secure. I carry my debit card and drivers license in my pocket and leave my wallet at home. The only things I keep in my bags are a spiral notebook, any paperwork I need, my drug guide, hand lotion, my food, and my water bottle. We are allowed to keep our cell phones in our pockets as long as they are on vibrate and we are not caught using them on the floor. If your school or clinical facility does not allow you to do the same you should leave your phone in your car.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I don't know why you would need bandage or trauma shears or tape in your pocket during your first clinical in LTC. Besides your steth, BP cuff and penlight, you'll need your writing pen, a small pad, any paperwork you have to complete for your clinical analysis so you can review the chart and take any notes. Just remember you won't be able to do anything in the facility that you haven't been checked off on in lab. So unless you've already done dressing changes in lab you won't be doing them on a patient.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I always kept a small bottle of hand sanitizer in my pocket. The nursing home I was at was notorious for not having sanitizer available. I also kept alcohol wipes in my pocket to clean my stethoscope.

We were required to have a pen light, medimeter and gait belt at the nursing home.

[adnstudent44]

yea so I've been "tested out of" (thats what we call it in my program) for dressing changes, med administration, IVs, trach care, NG tube care, caths and a couple of other things. But my professor did say they won't have us out right do everything on the first day, but that when they do find an opporunity to do something we have been tested out of, that they will ask for a volunteer and that we should definitely volunteer even if its our first time and we're scared because we won't know when the next opportunity will come up again. Does that help you guys in knowing what I'll be doing?

[adnstudent44]

also thanks for all the help!

[RunBabyRN]

I carry hand lotion in my pocket (unscented), because my hands get very dry from frequent washing. I also carry breath mints (always nice to have minty breath instead of coffee breath, as I often do!). Then there are the "obvious" things- hemostats, tape, alcohol pads, flushes, and IV line plugs (for when you saline lock someone). All but the last of those you can get in the med room.

Really, for the first day, aside from a stethoscope, a pen, a clipboard or something else for taking notes, and maybe a pen light, you really shouldn't need much. You'll really only want stuff you can carry in your pockets. You shouldn't need a duffel bag to carry everything around with you all day.

I chose to purchase a set of BP cuffs, which I only took to sites that didn't have that kind of thing (some of the psych sites, peds sites, etc; not LTC facilities, hospitals, or clinics). No need for a pulse ox.

I also keep water handy (stashed somewhere where it's okay) and a granola bar or other easy snack in case it gets too busy in my bag.

[heyliss]

Looks like everyone has it covered! And I bring fruit snacks in my scrubs. It's small and an easy quick burst of sugar if I haven't had time to eat the whole shift.

[lilredrunner]

I have a pack belt that I found on Amazon (like $15) that I put everything in. I have a hemostat, bandage scissors, penlight, marker, pen, highlighter, alcohol wipes, bandage tape, 2x2 gauze, and a small notebook for vitals (there are some great ones at Barnes and Noble). I also carry flushes and IV caps, because I swear I ALWAYS need them, since NO ONE caps their lines..

I also like to have snacks, haha. I buy little packs of fruit snacks or applesauce (there are squeezes ones that are super handy), because my blood sugar tanks at the most inconvenient times.

Not that you need all of that as a first year student (especially the IV-related stuff), but I like to be prepared with what I'll need, and I've needed all of them at some point or another. And I've never had to be in a room without what I need, no matter what I'm doing.