Question on What to buy for school!

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.

I start the nursing program in August and my mind is racing with questions. I am wondering if I need to buy a hand held, like a black berry or a palm? I heard that there are programs that you can buy to assist you with the program. Also things like shoes, scrubs, stethoscopes, backpack(one on wheels). I am sure we all have the same questions but I am wondering if anyone who has finished there first semester cares to share any secrets.

Thanks so much,

stethoscope: at the very least, littmann classic II se. this is a tool you will use from here on out. there are differences from cheap to expensive and its worth it to splurge.

pda: not necessary but comes in handy.

shoes: depends on your programs dress code but i've got a pair of solid white nike shox. just get something very comfortable

scrubs: check your school's uniform

backpack: wheels? not necessary. just get one with 2 main compartments and dont wear it only on one shoulder

Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.

Well that is great! I have a back pack already, that I wear on both shoulders. I also have a nice pair of Nike Shox but they are white with the nike check trimmed in black. I wonder if I can wear these, since they are supposed to be all white.

Thanks

Specializes in ER/Med-Surg.

I would ask the nursing program you are going to attend what they require as far as supplies and stuff go. Our nursing school offers a starter pack with a bag that includes a stethoscope, penlight, scissors, clipboard w/calculator, etc. Here are just some things I can think of that I use in school:

1. watch with a second hand

2. comfortable shoes!! I recommend Nike Shox or Landau Invigorate (both come in all white if that is your dress code also)

3. clipboard with a calculator (that lil calculator has come in handy with drug calculations!)

4. a couple of penlights (unfortunately they don't last forever, so it's always great to be prepared with a back-up and they are usually only a couple of dollars!)

5. a good stethoscope...littman, littman, littman!!

6. bandage scissors

7. drug guide

8. pocket nursing clinical reference book (that has lab values, quick patho, etc)

9. I would DEFINITELY invest in some NCLEX Study books. Your nursing exam questions are going to be designed just like these NCLEX questions are! My absolute favorite is Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review...absolutely worth every penny! (usually runs about $50, but you can probably find it on amazon for cheaper)

10. If your instructors allow you to record lectures, I would invest in a recorder...they're not that expensive anymore.

11. My biggest advice for you as a new nursing student is to get in close with a group of friends or even your whole nursing class...that comraderie (or however you spell it) is what will get you through. My whole class gets together to study for tests, share study material, etc. It is especially great if you can get to know someone in the class ahead of you who can give you heads up or advice.

Good Luck! This is going to be the most nerve-wracking, fun, and adventerous time of your life!! :)

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Handheld: Not really. Felt like it would just be one more thing that could get stolen, and it would take more time than just looking up info in a PDR, drug book, or clinical site's computer.

Shoes: Depends on your school. Mine were all white, but I had a small area of trim. As long as they're not wild, you should be ok.

Stethoscope: I would go with a Littman classic II as well, I'm still using mine from school...durable, and you can hear a lot....

Backpack: I'd go with the 2 strap thing...I bought a rolling case the first semester, and I brought too many books every class.....better to be overprepared, I guess. By last semester, I just brought a minor backpack....

Shoes.. That would depend on your school. My school doesn't mind a little colored swoosh or whatever, but I've seen some posts that said their school didn't allow ANY color.

A Palm would probably come in handy with all the nursing related programs so you don't have to carry a bunch of books to clinical (if you do that.) I'd like to get one, but I've made it almost 3 semesters without. Besides, the only book I really take to clinical is my drug book and rarely use it there anyway. We have to research and make drug sheets on any drug we will be giving and if some new drug was ordered, we can look it up on the computer.

I agree with the Littmann stethoscope. I love mine!

Scrubs.. see what your school policy is. We had a certain uniform to wear to clinicals.

I have a regular backpack, one with wheels, and a messenger bag. I bought the one with wheels when I saw how big my med-surg book was :eek: but now I rarely take that book with me. Our powerpoints come straight from the book so I just take notes on them and leave the book at home. I usually just use a regular backpack or the messenger bag, depending on my mood. lol

Let's see.. other than those things.. black pens, highlighters, calendar to write tests dates and stuff in, calculator, 3-ring binders with dividers for class notes and paperwork. One thing I wish I had was a small bookshelf to keep my gazillion books on so they aren't always spread out on my table! lol Oh.. when we do our med sheets for clinicals, we are able to reuse them if they are applicable to the patient. I want to get a filing system to alphabetize the sheets. Don't know if that would be useful to you or not.

That's just some extra basics that you probably already thought of, but I figured I'd throw them in anyway. lol

Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.

Wow,

You guys have given me so much information. I am going to print these out and take them with me. Thanks so much, I appreciate your time. I am sure I will be on here more once school start!

I know two people I have been friends with since I went back to school so I plan on studying with them, I also know a girl who has been in the program for a year.

Hopefully that will be enough support, but I am a people person and I can't wait for this journey to begin!:jester:

Hey mbwants2baRN, I start NS this August, too, and I'm really excited! :yeah:

Here is some stuff that I have bought/been told to buy by other NS students:

* a GOOD stethoscope. Littmans are very popular and I bought a Littman Classic II S.E. for $73.95 on http://www.reddingmedical.com (CHEAPER than http://www.allheart.com and super fast shipping!) - normally those go for $84.95 at uniform/scrub stores (+ tax = around $90!). It also has a 3-year warranty so it will take you through nursing school as long as it doesn't manage to "walk off" somewhere!

