Optional equipment - starting school

nursedawn67, LPN · May 17, 2004

Having my own BP cuff made it easy for me to practice BP's at home on my family, name tag for it is good to help keep it in your possesion. I hear the Clip board was really good to, I wish I had had one.

Good luck in what you choose and do!

Boe · May 17, 2004

Many of my friends bought the clipboard for $18.00, I bought a plain one for $1.00 and and just typed all the info. and taped it onto the back of my clipboard. BP cuff was not optional. We did have a long list of optional books that I did not buy (and didn't miss).

Energizer Bunny · May 18, 2004

Okay, where can you find the clipboard and what is the "official" name of it?

AmyLiz · May 18, 2004

You can find that clip board just about at any nursing uniform place that carries equipment. I've seen it at http://www.allheart.com for sure, as well as http://www.nursesstation.com

Energizer Bunny · May 18, 2004

Thanks..........

suzy253, RN · May 21, 2004

I got my clip board at my local community college bookstore when I was taking courses there. Also had a mini calculator on the clip bit. Helped me out a lot! Lots of info in one place. BP cuff came in useful when I was practicing on family/friends.

Berta · May 21, 2004

Our clinical instructors wouldn't let us carry a clipboard. It was due to the fear that we may leave it somewhere and the pt information would be easily accessible to unappropriate personnel. You know HIPPA>>>

Stethoscope with ID tag is really handy. I didn't buy a BP cuff because we could always borrow/use the one in lab.

There is one item that we didn't have to get till this past semester that I would have found very handy when I first started clinical. Its a little topbound spiral note pad called RNotes. It has all kinds of awesome info, plus it has space in it to write info on pt and it wipes clean with alchol wipes. It contains how to calculate meds, lab values, assessments, ob stuff, ekg, med info, and a ton of other stuff. It cost $21 at school book store. I've seen it available in most book stores. It fits perfectly in my scrubtop pocket.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · May 21, 2004

Good to know that about RNotes--I saw it listed on half dot com and ordered it--not required, just thought it seemed like a good thing to have.

As to the clipboard, my classmates bought the fancy $18 model too. I went to Big Lots, found a clipboard with a calculator on it for about $2, and photocopied the info I needed off the back of my classmate's clipboard (cost 10 cents), and I had the same gadget.

I didn't use it very much except at the very beginning. I found that once I was in clinicals, I learned the copied stuff just by being constantly exposed to it. The calculator was replaced by a little one that fit in my pocket once I loaned the clipboard one out to a friend and it came back with the corner broken off.... :bluecry1:

GracefulRN · May 21, 2004

I have one and I just downloaded RNotes onto it. I am having so much fun playing with this thing :rotfl:

twarlik · May 21, 2004

When you started (or are starting) school, did you buy any of the optional equipment ?
(may not be optional at your school, but is at mine)
Would you recommend needing the following?
Blood pressure cuff set
Clipboard w/normal vitals/calculator
Steth ID tag
Anything else that might not be recommended but that comes in handy?

Yes on everything! The other posters have pretty much covered the reasons why you really need this stuff. As for the stethoscope ID tag: I've discovered that stethoscopes have a tendency to walk away in the hospital. You definitely want to make sure your name is on yours!

Also, RN Notes is a great tool to have. Very helpful when you're trying to remember lab values, etc.