What are the item(s) you need most for nursing school?

Nursing Students General Students

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I have been going through all these posts to find what items are the best things to have for nursing school. The posts are all scattered so I thought I would start a post that will contain all the info for the new incoming students.

I would like to know what I should spend my money on when it comes to study guides, NCLEX review books, NET review books, best nursing shoes (without a logo), stethescope, misc nursing items you have to have, etc. Any new students/senior students/graduate nurses have any info they can share? What were the items you couldn't live without???

Thanks for your input!

Specializes in Cardiac.

Question: did you just take out the chapter(s) that you know the Prof will be covering in class that day? If you do this, I can see how/why you do this! I need to think about doing this myself instead of spiral-binding.

Thanks!

~MJ

Yep. Our tests are broken up in fours, so we have test#1, #2, etc. So in test#1 we cover chapters 50-60 then I print off the notes for those chapters and pull out the chapters from the debinded book and just carry all of the chapters and notes for that test. When we take the test, I just replace the old info with the new. In lecture, I just highlight whatever the teacher covered, because if it was said in lecture and it is in the book, it's probably important. I don't take notes. Imagine only having to carry 10 chapters around instead of 100! I also take other books and put it in my folder as well, like my pharm or psych book if it is related to the lecture. I see so many people lugging around these backbreaking books, and I just pull out this slim little folder with everything in it!

Since the pages are loose leaf do you have a problem keeping them from tearing up easily? I guess this is not that important if you can still see the info on them. That's a very good idea! Do you find that you get a lot more accomplished this way? It would seem so.

Specializes in Cardiac.
Since the pages are loose leaf do you have a problem keeping them from tearing up easily? I guess this is not that important if you can still see the info on them. That's a very good idea! Do you find that you get a lot more accomplished this way? It would seem so.

Well, I keep the main book in a 3inch 3 ring binder and just take out what I need, but I will admit that you cant just flip through the pages carelessly. I did rip one page, but after that I always remembered to be careful. I just can't justify carrying aroung those big books, and I usually have to park out in BFE, so I really have to keep the backpack light.

Could I be anymore excited about school starting...NO! (Well, probably but in another week-the nervousness will take over!!!)

Specializes in FNP.

I tried them on and I love them! I looked at the professional style, as we need to wear all white, closed heel for school, but... they were so comfy compared to anything else I tried on. I've found them online @ 15% off of the store prices around here, and ... think I'll splurge a bit when I get my financial aid checks. Anyone know of any others comparable to dansko in comfort that might be a little less than $100?

Thanks!

A good drug book

Small pocket assessment guide so you can refresh yourself if you think you are forgetting something, and in case the clinical day doesn't go the way you had hoped...which is usually what happens. You have information at hand. Get one with blank pages in it somewhere that you can write on. Doesn't hurt to have a few spanish translations, either.

A good pocket protector. Mine has velcro which attach to scissors and a hemostat, had a place for coins, and for the 1000 alcohol pads you will use when you clean your stethoscope, scissors, etc, between patients.

Merrill's are great shoes, and nurse mates makes a comfortable clog type shoe. I have worn mine two years and they still look new.

Good luck. I have been in nursing 27 years and still love it.:nurse: You in just a couple of years will be the smiley!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Tele, Vascular, Plastics.

A group of really good friends!!!!

My 3 friends are the best and without them Nursing school would be hell!

I love them!

A group of really good friends!!!!

My 3 friends are the best and without them Nursing school would be hell!

I love them!

Oooh-that is so nice! I hope I make some friends in school! I am so shy that I think sometimes I come off as snobby. It's funny though, I am also a Realtor and I am one of the most aggressive ones you will find. I never lose in real estate but stick me in a school setting...and I am pure :chair:

This is a great thread. I start 2nd year of nursing school next week and I am getting excited, nervous, scared....blah blah blah. But I am trying to get my supplies/books/mind together so I can start the year prepared and ready! :bugeyes:

As for shoes, I have been wearing DANSKOS for years, in and out of the hospital and still love them, I buy them at a lower price at danskooutlet.com (check it out), I have also tried KLOGS, there were comfortable, but I couldn't get over the squeaking I made down the halls in clinicals. I have seen some wear BIRKINSTOCKS, and they love them.