* I like to record my lectures and having a recorder really helped me with my science pre-req classes! Although more expensive, they sell ones that you can hook up to your computer and it transcribes the notes for you!

* a small pocket-sized notebook for clinical

* a good NCLEX book. I have been told a countless number of times to buy an NCLEX book even if I won't be taking the NCLEX for at least 3 years. Practicing NCLEX questions will not only prepare you for the NCLEX but it will help you study and help you get a grasp for what NS tests are like. I bought the Saunders NCLEX 4th Edition (it's blue) and it's around $50 (not including tax).

* a storage clipboard. they sell these at Office Max (and I'm sure Office Depot and Staples carries them, as well!) and actually Saunders makes them, too! They had one with a calculator on the clip board and then one without, both were around $16.

* HIGHLIGHTERS!!!! if you're like me and you like to highlight stuff (I like to highlight keywords/points, etc) then you'll need lots and lots of highlighters.

* black clicky pens so you won't have to worry about the caps, especially in clinical

* comfortable shoes! I went to a uniform store and ended up buying a pair of NurseMates (it's called "Dove") - they are soooooooooooo comfortable! Very lightweight with arch support!

* planner/calendar - they will help keep you organized and make things a lot less stressful!

Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.
Hey mbwants2baRN, I start NS this August, too, and I'm really excited! :yeah:

Here is some stuff that I have bought/been told to buy by other NS students:

* a GOOD stethoscope. Littmans are very popular and I bought a Littman Classic II S.E. for $73.95 on www.reddingmedical.com (CHEAPER than www.allheart.com and super fast shipping!) - normally those go for $84.95 at uniform/scrub stores (+ tax = around $90!). It also has a 3-year warranty so it will take you through nursing school as long as it doesn't manage to "walk off" somewhere!

* I like to record my lectures and having a recorder really helped me with my science pre-req classes! Although more expensive, they sell ones that you can hook up to your computer and it transcribes the notes for you!

* a small pocket-sized notebook for clinical

* a good NCLEX book. I have been told a countless number of times to buy an NCLEX book even if I won't be taking the NCLEX for at least 3 years. Practicing NCLEX questions will not only prepare you for the NCLEX but it will help you study and help you get a grasp for what NS tests are like. I bought the Saunders NCLEX 4th Edition (it's blue) and it's around $50 (not including tax).

* a storage clipboard. they sell these at Office Max (and I'm sure Office Depot and Staples carries them, as well!) and actually Saunders makes them, too! They had one with a calculator on the clip board and then one without, both were around $16.

* HIGHLIGHTERS!!!! if you're like me and you like to highlight stuff (I like to highlight keywords/points, etc) then you'll need lots and lots of highlighters.

* black clicky pens so you won't have to worry about the caps, especially in clinical

* comfortable shoes! I went to a uniform store and ended up buying a pair of NurseMates (it's called "Dove") - they are soooooooooooo comfortable! Very lightweight with arch support!

* planner/calendar - they will help keep you organized and make things a lot less stressful!

Thanks so much, yes I do also love to highlight. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me these tips. I just feel a little out of touch, but everyone is being so helpful. Good luck in school!

Thanks so much, yes I do also love to highlight. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me these tips. I just feel a little out of touch, but everyone is being so helpful. Good luck in school!

Anytime!

And thank you! Good luck to you, too! :heartbeat

Until you actually start, I'd just buy regular school supplies (pens, highlighters, printer paper, etc.). I'd hate for you to go out and buy some nice new shoes and find out that the little swoosh is against policy, or that they don't allow clogs. Same with scrubs - some schools just tell you a color, others force you to order through a company they contract with. I got my Littmann on campus for a total of $75 (no shipping) and it came with a pen light, bandage scissors, and some other goodies - sometimes the price at school is better, since they're selling in bulk. Check out some websites for prices now, but don't buy until you know a little more. I bought a recorder on amazon for about $50 before I started, but again, be careful - some schools/professors don't allow recording. Most do at my school, and I took advantage. I bought a backpack w/wheels, and it broke in 3 months. However, we never needed to bring our books to class. I only brought mine for the days we had a 3 hour break between classes. Now I just take one book and carry it in my shoulder bag for breaks. Most people in my class don't have PDAs, so they aren't necessary, but the school is requiring a certain brand of Palm Pilot for the incoming class.

Have you gone to orientation yet? They should let you know there exactly what will be required. Then you can supplement with other stuff you think you might need. Be careful buying too much stuff early - your school may give you a lot of leeway, or they may give you none, so make sure you know what they want from you before you waste any money. Congrats on getting in, and good luck!

Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.

Thank you guys so much for your in sight. I have not gone to orientation yet. It is august 9th I believe and our classes start on the 25th. We also have something they call jump start where you can go and they will give you so input on the medical terminology, study skills, and freebies, so I will be there. I am so nervous. I just want everything to run smoothly.

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