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

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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!

Well lets see, as far as shoes and scrubs...i got both of them from an on line uniform store called Lydia's Uniforms. They have their own brand of scrubs that if you buy 3 tops they are like 8 bucks and bottoms are 9. I got an AWESOME pair of shoes by Propet from them also...they are slip on's so that i dont have to keep checking my shoe laces. AND they have something like a one hundred thousand mile warranty on the soles. They are light weight and OH SO COMFY! :p

My husband is an RN/BSN and has suggested that I look into to following...

1) a 3 ring binder

2) loose leaf paper

3) LOTS of black pens

4) yellow highlighters (all the others are kinda distracting)

5) mechanical pencils (so you dont have to find a sharpener)

6) 3 hole punch

7) dividers for your binder

8) note cards (for studying)

9) a REGULAR dictionary (that may be just for me though :) )

10) a couple of red pens

and a few things that money can not buy...

a good support system, a healthy diet, a quiet comfortable place to study, exercise, and last but not least a good sense of humer because we'll need it!!!

Good luck to you! (and me for that matter!!! :chuckle )

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Great thread!

Any more PDA advice?

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i would recommend a Saunders NCLEX review book eventually...good comfortable shoes..I love Merrells..they are soooo great

Where did you get your Merrells? I'd rather not order them online because I'd like to try them on, but I can't find any stores in my area that carry them.:)

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

Hi there,

From my experience, the best things that you can get to make your life easier are the following:

For clinical, get a cheap watch with a seconds hand that you won't mind tossing if it breaks. If you are taking 6am clinicals, it is imperative that you eat in the am, as you will be starving and needing to pee bad by 10am. I have found that plain white athletic tennies do me just fine, but I have heard those special nursing shoes are pretty nice too.

Also, don't waste money on those pocket size reference books. You need a 2005 Drug reference guide, the one that's about 6''X10". You will use it constantly and students were always taking mine.

For lecture, I would recommend getting a pack of green highlighters, and lots of index cards. Also I have found that taping the lectures comes in very handy, although I always thought it was a bit dorky before now!

Finally, get yourself a bottle of advil, because you will need it! :)

Good Luck and congrats!

StrugglinginVA

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Specializes in Cardiac.
it's a matter of opinion but when i start thinking about whether i want scoliosis or a backpack with wheels....i choose scoliosis everytime. but really you seem very organized and i wish i was more like that but with scoliosis.

I take all my books to kinkos and have them debinded. Then I take them in my small 3 ring folder. I organize the chapters with the notes, and I highlight anything that the teacher says in the book while she is saying it. Our notes are on CD so I already have them printed out. No painful backpack

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Specializes in Gynecology/Oncology.

Lots of snacks, caffeine, reliable child care, someone to car pool with to save on GAS PRICES, and some close pals to nudge you when you fall asleep in post-conference. :lol_hitti

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I take all my books to kinkos and have them debinded. Then I take them in my small 3 ring folder. I organize the chapters with the notes, and I highlight anything that the teacher says in the book while she is saying it. Our notes are on CD so I already have them printed out. No painful backpack

How much does kinkos charge for that? I think that is a great idea! :rolleyes:

Our books are enough to set you up for back surgery! :rotfl:

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Specializes in hospice.
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!

ERASERS!!!!!!!!!! HEHE

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Specializes in Cardiac.
How much does kinkos charge for that? I think that is a great idea! :rolleyes:

Our books are enough to set you up for back surgery! :rotfl:

I paid $11 for kinkos to debind and drill holes in three very large nursing books. I carry all of the chapters for the next test around with me, so that I can read up whenever I want, plus I have all of the notes with me. It all fits in a 1.5 inch binder-very light.

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I paid $11 for kinkos to debind and drill holes in three very large nursing books. I carry all of the chapters for the next test around with me, so that I can read up whenever I want, plus I have all of the notes with me. It all fits in a 1.5 inch binder-very light.

Another, why didn't I think of that moment!

W. :)

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Specializes in Lactation Ed, Pp, MS, Hospice, Agency.
I take all my books to kinkos and have them debinded. Then I take them in my small 3 ring folder. I organize the chapters with the notes, and I highlight anything that the teacher says in the book while she is saying it. Our notes are on CD so I already have them printed out. No painful backpack

I've had my books spiral-bound and like this idea too. I can go through my books ALOT easier & yeah, they are lighter! I have no plans to sell them back either. Besides, if I decide to sell, I will find a student who wants them (instead of letting the bookstore make the $$ - NS cost enough $$!). I had my books spiral-bound at Office Max (or was it Office Depot? Anyways...) for about the same cost. And they did it while I was their. I waited maybe 5-10m.

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

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I like the idea of having the text books spital-bound. I am going to have that doen to mine!

I think a Starbucks gift card with an unlimited dollar amount would be very valuable.

A lemon cookie and a Carmel Frap would hit the spot right about now.

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