Where do we keep our stuff?

i♥words · Jul 21, 2014

For class and lab a backpack is perfectly fine, if not expected. Class is like a normal college class. For clinical, keep whatever is important on your person. The only thing I keep in the break room is my lunch, and I'm perfectly aware that even though it is labelled it could mysteriously disappear. Money, keys, stethoscope, and everything else important stays in my scrubs pockets.

NurseYomi · Jul 21, 2014

Thanks! I'm really hoping that our school's scrubs have some good sized pockets! I wouldn't want to leave my phone anywhere except for on me, and I have the Galaxy S3, which is big, but not TOO big. :)

RunBabyRN · Jul 22, 2014

We were able to pick out own scrubs, so long as they were the correct color. Pockets are definitely good!

I used a backpack for lecture and skills lab, and a smaller bag for clinicals. We left our stuff out in the open in the locker room, so while there is limited access (code on the door), it's not particularly secure. Limit what you take to clinicals. I left my wallet hidden in my car, and just took a little cash and my debit card in with me, along with my phone and anything I needed for clinicals.

jordiRN · Jul 22, 2014

For class, most people bring a backpack, messenger bag, tote, or something similar. We never brought our books to class (too heavy!), but always had our laptop and a spiral notebook in case we needed paper.

For clinical, I usually brought the bare minimum, and kept it with me all day. Clipboard with papers attached, pens, phone, keys, credit card...that's about it! I never had a problem fitting it all in my pockets, but if I did, there was always a nurse that would let me share her locker if necessary.

You'll do great! Good luck!

Sparrow91 · Jul 24, 2014

For class I had a basic tote bag (Vera Bradley pleated tote). I never carried my books to class, there was just not enough room on the little desk tables to have a note book and text book. Plus in almost all my classes my teachers had power points of the material we were going over and they were posted prior to class so that they could be printed and brought to class. I had a Mead flex binder for every class. They are light, flexible, and portable.

I did however have a large back pack (L.L. Bean deluxe) for the evenings and weekends I spent at the library studying. It held most of my books and my laptop.

I also had a canvas shoulder bag I used for clinical. I learned fairly quickly you really do not need to bring a lot of resources with you. Most facilities have lab manuals, drug books, and such on their computer systems and sitting around on desks. The only thing I brought was my lab skills book because the skills resources on the computers did not provide as much info and pics as I would have liked. I also had a very small wallet (vera bradley zip id) it was small enough to fit in my pocket and I could carry cash, change, my id, and credit card. My phone I left locked in my car. Most of my clinical sites had a strict no phone policy. Good Luck!

invisiblewounds · Jul 26, 2014

Familiarize yourself with the cellphone policy. No means no. I find it a little irritating seeing students/staff standing in the hallway or even in a patient's room texting away. As a student you are there to learn. Leave the cell in your car or in your bag if you are allowed to bring anything to clinical sites.

Thanks! I'm really hoping that our school's scrubs have some good sized pockets! I wouldn't want to leave my phone anywhere except for on me, and I have the Galaxy S3, which is big, but not TOO big. :)

"I've saved some sunlight if you should ever need a place away from darkness where your mind can feed." - Rod McKuen

jordiRN · Jul 27, 2014

Familiarize yourself with the cellphone policy. No means no. I find it a little irritating seeing students/staff standing in the hallway or even in a patient's room texting away. As a student you are there to learn. Leave the cell in your car or in your bag if you are allowed to bring anything to clinical sites.

Totally agree. However, at all my clinical sites, we were required to have our phones to communicate with our instructor throughout the day. We were also allowed to use it as a resource...just not for playing games or texting our friends all day! Know your policy, and follow it...whatever it may be :)

Everline · Jul 27, 2014

I use digital books so I won't have to lug heavy textbooks around. I use a computer bag for my MacBook and whatever odds and ends I need when I go to class. Having said that, we could request lockers on campus if we wanted them. I have one, but only used it briefly during first semester. During clinical, we can keep our bags in the locker room. I stuff my pockets with needed items. I always have my phone with me to look up meds, if needed. I don't bring anything valuable to clinical because we can't lock anything up. Anything of value, like my stethoscope, stays on my person.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

Totally agree. However, at all my clinical sites, we were required to have our phones to communicate with our instructor throughout the day. We were also allowed to use it as a resource...just not for playing games or texting our friends all day! Know your policy, and follow it...whatever it may be :)

It was the same for me. If we were caught doing something inner than school stuff on our phone it was an automatic U for the day. To the OP were asking what to do with all your stuff. Leave it in your car at clinicals. I have a pocket size notebook that I take with me and that is it. The floors have a lot of resources and if you have your phone with you, you will have access to anything you need. You probably won't have a secure place to leave books, notebooks and especially your purse.

NurseYomi · Aug 13, 2014

Familiarize yourself with the cellphone policy. No means no. I find it a little irritating seeing students/staff standing in the hallway or even in a patient's room texting away. As a student you are there to learn. Leave the cell in your car or in your bag if you are allowed to bring anything to clinical sites.
My phone isn't there to be texting, it's for emergencies. I would never be able to leave my phone in the car as the temperature here easily reaches over 100 degrees farenheit. And I wouldn't leave it in my bag either for fear of it being stolen.