I like shoes I can easily slip on and off, so I can stretch out and air out my feet. ( my feet get very hot and restricted after long periods of time)

ONE MORE YEAR TO GO!!!!! good luck to others heading back in the fall!

Specializes in Operating Room.
Oooh-that is so nice! I hope I make some friends in school! I am so shy that I think sometimes I come off as snobby. It's funny though, I am also a Realtor and I am one of the most aggressive ones you will find. I never lose in real estate but stick me in a school setting...and I am pure :chair:

I'm shy too, but have made myself come out of it. I guess now I tend to overtalk to make sure I'm not shy.

So, if I get on anyone's nerves ....I apologize in advance! LOL

I just applied to start in Jan '06. I can't wait to find out what I need! I've been tempted to purchase a watch & shoes, but I don't know what kind/color. I'm not sure if the school is picky on that or not. I've heard my program may be changing scrub/shoes colors too, so I don't know if a white band watch would stick out like a sore thumb or if I'm allowed to get a cheap metal band.

As for shoes, I'm not sure what is allowed, or what I'd want. clogs or tennis shoes....

I'm still confused on what is a good PDA....something not so expensive, but not going to make me wish I bought something better!

What is a better stethoscope....a Littman or ADC ADSCOPE 655 VISTASCOPE. I'm sure Littman is, but the Adscope is a sound amplifying stethoscope.

I'm so confused.....lol :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

I just got my Dansko's a few days ago, and I liked them so much that I went out and bought another pair in black for my med tech job. They are great if you have to be on your feet all day. I just wish they weren't so expensive, but people say they last forever :)

As far as books go, I've decided to get a container for my trunk to hold all of them. I park on-campus, so that way I can just run out to my car and grab the book I need for each class. We'll see how this works out, because I'd hate to have to spiral-bind them.

Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.
I've been tempted to purchase a watch & shoes, but I don't know what kind/color.

clogs or tennis shoes....

I'm still confused on what is a good PDA....something not so expensive, but not going to make me wish I bought something better!

What is a better stethoscope....a Littman or ADC ADSCOPE 655 VISTASCOPE.

I'm so confused.....lol :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Fun2Care: (I am long-winded too! :wink2: )

I hear the type of watch that attaches to your uniform is best (I attracts less "bugs").

Shoes: I went to the Uniform Store & tried on several different types. It helped me a lot. I then purchased the most comfortable ones at the price I could afford. I ended up with Cherokee Rockers (they were on sale too! Always a nice thing). They slide on & I love them! They r as comfortable as I thought they would be too. Keep this in mind once you begin clinicals: working shoes last about 3 months when working full-time (I am a former Hair Dresser). So hopefully your shoes will get you through your 1st year & possibly 1/2 way through your second before they need to be replaced. We only have one pair of feet so treat them well! I am a Birkenstock girl, but feel closed shoes that fit like tennies (tennis shoes) feel best. Oh yeah, invest in new socks too, you'll feel clean & oh-so-much-better).

PDA: I have done my Homework. Rather my DH & I have done our hw! Buy the best you can afford, research what is best for you (compatability, space, programs, need a recorder, ect). I discovered the Dell Site & got my PDA for a cut price w/a discount (hint: look for any threads w/PDA in them). My DH thought the Palm was nice too. Palm has a very nice site also: lol, that my hubby for you! They r always coming out w/new stuff! This makes it hard for choices! We get so overwhelmed! I need the MS Word & compatability w/my voice activated program Via Voice (I talk, it types my notes out). I also wanted to have WI-FI/Blackberry (we have wireless internet @home & some clinical sites do too). Students in my nursing program swear by PDA's & my school is going to add them to our list of equipment. I plan to get a keyboard too, but won't use it unless I have no computer available. Saying this, you could always ask for one for Christmas/Hannanka! Mine ended up costing us $311.00. We got the extended warranty too (smart w/electronics, as I have saved hundreds on my Laptop that has been to the shop 2x now for fried hard drives!). (Dealers hate those things! Teehee!).

Microscope: Littman is the best, or so I have been told. I got one that I could hear out of & have comfy ear plugs. Go try them out at the store.

Well, gotta get 2 wk! Good luck! And Congrats!

~MJ

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